NEPA Scene

In Episode 24, we sit down with Ted Wampole (Wilkes-Barre DJ Newpy Hundo), Nate Miller, and Richard Roani of Funkstronaut Productions, who are organizing the first-ever Satellite Ranch Music & Arts Festival at Mountain Sky in Jermyn on Friday, Sept. 1 and Saturday, Sept. 2 with intelligent dance music, house, techno, dub, disco, hip-hop, electronic fusion, and jamtronica, along with light and art installations, workshops, yoga, and silent disco.

Before and during the interview, we crack open some crowlers from Beer Boys in Wilkes-Barre. They support local just like we do with NEPA breweries on tap every day, so this week, we try Front Street Wheat by Berwick Brewing Company, Sippin’ Time by Benny Brewing in Wilkes-Barre, and Pimp My Rye by North Slope Brewing in Dallas – all great session beers packed with flavor that go down easy.

We talk about the origins of the inaugural festival, convincing Mountain Sky to host Satellite Ranch and how the location informed its name, what the different members of Funkstronaut Productions brought to the table and how their experiences and musical tastes helped shape the festival, the positive and negative effects that Camp Bisco in Scranton has had on the local perception of electronic music, defining “intelligent” dance music and how it stands out from typical EDM, the funny story behind the Newpy Hundo moniker, what a “silent disco” is, expanding musical horizons and creating good vibes, how they chose the artists in their diverse lineup, Lord RAJA and Adult Swim becoming an unexpected outlet for electronic artists, the future of Funkstronaut, and more.

We close out the show by pointing out some of the weird and funny names of the artists playing at Satellite Ranch, which leads to some interesting stories and highlights of the festival, including some notable local acts.

The NEPA Scene Podcast covers arts, entertainment, and the issues that matter to Northeastern Pennsylvania. It airs as a live video stream every Wednesday at 7 p.m. on NEPA Scene’s Facebook page and is available afterward on iTunes, SoundCloud, Stitcher, YouTube, and nepascene.com. This episode and all previous episodes are available now on NEPA Scene, the award-winning independent arts and entertainment website that combines the accuracy and professionalism of a print magazine with the immediacy and convenience of a blog, offering a wide variety of content to readers in NEPA, Philadelphia, New York, and beyond. The show is made possible by local sponsors Beer Boys, The Keys, and the F.M. Kirby Center, Coal Creative, and viewers who tune in every week.

In Episode 23, we chat with our own Brittany Boote about her experience as an actress and assistant director on “The Barre,” a new crime drama television series set and produced in Wilkes-Barre. We also planned to interview fellow local actor James Callahan, who played the role of Bryan on the show and is well-known in the local music scene, but he had to cancel due to a family emergency. We still manage to have a good conversation and a great time, though, as always.

Beer Boys in Wilkes-Barre is hosting a Founders Brewing Company tap takeover, so we drink some crowlers of three of the beers they have on tap during the show - Frootwood, cherry ale and ages it in oak barrels that held both bourbon and maple syrup, Lizard of Koz, a stout brewed with blueberries, chocolate, and vanilla aged in bourbon barrels, and Backwoods Bastard 2015, a bourbon barrel-aged version of its Dirty Bastard scotch ale. They’re very different than the Founders beers we tried last week, but they’re boozy and rich with flavor.

We also take a moment to remember Pittston singer Janet Rains, better known as Jane Train, who died just hours earlier from injuries she sustained in a tragic accident in Florida last month that took the life of Adrenaline Mob bassist David Zablidowsky. Whether you knew her from Wilkes-Barre pop rock band M80, her solo work, Headbanger's Ball, Not by Sight, or just as that awesome lady with the bright red hair, Jane was an integral part of the NEPA music scene for many years, so we share some stories about her before we get into the interview.

Then we talk about the premiere screening of the first episode of “The Barre” at the River Street Jazz Cafe in Plains Thursday, Aug. 24, how and why Brittany got involved with the show, the authenticity of the scripts, influences from shows like “The Wire,” what she learned as an assistant director, landing the role of Lydia and how she prepared to play a heroin addict, working with the cast and crew from New York, how Wilkes-Barre became an integral part of the series and what it was like filming in familiar areas, the controversy surrounding the production and responding to those who think it will make the city look bad, comparisons to other drug and gangster stories, the story of how James Callahan ended up in his role at the last minute, acting in an anti-drug commercial and auditioning New York City as a kid, how the show helped her deal with the death of her mother, working on TV distribution of the series, Wilkes-Barre’s HBO connection, and more.

Additionally, we answer some questions and comments from live viewers and give away free tickets to the see the I Love the 90s Tour at The Pavilion at Montage Mountain on Saturday, Aug. 26 with TLC, Coolio, Tone Loc, Rob Base, and Young MC.

