NEPA Scene

In Episode 12, we open with a little live stand-up clip from NEPA Scene’s Got Talent before we talk to Scranton comedian Erich Drexler, the co-host of The Keys Open Mic Circus on Thursday nights.

We talk about why he started in comedy over two years ago, telling raunchy and offensive jokes, whether or not some subjects should be joked about and if anything is off-limits, the recent controversies with national comedians Kathy Griffin and Bill Maher, the underappreciated NEPA comedy scene and how local comedians work together, the importance of open mics like the Open Mic Circus and NEPA Scene events, watching comedians grow and hone their craft, improv comedy and how it differs from stand-up, booking gigs in odd places, stories from shows that went well and a few that didn’t, Box of Broken Toys and the 502 of Comedy, John’s outside perspective as a judge at Got Talent, getting people to come out and support local comedy, and more. We also answer some questions and comments from live viewers, including a few fellow comedians.

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.

In Episode 11, just one week before the Season 9 premiere of “Ink Master” on Tuesday, June 6 at 10 p.m. on Spike, we sit down with new contestant Derek Zielinski, owner of Glass Heart Tattooing & Arts in Plains and an artist at Classic Trilogy Tattoos in New York.

We talk about what motivated him to become a tattoo artist, his influences and developing his artistic style, how he has grown as an artist over the last 12 years, what types of pieces he creates and specializes in, the challenge of cover-ups, his faith and defending his tattoos to other Christians, the touching story behind one of his favorite tattoos, opening his own business, the NEPA tattoo community, his wife’s support and his son’s adorable reaction to finding out that his dad would be on television, how he met Classic Trilogy Tattoos owner Thom Bulman and working in his “nerd shop,” how he was chosen to go on “Ink Master” as the new “Shop Wars” season changes things up by allowing teams to compete, carving an ice sculpture for the first time during their first flash challenge on the show, what the hosts are like behind the scenes, the impact of local tattoo artist Ryan Ashley Malarkey winning the last season of “Ink Master,” his vegan lifestyle and love of dogs, and more. We also answer some questions and comments from live viewers.

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.

In Episode 10, we sit down with Will Beekman, executive director of the F.M. Kirby Center in Wilkes-Barre, and Director of Sales & Marketing Anne Rodella. We talk about why they chose to work for the Kirby Center and some memorable moments from their time there, the theater's fascinating history and why it was almost torn down, how they choose what shows they book (and don’t book), what it takes to host many different types of performances with a small staff, funny and interesting behind-the-scenes stories from a variety of shows (from Mike Tyson to Third Eye Blind), some highlights from the Kirby Center’s exciting 31st season that was just announced, the importance of the venue and its programming to the local community, and more.

In The Last Word segment, we discuss Wilkes-Barre’s reputation and the ups and downs of living and working in the city. We get into why people perceive Wilkes-Barre the way they do, the positive things going on, and why people should go downtown and judge for themselves.

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.

In Episode 9, we talk to our producer, Coal Creative founder Gerard Durling, about his latest creative projects - indie wrestling VOD service Powerbomb.TV and the Break the Barrier 2017 indie wrestling festival, coming to GSW Arena in Old Forge on Sunday, June 11.

We discuss his early interest in wrestling and how it grew, his experiences training and performing as a wrestler himself, the difference between indie wrestling and big televised wrestling like WWE, what makes a good indie wrestling show, what is “fake” and what is real in wrestling, local promotions like Grand Slam Wrestling in Old Forge and Chikara in Philadelphia, the purpose of launching Powerbomb.TV and streaming live events, the origins of Break the Barrier and what has gone into this new event, the various styles of wrestling and different countries that will be represented at Break the Barrier, the challenges of organizing and promoting this event, interest outside the area, and encouraging people in NEPA to check out something new.

In The Last Word segment, we talk about the local “controversy” surrounding rapper Uncle Murda performing at the Ali Baba Liquor Lounge in Wilkes-Barre. NEPA newspapers and TV stations have focused on Uncle Murda’s lyrics about killing cops, getting reactions from local law enforcement, while the owner of the venue seems to welcome the publicity. He look at all sides of the issue and debate whether or not this concert should be a concern or if it was blown out of proportion by the media while reading comments from our viewers.

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.

In Episode 8, we chat with singer, songwriter, and mandolinist JP Biondo, who is both a solo artist and a member of Cabinet, the popular Scranton/Wilkes-Barre jamgrass band hosting the fifth annual Susquehanna Breakdown Music Festival at The Pavilion at Montage Mountain in Scranton on Friday, May 19 and Saturday, May 20.

