Pod debuts songs from it's new CD "Hung" Tonight

from The Citizen's Voice
by Jerry Kishbaugh
Friday, May 6, 1994

Powerful, punchy, penetrating. Using a little poetic license, you might say these are three peas in a pos or, more precisely, three "p's" from POD.

In the event you're confused, POD is a power trio that recently releaded a nicely packaged, heavy-hitting, 10-tune CD entitled Hung

POD is comprised of two musicians whose names should be recognizable since they performed in this area for several years. The rhythm secion boys include drummer/lead vocalist Ed Collins and bassist/vocalist Dan Holeva, both of whom were charter members of FreeFall. The band's blistering guitar work is cranked out by New Jersey's own Steve DeAcutis.

Up until now, you might say POD had been a long-disctance band since two of the three members had to commute to a studio in Sommerville, NJ to lay down the 10 tracks on Hung. Holeva trekked from Dickson City to Jersey, while Collis (formerly of Throop — and he even admits it), had the longest haul, traveling from Indianapolis, IN to do the CD. DeAcutis was the lucky man since he already had been working at Tony Camillo's recording studio. (For the record, Camillo used to manage Gladys Knight and the Pips).

Before going any further, POD will be in the area tonight (Friday May 6, 1994) to debut the 10 original songs from Hung. POD will be opening for the hard-rockin' quartet Dirty Looks, touring in support of their latest album, Chewing On The Bit Though I'm not at liberty to divulge the particular club where the show will take place, the rock joing I'm speaking of is located in the Pittston Mall. (Check the back page ads for the exact site. Hint: the name can be equated with a set of steps that take you from one floor to the next). POD will kick off the show at 10pm, Doors will open at 9pm.

Though the music of POD is hard to put a label on, there are some influences that tend to shine through now and then: Rush, Extreme, Yes, Van Halen and even Uriah Heep. But, for all intents and purposes, POD has it's own distinct sound: heavy, but intricate instrumentation, smooth harmonies and powerful lead vocals from the man behind the set.

POD's CD wastes no time in setting the mood as "Freight Train" hits the tracks running, building to a fever pitch like a steam engine at full throttle. This is one of the best tunes on Hung and, in my opinion, it's accessable enough to have single written all over it.

Freight Train is followed by Roger's Theme, which is probably one of the CD's heaviest offerings. There also are some rock & funk numbers including the instrumental (yeah, an instrumental) Face Potatoe'd and the highly rhythmic In Fo Ma Shun.

But, not all of POD's music is hot, heavy and funky — the band does slow things down a bit with the likes of One World Mind which opens quietly and builds to a dynamic finish. Three's also a terrific ballad (if you consider a song about growing up in Throop to be ballad material) entitled One Day Ten Years Ago, which showcases DeAcutis' abilities on acoustic guitar and the purity of Collins' voice.

The CD concludes with Nothing, which conjures aural images of Yes on the basis of the many different progressions and musical changes found within one song.

Hung has everything needed to make the CD a marketable commodity — great songs with wide appeal (something for young and old rockers) and slick packaging.

"I've dreamed about doing a CD for the longest time. I can't believe it's finally come true," Collins emphasized.

But, it gets even better for the beat man. Collins, who uses Purecussion drums in the studio and in concert, will be featured in the August issue of Modern Drummer magazine. "Purecussion has expressed an interest in giving me a sponsorship since I'm one of a few people who use their drums live. The sponsorship will give me and the band great exposure," Collins added.

Currently, POD's CD is being shopped to Atlantic and EMI by the band's manager, Al Paciotti of the Connecticut-based Stage Right Management.

"We want to get our music out for the people to hear. We have several gigs booked in New York City including a show at CBGB's in July," the drummer boy explained.

As for how the POD project came about, Holeva said that Collins was put in touch with a producer in New Jersey (Camillo). "Ed had been writing songs for the last few years and he sent a demo tape to Tony Camillo. Tony liked what he heard and got in touch with ED about doing a CD," the bass man said.

It was Camillo who hooked Collins up with DeAcutis. He also asked Collins if there was anyone he'd like to have work with him on the project. That's where Holeva came in. "Ed always told me he'd like me to record with him some day. When he asked me to sign up for the POD project, I jumped at the opportunity," Holeva stated.

Suprisingly, it only took about four weeks to complete Hung. "Everything seemed to gel. It was one or two takes, a couple of punches and boom, it was done. Hopefully, we captured that spontaneity on the CD," Holeva added.

Collins and Holeva concurred that they hope to see POD's CD go national. "It's every musician's dream. But, like everything else in life, it's all a matter of timing," the bass player stressed.

Holeva also noted that if Collins does land a drum sponsorship it will be good for the band. "It will give POD quick, broad exposure and visibility," he offered.

Dirty Looks' frontman Henrick Ostergaard, who handles lead vocal and guitar duties, said his band's Chewing On The Bit album contains no ballads and nothing down-tempo. "I have to admit that the level of intensity on this record goes way beyond what I expected," he asserted.

The POD-Dirty Looks double bill should prove to be an interesting concert. Check 'em out tonight.