The NEPA Scene Podcast covers arts, entertainment, and the issues that matter to Northeastern Pennsylvania. It airs as a live video stream every Wednesday at 7 p.m. on NEPA Scene’s Facebook page and is available afterward on iTunes, SoundCloud, Stitcher, YouTube, and nepascene.com. This episode and all previous episodes are available now on NEPA Scene, the award-winning independent arts and entertainment website that combines the accuracy and professionalism of a print magazine with the immediacy and convenience of a blog, offering a wide variety of content to readers in NEPA, Philadelphia, New York, and beyond. The show is made possible by local sponsors Beer Boys, The Keys, and the F.M. Kirby Center, Coal Creative, and viewers who tune in every week.

In Episode 22, we sit down with four of the five members of the new Scranton doom/sludge metal band Dour.

Beer Boys in Wilkes-Barre is hosting a Founders Brewing Company tap takeover next Wednesday, Aug. 23, so we drink some crowlers of three of the beers they’ll have on tap - Green Zebra, a gose-style ale brewed with watermelon and sea salt; All Day IPA, a complex but balanced session beer; and Sumatra Mountain, a strong imperial brown ale with caramel and chocolate malt. Each has a distinct flavor and style that we discuss before and during the interview.

We talk about the origins of Dour; what doom and sludge metal are and what attracted them to these styles; the appeal of metal; their new demo copied to cassette tapes by hand; what songs like "Satanic Root Beer," "Black Cat Amphetamines," and “Upside Down Sinner” are about and whether or not they should be taken seriously based on their titles; how comedian and filmmaker Bobby Keller became their singer and showing people that his involvement is no joke; Bobby’s past musical history and funny stories from previous projects, including ruining a sweet 16 party; crazy band stories from each member; playing their debut show in a Curry Donuts parking lot in Wilkes-Barre; bands they’ve been influenced by locally and nationally; future goals of the band; and more. We also answer some questions and comments from live viewers.

In The Last Word segment, we discuss the white supremacy march in Charlottesville, Virginia that turned deadly and ask if the same thing can happen here in Pennsylvania, where we also have a large number of hate groups. We address President Donald Trump’s inadequate and disturbing response, the Confederate statue controversy, and condemn the one side that needs to be unequivocally condemned - the Nazis, white nationalists, and other racists - just a week after celebrating diversity in our previous episode.

The NEPA Scene Podcast covers arts, entertainment, and the issues that matter to Northeastern Pennsylvania. It airs as a live video stream every Wednesday at 7 p.m. on NEPA Scene’s Facebook page and is available afterward on iTunes, SoundCloud, Stitcher, YouTube, and nepascene.com. This episode and all previous episodes are available now on NEPA Scene, the award-winning independent arts and entertainment website that combines the accuracy and professionalism of a print magazine with the immediacy and convenience of a blog, offering a wide variety of content to readers in NEPA, Philadelphia, New York, and beyond. The show is made possible by local sponsors Beer Boys, The Keys, and the F.M. Kirby Center, Coal Creative, and viewers who tune in every week.

In Episode 21, we sit down with Jess Meoni, a graphic designer, writer, editor of Ruthless Zine, and organizer of The Bad Trip Psychedelic Show - a free concert on Saturday, Aug. 12 on Courthouse Square in downtown Scranton with Piece of Mind, Walau-eh, Signs & Wonders, Earthmouth, The Mysteries, Mind Choir, and High Noon – along with Grrrls Night at Ale Mary's in Scranton, Scranton Zine Fest, and many other community events in NEPA.

Before and during the interview, we drink some crowlers provided by Beer Boys in Wilkes-Barre, this time with a blueberry theme. We try Becky Blueberry Cider by Platform Beer Company, which is new to the area, Blueberry Belch by Fegley's Brew Works in Allentown, and Sea Dog Blueberry Wheat Ale by Sea Dog Brewing Company, comparing each of their flavors and styles.

We discuss how The Bad Trip came about, a new wave of psychedelic-influenced local bands, working with the city and the county on events, what goes into organizing a community event, the importance of putting events together yourself rather than waiting for someone else to do it and inspiring others to do the same, why she personally feels the need to create niche but inclusive events, ignoring naysayers like on Talkback 16, how people are shaped by concerts and other events, highlighting local female artists at the Grrrls Night open mic and a recent surprise engagement, how crowds and venues have changed over the years, saving The Marketplace at Steamtown, and more. We also answer some questions and comments from live viewers.

In The Last Word, we talk about Wilkes-Barre’s first Multicultural Parade & Festival. We talk about why it was special and important, the local naysayers who were proven wrong about diversity, and Brittany describes her experience at the festival.

