Hybrid Ice: On Fire and Going Home (Part One)
Hybrid Ice: On Fire and Going Home (Part One)
“The Most Famous Unknown Band in the World.” is how Hybrid Ice once described themselves. This year, that may change in a big way.
While this Pennsylvania-based band has toured with and supported some of the greatest names in rock history, a deal with a major record company has never materialized. But it isn’t for lack of talent or conviction. Coming up this year, Hybrid Ice will be the support group for such classic rock names as Jimi Jamison, best known as the former frontman for the chart-topping band Survivor, Bobby Kimball (Toto), Joe Lynn Turner (Deep Purple) and Derek St. Holmes (Ted Nugent). The first set of shows will feature Jimi Jamison, including a March 17th date in the hometown of Hybrid Ice…Danville, PA.
Recently, three members of Hybrid Ice answered a few questions about their approach to working as a support band, their 30+ year history and what’s in store for the upcoming shows with Jimi Jamison.
Hybrid Ice is: Rick Klinger (drums/vocals), Bob Richardson (keyboards/vocals), Jason Schaffer (bass), Chris Alburger (vocals/guitar) and Rusty Foulke (lead guitar).
Kat’s Theory (KT): Hybrid Ice recently announced they will be providing musical support for some of classic rocks finest names. Bobby Kimball, Joe Lynn Turner, Derek St. Holmes and first up, a couple of shows with Jimi Jamison. I’m taking a guess that this booking is through Sally Irwin and SJI Entertainment. Did this all come about before the December cruise with Jimi, Bobby, John Cafferty, Chuck Negron and Mickey Thomas…or was it a result of the success and fun of a full week at sea?
Bob Richardson (BR): You are a good guesser. It was almost like an audition. Sally was probably quite nervous to have Jimi play with a band she had never heard before. Sound check was more of a jam session than a rehearsal. Musicians can tell pretty quickly if it is going to be good or bad. Jimi smiled the whole time so I guess we passed the audition.
Rick Klinger (RK): This whole thing actually happened on the cruise as a result of the show with Jimi. He had given us 14 songs to prepare and we had plenty of time to work on them. We never were the kind of band to just throw something together, so we were ready. I think that we have an energy flowing off stage that crowds feed off of. Anyway, Jimi is not only a monster singer, but quite simply just a great guy. We had a blast, he had a blast, and by the time the ship docked back in Baltimore, both Jimi and Sally said "We have to do more of these shows!" The next cruise will be in February of 2013.
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