PATIO: John Kirby & The New Seniors
– ALL AGES- LIMITED PATIO SEATING IS FIRST COME, FIRST SERVEDJOHN KIRBY & THE NEW SENIORSJohn Kirby Jr. and the New Seniors were born from fire under a full moon in the winter of 2019. Bonding over a mutual love of Van Halen and The Replacements, the three instantly connected and vowed their allegiance to rock and roll in both form and spirit. “We get to the chorus quick.. while also sticking it to the man…”.Fueled by the guitar playing, singing and songwriting of John Kirby and anchored by the rhythm section of old school rockers John Hawkins (drums/vocals) and Chad Nance (bass/vocals), John Kirby Jr. and The New Seniors play guitar driven original rock with a little bit of power pop sprinkled on top.Their music has also been described as “Punk/metal with a bouquet of guitar based pop”, “A cross between Westerberg and Petty” and “Nicely crafted power punk”.The band released their first EP “Don’t Kill the Magic” in September of 2019, followed by their first full length “Sleepers” in May of 2022 and are currently working on a 2023 release. JKandTNS also continues to be involved in the Black Mountain based Holy Crap Records music community as well as playing regular live shows in their hometown of Asheville NC and across the state.
PATIO: We Have Ignition
– ALL AGES- LIMITED PATIO SEATING IS FIRST COME, FIRST SERVEDWE HAVE IGNITION We Have Ignition hails from Asheville. Playing high energy Surf/Punk originals. The band consists of: Robert Lloyd Martin on guitar (Puddles Pity Party, Crooked Fingers) Nick Harvey on drums (Marblehead) Jeff Manson on bass (Rich Nelson band)
PATIO: The Loudes
– ALL AGES- LIMITED PATIO SEATING IS FIRST COME, FIRST SERVEDTHE LOUDESThe Loudes formed in 2018 as a 3 piece acoustic-electric punk-folk band, digging in with an aggressive all original format. Over the next few years Sam Barker and Tony Preston expanded the band to a five piece. From the deep archival talents of lead guitarist Glen Case they added many cover tunes to their song list with Kaiya Pelletier’s soulful, sassy vocal skills completing the circle.Gritty original and cover material are their hallmark, ever transmitting the great fun and joy of performing for live audiences. They have been playing professionally around the greater Asheville area for the past few years, pausing only briefly for Covid Cloud to pass by.
PATIO: The Cheeksters
– ALL AGES- LIMITED PATIO SEATING IS FIRST COME, FIRST SERVEDTHE CHEEKSTERS The Cheeksters were formed in 1990 soon after Mark and Shannon Casson met by chance on a train in London, England. Mark hails from the UK, while Shannon was born and raised in Tennessee. They started performing music together as a duo with Mark on guitar and vocals and Shannon playing bass guitar. They soon released their debut album “ Stranger Things Have Happened “ in 1992, followed by “ Hey, What’s Your Style ? “ in 1994. The couple relocated to Nashville in 1996 and began working with producer Brent Little at his all- analog studio Cream Puff Recorders. So far they have recorded four critically acclaimed albums at Cream Puff – “Skating On The Cusp“ (1999) , “Nineteen Sixty Five“ (2005) , “Movers and Shakers“ (2007) , “The Golden Birds“ (2011) – They released two singles this past year and continue to write and record music here in Asheville.The Cheeksters combine the best of what made music great in the 1960’s with a winning, fresh pop approach that delights audiences. In the studio the group has produced six albums of timeless, tuneful, terrific pop that has real staying power. Onstage the versatile five-piece band turns out its straightforward catchy pop confections, bringing to mind a swirling variety of influences : Memphis soul, Carnaby Street pop, swampy rhythm and blues, and more. They somehow manage to channel Burt Bacharach / Hal David pop, Dusty Springfield’s diva soul, T-Rex’s manic boogie and the pomp of David Bowie often in the same song without sounding derivative.Mark and Shannon have called Asheville home for the past twenty years. The Cheeksters current line-up has performed live together for the past 12 years and is made up of Mark Casson (vocals, guitar, piano) , Shannon Hines Casson (vocals, bass guitar) , Jay Moye (piano, guitar) Mike Baker (drums) and Jerome Widenhouse (trumpet).
