First, I’d like to offer up some appreciation to Brenda for the opportunity to express my view of the local music scene here on our little sliver of paradise. Being a local beer and music lover here for 19 years gives my take on local music, in my opinion, worth a read.
    Not to be mistaken for up and comers, The Galaxy Collective have proven themselves a real working man’s band and have done it in the short period of a bit over a year. With three steady gigs a week and full time jobs, these boys aren’t short on work ethic and have started their own whiskey fueled frenzy with “Fireball Friday” at the Turtle West. The Whole of this funky machine is definitely the sum of its parts. Not a one of these strapping young gents comes from similar backgrounds and in my experience, this is a recipe for great music.
    Because I like doing things my own way I’m gonna start from the back. The heartbeat of the band and the punch in the ear hole you’re receiving is drummer Sage Kane.  It’s almost as if he was named with the intent of “rockstar”.  His first toy was a drum stick and his first drum was his younger brothers melon. Without any lessons Sage started beating the skins full time at 14. The Galaxy Collective is his first band and his unique style is the driving force of the rhythm section. I gotta admire any drummer who credits Stewart Copeland and John Bonham as their heroes. For once someone didn’t say Neil Pert. When he’s not beating the hell out of drums he spends as much time as he can surfing and making other people smile.
    Let’s move it to the frontman. Phil Knight is an accomplished singer/songwriter who has been entertaining the Eastern Shore all of his life and also has a name that insinuates “rockstar”. One of my favorite genres of music is rockabilly and Phil has certainly carved his own groove and style. His energy and unique voice are delivered with excellent cadence and timing. Team that up with a winning smile and the girls get their eye candy every time.
    Hmm ... Eenie meanie mighty Otto Grundman. Another rockstar name that this highly talented young chap has lived up to. On lead guitar he goes toe to toe with most guys twice his age. Literally. He is currently in the 3rd round of a competition sponsored by Guitar Center that offers a $25,000 purse. We wish him luck and yes, the first round is on his tab. As the saying goes, “it all started with a song”. That specific song was “Crossroads” and dear old Dad was the teacher. Like a wolf’s first bite into the cub, Otto tasted blood and has had an insatiable appetite for knowledge of music and guitar ever since. That is obvious with “never the norm” licks and scales that he deliveres with smooth precision especially in any of his versions of Jimi Hendrix or Trey Anastasio tunes. Okay maybe I shouldn’t have gone with the blood thirsty wolf analogy because the truth is Otto is one of the nicest people you’ll ever have the honor of meeting.
    I intentionally saved my favorite for last (sorry boys, it’s a bass player thing). Matt Smith, aka Smitty, isn’t exactly a rockstar name but when this kid gets done with this town, moms across the peninsula are gonna start calling their boys Smitty  in hopes that some day their fingers will spit lightning too.  Some say less is more but in Smitty’s case more is absolutely necessary. This lefty works the neck of his Rickenbacker like Edward Scissorhands sculpting one of his many masterpieces. With a humble attitude he’ll say he really has no idea what he’s doing but don’t buy it. His connection with music and his band mates comes straight from the gut. Smitty has dabbled in most genres but prefers his own style which I can only describe as “gave me my funky shoes back”. His work ethic on bass is hypnotizing and I’m usually exhausted from watching by shows end. Or maybe it’s all the Fireball his sweetheart Sarah feeds me.
    Well, there ya have it, OC, and our ever beloved visitors. Take any Friday night and go to The Greene Turtle West, or if you’re a bartender like myself swing over to the 28th St Pit ‘n Pub on any given Monday. Or alternating Wednesdays at Greene Turtle N. or Kirby’s Red Onion. Don’t forget your dance partner or find one along the way, ‘cause the Groove Ship will not allow you sittin on yer tookas.