Calvert - County Times

The Calvert GazetteThursday, August 23, 2012 14The Calvert Gazette is always looking for more local talent to feature!To submit art or band information for our entertainment section,e-mail sarahmiller@countytimes.net.‘Colossus of Clout’By Sarah MillerStaff WriterBarely out of the starting gate and with only a fewmonths under their belt as a band, Colossus of Clouthas already played a couple venues on both sides of thebridge, as well as the first ever Sun and Music Fest inCalvert.The band consists of Barry Grubbs, Sid James andAlex Bizzarro, along with the occasional saxophonistand other back up musicians. The guys are all from thearea and have been playing in groups together sincehigh school. Grubbs said he first met Bizzarro at PatuxentHigh School when Bizzarro would sneak out of hisjazz band class and into Grubbs’ guitar lesson. The twowould hang around and have a jam during class andafter school.Their varied musicals backgrounds come out inthe selections they play. From blues and rock to jazzand “beachy music,” Grubbs said they have a little bitof something for everybody. He said because the bandmembers are familiar with such a wide array of music,he said they can usually play requests and, in the offchance none of the band members are familiar with it,they can normally find a satisfactory alternative. Theyhave played Hendrix, Sublime, and even classic countrystandards. They even play original songs composedby the members of Colossus of Clout.“Nothing is off limits,” Grubbs said.The variety is beneficial for the members of theband as well.“We all get board real easily, so we like to changeup things we do a lot,” he said.Their abilities range not only in the types of songsthey can play, but the instruments they are proficienton as well. Bizzarro plays guitar, piano and percussionas well as clarinet. He said playing a variety of instrumentsand genres helps keep musicians from “losingsome of your creativeness.”For Bizzarro, his favorite music involves “up beat,groovin’, funk things.”Colossus of Clout is not the only project the bandmembers have going. Individual band members canbe found at open mic nights at Jake & Al’s Chophouseand the Ruddy Duck or even in other groups, whichGrubbs said is normal for musicians in SouthernMaryland.“That goes for a lot of us, we all have side projects,”Grubbs said.Grubbs and Bizzarro have played in blues jams inColossus of Clout at theSouthern Maryland Sun and Music FestNorth Beach, Leonardtown and even St. Mary’s City.Bizzarro and Grubbs recently graduated from college.Having played together for so long makes it very natural,Bizzarro said.“Sometimes, we don’t even have to say anything toknow where to go,” he said. “When you get to that levelof playing with someone, it’s pretty cool.”Currently, the band is taking a break from playingvenues while they rehearse and get more songs in theirset list, though Grubbs said they will play at events orengagements that catch their interest, or if they are invitedto play.Playing in Southern Maryland affords musiciansthe opportunity to play with other high quality groups.“There are a lot of great artists down here,” Bizzarrosaid, adding the people in Southern Marylandseem to welcome and actively support their local bands.For more information, including upcoming concertsand booking information, visit www.facebook.com/ColossusOfCloutMusic.Entertainment CalendarPhotos by Sarah Millersarahmiller@countytimes.netThursday, Aug. 23Presidential Memorabilia ExhibitSt. Clement’s Island Museum (38370Point Breeze Road, Colton’s Point) – 10a.m.Friday, Aug. 24Live Music: “Mac Walter and JohnCronin”Calvert Marine Museum (14200 SolomonsIsland Rd., Solomons) – 7 p.m.Live Music: “Tony Lapera”Running Hare Vineyard (150 AdelinaRoad, Prince Frederick) – 5 p.m.Live Music: Lizzie Deere”Lotus Kitchen (14618 Solmons Island Rd,Solomons) – 6 p.m.Live Music: “Benji, Dominic, and Fox”Ruddy Duck Brewery (13200 DowellRoad, Dowell) – 8 p.m.Saturday, Aug. 25Live Music: “The Colliders”Ruddy Duck Brewery (13200 DowellRoad, Dowell) – 8 p.m.“Cornhole for a Cure”The Tiki Bar (85 Charles Street, Solomons)– 3 p.m.Hand DancingAmerican Legion (3330 ChesapeakeBeach Road, Chesapeake Beach) – 6:30p.m.Free Concert at the Back to SchoolBlock PartyTrinity United Methodist Church (90Church St. Prince Frederick) – 3 p.m.Live Music: “Hate The Toy”Vera’s White Sands Beach Club (1200White Sands Drive, Lusby) – 3 p.m.Live Music: “One Louder”Vera’s White Sands Beach Club (1200White Sands Drive, Lusby) – 9:30 p.m.Live Music: “Diane Daly”The Westlawn Inn (9200 ChesapeakeAvenue, North Beach) – 7:30 p.m.Live Music: “Mike Butler”Running Hare Vineyard (150 AdelinaRoad, Prince Frederick) – 12 p.m.Live Music: “Radio Caroline”Running Hare Vineyard (150 AdelinaRoad, Prince Frederick) – 1 p.m.Tuesday, Aug. 28Open Mic NightRuddy Duck Brewery (13200 DowellRoad, Dowell) – 6:30 p.m.