Flagg, Wade, Loomis and O'Neal with Hollywood Jim

SedonaEye.com contributing writer, Hollywood Jim, and fan

Last Saturday, I had the distinct pleasure of being invited to the performance of the band called “Rewired” at the Rocking B Saloon in Cottonwood, AZ. There was a hint of anticipation when we pulled into the already packed parking lot and heard sounds of musicians warming up inside. We found a table, ordered a pitcher of dark ale and sat back in the dimly lit room of waiting locals and fans from afar. The guys opened the first set with Steppenwolf followed with covers of classic rock hits ranging from Wilson Pickett’s “Mustang Sally” to “Sharp Dressed Man” by ZZ Top.

Rewired is the four man band of drummer Dan O’ Neal, Mike Wade on vocals and guitar, Ray Flagg on bass, and Jason Loomis on lead guitar. Dan working those drums is a man living his passion! The talented bass of Ray Flagg laid the line for Mike Wade’s smooth as good bourbon voice and guitar while Jason Loomis’s all-over body work on lead was on fire!

I know what I like and Rewired is primed to become one of the best classic rock cover bands that Hollywood Jim has heard in northern Arizona in a long time!  It’s rare that I will sit through a second set but did, and appreciated Rewired’s Hollywood Jim Shout Out with U2’s “With or Without You.” Any band willing to touch U2 and do it justice gets an A+ on my scorecard but lead guitarist Loomis blew me away as he left the stage and burned those strings up front and close!

Other Rewired covers include Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers, The Doors, Rick James, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Steve Miller, Collective Soul, and Nirvana. (Nothing like “Smells Like Teen Spirit” to get my motorcycle boots kicking some ass and wanting more!)

The passion these four men share for classic rock music is evident. Only together since last September, Rewired is fast becoming a professional performance band of talented musicians able to hold a crowd. Clubs should be paying attention.

Mr. Dan O’ Neal hails from the East-side, Maine’s town of Ellsworth, where his passion for the drums began. Detroit Michigan’s Ray Flagg has bass and music in his blood, and the great state of Florida gave us two musicians–Mike Wade’s smooth vocals and guitar honed in Tampa and the electric man burning lead guitar, Miami’s Jason Loomis.

Do you want a night out that brings you down home and blasts you into icon heaven?  Then do what the “Rewired” groupies are doing and be at their next club date. You know the music’s “listening good” when Hollywood Jim needs to blaze a cherry cigar between sets.

Check out “Rewired Madness” on Facebook to find a schedule–some of the high profile gigs are a huge indicator of talent. I was impressed with Rewired’s performance and you will be too!  Ask me for a road trip to see these guys jam again, and I’m all over it like white on rice!  Peace Out!