by Nikki M. MascaliWeekender Editor
With 45 bands from NEPA, New York, Baltimore and Philadelphia playing at seven different venues, Sunday, Sept. 5 is more than just a day of music: It’s a day about music.
The fifth annual Steamtown Original Music Showcase — held at the Scranton Hardware Bar, The Bog, Kildare’s, The Backyard Alehouse, Trax Bar & Grille, The Scranton Vintage Theater and The Banshee — is just as much for the musicians involved as it is for those who will be listening to them play.
Not only can these bands check each other out — some for the first time — the event that was co-founded by John “Guido” Phillips and Bryan Banks also features four different clinics that will be held at The Banshee from noon-4 p.m.
“As far as clinics go and the networking aspects of these festivals go, it’s the most important (thing) out of them,” Phillips said. “It’s where the learning aspects of the business happens.”
Joe Nardone Jr. from the Gallery of Sound will start the clinics off with “The Evolution of Music Distribution.”
“He’s been in the business so long and promoted so many concerts and utilized so many areas,” said Phillips. “For him to explain what’s going on and how that could be vital for all of us, I thought bands couldn’t miss out on that.”
Phillips’ OurAfter bandmate Mike Dudley will demonstrate how to use certain guitar equipment during a lesson sponsored by Dunlop and G Lab.
“It’s more knowledge for a lot of musicians,” Phillips said. “Sometimes we don’t know what we’re doing, and guys like (Dudley) have to teach us.”
Ed Brennan of Wind Up Records will speak about the changes in radio during “The Three Kings: AM/FM, Satellite and Internet Radio.” Indie on the Move, run by members of SOMS performers Zelazowa, return for the second year in a row to discuss the do-it-yourself approach during “The Traveling Musician.”
For the first time since the SOMS inception, an all-ages venue — Scranton’s Vintage Theater — is part of the event.
“The third year, when Test Pattern was going to come on board, they closed right before the Showcase. So this is the first year we can actually incorporate the kids coming out,” Phillips said.
Phillips has seen the SOMS grow each year, but shared that there’s been a lot of trials and errors putting the event on, particularly in its third year.
“We turned it into a two-day festival, (and) it was the worst it ever was,” he said. “It was right at the collapse of the economy — and the collapse of downtown Scranton’s nightlife. Hitting it hard for one day and giving everybody the best bang for their buck is the way to go.”
Going back to a one-day event last year, the SOMS had 2,300 people in attendance, Phillips said.
“It was the biggest one we ever did,” Phillips said. “I think this year is actually going to be even bigger. It’s centralized right in the downtown, we’re going to have all these people coming out, the overflow from La Festa (Italiana) — I think it’s going to be a monster.”
On Saturday, Sept. 4, Eleanor Rigby’s in Jermyn will hold an all-ages SOMS pre-party at 6 p.m.
“There were a couple bands that really wanted to get on the Showcase this year, and we got filled up really quick, so (Eleanor Rigby’s owner) Joe Caviston and I talked about doing a pre-party and exposing some bands that haven’t been around as long,” Phillips explained. “So, we said we’d host a pre-party the night before and build up their fanbase and have them come to the Showcase, learn at the clinics and have them participate next year.”
Young Stroudsburg band Edelweiss — made up of teenagers Coby and Niko Porlier, Tommy Vitale and Tony Young — is looking forward to playing its set at the Backyard Ale House.
“It’s a big opportunity to play the event,” Niko said.
Edelweiss recently performed at an open mic night at the River Street Jazz Caf� in Plains Twp., which was the band’s only performance in the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre area.
“We’re excited about having this hopefully open some doors in the area for us,” Coby said.
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