Before Christmas season gets too far behind in the rear-view mirror, I’m sharing some photos I took during a local Toys for Tots show I attended in early December. This one took place at the Root Hovett Hall near Patton. Eight bands took part in all; I got to see the last seven (show openers Bad Luck Lover Boys had already finished when I arrived).
Up-and-coming new Cambria County group Electric Swamp was under way when I got there. This was my first time seeing them. Four members strong, they fired up the crowd with their unique blend of hard-driving country and rock. Among their songs was an amped-up version of “Deep Elem Blues.”
Another band I was witnessing for the first time was Baltimore foursome Paperback Tragedy, who followed with their brand of original power punk rock. Formed more than 20 years ago, the lineup of singer and guitarist Will West, bassist Frogg, guitarist and singer C-Lunch and drummer Clay powered through fast-firing, catchy numbers like “Deep Inside,” “Divided,” “To The Bunker,” “Gravel Gurdy,” “Wishing Stars,” their closer “Mr. Brown” and more.
Next was Treaties, presenting their high-powered, punk-driven rock. Singer and guitarist Brandon Kane, bassist Brad Davis and drummer Toby Hunter fired through original numbers, including several off their self-titled album. Their combination of melody and velocity kept the all-ages crowd cheering.
The Snipped then brought their “dadcore” punk rock to the stage. Singer and guitarist Mike Wax, lead guitarist Jeff Reid, bassist Frank Conrad and drummer Justin Burket (all dads, thus “dadcore”) drilled fast-firing numbers from both of their CD’s, along with their high-octane take on The Kinks’ seasonal classic “Father Christmas.” The Snipped’s “dadcore” inspired some “kidcore,” as youngsters (and their parents) got crazy in front of the stage.
With their rosters now identical with the recent return of drummer Damien Falatek, Negan and Alice In Chains tribute Deny Your Maker next combined for a joint set; mixing Negan original tunes with numbers from Alice In Chains and other covers. Damien, singer (plus venue owner and benefit organizer) Mike Davis, guitarists Bob Gray and Jeremy Ashurst, and bassist Josh Yahner broke out numbers from Clutch, Soundgarden, System Of A Down and Mastodon; Alice In Chains numbers such as “Red Giant,” “Rain When I Die,” “Bleed the Freak,” “Love, Hate, Love” and “Man in the did three songs from Negan’s “Burnt Pages” debut EP plus the newer “The Goat Whispers,” which Mike dedicated to his brother Ray.
Young Altoona punk-rocking trio Abstentious then brought the fury with their fast-firing, high-velocity, punk-rocking fun. They introduced numerous new tunes, plus a few established numbers off their “Without A Moral Compass” album such as “14 Weeks,” “Thinking For You,” “PCC” and more. Guitarist Brayden Adams and bassist Noah Keller sang and barked the vocals, while Jake Hicks pummeled his drumkit with blinding speed and all-out intensity – it looked like he had six arms at times!
Pittsburgh’s The Filthy Lowdown closed out the event with their rowdy, over-the-top set. With guitarists Brandon Habera and Max Snyder, bassist Chuck Kowalski and drummer Dave O’Brien churning the high-powered backdrops, frontman Abe Like Lincoln took his feral fury to the room, wrapping the mic cord around his head as he barked out the words to Filthy Lowdown anthems like “Mischief,” “Cheap Cars, Fast Women,” “308,” some new originals more. An additional highlight was Abe welcoming up Noah from Abstentious to help bark out the words to Limp Bizkit’s “Breakstuff.”
When all was said and done, this benefit raised at least $400 and more than 200 toys to help Toys for Tots help out area families in need during the holiday season. Hats off to Mike Davis for putting this together for the second year and making it bigger and better, thanks to the bands who donated their talents, and to everybody who came out to show their support!
