EDITOR RAMBLINGS by Josh Noll
Welcome back for another month and the return of live music in PA. As the surrounding counties started first moving into yellow, and now some of the northern counties moving to green, we are starting to see live music return to the area. Although not quite the same as it was before COVID-19, bands and venues are starting to find ways to get the music flowing once again.
Down in Wrightsville, in support of The Burning Bridge Tavern, Stonewood played a special show to an outside crowd. We started the day out early and put a quick 29 mile ride in on the Northwest Lancaster County River Trail. The trail runs along the Mighty Susquehanna River from Columbia up to Bainbridge at the Falmouth river access area. After the ride we headed over to see some live music. On the way across the bridge we got a warning call from Rachel Rocks. She informed us the beer line was an hour wait and the streets were packed with people. We ran up the road for some “supplies” in the way of some liquid refreshments then headed back to the show. When we arrived the band was jamming and the streets around The Burning Bridge Tavern were packed with people. Neither the band nor The BBT were expecting the turnout they received. It was apparent that people have been on lock down for way too long and were ready to have a good time. The band was setup on the second floor of the BBT playing out of windows and off the fire escape to maintain social distance. They had a tip jar suspended below them that the crowd was filling in a show of support for the band. Stonewood kept the people dancing in the streets with a wide range of covers from Johnny Cash, 4 Non Blondes, Tom Petty, G-N-R and many more. It was great seeing all types of people out and enjoying the beautiful weather along with some live muisc and some human interaction.
After the band was over Missy and I had to leave the street party/rolling car and bike show to head up the road and catch another band. Friend of Bob was playing up at The Ferryboat Campsite in Liverpool. We got there a little late but still got to see about an hour of the show. The guys were in full swing and you could tell they were glad to be back in action. My personal favorite was a cover of “The Seeker” by The Who. The crowd wouldn’t let them stop and the band was happy to oblige with a double encore. I chatted with the guys after the show and even though they haven’t been practicing while on lockdown you could tell the time away had left them hungry to perform for a live crowd once again. They brought some great energy to the stage and are looking forward to playing more gigs in the near future. Be sure to check them out if you get the chance.
June is looking like we will slowly see the return of live music. Ed Varner just booked a gig for 6/6 up at JP Edwards in Lewistown. JP Edwards has great food and a nice outside seating area. Big Bang announced they will be Rocking the Grove at the Mclure Bean Soup on June 27th. If you have never been to the Bean Soup just picture a huge carnival/county fair centered around the making of some sweet Soup. They have a nice stage setup that always draws a decent crowd. The Suicide Puppets are playing a Live Stream event from Assorted Studios in York to benefit Operation Build Up on 6/6. Operation Build Up is a non profit that surprises struggling Veterans with Cars, motorcycles, homes, and K9’s to prevent suicides and homelessness. Veritas and Steven Suicide are both veterans so this is something special for them to be apart of. You can donate now at www.puppetmerch.com and there will also be a virtual tip jar during the show which starts at 8pm.
Defiant has a lot going on under quarantine and have anounced they have signed a deal with Curtain Call Records and are also performing a live stream from the Chameleon Club on June 13th to help support them during the pandemic shutdown. There is a go fund me setup so please help if you can.
Another venue that needs our help is Reverb in Reading. They too have been struggling and have setup a go fund me as well. Details can be found in there ad on page 2 please help keep our venues alive by donating what you can afford. Sadly not every business is making it through this mess and Noteworthy Guitars will be shutting its doors on 6/26. They are blowing out prices as everything must go, so please show your support by purchasing some remaining inventory. Ed will continue doing repairs from his farm.
June is also a very special birthday month as Whitey the Mighty will be turning 79 on the 16th! Birthday cards can be sent to Whitey Noll, PO Box 362, Millerstown, PA 17062. Without him the paper would not exist. This was his dream back in 1982 and it took a lot of hard work and determination to make it happen.. Thanks Dad for all you have done for local music and your family. HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAD! WE LOVE YOU!!!
Text me to place an ad at 717.636.4203..