“Live” Music in PA
by Brenda Brosius
Happy May everyone! You know I’ve heard it said many times, over and over that live music isn’t happening anymore in the Susquehanna Valley, there’s nothing going on! Well let me just stomp on this old rumor and we can lay it to rest! Live music, in all shapes and forms are alive and flourishing in our area. For some people the bar scene may not be for you, Ican appreciate that! As diverse as the people that reside in the area, so are the types of music and venues offered. From coffee houses, festivals to people opening up the homes for everyone to come jam, all for the love of music!
March just rolled into April and It seemed like my choices didn’t end. I had the pleasure of traveling out to the Oyster Bar out in Shenandoah, what a neat place. It’s an eclectic mish mosh of Tikki furniture, church pews all enclosed in a very subdued environment. On the line up that night was area favorite Kill Valentine and newcomer band ShovelHead.
ShovelHead was up first for the night. This hard hitting cover band from Schuykill County pulled out with the throttle cracked wide open for their first night out. Fronted by vocalist and guitar player Jason Knorr, bassist Lou Ferrari, vocalist Jim Snyder, guitar and vocals Philo and drums-Mark Ferraiolo. I think these guys will be more than just ‘your Momma’s favorite biker band’. They cover classic to contemporary rock.
Kill Valentine comprised of Kris Peluzak vocals, Jason Mitchell guitar and vocals, Beth Karpovich bass and vocals and Paul Konkus on drums. This was the last show for them as a four some. What a power house of talent and showmanship. By the time Kill Valentine got up to play, all the St. Patty’s Parade revelers stormed in from Girardville and really got the place cranked up. It says something when a band can draw people up to the front and work the crowd, and this is what they did. I occasionally find Jason Mitchell traveling down to Mifflinburg on Friday nights to perform at the Scarlet D.
A venue new to me that I went to on the 12th was Strikers Pub in Pottsville. This happens to be one of the smaller, more popular music venues in the Pottsville area. Rock & Bowl and some great food and beverage! They always seem to have a great line up on their books. Two bands were on the line up for that night. Once again the new band to the area ShovelHead was out in full force! What can I say about this hard hitting band. They just seemed to be getting even better! Their calendar for the year seems to filling up fast for a new band.
Second on the line up for that night was Nothing Sakred! Hard, heavy and coming at you fast! They dish out some great music! Nothing Sakred is comprised of: Sean Boylan lead vocals and guitar, Jeff Sallada bass and vocals, Mike Crawford lead guitar and vocals, Squeak drums, TJ Taylor guitar, vocals and what ever else we tell him to play! This was his first show playing out with the group. The band has a vast array of influences that they draw from. Kiss, Rush, every 80's, Metal & Hair band that ever existed! Plus Korn, Taproot, Chevelle, Breaking Ben, etc., you get the picture. It has been a couple of years since I first heard this group play and I wanted to get a little more info on them. Not so new, but most definitely revamped!
Q: How did you all happen to get together?
A: Well, it all happened about 4 years ago. Sean, TJ, and myself (Mike) had already played together in a band called Monkey's Uncle. Sean and I attended the final Seventh Hour show, kidnapped Jeff, held him at gunpoint, and told him, ‘Join our band, or else!’ (Just kidding. LOL! Squeak has been a long time friend of all of us, and stepped behind the kit when our original drummer decided to leave the band about a year ago. He's played in numerous bands such as Fallacy, Metropolis, The Rocket 88's, and The Mudflaps, just to name a few.
Q: What has been the best experience you have a had together as a band?
A: Just being in front of a good, responsive crowd and putting on the best show we can to give them their money's worth. Getting flashed by a hot chick in the crowd once in a while doesn't hurt either. LOL!!!!
Q; Anything big planned for the summer?
A; A couple outside shows in the works, hit up some new venues, Hopefully write a bit more. Just gonna keep the name out there.
In a town that has always embraced and supported live music in their community we headed to Lewisburg on the 18th. The Brasseri Louis was our destination to see three musical acts. Now the only thing better than seeing three acts play, is seeing them for no charge. This lovely French style bistro has a small stage in the warm and cozy pub. The staff there was quite gracious, despite the fact that the crowd within seemed to keep increasing! On the list for the night. Bruce W. Derr. We had the pleasure of seeing Bruce a few weeks back on a Sunday afternoon up on the hill at Skeeter's. My husband and I found him to be quite charming. Bruce kind of reminds of Bob Dylan in the aspect that he seems to be re-inventing himself. He is a phenomenal singer/song writer.
