An unlikely reunion

For those of us old enough to have caught shows here in Orange County, CA both the 1980s and 1990s, there are two bands that put on shows as unforgettable as they were artistic. In the 1980s, the Living Daylights were simply the best band in town. And in the early 1990s, Altered State (which released two amazing albums on Warner Brothers) likely picked up the torch thanks to singer Gregory Markel leading both those outfits.

On Friday, April 22, 2005, it was an eerie and powerful show that featured singer-songwriter Greg Markel backed by members of both those bands, including virtuoso guitarist Rusty Anderson (Paul McCartney's guitarist for the past four years or so) from Living Daylights, and Chip Moreland of Altered State and Dread Zeppelin fame. Performing at the Knitting Factory in Los Angeles, it was amazing how incredible this collection of players is. In an event not to be repeated, Markel led the band through a brief 30-minute set highlighted by a mind-bending "Into the Strange." The crowd was thrilled, especially when the night's headliner Cindy Russell joined the ensemble.

It was a thrilling night.