For nearly two years, Allentown’s Chicago Restaurant has been home to weekly original music as part of The Originals Music Series, presented by The Fyre & Ice Show.
On Friday, January 6, The Originals Music Series will celebrate this milestone in style – and will call on the help of good, reliable friends to rock the joint.
The historic Roxy Theatre in Northampton was once again filled with the sounds of rock and roll on Thursday night and, thanks to the efforts of VICTIM, Next to None, and Doubting Thoma$, the case has been made for similar shows at the longstanding venue.
We #ThinkPink one more time in October 2016 with a spooktacular, new music edition of The Quinn Spinn, sponsored by The Valley Ledger. This episode features another great Factory Fast Records compilation, and tunes from artists local to us and around the world.
Plus, we feature some Stupid News with a hunger, and a once (or twice) in a lifetime edition of Somethin’ Good.
Artist: VICTIM
Album: Here’s to You (LISTEN)
Released: 2016
Genre: Metal/Rock
Catch VICTIM at Northampton’s Roxy Theatre alongside Doubting Thoma$ and Next to None on Thursday, Nov. 3. More information can be found here.
Episodes like this are what The Quinn Spinn is all about — featuring the best in independent music! Not only do we have an interview with Second Player Score about their upcoming album, “Nobody’s Hero,” but we have a world premiere track from our local friends, JingerKroa! Plus, Somethin’ Good hits home for us, as Jersey country music duo and #GoodFriendsoftheShow Spinn are heading to Nashville as Nash Next finalists. Hear the news and tunes that are fit to hear on today’s show, sponsored by The Valley Ledger!
Track listing:
REVEL 9 – All I’ve Become (Opening theme)
Rofo Audio – Baggage
Second Player Score – Deep
Second Player Score – Comets
The Perms – Lose Yourself
Jupiter in Velvet – Keep Your Eye on the Pearl
Norse Super Band – Vision Fades
The Thrones – New Way
Guns of the Seneca – Tell Them About the Frequency
Elemento Zero – Urgencia
Spinn – City Country
Midnight Mob – Swing On
Mesa Jane – Waking Up to the Sound of a Machine
JingerKroa – Wasted (World premiere)
Wednesday night was a banner night for our local music scene.
For the 28th year, WZZO hosted its Backyard Bands competition. Located at the RCN Farmerama stage at the Great Allentown Fair, the event featured five local bands — Monoceros, September Silence, The Beautiful Distortion, Another Day Dawns, and Acoustic Kitty Project — who completely rocked the house with the goal of winning more than $6,500 in prizes.
First up was Monoceros, a hard rock three-piece whom we hadn’t covered before. I’m sorry that we waited so long — the band played four songs and provided an emphatic opening statement for the night of rock to come.
Next up was September Silence, who kept the crowd hot with four original tracks of their own. The upstart rockers were making their debut appearance at Backyard Bands, and proved that they’ve come along way in a short period of time for good reason.
The Beautiful Distortion was up next, arriving with purpose, energy, and versatility. The six-piece traded lead vocals, featured tight instrumental work, and set a distinct mood with each of its songs.
Speaking of hitting the stage with purpose, it was clear — as it always is — that Another Day Dawns’ hit with the purpose of using their 20 minutes to rock the crowd as hard as possible. They succeeded in that mission, bringing their youthful energy through in their performance, with frontman Dakota McGeehan leading the way with his charisma and distinct voice.
There was still one more act to hit the stage before the night was done, and it was Carter Lansing’s band, Acoustic Kitty Project. AKP offered a change of pace from the rest of the evening’s bands, showcasing their crisp, catchy country rock offerings. The band’s set was highlighted in particular by the incredible playing of keyboardist Dan DeChellis, who can do anything you ask him to when he has his instrument at his disposal.
In the end, The Beautiful Distortion — who had previously made the finals in 2012, only to lose — came away with top honors, while Another Day Dawns wrapped up a great month of August as the runners-up.
Still, the event was ultimately not about wins, losses, or competition. It was about some of our scene’s best and brightest acts coming together to showcase their abilities. All five bands were entirely gracious and congratulatory toward one another after the show, and there was a sense of accomplishment that comes with knowing that everyone gave their best performance.
We’re so sorry for the delay with our weekly list of unmissables. Things are quite busy – in a good way, of course – for LVU. We’ve had projects to work on, loose ends to tie up, and people to meet.
