Fine Arts
Bars/Clubs
Dining
Music
Movies
Literature
Fitness
Recreation
Attractions
Community
Professionals
Bright Idea: [Stay current on what's happening all around town with our 
By Date
Dawn of the Picnic
Printer-Friendly Version | Email This Article
Dawn of the PicnicLunatic Picnic's Re-emergence
2006-06-22
Article Written by: Jennifer Day
Dawn of the Picnic
Lunatic Picnic’s Re-emergence
As far as the eye could see in the dim smoky isles of Beaches Bar, the faces of fans from days long past are gearing up full force for the festivities of the evening. Tonight’s headliner, Lunatic Picnic. It has been 12 years since these guys played a show together but they didn't miss a beat. In fact, if you hadn't seen them before and didn't know their history, you would never believe that they just rejoined to rock Daytona Beach in another outstanding show.
Let me introduce the men that will certainly be names to go down in history. Singing and hypnotizing the crowd with his lyrical genius is Johnny Marano; On the guitar, making those strings sing like few can is Rex Christensen; The backbone of the band keeping the beat strong is Chris B. Heard; And last but certainly not least, we have a phenomenal Michael Houllis on the bass. Let me just add to that watching him jam on that bass guitar with the cigarette hanging from his mouth was absolutely classic. I loved it!
The new Lunatic mingled with the old was a great mixture to witness. There was the hard rock of the past mixed with some great new songs that ranged from hard rock to a more melodic alternative and even into a rap segment on part of one song. There wasn't a still body in the house, from feet tapping and bodies moving to full on dancing in front of the stage. The lyrics regrettably got lost on parts due mostly to the size of the bar and the set up of the speakers but all in all, great sound quality.
The energy was high on the stage. All the band members were immersed in the magic of their music and it was absolutely contagious. The drums kept a rhythm that could be felt in your core and the guitar solos were impeccable. The sound of Johnny's voice raised clear up to the platform above where games of darts and pool were put on hold so that the music could be given its due homage. The passion behind all that is Lunatics music was completely engulfing the entire bar. Not too bad for their first night back out to see the entire place screaming them on.
Two of the new songs that they performed were called “Run, Run” and “1955”. Run, Run being a harder based song based on what seems to be a relationship gone bad, (what makes better music than that?) and 1955 a great song that would grace any rock station with it's sound. I think personally that 1955 would be a song that people would be singing along to in their cars as they are driving down the roads in their daily commutes. The melody draws you in with its sweet charm and the lyrics are just off base enough to make you really listen. I admit that even I was singing along with them by the end of it.
I can't wait to see these guys play again and also look forward to seeing their music evolve even further into the uniqueness that is theirs. It is so refreshing to see blatant disregard for style and refusal to compromise, and with that, creating a style all their own. That's what will make them heard. And you heard it here first. Thanks for listening Daytona Beach!
More information about Beaches Sand Bar
