By Joe Kox
March 23, 2009
Let me preface this review by confessing that I was a fan of Robby Schiller before I ever heard his band, Blueheels. It was back in the summer of 2004, I was sitting at a club in Neenah to hear the Jackson Street Polecats. Robby came out as the opening act wearing mismatched sneakers and a torn, white undershirt. He proceeded to give the most soulful presentation of Johnny Cash and Hank Williams material I have ever witnessed. His version of "The Long Black Veil" is now legend among my group of friends. Afterwards, he quietly said he was going down the street to play with his punk band. Very funny, kid.
Who knew that his punk band would evolve into Blueheels, one the more potent forces of original Rock 'n' roll to call Wisconsin home. With 2 CD's of original music currently available, Long Gone and Lessons in Sunday Driving, they have another due out any day now, with a fourth CD planned for next winter. This is not some local band, schmucking along, trying to be the new Grateful Dead or Journey. Schiller is a song writing machine, well versed in American music. He writes about life and disillusionment and being a dopey kid and redemption and love and salvation. He writes 'em and the other members of the band develop the arrangements. The band includes Justin Bricco on lead guitar, Ted Pedriano on keys, Landon Arkens on bass, and Adam Cargin on percussion. Every arrangement is carefully crafted and built to put Robby's amazing vocal talents on display, but this is not a singer with accompaniment. This is a band, and this band deserves national attention.
On this particular Thursday night, I found myself sitting in Pi Nightclub, on the corner of Walnut and Adams Streets in Green Bay. Pi Nightclub was built in what had been a warehouse back in the 80's. 
It was built as an upscale, dance oriented club and has been largely maintained along those lines. In recent years they've been bringing in live bands on Wednesdays and Thursdays. The Blueheels are in the rotation, and play here every couple months. The bands occupy the dance floor as a staging area, and the crowds get to dance in the aisles. It was a fun atmosphere to enjoy some dynamite music.
I have never seen Blueheels put on a bad show. Tonight was no exception The lead guitar was clear and concise, enthusiastic, and precise. The grooves were irresistible. The songs wonderful. Robby's singing was impeccable. You could see joy on the faces of every band member. These guys truly love the music they make, and the love making music together. Check Blueheels out next time they come around and bring your friends, too. They'll thank you for it.
