The Dirty 3rds played their catchy, slamming versions of pop-rock, 1980s music, hard rock, hair bands, and modern dance music to an enthusiastic audience at New England Seafood in Methuen, Massachusetts last night. With a flair for entertainment as well as a passion for solid musical performance, this four piece band knocked it out of the park during several key moments.Fronted by the dynamic Dara Cassidy, Dirty 3rds got down to business on the first number, “Nothing But A Good Time” by Poison. The band made clear they were a ball of energy that keeps each song moving with a smooth flowing but very disciplined sound.
“I Want You To Want Me” by Cheap Trick found guitarist Rob Ferraro cranking out the feisty rhythm guitar riffs and the wiggling melodic phrase within, that line that has always sounded part art and part garage rock charm.
Cassidy sang with a throaty growl on Journey’s “Stone In Love.” She had her way with the vocal phrasing, clear and strong in timbre, nuanced in her sustains. Guitarist Ferraro must have had a blast pressing out those huge anthem-like phrases. Without missing a beat Cassidy slammed her way into “Anyway You Want It,” belting over the spiky guitar with her muscular vocal dynamics.
Cassidy also brought the nostalgic emotional context to the forefront of Guns N Roses’ “Sweet Child Of Mine.” She had to be feeling it when Ferraro played his emotive bittersweet solo phrase that rode the line between hope and longing. He put a lot of heart into that melodic line, his phrase burning its way forward as it traveled through twisty rails and peaks and valleys.
The Dirty 3rds played the hard driving rhythmic joy ride of Aerosmith’s “Walk This Way” with a crunchy, insistent, persistent groove. Bassist Mal Chojnowski, who had kept his low end nice and bulbous during the previous numbers, here dropped dollops of butt kicking bass notes.
The band continued the flowing energy as they rocked out on Pat Benatar’s “All Fired Up,” especially with their harmony on the chorus. The Lenny Kravitz tune “Are You Gonna Go My Way” was an action packed rocker, with Cassidy’s rapid fire delivery of the speedy vocal line and Ferraro finessing the hell out of a frenetic guitar part, a live wire with a life of its own.
The rhythm section of drummer Rick Lister and bassist Chojnowski kicked like a mule on The Kinks’ classic “You Really Got Me.” That infamous groove gave great support to that most familiar guitar riff from the British Invasion.Cassidy’s consistent phrasing over driving beats, restless low end, and a buzzing guitar line during the Adele song “Rolling In The Deep” showcased her ability to lead a driving number with the sheer strength of her voice.
Good showmanship and fist pumping cheerleader energy gave Cassidy a rock star aura as her band mates nailed the Twisted Sister anthem “I Wanna Rock.” With exuberant force, she glided over the waves of 1980s style hard rock on “Heartbreaker,” capturing Pat Benatar’s ferocious timbre, delivery, and attitude, with emphasis on attitude, since a woman singer has to sound like she means business on that number. Lister did some snappy drum work on it, impulsive, on time with a bang.
The Dirty 3rds had fun on Kiss classic “Rock And Roll All Night.” It is harder to capture the feel and sound of a Kiss song than many might think. Yet, this band had the cruising vibe down pat, with guitar chords smooth and strong enough to drive a truck over. Ferraro nailed the Ace Frehley frenzied, youthful styled guitar phrase and Chojnowski’s bass propulsions were another plus.
Lister’s drum solo was loud, varied, and fluid, easily moving from one piece to another with dexterity. His drumming segued right into Van Halen’s “Panama.” Here, Cassidy proved she was a forceful singer who could deliver the goods made popular by the loud colorful David Lee Roth.Chojnowski sang a raw and punky lead vocal on Billy Idol’s “Mony Mony” and “Rebel Yell.” Dirty reds conjured the rest of that big 1980s sound with their harmonies, bright keyboard sweeps, and crystal clear, spiky lead guitar. Chojnowski played a big beautiful bass groove on Cee Lo Green’s “Fuck You,” his low end runs flowing and fulsome like polished brass.
Cassidy donned a fuzzy pink cowgirl hat and let the audience ride three of her hobby horses, which she named “Leroy and his friends.” It was a fun party experience at that point, with Ferraro making his guitar wide, rangy, and halting, like a whinnying horse.
Cassidy’s most beautiful vocal delivery of the night came during Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believing.” She carried the larger, rangier vocal parts with true power in her chops as well as the softer, sweeter intro over sprightly piano tinkling and Ferraro’s spiraling lead guitar ascension.
Things got even more rocking in The Dirty 3rds second set. They foursome played AC/DC’s “You Shook Me” with raw power and tightness. Ferraro’s guitar chords were the icing on the cake, and he gave even more power chord stuff on the expansive sound of Warrant’s “Cherry Pie.”If you thought Cassidy was just another pretty lead vocalist, think again. She can play all sorts of melodies and instruments on her keyboard. She got that bouncy jaunty Celtic line going on during “Shipping Off To Boston.” Soon after, she slipped back into sultry vocalist mode to belt out Grace Potter’s “Paris.” Cassidy likes to share, so she let guest vocalist Sherri Richardson perform “Tush” as Ferraro let loose a flurry of bluesy Texas guitar boogie.
For their grand finale, The Dirty 3rds played a mash up of “Play That Funky Music,” “Another One Bites The Dust,” and “Bust A Move,” which featured New England Seafood’s head cook Brett Hamel, a promising singer, rapper, culinary artist, and conversationalist doing the rap.
The Dirty 3rds showed why they are such a popular cover band. To begin with, the four have a lot of stage presence. Passionate and skillful, they also read the room vibe and rode it out energetically for over three hours. .