The true test of a talented band is whether they are capable of grabbing the attention and following of people who don?t typically listen to the type of music they play. Octane surpasses this expectation with flying colors.Octane, formed in the fall of 2000, is comprised of five Philadelphia area musicians (Brian Bortnick, Bob Pirylis, Brian Quinn, Joe Bass, and Greg Tripp) who abandoned their own gigs to join as one. They strive to transform the genre of rock and roll into one that encompasses original music and a plethora of talent, despite the overwhelming majority of groups in the industry who rip off tunes.
“I think people miss the days of pure unadulterated rock,” said guitarist Quinn on the group?s Web site, octanerocks.com.
Once established in the Philadelphia area on the local music scene, Octane began appearing onstage with acts like Sevendust, Fuel, Disturbed, Days of the New, Judas Priest and Kid Rock.
They have now expanded their shows to multiple venues in New Jersey and even as far north as Williamsport, Pa.
A typical Octane performance though always including surprise elements–consists of an acoustic portion from their current album, “When All is Said and Done,” followed by a heavier set of guitar riffs, drum solos, and Quinn?s signature screams.
Bortnick, lead singer, puts on a mesmerizing performance of their recent WYSP hit “Gasoline,” floating on lyrics like “I never realized the millions of miles between us/There?s a mile for every lie, one for every lie that?s deceived us.”
Fans belt out lyrics to “Chosen” in place of Bortnick?s voice: “I can?t take it, I?ve been broken/Never choosing, always chosen/Beat me down with sick devotion/Never choosing, always chosen.”
Feeding off the devotion from his fans? mouths, Bortnick lets out a sly yet exhilarating smile, knowing that he and the other four members of Octane have every fan in check, before returning to the end of the song.
Occasionally, depending on the venue, the band will cover popular songs from their favorite artists. Drummer Pirylis gets the crowd roaring with Sevendust covers, while guitarist Bass brings in some hip hop flavor with Eminem ?s “8 Mile” theme song, “Lose Yourself.” Quinn also throws in a performance of AC/DC at the end of their second set.
Guitarist Tripp rarely takes control of the microphone, but grasps the attention of the audience with his superb riffs and ability to get the left side of the stage screaming for more, and sometimes competing with Quinn?s right side.
Although their music is what packs venues like the Lagoon, 15 North, Bootleggers, and Whiskey Tango, Octane is more than just five performers. All five men come offstage during their breaks; some socialize with their fans, while others do shots at the bar or soak up compliments from their followers and first-timers.
Most bands would get an egotrip from the overflow of positive feedback, but Octane?s members genuinely appreciate this praise and show it by embracing their devoted fans.
Octane will be playing at their hometown spot, Whiskey Tango in Northeast Philadelphia, on Friday, Oct. 29 and will head to West Chester for a performance at 15 North on Saturday, Oct. 30. To check out their merchandise, individual biographies, song lyrics, and schedule, visit their Web site at octanerocks.com.
And remember, as Bortnick so eloquently says at every performance, “Support local original music!