PATIO: The Discs (Album Release Show)
– ALL AGES- LIMITED PATIO SEATING IS FIRST COME, FIRST SERVEDTHE DISCS Conceived years before their debut album was finally realized in October 2020, The Discs officially formed in the summer of 2021. Hailing from Asheville, NC, the band is Allan Day (guitar/vocals), Mike Comparetto (bass/vocals) and Greg Radz (drums/vocals). All members are veterans of their respective music scenes. The Discs fuse elements of power pop and ’77 punk/new wave with current production values and existentially-themed lyrics for a compelling sonic experience. The band anticipates a busy schedule in 2023 including the Spring release of their 2nd album plus many area performances.
PATIO: Appalachian Renegades
– ALL AGES- LIMITED PATIO SEATING IS FIRST COME, FIRST SERVEDAPPALACHIAN RENEGADES A rock band that fuses classic sounds and modern tones, The Appalachian Renegades call upon guitar heavy riffs mixed with soaring saxophone melodies and clean vocals to form their core sound. Having spent 7 years playing shows across WNC, the renegades are currently writing music for their 4th studio release. Devil’s Wish, the third of their career, had two #1 singles in the summer of 2022 on Buzz Radio Asheville. The guys produce a sound reminiscent of rock bands like Greta Van Fleet, Clutch, Volbeat, Government Mule, Jack White, Black Stone Cherry, and My Morning Jacket among many other influential contemporary and classic rock artists.
Michigan Rattlers
– ALL AGES- STANDING ROOM ONLYMICHIGAN RATTLERS Michigan Rattlers are a folk-rock band composed of Graham Young (guitar), Adam Reed (bass), Christian Wilder (piano), and Tony Audia (drums). Meeting as childhood friends, they began writing music and performing together in their hometown of Petoskey, Michigan. Their self-titled Michigan Rattlers EP attracted reviews from No Depression, Bluegrass Situation, B3 Science, and Rolling Stone, who named the band one of their “Ten New Country Artists You Need To Know” in 2016. They’ve continued to evolve beyond the “country” label ever since. In 2018, following a summer tour that included stops at Bonnaroo, Firefly and Electric Forest; the band released their debut full length album, ‘Evergreen’. “This is a band with solid songwriting chops and instrumental skills,” says No Depression. “‘Evergreen’ shows this four-piece from Petoskey, Michigan making a stand, making their way.” Growing into a more expansive sound, the band’s second full length album, ‘That Kind of Life’, was released in 2021 to positive reviews. With live shows being at the core of the band’s identity, the Rattlers continue to tour relentlessly, bringing their honest songwriting and high energy rock n roll to stages across the U.S and Canada. OLD SAPPoet from Chicago, rambled out to Montana, cut a banjo from a tamarack, strings across the country, foot like a freight train, voice rushing down over lush Appalachia, sings a thrush tune through the rush hour and into your long-forgotten prairie dreams.Folk. Folk Rock. Americana.
The Criticals
– ALL AGES- STANDING ROOM ONLYTHE CRITICALSThe Criticals are a Nashville based rock band formed by Parker Forbes and Cole Shugart. In November 2019, they released their first EP, “Mimosa Hygienem” starting their journey. When covid hit in early 2020, the band focused on writing, recording and releasing music and music videos. Their first music video for Treat Ya Better became popular online, leading many diehard fans to their music. Their sophomore EP, “Sour Grapes” was released in October 2020, along with several singles in ’21 and ’22. In addition to the organic traction on Spotify, along with their music videos, the band has built a loyal and growing audience eager to see them live. CONNOR KELLY & THE TIME WARPConnor Kelly & The Time Warp is dedicated to pushing sonic boundaries while persevering the anthropomorphic elements of Rock & Roll. Drawing inspiration from icons like Pink Floyd, Radiohead, and Red Hot Chili Peppers, the group cultivates a sound that pays tasteful homage to legends of the genre but not without their own unusual twist. Since their latest album release “Distant Forest” the band has accumulated over 5 million streams and joined acts like The Backseat Lovers, Vista Kicks, and Moon Taxi on the road. Connor Kelly, Ben Kelly, Aiden Lamb, and Daniel Ryan are liable to disrupt the space-time continuum.
