At Croc Rock, Magnum Out duels Linda Perry

Last Saturday night, the crowd at Crocodile Rock in Allentown was treated to performances by two bands with vastly different styles. There was heavy, in you face sound of Linda Perry. And there was the good-time party music of Magnum. Magnum Provided a full night of nostalgia for it's Lehigh Valley fans while Perry gave a glimpse of her alternative/grunge/metal sound.

Perry former lead singer of 4 Non Blondes, started off the evening with a set featuring from her new disc "After Hours" (Rockstar). Three songs into her set Perry Jokingly introduced the 4 Non Blondes' hit "What's Up?" as a "cover song" after which she guided her trio through two more songs, finishing with a hard-hitting version of Led Zeppelin's "Whole Lotta Love." It was short and not so sweat for Perry who launched her solo career in '95 with "In Flight" and since has been on the road, opening for Beck, Sponge, Henry Rollins and The Reverend Horton Heat.

After Perry's moody but upbeat performance, the evening took a sudden turn toward the light side when keyboardist Tommy Zito introduced Magnum as "Pennsylvania Rock and Roll Legends."

With veteran bar band confidence, Magnum reunited for the Croc Rock gig, roared into Cheap Trick's "Surrender" with founding member Charlie Lippencott on lead vocals.

Based on the Response of the estimated 500 there, it was clear Magnum was the band they came to see.

Next up was the Car's "Just What I Needed." The Knack's "My Sherona" and Devo's "Uncontrollable Urge" with Lippencott in full-Devo (while not as scary as full-Cleveland, it was close).

After the tubes "White Punks on Dope" it was time to switch singers Zito started his portion of the set with Billy Joel's classic "The Ballad of Billy The Kid". The rest of the set included other songs relating to the years Zito was in the band.

The fans on the dance floor got moving as the band romped through 80's hits (The Ramones "I Wanna Be Sedated", Bryan Adams "Summer of 69", Aerosmith's "Sweat Emotion", Bon Jovi's "You Give Love a Bad Name", The Georgia Satellites "Keep Your Hands to Yourself" and of course, Joel's "Allentown")

Judging from the looks of the crowd, some baby sitters may have had to work overtime. More then a few of the couples at the club probably met at a Magnum gig.

Although band members are again headed in separate directions judging from the turnout. Magnum Might want to give it another go -Mark Waidman