Roving Reporter
By Mark Derr
Hmmm, how does one introduce oneself to the readers of a publication such as the ‘Pennsylvania Musician Magazine’? I will begin by telling you a little about myself. My name is Mark (Rawdude) Derr. I was born, raised, worked and educated in Williamsport PA. I now reside in the friendly community of Denver, Pennsylvania where I own a swimming pool and spa store (Complete Pool & Spa). Denver is the perfect location for exploring the Pennsylvania music scene. Located centered between Lancaster and Reading it allows me to check out many awesome venues such as The Silo and The Works in Reading and The Village and The Chameleon Club in Lancaster just to name a few. Denver is also very close to the Pennsylvania Turnpike which lends itself to traveling across the state east or west quickly.
To begin my adventure as a reporter I decided to go to a show at The Silo in Reading on March 28th. I walked through the door and was welcomed like a member of the family by Deb Sauer, the promoter who handles the band booking for the club, and Maria Faust who is one of the owners. The Silo is a large room with an awesome stage. The sound emitting from the in-house sound system was voluminous and clear. I was looking forward to hearing live music through it.
The line up for the show was Sillman Faller, Amongst the Decay, Myself/My Enemy, Kill the Sun, Life's Cold Grip, Defend Your Own, Regarding a Tragedy, Faust, eight bands for small cover! As I waited for the show to begin I could feel the excitement. The crowd was full of energy. The club was in tip-top form for the action that was about to be displayed. Faust from Fredrick, Maryland started the show and played with the sharpness of a razor’s edge and finished the set with grind-metal that felt like it could have ripped off my face. Regarding a Tragedy from Boyertown played the next set that can only be described as pain in a good way. “Exist” was the song which stood out during their set and it had my heavy metal senses come to attention. Defend Your Own came next with a set of rhythmic nasty. Next came Kill the Sun, out of New Jersey. KTS gave the crowd headliner type action which peaked during the song “Diseased.” Myself /My Enemy, played a set of stick-in-the-eye hardcore metal. If you see these guys at a show watch your back because the action can come from any direction. By this time I’m exhausted but there were two more bands still to play, Sillman Failer and Amongst the Decay. Sillman Failer was focused, punch, punch, punch energy thought out their set and Amongst the Decay played Grrrrreat death metal to end the show. What a night!
The metal shows at The Silo started promptly a 6:30 pm. If your band is lucky enough to be scheduled to play on one of Deb Sauer’s Friday or Saturday night lineups, I suggest you come prepared and pumped up to play or you will be at the mercy of Radka’s (Mike Radka “The Soundman”) kind and well-meaning wrath.
On the 29th of March I went to The Village in Lancaster where the lineup was Green Eggs and Sugarcoat. Green Eggs plays everything from Queen to Usher. During their set they covered Ratt, Neil Diamond Journey and more. Sugarcoat grabbed the crowds attention by covering Tom Petty, The Cure, The Cars, Buck Cherry, Devo and others. You get the idea. Did I say Devo? Yes, I said Devo! The Village is one of my favorite places to see a band. I’d like to thank Gus for allowing me to be a guest.
The next event was reviewing a performance by guitar legend David Allan Coe at The Chameleon on April 4th. I walked in the door and was in awe of the changes made to the club. The Chameleon is now a cleaner, brighter and much more open place to see a show.
The show put on by David Allan Coe was entertaining, simple and easy to follow. Coe did not have a set list, he just played what came to mind. Some memorable songs were covers such as Willie Nelson’s “Good-Hearted Woman”, and Warren Zevon’s “Amanda” and three of his own songs; “Long-Haired Red-Neck”, “Tennessee Whiskey” and “The Ride”. The Chameleon Club was clean, bright and open, I feel like that had to be repeated to those who may have missed me mentioning it the first time. Check The Chameleon Club out when you get in the Lancaster area it is new and improved!
On the Saturday the 5th I was back at The Silo in Reading. I was greeted by a friendly, but no-nonsense security force at the front door. I knew with these guys it was going to be nothing but good clean fun. The next person I saw was April Header, the bartender, who was great in the art of conversation and fun to talk to all night long.
The show began with Here Between, who pumped the swarming crowd for what I expected to be a hard-driven night of metal-madness. Aneirin followed by beating down a heavy set of gritty tunes. Signal Switch put it all out during their set. The Next band up was Nefarious, who I foresee as a top-notch prospect to be a head-liner on a U.S. Tour in the very near future. It is only a matter of time before Nefarious makes it big. The Blessed, based in Philadelphia, played with anger and precision. The night as a whole was spectacular fun for all.