Next up to the stage was The Sweetbriars from Lewisburg, an original Americana band that includes: Bass and vocals Bruce W. Derr, guitar and vocals Earl Pickens, guitar and vocals Paul Curcuruto and Jake Kline on drums. They just recently did a short tour of the New England states .
The third band Earl Pickens & The Band called Thunder, we had the pleasure of seeing a while back during the winter months at a coffee house and we quickly jumped on the band wagon of fans. This rockabilly group performs original and re-constructed revamped classics. Earl Pickens most recent ventured into the spotlight in a recent video version of a Johnny Cash tune supporting Barrack Obama that was posted on ‘YouTube’! At the time I sat down to write this article it had hit the 30,872 views. They were invited to perform for the Whistle Stop in Lancaster . Kudos to Earl and The Band Called Thunder, because I’m sure all 8,000 of those people that saw you guys play, jumped on your fan wagon too!
This past Saturday April 19th I headed over to Sunbury to hear a few bands that were in the area. First stop, AJ’s Lounge which has become one of the new faces in the area for music, They offer live music on Saturday nights. Quarterstick from central PA was there. Dave Coleman bass and vocals, Jim Decosmo drums, Jason Hritzko guitar and vocals, and Dana Confer vocals. This cover band does hard and classic rock and knows how to open up strong. I stayed for the first set and then made my way out to my second stop for the night. Maggie Maloney’s in Sunbury to see a Lunar View and A Farewell Rescue. Now the last time I was at Maggie’s, it was to hear A Farewell Rescue. It was before they took off for a 2 month tour of the states to promote their debut CD, “Never Meet Your Heroes” This time they were getting back from a three week road trip “The Full House Tour”. These local favorites have played in some great music institutions, The Knitting Factory, Arlene’s Grocery to name just a few on the long list. Joey Heid vocals, Johnny Peiffer guitar and vocals, Josh Kerstetter bass, Chase Gordon guitar and Jordan Rhoads drums make up this original Indie/Rock/Punk band from the area. Energy, Energy! Energy! I hope that their national popularity continues to grow.
When I had first heard of the Lunar View a while back, I had a chance to check out their myspace page to hear what their music was like. Now to be truthful, I am not really into the so-called psychedelic/ experimental genre of music, and the music they posted (their first dabbling into this as a unit) did not do much to stimulate my senses. It was kind of like that experience we all have had, when one of your friends or family shows you their little kids art work, finger smudges, macaroni glued to a plate. You all know what I mean. You smile and nod and don’t know what to really say. C’mon be honest. We’ve all done it! That’s how I felt about this until Saturday night when Hoy, Kramer, Pat and Kane got up to play! Lunar View has gone from crawling in this area of music to running! I heard influences like Deep Purple and Jimi Hendrix. I was impressed with the dexterity and finesse in which Hoy Reigel handles the bass. I have seen their name pop up more recently in the Bloomsburg area, lending their musical artistry to the folks at the Open Your Eyes to Dream Gallery. Their popularity and fan base seems to be growing, as is the style and flair of their original music .
My favorite spot in the area The King Street Coffee House wrapped up another successful season in April 25th with Chuck Marchiano, The Bad Mommy Band and the Duo of Hannah Bingaman & Doug Mc Minn. We were also there on the 11th and as usual the coffee house was crowded. The line up consisted of Tonya & Todd doing a short set Ballads & Show tunes. String Theory was up next with a great set of Americana Folk tunes, and to top off the night was local and long time favorite of the area Ann Kerstetter and with more than just her trio. Ann has been playing for crowds since…dare I say it? 1969. She has covered some of the best classic rock I have heard from a female in a long time, but Ann’s forte and most successful medium is Jazz and Blues where she and her fellow band mates were the winners of the 2008 "Billtown Blues Challenge" Festival Audition, winning in the Band category and they will be performing at the 19th Annual Billtown Blues Festival, June 8, 2008. You can catch Ann Kerstetter with a whole slew of other great musicians at Spyglass Ridge Winery on the 17th of this month for the Blues Fest. The dedicated crew of the Local Music Collective will be back in the fall of 08’ for another great season. Great job to all! The success of the King Street Coffee House is all due to musicians supporting other musicians and the loyal people of the community.
So as I close out on the month of April for 2008 I wanted to leave you with these thoughts. It’s that time of year were we are all so excited about the warm weather, that I think we tend to forget or ignore those weekend warriors of the local region. No, I’m not talking about your local race track, I’m talking about your local musicians. So as you are firing up the grill on the weekend, getting ready for those graduation parties, and getting psyched for your summer vacation trip, make it a point to go out and support the businesses and events that promote live music. Till next time. Have a safe and Happy May!
