Local News

Life is sweet: Local band gets chance to be opening act for the Steve Miller Band

A group of local teenagers will experience the opportunity of a lifetime this weekend when their band Sweet Desire opens for the Steve Miller Band on Saturday at the Pine Knob Theatre in Clarkston, Michigan.

Influenced by groups like Def Leppard, Led Zeppelin, The Doors and other classic rock bands -- the name Sweet Desire was inspired by an ELO song -- the group said they are thrilled by the chance to be on the same stage as Steve Miller.

Getting to this point took a lot of practice and a big dash of luck, they said.

The Blair County band includes Kenton Lewis, 19, on guitar, Jordan McCaulley, 19, as the frontman, Trey Boore, 18, on the drums, and Josh Simpson, 17, on bass.

They gather each week to practice, write music and lyrics and perform at various festivals and events.

They also record their own music, which is where the luck comes into play.

Earlier this year, the four were at the Plymouth Rock Recording Co. in Plymouth, Michigan, to record their music, including "Raspberry Joe Blues."

"It's our first-ever song we have released," Lewis said.

While at the studio, an intern they only knew as Taylor asked if he could send the song to his father, who he thought would like the music.

It turns out the father ended up being Jimmie Bones, the keyboardist for Kid Rock.

About an hour after Taylor sent the song, they got a call from Bones, who then showed up at the studio and jammed with the group.

"For him to come help write the song, that was awesome," McCaulley said.

From the connection with Bones, Sweet Desire ended up getting the invitation to be an opening performance for the Steve Miller Band concert, where they will get to play a 45-minute set.

They plan to play "Raspberry Joe Blues," which they released as a single, and other songs they recorded in the studio, which will become part of their upcoming EP.

"It is definitely exciting," McCaulley said. "A very new experience, which is very cool."

One of the defining aspects of Sweet Desire is their diverse musical tastes, which contribute to their sound.

"We all have different music tastes individually," Lewis said.

McCaulley is a big '80s hair metal and country fan, Boore likes ELO, Bob Marley and everything really, he said. Lewis enjoys blues music, especially from the early '60s and '70s, and Simpson is into funk.

"It all mixes well together, making it more enjoyable to create our own sound," Lewis said.

Sweet Desire's sound is a fusion of heavy blues with psychedelic and hard rock influences and they take pride in adding their own flare to it, the group said.

"Think the best of '60s and '70s hard rock, but we bring our own little touches to it," Simpson said.

The band strives to make its music meaningful and disregards strict formulas.

"It's like an experience to listen to," Simpson said.

Sweet Desire started out as Lewis and Boore playing mostly '90s music together.

They found McCaulley at a Rock in the Yard, where there was a Def Leppard tribute band.

"We went up to him and just asked if he played guitar," Boore said.

McCaulley tried out for guitar and ended up becoming a singer.

Then Boore and Lewis found Simpson, who was wearing a Red Hot Chili Peppers shirt while looking at records at the Antique Depot in Duncansville.

They asked him if he played bass and the rest was history, Lewis said.

There was only one small snag in forming the band, as when they talked to Simpson, he was already in a band. But, two weeks later, that band broke up, Simpson said.

"Then I called them and said I want to be your bass player," he said.

The four all hold down jobs and perform with the band as a side gig.

McCaulley, a Hollidaysburg Area High School graduate, works at Cumming Motors, while Lewis and Boore, Altoona Area High School graduates, work at Martin's and the Altoona Curve, respectively.

Simpson, the youngest, is a senior at Central High School this year.

They admit they have no plans to attend college at this time, as they're focusing on their musical careers.

From working with Bones to the show Saturday, it's "definitely starting the roller coaster of what is to come," Boore said.

Richard McGarvey, who owns McGarvey's Bar and Grill, where Sweet Desire has performed, said it is great to see young talent blossom and thrilling that Bones, a professional, established musician, reached out to work with them.

Being an opening act for the Steve Miller Band is a great opportunity for the group, McGarvey said.

"This could be the big stepping stone for the guys -- this will be a show I am sure they will never forget," he said.

Mirror Staff Writer Cati Keith is at 814-946-7535.