Weekend of local rock volume 30

I'm sure many of you come here in this timeslot and expect an op-ed from me as my normal practice is to repost my most recently cleared column from Liberty Features Syndicate at 10:30 on Sunday morning. But today I'm doing an op-ed of a different sort. (and no, it wasn't syndicated.)

This was the scene when I walked into the bar area of Flavors of Italy Friday night.

My significant other and I had debated about dinner yesterday since we bowl on Friday nights, and I mentioned pizza might hit the spot. Yes, I knew The Permilla Project was playing so that was why I suggested Flavors of Italy.

When I peeked into that bar, I thought I saw every hipster, tripster, and anyone else who wanted to see and be seen within a 10 mile radius of the club.

We actually heard most of the first set before seeing them as we were seated in the restaurant portion enjoying a Continental-style dinner at 10:00 at night. A little dinner music, maestro?

If you take rock as a base, add some jazz influence and the willingness to extend the song to create the feel of perhaps a heavier version of O.A.R. you'd come up with The Permilla Project. The folks up front were certainly swaying to the music and a college town like Salisbury is a natural home base for such a band.

I can see why this is my blogger friend (afterthegoldrush) Ridgely Griffith's favorite band, they are pretty good. Permilla isn't completely my cup of tea but they are entertaining.

So next time The Permilla Project is at Flavors of Italy, I encourage you to come early, get a pizza, and grab a seat. You may not choose to stay in it, though. It's a band and venue which will make you wish it was summer since you can stand outside and hear them (FoI has outdoor seating in the summer, but it's limited.)

Then again, they may have to find a bigger venue before they know it.