(SONG LISTS FOR CHEAP THRILLS & PEACE ROAD further down in this section) For about 7 years we have performed as Peace Road a Woodstock Rock band. We had so many Janis Joplin songs and folks kept asking for more, so we added a spin-off band / show called Cheap Thrills. Cheap Thrills is a long set of over 15 Janis Joplin tunes. Laurie completes this with her stage performance, dressing, acting and singing as Janis. We can just perform as Cheap Thrills or do a longer 3 set performance adding our Peace Road material after the initial Janis Joplin set. We arrive in our hippie bus for every event! People love photo ops with it as well as with Laurie/Janis! Band Members: Laurie Blasing- Janis, Joe Blasing- Lead Guitar, Mike Manno- Guitar/ Vocals, Mike Warfel- Bass Guitar/ Vocals, Ken Czech- Drums Our Song Lists Janis Set- Combination Of The 2 Piece Of My Heart Maybe Coo Coo Half Moon Try Turtle Blues Bobby McGee Get It While You Can Cry Baby Mercedes Benz I Need A Man To Love Down On Me Flower In The Sun To Love Somebody Summertime Ball & Chain Peace Road Songs- Volunteers- Jefferson Airplane White Rabbit- Jefferson Airplane Somebody To Love- Jefferson Airplane Strange Brew- Cream California Dreamin'- The Mamas and the Papas Break On Through- The Doors You Keep Me Hangin' On- Vanilla Fudge I Got A Line On You- Spirit Fresh Air- Quicksilver Messenger Service For What It's Worth- Buffalo Springfield The Weight- The Band I Put A Spell On You- CCR Long Time Gone- Crosby, Stills and Nash Tambourine Man- The Byrds Green River- CCR Peace Frog- The Doors Never Been To Spain- 3 Dog Night Hush- Deep Purple Time Of The Season- The Zombies Find The Cost Of Freedom/ Ohio- Crosby, Stills and Nash The Pusherman- Steppenwolf Love Me Two Times- The Doors Heart Full Of Soul- The Yardbirds These Boots Were Made For Walking- Nancy Sinatra Almost Cut My Hair- Crosby, Stills and Nash The Letter- Joe Cocker Get Together- The Youngbloods Work Together- Canned Heat Going Up The Country- Canned Heat Pictures Of Matchstick Men- Camper Von Beethoven version Feelin' Alright- Joe Cocker Born To Be Wild- Steppenwolf Woodstock- Crosby, Stills and Nash
(Laurie) Being able to re-create the music of Janis Joplin with Cheap Thrills is a dream come true, cheesy I know. But that fills my heart with joy..just to be able to perform her incredible music with band mates I truly care about.
To be able to get on a national level with the band.
Man, if I could change the world that's a biggie. Honestly as cheesy as it sounds I'd start with World Peace that would make everything else a lot easier.
Janis Joplin's Piece of My Heart
Well now let me see.... I'd have to say Janis Joplin of course! I do love other bands and artists as well, especially from the 60s and in the Psychedelic and Blues realms. Bands like The Doors, Jefferson Airplane and CCR are some of my favorites. I perform those and many, many others in our primary band Peace Road.
Well, once we got started with Cheap Thrills the crowd response was overwhelming. So many people are still inspired by Janis and love not only her popular songs like Bobby McGee and Piece of My Heart but her lesser-known songs like Flower in the Sun and Half moon. I actually go out in the crowd between sets and love talking with people. They are so amazing and hanging out with them and hearing their stories, well it's just incredible.
That the music of Janis Joplin is here to stay. It's here and will never go away and will continue to inspire and just plain make you happy!
I feel humbled quite honestly. People are so honest and open and kind and very complementary to the point that it makes me blush sometimes. Sometimes I have to just give them a big hug they're so cool.
Well, so many people are chasing the big money or the big Fame. When I say I'd like to go national with the band it's not for the fame, believe it or not... it's to spread this great music around and get it to people who truly enjoy it. Bands should take the time to get with their audiences and make it a true experience for them, make them feel included because they are....if it wasn't for them we wouldn't be around performing.
So far I really like it. I came here to do an electronic press kit for our spin-off band Cheap Thrills and so far it's been a great experience.
I'd have to say that sound can be frustrating at times. Getting dialed in properly that means vocals and our instruments. My range is so vast that sometimes I don't get dialed in the high range and peak out. It's usually not too difficult to work with the sound company but you have to be careful not to over sing until your dialed-in properly and the right balance of instruments and vocals are achieved.
Of course you should always support your local musicians. There aren't a lot of bands playing our genre and that is my favorite kind of music. We go out and see local bands like the like The Lizard Kings and The Hendrix Experience. We are usually playing twice a month and there is a recovery time for me at this stage of my life hahaha. Can't do those late nights like I could.
Sometimes I'm not sure if it's the quality of the musicians or the promotion behind them. But if we're talking about the musicians specifically I would say as I said before to always include your fans and get to know them personally. Appreciate them and include them. You will be rewarded beyond just a stage performance...believe me.
The Lizard Kings are relatively new Doors cover band from Chicago as well as the Jimi Hendrix Experience. Both are beyond outstanding!