The guitar-driven, instrumental rock super-group Public Access fires up Local Spins Fest outside Studio Park Saturday. Enrique Olmos explores the musical magic created by this Michigan ensemble.
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LOCAL SPINS’ 10th ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION: Local Spins Fest runs 3-10 p.m. Saturday on the Studio Park piazza in downtown Grand Rapids. It kicks off with DJ SuperDre at 3 p.m., followed by Cabildo at 4 p.m., Hannah Rose Graves at 5 p.m., Full Cord at 6 p.m., Public Access at 7 p.m. and The Accidentals at 8:30 p.m. Tickets are $20 and available online at listeningroomgr.com. Some seating will be available and supplied by Studio Park, along with standing room on the piazza. Attendees can also bring their own folding chairs. The show is rain or shine, but severe weather can cause delays or cancellation.
Steve Leaf picks up a lime green bowling ball and wraps his hand around it in a peculiar form. He winds up, approaches the lane, and sends the ball spinning towards the pins like a vortex with a flick of the wrist. But Leaf is short—the ball angles inches past the pins and into the gutter.
He redeems himself on the next round, refining that hypnotizing spin into deadly accuracy and clearing every pin from the floor. We step back and sip our beers to celebrate the clean strike.
Then we watch the many moving parts of Wenger’s Bowling Alley shuffle the dead pins, set up new ones, and return the lime green ball down a robotic ramp.
Leaf’s musical super-group, Public Access, isn’t unlike the mechanics at the bowling alley; there are many moving parts. At times, the instrumental band has had as many as nine guitarists onstage.
“When we roll up, some sound guys are like ‘Oh, that’s too much.’ But we have a strict no noodling policy. Especially between songs. During the songs, play the parts. We don’t noodle. We have specific parts for people that they play. That’s the workflow when we play live. Too make as little noise as possible and still have the songs be full.”
Public Access performs at Local Spins Fest outside on the lawn at Studio Park at 7 p.m. Saturday, just ahead of The Accidentals. Tickets are $20, available here. Gates open at 2 p.m.
Members for Saturday’s show include Steve Leaf on guitar, Ben Zito on bass, Dan Rickabus on drums, Joe Ridgway on synth, Nick Young on guitar, Ryan Anderson on guitar, Alex Atkin on guitar, Bill Chesneyon guitar and Emilee Petersmark on guitar and vocals.
‘VERY PUMPED TO BRING PUBLIC ACCESS OUT OF HIBERNATION’
Public Access has released several records and singles over the years, including two studio releases, 2016’s self-titled album and 2018’s “Unlimited.” The band also has released a handful of live recordings from shows at Bell’s Brewery, Earthwork Harvest Gathering and Wealthy Theatre.
Throughout the albums, the instrumental outfit rolls through both calming and simmering compositions. It’s an immersive experience.
The band’s live appearances have been few and far between, but wildly entertaining and engaging, with members garbed in colorful jumpsuits and sunglasses. It’s dizzying to pick a single musician to focus on.
Dan Rickabus of The Crane Wives anchors the group on drums with inventive rhythms and a steady pulse. Leaf fills the air with scorching riffs on guitar. And Ben Zito displays fancy footwork while securing the low-end load.
“It’s great to have the support of Local Spins. They’re an invaluable resource in the community helping to foster local music from the ground up,” Leaf quips.
“Local Spins Fest is going to be a blast, very pumped to bring Public Access out of hibernation. I just really hope we don’t have another T-shirt cannon malfunction. Dave was a great guy.”
Leaf takes a moment to eye the scoreboard hanging above our lane before a final roll, securing his victory. The ball spins at the local bowling alley with ease, leaving only a few pins standing.
Leaf has a nice touch. And the same could said about his guitar playing and his musical direction with Public Access.
VIDEO: Public Access, “Lakshmi Singh” (Live at WYCE)
VIDEO: Public Access at Earthwork Harvest Gathering
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