Shindig Dancers

As promised, one more look at the exciting stage show presented by the New Invaders. Not on stage for all songs but brought up for the rocking dance tunes, the pair of Shindig dancers, Roberta and Carla, add to the atmosphere of fun and enjoyment at every show.

For those of you too young to remember, there were several rock & roll television shows in the 60s, from The Monkees to Hullabaloo! (yes, including the exclamation point!), Dick Clark's Bandstand and an afternoon show called Action. That third title was another Dick Clark show which featured Paul Revere & The Raiders, red coats and all. Freddy Cannon was another contributor, and his hit song Action ("Let me take you where the action is . . ."). And the list should also include The Ed Sullivan Show. The Really Big Show not only brought the Beatles to New York, it also forced the Rolling Stones to change the words of one of their risque songs. Imagine Mick Jagger singing "Let's spend some time together."

And one of the popular shows was called Shindig. It featured lots of music and lots of go-go dancing. Throughout the decade, young rockers were quite able to tune in and see great music several nights a week. Roberta and Carla bring high energy to the stage and keep the go-go tradition alive.

Loads of fun at a New Invaders concert. Why not try them out for yourself this summer season?

Rhythm Section

Completing the regular lineup of the New Invaders would be what is commonly known as the "rhythm section," which in rock & roll terms usually features the bass guitar and the drums.

In the Invaders' versatile lineup, drummer Heath Chappell is free to step front & center during the course of the concert to sing lead on certain songs. Since guitarist Joe Garcia is comfortable behind the drum kit, Chappell gets to enjoy the change of pace while several members of the band are on the move to differing spots on the stage.

Dave Nuccio, who spends most of his time on bass, gives the group a pair of lefties, another unique fact about the Invaders. Nuccio moves to keyboards at times during a show.

One more post will follow with an additional touch of the '60s adding lots of visual appeal to the New Invaders' lineup.

Dual Guitars

The power of much 60s rock is based on having at least one guitar with an artist who can carry the show with the rhythm and the lead lines. No great group was lacking a lead guitar who could rip out a memorable lick and the drop of a guitar pick. The New Invaders, a group with considerable versatility, has a pair of guitarists who fit the bill.

Lefty Joe Garcia not only drives many of the songs with the guitar, but also moves to bass guitar on certain songs and even sits in behind the drum kit during the course of the night. This allows the bass player and drummer to move to different locations on the stage and adds to the range of music the group can handle.

Jim Herter, seen here with the guitar at rest while he plays the flute, also works saxophone and harmonica into his contributions. His rocking lead lines warmed up the night at the Taste of Glen Ellyn, and he capably fills the role of lead vocalist on certain songs as well.

The tight rocking group's bassist and drummer will be featured in the next post.

The New Invaders

'Twas a cold evening for the Taste of Glen Ellyn, a mid-May Saturday for which the weatherman was warning possible freezing temperatures. I had wanted to shoot some rock and roll and had planned the trip, but after I arrived I wondered if I had made the right decision. Waiting for the New Invaders to begin their set after 8:00 PM, with the temperature dropping enough that vocalist Dave Huizenga mentioned the weather in his opening, we needed some heat. Stubborn enough to wait, I hoped for the best.

And I got it. The New Invaders play music of the '60s, lots of British Invasion, spirited tunes with outstanding guitar licks and powerful rhythm. Huizenga, who also plays keyboards and guitar, is the primary singer and focal point of the band. Personable, great at interacting with the crowd, he got the show going early and kept it moving throughout the concert. Music of the Kinks, the Hollies, and even the Blues Magoos, the New Invaders provided the heat and no one left to get out of the cold.

The New Invaders also features lots of girl group songs. Obviously, there must be another singer in the works, which will become evident in the next post.