I feel for bands like Johnny Smoke. The band rocks live and has an equally rockin' new CD, For A Dollar. Yet the band's show at Spenders last Friday night was predominantly covers --- good covers, but nothing compared to its originals. And I blame this on a large segment of the Rochester rock audience. You know who you are: you're lazy, you're unimaginative, you suck. Yeah, yeah I know --- everyone wants to sing along and nod their mullet in familiar approval. But there once was a time when, oh, let's say that Led Zeppelin song you've heard a million times, was new to you and you gave it a chance. Every time you listen to it now, that's time out of your life you could've been listening to Johnny Smoke's "Real Love" or "Freedom." You'd probably even know some of the words by now. Johnny Smoke is rock 'n' roll in the vein of these worn-out classics, but fresh and new and exciting. Give 'em a chance.

For a man in a turtleneck, New York City's Paul Mark sure sings and slings like a mighty, mean man. Known more as a blues artist, Mark has constantly strived to push its vernacular and purpose. It's still the blues all right, but Mark and his band The Van Dorens don't just park and shuffle around the same ol' eight or 12 bars, but barrel through with Mark's soulful baritone and luxurious guitar work leading the charge. And lyrically this cat is a master storyteller, full of wit, wisdom, class, and self-effacing honesty.

The band swung like a slick sledgehammer Saturday night at The Dinosaur as the dance floor bristled and boiled with varying degrees of moneymaker-shaking talent. This included a couple that copped a sort of sultry, sexy, swing/tango hybrid. The band wound the Dino spring tighter and tighter (and louder and louder), bringing the music and the mood to multiple crescendos. Mark positively wrung his guitar's neck releasing a flurry of meaty twang. Hell, Paul Mark and the Van Dorens' sound as voluptuous and irresistible as two Mamie Van Dorens.