Ten Ton Mojo at Arlene's Grocery

Dave Anthony

While all the indie bands in Brooklyn were getting public attention several years ago, a smaller scene was brewing at Arlene's Grocery, where classic rock-sounding bands were writing and performing songs that harked back nearly a half century. Ten Ton Mojo was among the pioneers of this renaissance. The members of the original band were similarly-minded musicians who knew each other from playing in other  bands. When the timing was right, they formed Ten Ton Mojo, and released a debut album in 2013. "Pinball Girl" was featured in the indie movie Pinball Donut Girl, and a remixed version of "One and Only" was used in an automobile company's advertising campaign. Otherwise, Ten Ton Mojo remained under the mainstream radar, yet maintaining a solid core following. After several personnel changes, the band presently consists of lead vocalist Dave Anthony, guitarists Scott Lano and Christian Realmuto, bassist Chris Laubis, and drummer Paul "Sugar" Kane.

Tommy London normally hosts $5 Rock Show nights once a month at Arlene's Grocery, but for the month of October ("Rocktober ") he booked Ten Ton Mojo as headliner of all four Wednesday nights. Ten Ton Mojo's current musical chemistry has shifted slightly from its earlier southern rock roots and moved more deeply into the classic rock genre of the 1970s. Still grounded in soulful blues with soaring vocals, bottom-heavy guitar licks and thundering rhythms, Ten Ton Mojo tonight bridged hard rock with heavy metal, bringing forth the best of both worlds. Anthony's prominent melodic delivery gave each song its own identity, while the hammering of the musicians kept the music from ever approaching commercial radio blandness. This was more Pantera than Bon Jovi, for comparison sake. Is there a larger audience for this music these days? Ten Ton Mojo is ready to lead the rebirth.