Water Flow Slows Firefighters 
No Injuries Reported In Regent Street Blaze

Accused Killer Says Victim Provoked Him

Friday, January 24, 1997 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Page: 





Holding steady &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Freight Train plays emotions set to music &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; If you're going to buy the new CD from Freight Train, expect to hear &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 ``emotions set to music.'' &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Vocalist/guitarist Charles Havira used those words to describe the band's
sound two years ago, when he was first interviewed for this column. ``There's
jazz, funk and rock,'' he said. ``It really goes up and down.'' In 1997, he
says nothing has changed. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "I'd say the same thing," he says, when read back the quotes. "I don't know
what we are... . When you see Freight Train, we'll come down to a low-ambient
sound, and before that set is over, we'll have a driving rhythm. We try to mix
it up as much as possible." &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Now, the group is mixing it up on CD. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The band's debut release, "Reach for the Sky," is available at all the
group's shows. Havira says that although he's been making tapes of live
performances, practice sessions and studio demos for fans, friends and
professional associates for the past two years, this is the band's first
official release. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Seven of the album's eight tracks were recorded at Red Rock Recording in
Saylorsburg. Song titles include "Keep on Dreamin'," "Backseat Driver" and
"Holding You." The title-track was recorded at River Sound in New York City. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 On Wednesday, the day this interview was conducted, Havira had just
received the first shipment of the new CDs. A feeling of accomplishment was
evident. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "I feel very good," he says. "I remember listening to a tape when I was on
WVIA-FM, and George Graham ended the show (by saying) `Freight Train will be
coming out with their CD, hopefully in the fall.' That was 1994.... I'm glad
people will now be able to get a digital-quality copy of our music. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "Having product is important in the music field. That's why we did this.
We've gotten extremely, extremely far by word-of-mouth and cassette ... (but)
it's a good feeling when you have product and something that can back you up
all packaged together." &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Formed in 1991, Freight Train includes Havira, acoustic guitar, vocals;
Justin Gibbon, drums, percussion; Kevin Murphy, lead guitar; and Anthony
Sabol, bass. The band's current lineup has been in place for four years. The
band usually gigs about six times a month, and Havira says he'll begin
shopping the group's music to record companies, radio and various industry
contacts. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "I know a handful of people -- radio stations or record companies -- that
Freight Train would like to send our material to and that we have faith in,"
he says. "We buy records from these labels, and we like what they do. We like
their bands and musicians." &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Although Northeast Pennsylvania has a rough reputation for original acts,
Havira says, Freight Train isn't complaining. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "It is hard to play around here, but I'm not going to stop," he says. "This
is my hometown. This is where I started. There are places to play. Just about
every time we've played, it's been good. In '94 and '95, things were really
happening with us. We were still doing well in '96, and '97 seems like it's a
brand new start." &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 When asked what those heading to Scranton tomorrow night will see and hear,
Havira reiterates the words he spoke two years ago. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "They are going to see emotions set to music," he says. "The last time we
played at Prufrocks, I felt that the things that I was singing about ... these
were words that I had written ... and they were affecting me very much. I
think people can read me. When I am singing, they'll be able to know what I am
feeling. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "Maybe we can get them to think a little bit about what's going on with
their lives, with our lives, with the whole world just for a little bit.
They're going to dance, they're going to think, and they're going to express
themselves." &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Random plays . . . &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Heavy metal lives! &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 I've been listening to a lot of old metal lately -- and it sounds great!
This week, I've been spinning Guns 'n Roses' "Appetite For Destruction." Have
you cranked up "Paradise City" or "Sweet Child of Mine" lately? They still
kick. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 I'm really starting to miss that attitude and swagger in music. I played
some old Dokken the other night too ... great stuff. And yes, the fact that
Motley Crue will be performing on the American Music Awards Monday night has
me excited. I hope they come out all glammed-up and play something from "Shout
at the Devil." That, I shamelessly admit, would be pretty cool ... &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Back to the present ... &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 There's some great stuff on the radio lately. I usually don't give a hoot
about the Top-40, but there's some very good songs out there by No Doubt,
Counting Crows, Dishwalla, The Wallflowers, The Dave Matthews Band and Jann
Arden. And "Discoteque," the new single from U2? Well, it sure isn't like
anything from "The Joshua Tree," but I like it ... &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 This week on "Cellar Full of Noise," Mike Naydock will be spinning original
tunes by Martian Tom, Marner and M. Madness. Showtime is 8 p.m. Sunday on
WZMT-FM (97.9) -- 98 Rock. This week's TV version of "Cellar Full" will
feature Kartune. Airtime is 11 p.m. Saturday and 10 p.m. Sunday on WYLN-TV 35. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Freight Train Saturday, 9-11 p.m. Prufrocks Cafe, 342 Adams Ave., Scranton
No cover. Information: 963-0849 All-ages show &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Information on Freight Train or "Reach for the Sky" &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Call: 472-3340 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 E-mail: bluefrog@scranton.com &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Write: 433 Crescent Rd., Wilkes-Barre, Pa. 18702-9741 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Holding Steady 
Freight Train Plays Emotions Set To Music 
If You're Going To Buy The New Cd From Freight Train, Expect To Hear 
``emotions Set To Music.'' 
Vocalist/guitarist Charles Havira Used Those Words To Describe The Band's 
Sound Two Years Ago, When He Was First Interviewed For This Column. ``there's 
Jazz, Funk And Rock,'' He Said. ``it Really Goes Up And Down.''