The NEPA Scene Podcast covers arts, entertainment, and the issues that matter to Northeastern Pennsylvania. It airs as a live video stream every Wednesday at 7 p.m. on NEPA Scene’s Facebook page and is available afterward on iTunes, SoundCloud, Stitcher, YouTube, and nepascene.com. This episode and all previous episodes are available now on NEPA Scene, the award-winning independent arts and entertainment website that combines the accuracy and professionalism of a print magazine with the immediacy and convenience of a blog, offering a wide variety of content to readers in NEPA, Philadelphia, New York, and beyond. The show is made possible by local sponsors Beer Boys, The Keys, and the F.M. Kirby Center, Coal Creative, and viewers who tune in every week.

In Episode 20, we have a very important and emotional conversation with the creators of Break the Silence: Sexual Violence Awareness Art Exhibit - campaign coordinator Stephanie Santore and photographer Ashley Matthews of Simply Lush Portrait Boutique.

Before and during the interview, we drink some crowlers provided by our sponsor, Beer Boys in Wilkes-Barre, of three varieties of Single Origin Coffee Brown Ales by Terrapin Beer Company in Athens, Georgia made with coffee from Ecuador, Indonesia, and Kenya. Everyone agrees that, whether you love coffee or just beer brewed with it, these are worth drinking.

Then we talk about this powerful exhibit before it debuts at The Leonard Theater during First Friday Scranton on Aug. 4, what motivated them to start this project and how their respective professions helped in its creation, the difficulty in discussing the issues of sexual violence and domestic abuse, photographing the brave volunteers who have endured this trauma and shared their stories, how this project affected them, why Stephanie felt it was time to share her own personal story, empowering women through photography, what the Women's Resource Center does for local women and families, statistics from and raising money for the center, sexism and focusing on the issue at hand by not getting bogged down by “whataboutism” and other tactics, the healing process, the future of Break the Silence after Friday night and the possibility of future projects, and more.

The NEPA Scene Podcast covers arts, entertainment, and the issues that matter to Northeastern Pennsylvania. It airs as a live video stream every Wednesday at 7 p.m. on NEPA Scene’s Facebook page and is available afterward on iTunes, SoundCloud, Stitcher, YouTube, and nepascene.com. This episode and all previous episodes are available now on NEPA Scene, the award-winning independent arts and entertainment website that combines the accuracy and professionalism of a print magazine with the immediacy and convenience of a blog, offering a wide variety of content to readers in NEPA, Philadelphia, New York, and beyond. The show is made possible by local sponsors Beer Boys, The Keys, and the F.M. Kirby Center, Coal Creative, and viewers who tune in every week.

In Episode 19, we hear some stories and opinions from the hilarious and outspoken Freddie Fabbri, a radio DJ and on-air personality on 98.5 KRZ, Froggy 101, WILK Newsradio, and Max 102 who also does stand-up comedy and even managed Breaking Benjamin in their early days.

Before and during the interview, we drink some crowlers of Olly, Chasing the Dragon, Cloudy with a Chance of Apricots by Free Will Brewing Company in Perkasie, Pennsylvania, all beers that were featured in a tap takeover at Beer Boys in Wilkes-Barre, our newest sponsor, and our tastes vary greatly on these unique brews.

Then we talk about what “Fast Freddie” has been up to lately; working in the radio business and how it stays relevant in the digital age with more competition than ever; the freedom of speech he enjoys on the radio despite working for a large company; using innuendo, pushing the envelope, and how he’s gotten in trouble with previous stations he’s worked for; the infamous “dildo-gram” story; being politically incorrect in 2017; legalizing weed; a baseball team rivalry with Johnny; going on tour with Breaking Benjamin and Staind; taking risks and putting his livelihood on the line for Breaking Benjamin and his opinion of singer Benjamin Burnley these days; how Freddie got started doing stand-up; translating his sense of humor into a stand-up routine, choking on stage with his “more extreme” material, and steadily improving; local music; getting nominated in the Steamtown Music Awards; and more.

We also answer some questions and comments from live viewers and give away free tickets to see Dashboard Confessional at the Sands Bethlehem Event Center.

The NEPA Scene Podcast covers arts, entertainment, and the issues that matter to Northeastern Pennsylvania. It airs as a live video stream every Wednesday at 7 p.m. on NEPA Scene’s Facebook page and is available afterward on iTunes, SoundCloud, Stitcher, YouTube, and nepascene.com. This episode and all previous episodes are available now on NEPA Scene, the award-winning independent arts and entertainment website that combines the accuracy and professionalism of a print magazine with the immediacy and convenience of a blog, offering a wide variety of content to readers in NEPA, Philadelphia, New York, and beyond. The show is made possible by local sponsors Beer Boys, The Keys, and the F.M. Kirby Center, Coal Creative, and viewers who tune in every week.

In Episode 18, we chat with Moscow artist, illustrator, and Jeweled Moon owner Patrick Kwiatkowski.