Friday, April 11th was my next day of metal-traveling. I again ventured to The Silo. Radka (Akdar to you Myspace users) was in rare form. He uses his many years of experience as a soundman and musician (drummer) to educate the young talent performing in the manners needed to be successful in music. Radka uses his skills behind the soundboard to make every band I’ve heard at The Silo thus far sound like they are well tuned and groomed to the ear. “All hail Radka! You’re the king!”
Cyanide Sunrise started the night right by hitting all the right notes to bring the crowd to mosh-pit form. Then Trench United hailing from Philly played several tunes from their soon to be released record “Kill One April.” The guys of Trench United informed me they will be beginning a “European Tour” in September. The young, but seasoned beyond their years band, The Shy of Black followed with a set that I would describe as drama-filled speed-metal. The song “Chasing Ted Bundy” highlighted their set. Run for Cover presented a set of melodic smack-down with moments of intense speed metal. At Long Last took over and gave a 20 energy-filled minutes of mosh-pit danceable music. Chorea from Philly, wow, what a band, their music is exotic-techno-metal. Next, Amen! The Animal played a blend of pop-rock-heavy metal- fusion. Ending the night Silence Pass, who gave mosh-pit full jams with clean vocals and well performed musicianship. I was wasted at the end of this night. I had nothing left to give.
Saturday the 12th I made the trek to The Works in Reading. Dan Lawrence, my contact, hooked me up with a V.I.P. Pass which gave me full access to all areas of the club. If you’ve never been to The Works you are missing out. There is something for everybody. The Works has a restaurant, arcade, dance floor, two easy access bar areas, and a V.I.P. loft with a bar. You want TVs? The Works has got them. There were more TVs there than I could count. The V.I.P. loft was manned by Shallyn who was efficient, funny and entertaining. I promised Shallyn I’d send a shout-out to her. Hello, Shallyn!
The Works has plenty of security on hand for your comfort. I would rate The Works as one of the top ten fun spots in South-Eastern Pennsylvania. Rise Phoenix Rise was the band performing. Rise Phoenix Rise covered Billy Idol, Joan Jett, The Spin Doctors, Nirvana, and many others. These guys are a great crowd-pleasing party band that is entertaining from start to finish. During the band breaks the house D.J. spun today’s most popular dance music. The night was informative, fun, and entertaining.
On April 19th I was back at The Silo in Reading. Deb Sauer had a spectacular line-up on hand which consisted of: Abandoned Rejects, Facing Ruin, Pack Your Bags, Regarding a Tragedy, Dission, and Amongst Decay. Abandon Rejects and Facing Ruin took the opening slots to work the crowd into a fever pitch with high-energy punkish speed metal. Pack Your Bags took the frenzied crowd of moshers to the world of high-energy theatrical metal with infusions of speed metal. Regarding a Tragedy filled the fourth slot and performed a set of gut-wrenching metal highlighted by the songs “Every Thought” and “Exist.” Dission followed in the fifth slot giving the crowd a well-polished set. The songs “Entangled Faith” and “Into the Trees” shocked and amazed all in attendance. Ending the night was Amongst the Decay a local crowd favorite. Amongst the Decay pumped out rhythmic death metal that was bone rattling to the last note.
Before I left The Silo I took a moment to speak with Maria Faust one of the owners of the club. I asked her to “give me a short list of bands that she felt represented the history long-lived history of The Silo.” Maria responded with Faith No More (a show of which I was in attendance in the early 90’s”), Dokken, Great White, Vince Neil, and David Lee Roth. Wow, in the future I want to take the time to hear the long list from Maria.
I’d like to address two concerns in the world of live performing. First, I’d like to bring attention to the club owners throughout the state that “We” the reporters of the music business come to your clubs with the intent of giving the residence of Pennsylvania news about your business and the entertainment that performs there. So, why not welcome us with open arms? My second concern is to those who are being entertained. I ask that you participate with vigor and high-energy, but always keep the safety of others in mind. I’m specifically talking about the dance floors and Mosh-pits which can be fun, but with the mindless disregard for others safety they can be a dangerous place as well. Come on people, we’re all there to have a good time let’s not ruin it. Think about it!
If you are a club-owner or band and you would like me to come to your club or check out your band contact me at: . My Friends, in closing, I look forward to informing you of past and upcoming events.
A little rock and metal is good for the soul, until next time, GET IT ON!"