Don’t think for a second, though, that we won’t be hitting the scene, because you’ll surely see us at some of these…
Wed., Aug. 31 | 8 p.m.
WZZO’s 28th Annual Backyard Bands Competition
Venue: The Great Allentown Fair, Allentown Fairgrounds, 302 N. 17th St., Allentown
Admission: FREE with admission to the Fair
Description: Acoustic Kitty Project, Another Day Dawns, The Beautiful Distortion, Monoceros, and September Silence vie for more than $6,500 in prizes.
Fri., Sept. 2 | 7 p.m.
Soul Folks
Venue: Easton Public Market, 325 Northampton St., Easton
Admission: FREE
Description: Enjoy some genre-bending tunes alongside delicious food and drink to kick-start your holiday weekend.
Sat., Sept. 3 | 6 p.m.
The Alternative Gallery Presents: Hulubulubula 6
Venue: 707 N. 4th St., Ste. 103, Allentown
Admission: $5
Description: We have no idea how to pronounce that event title, but we do know that there are 13 great comedy and musical acts lined up for Saturday night!
Sun., Sept. 4 | 7 p.m.
Godfrey Daniels Open Mike
Venue: Godfrey Daniels, 7 E. 4th St., Bethlehem
Admission: $3.50
Description: Mance Robinson is the featured artist for this night of newcomers and seasoned veterans alike.
Some nights on the music scene make us realize why we do what we do.
OK, to be fair, we’ve had quite a few of those lately. However, tonight reinforced for us that there’s much to look forward to around our Valley, year-round, and that any night can be amazing.
Let’s start with Dead:Stop. The heavy rock/hardcore band started the evening with a dash of punk edge and infectious energy that got the folks in attendance — many of them among our music scene’s younger demographic — up and moving.
After that came Next to None, another young, but wickedly talented band whose progressive metal flair is perhaps only rivaled by its stage presence. Their genre, of course, is not a surprise — the band’s backline includes Max Portnoy on drums, whose father, Mike, is the former drummer for Dream Theater.
Speaking of Mike Portnoy, he was in the house, and would join in on a special treat after his son’s band finished its official set. Portnoy, as well as members of Next to None and local hard rock band Another Day Dawns (who we’ve recently seem somewhere… can’t put our finger on it, though…) participated in an open jam. Musicians rotated in and out for about 45 minutes, playing a jukebox worth of hard rock and metal hits and ending with a full company version of Metallica’s “Enter Sandman.”
Through it all, the packed house and sense of enthusiasm at Chicago Restaurant’s Club Gravity also provided good vibes. With so much youth in the room and onstage, it was easy to dispel the notion that the younger generation doesn’t “get it.” Not only do they get it — but they are just as good at making music as folks twice their age.
The future is bright for our Valley’s music scene, and for every artist who took the stage on Thursday night.
To me, Sunday’s incredible Lehigh Valley Music Awards Rock Showcase at Musikfest’s Plaza Tropical reinforced a few things that I already knew:
Personally, it was a blast to be on-hand for four great, local bands like Another Day Dawns, Doubting Thoma$, The Cherrybombs, and Social Call. All four bands rocked so hard and put on such a great show that, in all honestly, it’s hard to say which one was my favorite. It was an excellent night of rock across the board.
I also have to thank the GLVMA and, of course, ArtsQuest for the opportunity to introduce each of the bands and represent Lehigh Valley Underground at the event. It was an honor and a privilege to be a part of Musikfest in this way, and I look forward to working with both organizations again in the not-too-distant future.
Of course, since I was there all night, I couldn’t help but to bring my camera and get some photos. So, you get some bonus shots of the action!
Another Day Dawns
Doubting Thoma$
The Cherrybombs
Social Call
Last night, Musikfest was rocked by four local bands as part of the Lehigh Valley Music Awards Rock Showcase, sponsored by Lehigh Valley Underground.
Local rockers Another Day Dawns, Doubting Thoma$, The Cherrybombs, and Social Call packed Musikfest’s Plaza Tropical tent with friends and fans all night long. The evening featured a mix of originals and covers, and was hosted onstage by LVU Founder Gerard Longo.
Here are some photos — more are coming with a full recap a bit later. Enjoy!
