By: Chris Rider
It feels like October went by in a flash, but it was a great month of music for me. I met a lot of great new people and bands this month, as well as saw some bands that I’m pretty familiar with. I got to photograph a fantastic show in a new to me venue and dodge a dozen or two deer on my way there and back. I got to see a ton of people come together supporting great causes. I have to say, it was a pretty great month of music.
My first trip was down to The Englewood for a night of jams with my friends in Rascal Revival. Playing alot of originals like their new single Put Your Shoes On, Fading, and Bamboozled (first time played live) as well as a few covers For What It’s Worth, The Bad Touch, Soulshine, and RJ even played a solo acoustic version of Born To Run; the guys put on a great show.
Next up was a new one for me, Kingfish & Friends’ Creative Community Day at Tuscarora Records. This was an event that featured local artists, artisans, singer-songwriters as well local food and beer vendors. It rained a lot that day making for a muddy mess so the camera didn’t really come out, but everyone was great and made the best of the day visiting each others’ booths (under canopies and tents), eating & drinking, and listening to music on stage.
After a little break, I headed down to Lovedrafts Brewing in Mechanicsburg for a show that I’d been waiting on for a while. 717 Entertainment LLC always puts on a great show and this was no exception. Circle Of Sanity is a power rock trio that started the night off with all original music that showed solid harmonies and got the stage and crowd warmed up quickly. Sugar Hysteria is a four piece female fronted rock/poprock band playing originals and a cover or two. They sounded great and had solid energy. Ignite The Fire took the stage next and landed like a bomb. Huge power, strong vocals mixed with Queensryche-esque power ballads and an incredible stage presence, these guys came to play. Coming out fourth for the evening was City Of The Weak – a four piece female fronted rock/pop rock band playing some great originals plus a cover or two including an incredible version of Whole Lotta Love. Headlining the evening was Artifas: based out of Jackson Tennesee, this five pice hard rock band closed out the night with a ton of energy and were a blast to see.
The following night I drove down to HMAC for a great show up in the Capitol Room. Opening up the evening was a band that I’ve never heard of: Brother Elsey. Originally from Detroit and now based in Nashville, this Americana/Rock band did a great job of warming the stage up. I really enjoyed their sound and look forward to hearing more from them. Headlining the evening was Ontario Canada based The Glorious Sons. I’d first seen them about three and a half years ago, barely knowing their music. I remember leaving that show super-impressed and an instant fan. I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to see them again as they came through town on their current tour. These guys bring big stage energy in a powerful and very polished show to an awesome crowd full of fans singing along to every single song including Mama, Sawed Off Shotgun, Young King, and an awesome cover of Who Do You Love.
I came back down to HMAC a few days later for the Central Pennsylvania Music Hall Of Fame’s second Music Showcase, this time showcasing local country music artists. Starting off the evening was Beka Jones who I’ve been hoping to see play for a while, and she did not disappoint. With a rich, yet sultry voice, she belted out a number of originals as well as a few covers including Can’t Find My Way Home, and Bobby Magee. Next up was Cody Ross Smith playing his originals mixed in with a few covers that included Folsum Prison, Hard To Handle (first time I’ve heard this song converted to country, I liked it!), and a song originally written by Perry County’s own Chubediah. Headlining the evening was Cody Tyler and Cypsy Convoy. These guys leaned more towards old school outlaw country and skillfully played a solid mix of their country originals as well as a few covers. The next music showcase is in November and if I’m not mistaken, it’s a powerful lineup of local metal bands…definitely a show not to be missed!
I then headed down to Lititz to Mickey’s Black Box for a benefit concert presented by the Central Pennsylvania Music Hall Of Fame and hosted by the Dark Knight of Lititz to benefit Symbol Of Hope, a charity organization created to provide emotional and financial support for children and families suffering. This was such an awesome event that raised good money for a great cause put together by my awesome friends in Eternal Frequency. Eight bands in one night with a ton of great people definitely made for a busy night for me. Visit my facebook page for more pictures if you’d like to see them. Thank you to all the bands that donated their performances for the evening: Diversifyed, Lives Lost, The Art Of Deception, Dinosaurs In Pares, Lyndhurst, Cold Spring Union, Defiant (a special and rare acoustic performance!), and of course Eternal Frequency. There were raffles as well as a costume contest on top of all of this and it made for a very special night!
Final show of the month for me was one that I’d been invited to a few months ago at a venue I’ve been wanting to photograph for a while now: The Sherman Theater in Stroudsburg. Opening up the evening was Phoenix Arizona based Images Of Eden, fronted by my good friend Gordon Tittsworth. Gordon and the boys played a powerful and emotional set including their new songs Weathered And Torn, and my new favorite of theirs Count To Zero. If you haven’t heard these guys yet, check out their new EP Weathered And Torn on most or all streaming platforms…you won’t regret it! Eric Martin, the lead singer from Mr Big, followed them and played a great set including Take Cover and Wild World. Headlining the evening, and this tour, was German guitarist Michael Schenker on his 50th anniversary tour – Universal. Schenker co-founded the rock band Scorpions with his brother Rudolf Schenker, then went on to join UFO until he founded his own band the Michael Schenker Group. Schenker’s group brought a powerful rock show to the stage with insane riffs and melodies in songs like Doctor Doctor and Lights Out In London. It was an honor to be able to photograph this guitar legend.
So there it is, my month of music through my eyes and ears. Just a reminder: if you’ve got a show coming up that I should see; make sure to send me an invite, shoot me an email or a message, let me know about it. Venues: please don’t hesitate to reach out to me as well. The majority of the shows that I go and shoot I find out about through invites from all of you or your friends. Hit me up on facebook: @chrisriderphotography or email: chrisriderphotography@gmail.com, stop me if you see me out & around and say hi. Until next month…go find some live music and give them and the venue your support, they truly need it more now than they ever did.