Before the interview, we drink some crowlers of Sunny Spot by Susquehanna Brewing Company in Pittston courtesy of our newest sponsor, Beer Boys in Wilkes-Barre, and this is a different version of the summertime grapefruit shandy that you can only get at Beer Boys. This one is dry hopped with Citra, cask conditioned, and served at 55 degrees, giving it a much more natural, juicy, and fresh taste.

Then we talk with Patrick about drawing as a kid and picking it up again later in life, developing as an artist, how jam bands like the Grateful Dead and Phish have inspired his work, taking music and turning it into art, following bands around and being a part of jam band culture, the importance of family-friendly venues like Mountain Sky in Jermyn, his relationship with his young daughter and her role in his work, creating his own original comic book, selling his art through Jeweled Moon, dabbling in local theatre and what movies are missing today, working in the local electrical workers union, the Church of the Latter-Day Dude, and more. We also answer some questions and comments from live viewers.

In The Last Word segment, we discuss the ongoing controversies surrounding Camp Bisco in Scranton, debating its pros and cons and whether its issues with drugs and other crimes are overblown by the media or if The Pavilion at Montage Mountain should not agree to host the EDM music festival again after three years as we read and react to comments we received from readers.

The NEPA Scene Podcast covers arts, entertainment, and the issues that matter to Northeastern Pennsylvania. It airs as a live video stream every Wednesday at 7 p.m. on NEPA Scene’s Facebook page and is available afterward on iTunes, SoundCloud, Stitcher, YouTube, and nepascene.com. This episode and all previous episodes are available now on NEPA Scene, the award-winning independent arts and entertainment website that combines the accuracy and professionalism of a print magazine with the immediacy and convenience of a blog, offering a wide variety of content to readers in NEPA, Philadelphia, New York, and beyond. The show is made possible by local sponsors Beer Boys, The Keys, and the F.M. Kirby Center, Coal Creative, and viewers who tune in every week.

In Episode 17, we sit down with all four members of Wilkes-Barre rock band Vine Street, who are hosting the new Sunset Sessions open mic at Kirby Park in Wilkes-Barre this Sunday, July 16.

We begin by cracking open some crowlers of Chocolate Lobster by Dogfish Head Brewery in Delaware, courtesy of our newest sponsor, Beer Boys in Wilkes-Barre, and we’re pleasantly surprised about the taste of this porter that was actually brewed with live lobsters, dark cocoa powder, and a basil tea.

Then we talk about how Vine Street originated in Hanover Township in 2012 and their musical backgrounds, their name and trying to define their sound, what inspires their original songs and how they choose what songs to cover, working on songs for their debut album, how the local music scene has helped them develop over the years, the importance of open mics to musicians and the mics they’ve benefited from most (like Tony’s Wine Cellar), how the Sunset Sessions came about and what their goals are with the event, how Brittany got involved with it, the future of the band, and more.

In The Last Word segment, Rich talks about his interviews with national acts like Big D and the Kids Table and Anti-Flag at the Vans Warped Tour in Scranton and how many of the things they had to say about their own local music scenes reflect the same ups and downs of our own scene. We also mention how we differentiate ourselves from “fake news” in this day and age to gain the trust of our audience and how to interview Gwar properly.

The NEPA Scene Podcast covers arts, entertainment, and the issues that matter to Northeastern Pennsylvania. It airs as a live video stream every Wednesday at 7 p.m. on NEPA Scene’s Facebook page and is available afterward on iTunes, SoundCloud, Stitcher, YouTube, and nepascene.com. This episode and all previous episodes are available now on NEPA Scene, the award-winning independent arts and entertainment website that combines the accuracy and professionalism of a print magazine with the immediacy and convenience of a blog, offering a wide variety of content to readers in NEPA, Philadelphia, New York, and beyond.

During the live recording of Episode 17 of the NEPA Scene Podcast on July 12, 2017 at Coal Creative’s production studio in downtown Wilkes-Barre, local rock band Vine Street closed the show with this acoustic version of their original song “XOXO.”

The NEPA Scene Podcast covers arts, entertainment, and the issues that matter to Northeastern Pennsylvania. It airs as a live video stream every Wednesday at 7 p.m. on NEPA Scene’s Facebook page and is available afterward on iTunes, SoundCloud, Stitcher, YouTube, and nepascene.com. This episode and all previous episodes are available now on NEPA Scene, the award-winning independent arts and entertainment website that combines the accuracy and professionalism of a print magazine with the immediacy and convenience of a blog, offering a wide variety of content to readers in NEPA, Philadelphia, New York, and beyond.

This interview was conducted by NEPA Scene at the Vans Warped Tour at The Pavilion at Montage Mountain in Scranton on July 10, 2017. For more coverage, visit nepascene.com.