Charlotte, NC

Okay … my email’s been flooded with notes from fans around the US (and the Queen City!!) who just need to know more about the raw musical energy known as The Fore. Soooooo, I’m gonna kinda/sorta pre-empt the regular post here to oblige ya, Charlotte!:

About ten miles from London, in a town called Bromley in Kent, four young men came together and created a sound not heard since the early Beatles. But they brought something to the musical table that set them apart from any other Beatlesque group: they actually had the same energy, drive, personality and power of the Fab Four within them!

These musicians — Matt Hardy on lead guitar, Spencer Hannabuss (pictured on your right, and who also writes the band’s material) on bass, Luke Bentley on rhythm guitar and Simon Thompson on drums — melded their personalities, and began, just as their famous predecessors, to perform wherever they could find a crowd: streetside, private functions, fairs and small clubs.

They finally caught the attention of the manager of the famous Cavern Club in Liverpool, and now are booked there often. Let me quote from Neil White, their publicist:
“they love them in Liverpool, no surprise maybe except the people of Liverpool are not easily fooled … in fact the manager of the Cavern wanted them to be the resident band.”
Sort of reminds you of another band, doesn’t it? In fact, these lads have all the elements of the Beatles, including their apprenticeships (playin’ the sweaty gigs in small clubs and for low-to-nothing pay), their devoted, grassroots fanbase and the true, ingrained energy that elevated the legends to the top of the charts!

In each member, you’ll see a distinct and lively personality. The intensity of Simon (pictured on the left) captivates many fans, while Luke could pass as the “kid next door”(btw, that was what Michelle M. from Toms River, NJ, observed); lead Matt looks studious and a bit quiet, while bassist Spencer not only exudes “life … maybe a hint of impishness” (again, Michelle’s observation!) but looks a bit like George Harrison.

But their sound is what’s really turning on the fans! Though they’re lookin’ for a record contract at present (and, man, it won’t be long before their names are on a lucrative dotted line!), they already have a CD out called Black & White … and even are featured (with six songs!) on the upcoming Rare and Unseen: The Beatles DVD (premiering on April 7).

Now, I’ll be addin’ more about the guys (as it becomes available) in future posts, but, until then, you can get into the ForeFront by clicking on their site. A word of warning: You will be pleasantly excited by what you’re gonna see and hear!

UPDATE ON PETER DINTINO

After a small rough spot, Pete’s still climbin’ back from his fight against leukemia! Folks, I swear I’ve never seen so much courage, fight, belief and pure fortitude outta anyone before. At the rate he’s goin’, it won’t be long before he’s back behind the drumkit, rockin’ like never before! Here’s his daughter’s latest entry (read the whole thing from the beginning at his CaringBridge site for a completely awesome and inspiring story!):

“The intial tests showed nothing. He had an EDG and a Ct scan and they both came back negative. They did take a biopsy of his stomach while they were down there, that won’t come back for a couple of days but hopefully everything is okay. I am back now and he says he’s really glad. I got him to take some of his medicine PO (by mouth) and hopefully if everything comes back negative I can get him back to taking all of them. He is having minor surgery to fix his sub-clave catheter in his neck tomorrow so I’m not sure how up he will feel to phone calls but I will ask him! Thank you again for the prayers and continued support. Love Lin

Well (Y A W N !!) it’s been a long day here in Relicville, so I think I’m gonna go on and open this new pack of zzzz’s and then hit the sack. So I’ll see ya tomorrow when we get back to the QC with news and views, okay??