PROGSTOCK
VENUE THE UNION COUNTY PERFORMING ARTS CENTRE, RAHWAY, NEW JERSEY
DATE 11-13/10/19
We’re only 20 miles from Manhattan, but Rahway could be another planet. Both the town and the venue have seen better days, but the 1,300-capacity space provides a solid home for ProgStock, and numerous nearby eateries compensate for UCPAC’s very limited facilities.
FRIDAY
Phideaux open proceedings on the first afternoon, focusing on their The Great Leap, Doomsday Afternoon and Infernal albums, and with a 10-piece live line-up the band signpost ProgStock’s considerable ambitions and deliver a strong ensemble performance.
ProgStock 2019 have toiled away for limited rewards for more than 25 years. Theirs is a solid set, with keyboard player/guitarist Carl Groves and bassist Patrick Henry alternating on grand piano. While it was unfortunate that the band launched during prog’s early-90s doldrums, they’ve been limited by their writing skills, which don’t match their indubitable musicianship.
