This past weekend found the members of Fun DMC out on the town but in slightly different roles. After a two year hiatus, Dr. Albert Capati’s band, Novocaine was reuniting for a reunion show at Mowie’s Cue. In 2013 and 2014, the band won Best Of Springfield in the category of Best Metal Band during the Illinois Times‘ annual reader’s poll. To say the band went out on top would be an understatement and the packed house at Mowie’s Cue last Saturday night was a testament to the loyalty of their fans. While Albert (lead vocals, guitar), William Richards (lead guitar), Ed Tinsley (bass), and Jerry Osborne (drums) rocked the stage, Fun DMC members Aaron Stanley and Robert Reynolds tended to the front of house duties of sound and lights.

While even Albert would tell you that he was a little uneasy with the metal band nod, there wasn’t a doubt from anyone present Saturday night that the boys from Novocaine can rock a stage with the best of them. Their set list was a mix of ’90s rock, several pop songs, and the occasional metal exploration. The good doctor appeared to have a vocal range that was as tireless as a child on Christmas Eve, delivering stunning performances from the opening “#41” all the way to the end of the night with Filter’s, “Hey Man, Nice Shot.” While Albert was no doubt the centerpiece of the stage, equally as impressive was Novocaine’s instrumental lineup, featuring searing guitar lead work from William Richards, thunderous bass playing from Ed Tinsley, and effortless drumming acrobatics from Jerry Osborne. It is also worth mentioning that Fun DMC drummer, Talon Holmes, showed his range, offering some vocal support to The Beastie Boys’, “Fight For your Right.”

Novocaine played their final song and Robert, Aaron, and Talon, now joined by Chad and Katey Kamerad, made short work of tearing down and loading out. Because we are a predictable group, we soon found ourselves (as well as several members and associates of The Mix) at every Springfield musician’s favorite post-show haunt, the Wabash Steak n Shake.

It was an honor to be a part of Novocaine’s reunion and I am certainly glad that Albert asked us. Nominations and awards notwithstanding, for my money they are one of the hardest rocking bands in the area. We have likely not seen the last of Novocaine.