Armd (but not too dangerous)
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For more than a decade, Armd singer/guitarist Mike McClain has been hitting area stages with one thought in mind.
"We strive to entertain people by playing the music they want to hear," said Elyria native McClain, who is known as "Big Mike." "We try to be lively and upbeat and are constantly adding new songs, and we're just a good-time band that enjoys people and hope the people enjoy us."
While you can describe Armd as a classic rock/blues/country cover band, the quartet prides itself on the fact its material often sounds very different from the way the original artist recorded it. That's the band's way of leaving its calling card with an audience.
"We play everything from the Allman Brothers to ZZ Top and everybody in between," McClain said. "And we do some country when we're asked to do country. We're learning some of the new country for the people who like that. We're kind of in the vein of Toby Keith ... not so much of that cry-in-your-beer music. It's more of the happening country, Southern-rock style, I guess, would be an easier way of approaching it."
Audiences have definitely taken notice with more and more Sandusky area dates in recent years. In fact, the act has added a local once-a-month gig.
You can see the return of Armd to Erie County April 27 at The Pump Bar & Grille in Perkins Township.
"We seem to be doing really well there," McClain said. "They like us and treat us well. I think their clientele likes us, too. I think the thing about The Pump is it kind of has a cross-section of all of America. There is no one particular group of people, and I think that's what makes it a lot of fun, because you can get all of these different types together and everybody is letting their hair down and having a good time and not worrying about the catastrophes in the world. Everybody is just enjoying the music."
And why should anyone think about taking in a night of Armd?
"I think because we just play for the people," McClain. "We love all of the music we play, and it makes it really easy. If you love what you do, it shows up in the crowd. If you're having fun, people automatically have fun."
Armd
WHEN: 9 p.m. April 27
WHERE: The Pump Bar, Strub Road and Ohio 4, Perkins Township
COST: FREE
INFO: 419-621-1041
I like the style of taking a random vowel out of a word. We should be called Fncoast. E-mail Jhn Bensn at editor@funcoast.com.