AGENT ORANGE
– ALL AGES- STANDING ROOM ONLYAGENT ORANGEThe Original Southern California Punk/Surf Power Trio, Agent Orange, is one of only a handful of bands who have been continually active since the earliest days of the West Coast Punk Scene. A small circle of musical rebels who came together to form a movement, they took their place front and center to experience and participate in the explosion of now legendary underground music that was created during the golden era of American Punk Rock.Being the first to combine the melodic California surf guitar sound with the frantic energy of punk, Agent Orange invented the formula that would come to define the Orange County punk sound. Highly influential to many of the bands who have followed in their path, Agent Orange have always stayed one step ahead. Their strong connection to the Action Sports world has resulted in their music providing the soundtrack to numerous major motion pictures, video games, surf and skate films, television, and live sports events.The last of the true independents, Agent Orange have managed to stay true to their roots, while always moving forward. Powered by a loyal following built up through years of explosive live performances all over the world, Agent Orange continue to deliver their Fullblown-Supercharged-Punk-Surf Sound on an international basis, with a never ending schedule of tours in the United States, Canada, South America, Europe, Australia, and Japan.C’mon down front and expose yourself to Agent Orange.SUZI MOON The unstoppable SUZI MOON comes roaring back with a debut solo EP Call the Shots, a powerful clutch of high impact songs which reaffirm her status as one of punk rock’s most vibrant performers! With a stellar rock & roll pedigree reaching back to when the then 15-year-old MOON joined her sister’s famed punk band, CIVET, the singer-songwriter has followed through with songs that show her incredible growth. Recording two albums for Hellcat Records and touring with the likes of SOCIAL DISTORTION, DROPKICK MURPHYS, and FLOGGING MOLLY (all before she turned 21), MOON established herself as a ferocious punk truth-teller with both a distinctive personal style and a fiercely untamed stage presence. After CIVET went on hiatus, MOON formed TURBULENT HEARTS, a high-intensity trio that quickly gained popularity in their hometown Los Angeles scene and earned followings in the US and Europe, playing such high-stakes settings as the Rebellion Festival and Punk Rock Bowling.THE DEATHBOTSThe Deathbots make their home in Asheville, NC among the freaks, weirdos, and white dudes named Chad that just moved here from Charlotte and are totally down to brewery hop on the South Slope. It’s widely accepted in Asheville that everything was better a few years ago and the Deathbots do their part by making the punk rock that your older sister used to listen to before she sold out and went to law school. Holy Crap Records describes the sound as a “brawling mix between Bad Religion and Johnny Cash, that combo of super speedy melodic punk and killer bad-ass country.”
Velvet Truckstop (Album Release Show) w/ Pyletribe ft Artimus Pyle
– ALL AGES- STANDING ROOM ONLYVELVET TRUCKSTOPFrom the Blue Ridge Mountains of Western North Carolina, Velvet Truckstop is a seasoned powerhouse that delivers a high-energy mix of Southern Rock and jam fueled Cosmic Americana every time they take the stage! VT has recorded / performed live with many notable musicians; including Tom Constanten ( Grateful Dead) , Ike Stubblefield (Frank Zappa, Jerry Garcia Band) Artimus Pyle (Lynyrd Skynyrd) and John Keane ( Widespread Panic) . Following the success of their first full-length album, “Sweet Release” (voted No. 5 on WNCW’s Top 20 regional charts), they went on to command stages at top events; including multiple performances at SXSW in Austin, Texas; the Warren Haynes’ Christmas Jam (2009- 2019 ) and the French Broad River Festival ( 2019 ) After extensive touring throughout the East Coast, the band cut their second album, “Southbound and Down” , produced by Johnny Sandlin ( Allman Brothers / Widespread Panic) in Muscle Shoals AL. Velvet Truckstop is happy to announce their third album ” Reckless Abandon ” will be released in 2022. Band Members are : Jamie Dose (guitar / vocals), Josh Gibbs ( Lap steel / Guitar and vocals ) Will Nicholson ( bass ) and Jor Sutton ( drums ). PYLETRIBE Combining the iconic talents of legendary Lynyrd Skynyrd drummer Artimus Pyle, and the infectious vocal and guitar licks of son Chris Pyle, PYLETRIBE pushes the creative boundaries with their percussion influenced style dubbed “southern fried tribal boogie.”
