In this era of social media and sensory overload, we continue to take two steps forward, two steps back and then press repeat. Not to worry, life is going to have a semblance of normally once again because Power Serge is back! For most of us, music has always been our salvation from ourselves. This local band is Orange County’s best kept secret. Well, they used to be.
It’s no surprise that ’80s music and big hair are the great communicators for 30 to 50 year- old’s; teens are even feeling the beat. The combination of power ballads and big hair has been such a weird fascination for us. That music just has a way of taking us back to a simpler time.
POWER SERGE LIVE | PHOTO by Green-Eyed Blonde Photography
Similar to punk rock cover band Me First and The Gimme Gimmes, Power Serge is a collection of local band members that get together to play other people’s songs. This band gets together once a year to play a show at the House of Blues Anaheim. But they don’t simply just play the hits, they also dress the part with spandex outfits and wigs, looking like they just walked straight out of MTV’s Headbangers Ball.
The collection of artists include musicians that can play a variety of instruments and different genres. But who is Power Serge really? Take away the spandex and big hair, and you have a great band with a great sense of humor. They dubbed themselves as Orange County’s greatest fake real glam metal cover band in the history of the world.
Despite purporting to be from Yugoslavia this band is from the OC and they’re a bunch of guys who love music, play in bands, with one crazy lead singer who lived vicariously through karaoke. Don’t let the outrageous hair, costumes and over-the-top production fool you. The band is distinguished and has the musical chops to do justice to any song no matter how larger-than-life the song might be.
POWER SERGE LIVE | PHOTO by Green-Eyed Blonde Photography
Power Serge was founded in October 2004; the band includes their lead singer Sean Henry aka Sergei Von Sergio (the Karaoke King), as well as Brian Mashburn aka Smash (currently in Starpool / formerly in Save Ferris) on guitar and keys, Ian Matteson aka U.P., that’s short for short for Ultimate Partier (formerly in Home Grown) shreds on lead guitar, Ted Vega aka Mr. Vegas (Jamison Parker) is on bass, Dan Hammond aka Karel Poborsky (Home Grown) is on rhythm guitar AND Zach Amos aka Sgt. Rock (formerly in The Blood Arm) on drums.
POWER SERGE LIVE | PHOTO by Green-Eyed Blonde Photography
Although they are in character during their show, I really have to use their real names to give them the props they deserve. Ian Matteson’s mad guitar riffs are as good as it gets. Vega, Mashburn and Hammond are collectively electrifying. Amos on drums is Tommy Lee-like, and Sean Henry, YIKES…. is all I have to say about him! Like most ’80s Hair-Metal lead singers, he oozes that Chernobyl-like sexual energy that even Van Halen’s Diamond Dave would be inspired by. The difference with Sean is that he has an unbelievable voice, with a range that any singer would kill for.
For Power Serge fans, seeing them again on the big stage is like a high school reunion or going to a wedding reception for your best friends. Fans come from all parts to have one big party with Power Serge at the helm. For their lead singer, there’s no voice too big and no song too difficult for them to pull off. Sergei Von Sergio and his bandmates have somehow channeled the spirit of ’80s Glam and Hair Metal to form this band that is a must see.
House of Blues | Anaheim
April 2, 2022
For this show at the House of Blues, you will be able to commune with the likes of Bowie and Mercury, while enjoying the sounds of AC/DC and Def Leppard! I’ve covered most of these bands over the years, and you can’t tell who does it better, Power Serge or Def Leppard as they both can belt out “Photograph” to a cartoon crazy audience.
For me, I can tell an exceptional band performance, especially when it comes to covers (I normally don’t listen to cover bands). For Power Surge, I will always make an exception. I’ll be honest, I’m not a big Bon Jovi fan, I’m just not. These guys put an edgy spin on “Living on a Prayer,” and it is a surreal moment.
A few of the songs they might perform include Van Halen hits, “Panama” and “Jump”, “Firewoman” by The Cult, Poison’s “Talk Dirty To Me,” “Sweet Child O’ Mine” by Guns n’ Roses, Poison’s mega-hit, “Every Rose has its Thorn,” and Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believing.” You just haven’t’ seen anything like seeing Power Serge cover these epic bands, and you could almost swear that was David Lee Roth on stage doing his signature jump!
POWER SERGE LIVE | PHOTO by Green-Eyed Blonde Photography
There’s no word just yet as to when these cats will play again. All things being equal, Power Serge are cowboys that don’t have sad, sad songs. For Power Serge, it’s hard work and skill cleverly disguised as a cover band. If you ever wonder what lightning in a bottle looks like, I highly recommend checking out this band. It’ll be the best trip back to the ’80s you’ll take any time soon!
Joining Power Serge on stage will be Yachty by Nature. Seriously, get you tickets now and have the time of your life!
