Meatplow

After a few years away, Meatplow is back — carrying a heavier load. The group plays harder rock than it did in the late 1990s.

"Basically, we're a lot heavier, doing stuff like Korn, Sevendust, Trapt," says Dan Heberle, the Meatplow guitarist. Before, he said, Meatplow played "just about anything you heard on the radio. Now, we barely ever do any songs from the radio. It's like a reversal. Our originals are heavier that way, too."

He prefers rocking out this way, though.

"Very much. I used to be in a Pantera tribute band, so I like this a lot better," Heberle said.

Singer Dan Martin was also in the original Meatplow; he and Heberle have jammed together for about 15 years. The group, which had stopped playing out in 2001, recruited veteran area bassist Mike Mofreaky for the new Meatplow. Mofreaky, in turn, brought in drummer Vince Gorski.

The band debated intensely about which particular songs to play. Finally, Mofreaky took charge.

"We did just argue and argue and argue about it until I finally decided to take the bully by the horns," he said.

He put together a CD of songs to cover, and everyone voted on them. Majority ruled.

"I gave up on getting everyone to agree. It doesn't happen," Mofreaky said.

Meatplow played its first public gig at Hunter Jack's in Girard in January.

"It went excellent," Mofreaky said. "In fact, in the middle of the show, the owner asked us to book another gig."

Mofreaky talked more with Showcase about Meatplow.

HOMETOWN
Erie, Girard.

BAND MEMBERS
Dan Martin, vocals; Dan Heberle, guitar; Mike Mofreaky, bass, vocals;Vince Gorski, drums, percussion.

THE INSPIRATION
Meatplow played out regularly throughout most of the '90s, anchored by singer Martin and guitarist Heberle. But the band ended several years ago. When they looked to start it up again, they called Mofreaky, an Erie music veteran who played in such bands as Higgledy Piggledy and Concrete Garden. Mofreaky, in turn, knew drummer Gorski from their previous band, Groove Pile.

THE SOUND
Heavy-rock covers. Meatplow plans to integrate originals into its set in coming months.

THE SET LIST
Meatplow covers such hard-rock staples as Korn, Limp Bizkit, Sevendust, Nickelback, and Fuel.

WHAT'S IN YOUR CD PLAYER?
"'Hawthorne Heights.' It's in the vein of Taking Back Sunday," said Mofreaky.

FAVORITE ALBUM OF 2004
"I would definitely have to say Sevendust, the one with 'My Enemy' on it," said Mofreaky. "That was my big album last year. We do 'Enemy' and 'Denial.'"

LAST GOOD CONCERT YOU SAW
"Nickelback and Jerry Cantrell. That was a good one over at Nautica Stage in Cleveland two summers ago."

FIRST CONCERT YOU EVER SAW
"Kiss. A kid was babysitting for me in 1978, and took me to see Gene Simmons when he blew a hole in the Erie County Fieldhouse," Mofreaky said. "I had nightmares for three years after that. But the first one I went to voluntarily was Motley Crue's Shout at the Devil tour. They were opening for Ozzy."

WHO'LL WIN THE GRAMMY FOR BEST ROCK ALBUM
"'Contraband' by Velvet Revolver. I think they'll get it, and they're my favorite, as well."

WHO'LL WIN FOR BEST ROCK SONG
"I have a lot of respect for U2. I think 'Vertigo' will take it. They're brilliant songwriters, and I'm not even that big of a U2 fan. But you've got to respect them. They remain timeless; their music never sounds outdated."

WEB SITE Forthcoming.