Fifteen years after calling it quits, Gil Mantera’s Party Dream will reunite Saturday for a concert at Penguin City Brewing Co. in downtown Youngstown.

This won’t mean much to some people. But to those who remember the offbeat electro-pop duo, it’s epic.

Something like 1,000 people from multiple states and a few countries will descend on the city this weekend for the show. 

GMPD was the most bizarre, hilarious and infectiously fun rock act to ever spring from Youngstown. They played legendary shows at Cedars and the old Nyabinghi and later toured the country.

The act had built a fan base in multiple cities but broke up just as they were on the doorstep of wider fame. 

Fans were left with memories – like, “did that really happen?” – and the fervent hopes the act would someday get back together.

The duo consists of Ultimate Donnie (Richie Bernacki), who would go on to become co-owner and brewmaster of Penguin City Brewing, and the mysterious Gil Mantera.

To get up to speed on the band, check out this story from earlier this year.

The concert will be in the massive back room at the brewery.

The indoor tickets are sold out, but tickets are still available for the overflow space outdoors. The massive industrial doors will be open for the show, providing a clear line of sight to the stage. For tickets, click HERE.

A livestream of the show will also be available to purchase. Click HERE.

ALICE COOPER

Alice Cooper paid tribute to a fallen rock legend at his Sunday night concert at Youngstown Foundation Amphitheatre.

He dedicated his first encore song, Black Sabbath’s “Paranoid,” to the late Ozzy Osbourne, who died in July.

Cooper has been a legend himself for half of a century. His current tour is a 90-minute distillation of his classic hits, lots of newer material and all the usual theatrics and beheadings.

Sunday’s show did not have an opening act, so it started it at 8:30 p.m. That meant most of it was played after the sun set, which was necessary to fully appreciate the visuals on the video boards at the rear of the stage. 

The Rock Hall of Famer released an album just a few weeks ago that brought together the surviving members of his original band from the 1970s.

Titled “The Revenge of Alice Cooper,” it was on sale at the concert, but it looked as though most people didn’t know what it was.

The album has been getting mediocre reviews. Even though it features the original members – who made the band’s most enduring songs (like “School’s Out,” “Eighteen” and “Be My Lover”) – it’s in the cartoonish musical style of the Coop’s later years, after he stopped taking his act so seriously.

Performing on “Revenge” are Michael Bruce, Dennis Dunaway and Neal Smith, plus recorded licks from the late Glen Buxton. Robby Krieger of The Doors plays lead guitar on the single “Black Mamba.”

DEVO DOCUMENTARY

The new “Devo” documentary that premiered Tuesday on Netflix is a must-see for rock ’n’ roll fans from northeastern Ohio. Or anywhere.

Directed by Chris Smith, it is definitive, fast-paced and fascinating.

The film starts with the 1970 shootings by National Guardsmen at Kent State University. The core members of what would become Devo were attending the school at the time, and the shocking event – which they saw firsthand – would become the impetus for forming the band.

As the film points out, Devo was one of the most misunderstood bands of all time. People loved their robotic but catchy songs – so did their record label – but almost no one was aware of the societal statement they were making: Humanity was moving in reverse. We were witnessing de-evolution.

The documentary includes tons of historical footage and extensive interviews with the band members, especially Mark Mothersbaugh of Akron and Gerald Casale of Ravenna. 

The filmmaker created it in the same artsy style that permeated the band’s music and videos.

“Devo” chronicles the act’s formation, rise and fall, with footage that puts the viewer in the room. You’ll see David Bowie, John Lennon, Brian Eno and even the Dead Boys, with lead singer Stiv Bators (of Girard) – with whom the band once had an onstage dust-up.

Devo was ahead of its time, both musically and as purveyors of performance art.

In an interview with The Business Journal earlier this year, Casale discussed the band and its roots at Kent State University. Read the article HERE.

TONY HINCHCLIFFE

The second “Kill Tony” comedy special will premiere Monday on Netflix, starring Youngstown native Tony Hinchcliffe.

The show – part of a series of three – was shot during the making of Hinchliffe’s podcast of the same name.

With the help of a panel of comedians, Hinchcliffe pulls the names of other comics out of a hat. They then get a minute to make the panel (and a live audience) laugh, after which they are critiqued.

“Kill Tony” is billed as the No. 1 live podcast in the world. It’s filmed at Comedy Mothership in Austin, Texas, and can be viewed on YouTube.

For a complete look at everything going on in the Mahoning Valley, check out The List.

Pictured at top: Gil Mantera’s Party Dream performs in Cleveland during its heyday.