After 30 years, Probers still rock a crowd

By ROB OATLEY
Posted 10/10/19

“What do we all look for in life? Success!” vocalist and documentary organizer Dave Ricci shouted before the start of the first Probers song of the night. Last Sunday, October 6, 1980’s …

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After 30 years, Probers still rock a crowd

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“What do we all look for in life? Success!” vocalist and documentary organizer Dave Ricci shouted before the start of the first Probers song of the night. Last Sunday, October 6, 1980’s punk/new-wave band The Probers celebrated their 30th anniversary reunion at The Met in Pawtucket. This event also helped sponsor the making of the documentary “Tao of the Probers” as well as future gigs for the band.

Doors to the show opened at 6 p.m. and at 7 p.m., Samantha Mendes-LaCouture, daughter of Cindy Wilson-Fera and deceased vocalist Rick Mendes, introduced the band for the first time in 30 years. She reflected on how important Rick was to the music scene at that time.

“He was a genius in this industry,” she said. “What’s really unique is his business genius and he did things unheard of at the time. Themes like costumes, the stage makeup, and bizarre marketing tactics. He really changed the rock n’ roll scene in Providence by adding the choreography and the stage attire. No one had seen these things since the Probers did it.”

She concluded by quoting her dad by saying “More heart than talent always wins.”

Playing in the Probers that night were vocalists Ricci and Manny Vincente, guitarists Michael Cronna, Boney Beaupre, and Larry Gallagher, drummer John Martin, keyboardist Jay Fernandes, and dancer Cindy Wilson-Fera.

Even though the crowd and band are older, each song in their set list like “It’s Over,” “Take It Like a Man” and “I Saw You Looking” had everyone actively engaged. Vincente commented to the crowd, “It’s been awhile. You all look great.”

In the middle of the show, the band took a brief intermission while Vincente spoke about the past, and future of the band. “What we’re doing tonight is the earliest installments of the Probers, and what we plan to do is come back out to do a few more gigs and play out the stages.” He continued, “The older we get, the earlier we want to do these shows. We are humbled and thank you so much for coming out on a Sunday night.”

Afterward, the band played hits like “Anonymous Affair,” “So Opaque” and “Beach Boys Movies,” which included multiple beach balls being thrown around the venue. Before the closing song “Mad at the World” from the EP Mad at the World, Vincente informed the crowd, “I put in an inquiry about getting the Probers into the Rhode Island Rock n’ Roll Hall of Fame. Let’s get the Probers in there. You’ll definitely see us again!” 

Overall, the turnout to the show was high, and everyone danced like they did in 1980. If you missed the Probers at this show, they’re promising to be back again.

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