Who was that masked band? Who knew that the Green Lantern was such a cool drummer or that Superman could leap tall buildings while shredding a Guns N’ Roses solo? Riddle me this! Did you know that the Dark Knight could rock such wicked bass lines or that his super side-kick Robin head-bangs with the most metal of guitarists? And who in the world knew that Flash “the fastest man alive” had the vocal power to knock your boots off?

None of these answers did I know until I saw my childhood superheroes come to life when Jukebox Superhero flew into Vinyl Music Hall for an evening of Justice League style rock n’ roll. Hitting the stage for an all-ages show, the members of Jukebox Superhero are…

******Spoiler Alert******
(DONT LET YOUR KIDS, OR ANY ADULT THAT DOESN’T WANT TO KNOW THE TRUE IDENTITIES OF JUKEBOX SUPERHERO READ THE FOLLOWING: )

…also the members of Jukebox Hero; Doug “The Flash” Driggers (vocals), Greg “Superman” Behan (lead guitar), Tim “Batman” Liese (bass), Marco “Robin” Hunt (rhythm guitar) and Eric “The Green Lantern” Mazzone.

******Spoiler Over******

With a focus on taking some of the greatest pop hits of the 80’s to epic status with their Superhero might, the group provided a dancing, headbanging good-time for the youngest of superheroes to the oldest rockers at heart.

Near the end of their set, my friends and I decided to get some food and check out another show at Sluggo’s Vegetarian Restaurant. Only a short walk away, we made it just in time to catch Company of Ghosts perform. Mixing dark themes and various musical influences including blue grass, Adam Cope (cello/saw/vocals) smiling over his plate of post-show food described their sound as “black grass.”

Lively and lit with blue lights and one lamp near the stage, the band kicked into their cover of the Cab Calloway hit “Minnie the Moocher.” Replete with the “call and response” audience evocation of the original intertwined with their own darkly jubilant flair.

Led by Patrick Hutchinson (vocals/guitar/banjo/mandolin/kazoo), Jesstro V. (washtub bass/electric bass/banjo/vocals), Chris Stokes (guitar/mandolin/vocals), Travis F. (percussion/vocals), Mark King (washboard/percussion/vocals) and Cope, the group provide a musical experience that is a hauntingly entertaining celebration. So much so, that my friend Anna decided to snag my camera and take a few photos in the restaurant while I was occupied with an almond brownie and an engaging conversation about superhero movies with a group who noticed the Green Lantern hoodie I was wearing. I wonder if they’ll bring back Superhero underoos too?

-MLS