Johnstown, Pennsylvania

The Story

One band, two names, and the better part of forty years playing for the people of the Johnstown area.

Draft history assembled from the owner's personal knowledge and confirmed record sources. Details marked to confirm are awaiting a member's word before this goes anywhere.

1. Late 1960s

   The Grapes of Wrath form

   A Johnstown-area band comes together around brothers Greg and Gerry Falvo, with Jim Smedo, Tom McCollough, Dave Abraham, and Joe Nemanich. They play the clubs and halls of Cambria County.

   Exact formation year to confirm with the members.

2. 1970

   Two singles on Intrepid

   The band records for the Intrepid label. The best-documented 45 pairs “Peaceful Man” — an original co-written by Greg Falvo with Paul Lanzendorfer and Garshnick — with a cover of The Flock's “Clown”. Manufactured and distributed by Mercury; produced by John George.

   A second, earlier Intrepid single is known to exist but not yet identified.

3. The turn

   Abraham leaves — and the band is renamed

   When Dave Abraham moves on, continuing with the Grapes of Wrath name, the remaining members bring in John Galiote and become Kindred Spirit. Same core, new name.

   That Abraham kept the old name is the owner's reading of events — to confirm.

4. 1990s – 2000s

   The live years

   Kindred Spirit becomes a fixture of the Johnstown circuit — Aces in 1992, and a run of shows at the War Memorial in 1996, 1998, and 2000. Set lists lean on the British Invasion, Motown, and the garage-rock the crowd came to hear: “A Whiter Shade of Pale,” “Gimme Some Lovin',” “In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida.”

5. Today

   Remembered

   Several members are still living and were part of this remembering. Joe Nemanich has passed, and this archive is dedicated in part to him. The tapes, photos, and stories are gathered here so the music isn't lost.

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