Fuel coming to Penn's Peak

The lineup may not be the same, but the experience should be exactly what Fuelies have come to expect from a Fuel concert when the band takes the stage at Penn's Peak at 8 p.m. Dec. 18.

"There is only one original of anything" exclaims vocalist Brett Scallions, "and that includes Fuel. The original lineup with Carl, Jeff, Jody and myself will always be something special to all of us, and our first Fuelies (Fuel fans), but it has been 13 years since the original lineup was intact, and since then many great musicians have come and gone.

"The lineup I put together for Fuel is not meant to replace or diminish what any of the original members created," says Scallions. "Just the opposite. It is to give our fans a live destination, and to keep the Fuel name alive for a new generation to discover. Maybe someday we'll all get on the same page and play together again, but life happens and the next thing you know you just can't jump on a bus and take off for a month, let alone a year."

In addition to Scallions, that new lineup includes Andy Andersson on guitar; Shannon Boone, formerly of Puddle of Mudd, on drums; and Brad Stewart, formerly of Shinedown, on bass.

Fuel's latest offering, "Puppet Strings," was released March 4, 2014, and includes music penned by Scallions, Andersson and Stewart.

"Rock 'n' roll is very much alive and well on this album," says Scallions on the band's website.

The sound is pure, anthemic rock inspired by the punk records of the band's youth (the heavy, driving "Yeah" and first single, "Soul to Preach To") and the Memphis blues sound that taps into Scallion's Tennessee roots ("Hey Mama").

"We were simply trying to write the best songs we possibly could," says Scallions. "With Andy and Brad, I found the unity I'd always craved."

Also coming up

Next weekend, Little River Band with special guest Fran Cosmo, former singer of Boston, perform Dec. 12.

Little River Band was formed in Melbourne, Australia, in 1975. It was originally a blend of musicians who had enjoyed success in other Australian rock acts. Their new focus was to get airplay on American radio, and they achieved that goal with good songwriting, powerful vocals, and guitar harmonies.

They immediately claimed their place as one of the great vocal bands of the '70s … and the '80s with chart success on singles like "It's a Long Way There," "Lady" and "Lonesome Loser."

One of rock's legendary voices, Fran Cosmo exploded onto the rock scene when he took over for Brad Delp as lead vocalist with multiplatinum group Boston on the album, "Walk On," which sold over three million copies worldwide.

It wasn't long before Boston fans around the world took notice of the sound and range of his vocals. Cosmo's lead vocals appeared on both Boston's greatest hits albums in 2006 and 2009.

Tickets are available at all Ticketmaster outlets, the Penn's Peak box office and Roadies Restaurant and Bar. Box office and restaurant ticket sales are walk-up only, no phone orders.

For more information on Penn's Peak, go to www.pennspeak.com or call 866-605-7325.