David Wilcox / The Citizen

The infrastructure of the Jam Bones is as sturdy as its name indicates. But on the surface, the rock group undergoes chameleon-like changes before crowds.

Guitarist Rich Walikis, drummer C.R. Stewart and bassist Drew Hall read the energy of audiences in steering a musical course that spans oldies, blues, country, reggae and traditional rock.

“It's a formula we've put together since day one and it's working out pretty well for us,” Walikis said.

Jam Bones' 180-song catalogue includes a few originals from its albums “Shake and Bake” (2006) and “New Recipe” (2008), but its live shows lean heavily toward covers. The band picks covers that blend with the originals stylistically, and manipulate those familiar songs to freshen them up for both themselves and the listeners.

“We move a few things around, the tempo and the feel of them,” Walikis said. “That degree of on-the-spot composing keeps it fun for us too.”

After a few years off from playing live music to be with family, Walikis found Stewart and Johnson in the summer of 2003 through advertisements on www.cnymusic.com. Together they've since averaged about 10 shows a month in the central New York area at private parties, bars and festivals. For a group of Jam Bones' versatility, the diversity of dates poses no problem.

“We try to adapt to what we see going on and what the crowd looks like they're tuning into,” Walikis said. “If we weren't dynamic, we wouldn't be able to play 120 gigs a year.”

David Wilcox

253-5311 ext. 245

david.wilcox@lee.net