John Lennon famously caught holy hell for declaring himself and his bandmates “bigger than Jesus.”
And while making almost any allegation like that is certain to attract the ire of the masses, perhaps Lennon’s biggest problem was that he really had no one with any credibility who could affirm or deny his claim.
Until now, that is.
Known in the local landscape for his work with Primitive Ink and Sdrum the last two decades, Valley veteran John Losito says he’s contracted the acting bug of late. He cut his teeth as Lennon in a recent Majestic Theater production, and is now ready to assume the role of Christ in PACE’s production of Jesus Christ Superstar at the Northampton Academy of Music April 8-11.
So how about it, John? You’ve walked a mile in both men’s shoes… er, sandals?
“Dude, I’m not touching that one,” Losito says, laughing. “But I can certainly say that this Jesus is a lot harder to play than Lennon was. … I’m literally onstage 80 percent of the time.”
The affable now-actor went on to add that his PACE Theater Production places JC as a rock singer, and the apostles as his band. “A contemporary twist… and we definitely rock it out,” he concludes.
Incidentally, if Losito looks particularly convincing in his love and adoration of Mary Magdalene, it could very well be his finely honed acting chops—or the fact that that role is being played by his fiancee, Teresa Lorenco.
For tix, a trailer and more info, kindly point your browser to jcstix.com.
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In other news, singer/guitarist Josh Enemy says he, too, remembers life as a “superstar,” fronting the Nirvana tribute outfit Negative Creep at venues nationwide.
“I really got tired of being the Kurt Cobain guy,” he admits, “so we pulled the plug on it a couple of years ago.”
Citing the need for both “closure” and “one last night of celebrating one of the most influential bands in history and an epic album,” Enemy says he is growing the locks out and ready to bleach again for the Negative Creep reunion show on Saturday, April 17 at Chicopee’s Max Cap.
“We’ll be performing the entire Unplugged in New York show as close as we can get to the real thing, right down to the clothes, props and the set,” he adds. “I even have my good friend Chris Piquette stopping by to play the role of Pat Smear.”
The one-night only engagement is being billed as a family-friendly affair, running from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m., with a buffet dinner included. Tickets are $25 per person, $40 a couple or $80 for a table of five and can only be obtained through joshenemy@yahoo.com. (At press time, only 70 seats were reportedly still available.)
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Speaking of tributes, a slew of the Bay State’s finest, including surf/country fave Coyote Kolb, Jesse Gallagher (of Apollo Sunshine notoriety), the New Highway Hymnal and more will resurrect the works of the man in black, Johnny Cash, this Saturday, April 10 at P.A.’s Lounge in Somerville.
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Last up, we find… medical news from West Springfield rockers Merrick Section (myspace.com/merricksection)?
According to drummer/singer/sometimes guitarist Jim Walsh, a therapist at UMass has been using his band’s music with some of her aphasia patients.
“I’m certainly no doctor, but apparently it all has to do with singing involving the right lobe and repairing some disconnects,” Walsh explains.
As plans were firming up for the Walk and Roll for Aphasia this Saturday, April 10, beginning and ending at the Amherst Common, said therapist decided to call Walsh and add a little Merrick-ment to the festivities.
“We’re happy to do it, as my brother-in-law, Bob, has aphasia,” Walsh says. “He is actually like a brother to me, and we have seen so many shows all over the country. A real music lover.”
While the free concert is open both to walk participants and to the general public, it is also contingent upon the weather.
Send correspondence to Nightcrawler, P.O. Box 427, Somers, CT 06071, fax to (860) 698-9373 or email Garycarra@aol.com.