We talk about whether or not he would define Cabinet’s music as “bluegrass” and how that type of music came out of NEPA, his personal musical influences and how they play a role in the band, jamming and improvisation, keeping the band together despite being spread out across several states, recording their new album “Cool River” in Vermont with Phish engineer Ben Collette, taking musical risks and not worrying what others may think, letting fans record shows and releasing them for free online, his solo work and recording locally at the Windmill Agency, a song written by his mother, the importance of family in his own life and in the band and their special relationship with fans, playing Montage Mountain and what that means to local musicians, how the Susquehanna Breakdown began and has grown over the years, a touching moment at last year’s Breakdown, what’s in store for this year, and more.

Instead of The Last Word segment, we spent more time in this episode answering both funny and serious fan questions during the live stream, considering how important the “CabFam” is to the group. JP also opens the show with an acoustic version of Cabinet’s latest single, “Bottom of the Sea,” and closes with one of their classic songs, “The Tower.”

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 exclusive track was recorded live on the NEPA Scene Podcast on May 10, 2017. The song was released back in 2009 by Scranton Scranton/Wilkes-Barre jamgrass band Cabinet and has become a set staple.

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 exclusive track was recorded live on the NEPA Scene Podcast on May 10, 2017. The song is from Scranton Scranton/Wilkes-Barre jamgrass band Cabinet's upcoming album, "Cool River."

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.

In Episode 7, we try something a little different with a roundtable discussion where we turn the camera around on four talented, award-winning NEPA-based photographers who know each other well – Tom Bonomo, Jason Riedmiller, Keith Perks, and Alex Seeley.

We discuss why they chose photography, their different styles and varying projects, misconceptions about photography, what makes a good (and bad) photo, the ups and downs of the photography business, shooting photos for newspapers and other publications, what the media asks for in a photo versus what a photographer wants to shoot, the difference between art and commercial work and blurring those lines when possible, the meaning and personal stories behind their work, approaching events and subjects in various ways, the importance of receiving credit and/or appreciation for their images, and more. We also answer some questions and comments from live viewers.

Since we went over our usual hour, there is no Last Word segment this week, but there are plenty of jokes, weirdness, and controversial opinions to go around for one 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.

In Episode 6, we sit down with Beyond Fallen vocalist Joe Karavis and Threatpoint guitarist Alex Olivetti, who are both playing in the two-day NEPA Metal Meltdown festival at the Irish Wolf Pub in Scranton on Friday, May 5 and Saturday, May 6.

We discuss how their respective bands formed in Wilkes-Barre and Scranton; their very different writing and recording processes; touring in the U.S. and overseas and how they compare; the challenges of being an independent band and getting people to come to shows; the local metal scene and growing up on metal music; the science fiction concept and cover art of Beyond Fallen’s upcoming album, “As the Spires Fall;” musical influences; what went into Threatpoint’s latest album, “RIP;” the messages they’re trying to convey through their music; Beyond Fallen’s CD release show at the Irish Wolf Pub on Friday, May 19; and the planning, work, bands, and venue changes behind the fourth annual NEPA Metal Meltdown and what the future of this indie metal festival will be. We also answer some questions and comments from live viewers.

In The Last Word segment, we talk about two sad stories we reported lately - Scranton/Wilkes-Barre bluegrass band Cabinet parting ways with their original drummer and the singer of Wilkes-Barre “grave rock” band Curse of Sorrow losing his home in a fire - and explain why we felt they were worth covering, the ethics of covering such topics, and how to tastefully write stories that are sensitive and fair to everyone involved.

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.

In Episode 4, we chat with Chelsi (Heinrich Maneuver), Kaila (Kailamity Maim), and Mandy (Maul McCartney) about the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Roller Radicals roller derby team. We talk about how and why they joined the team and picked those great names, the ever-changing rules of the sport and the basics of the game, derby “wives” and other derby terminology, the history of the Roller Radicals and how they were formed from two different local teams, the worst injuries they’ve endured or inflicted, their favorite memories from games, interacting with other teams and traveling outside of NEPA, why roller derby is so popular with females, if movies like “Whip It” properly portray roller derby life, misconceptions about roller derby girls they’ve faced, the different types of women who play and the diverse crowds they attract, the importance of holding events outside of derby to promote their sport and recruit, and more, including some questions and comments from live viewers.

In The Last Word segment, we talk about an article and audio clip from CBC Radio titled “If you want to keep the local music scene alive, start shows earlier” that has been shared around Facebook by many local musicians and concertgoers over the last few days. We read some comments from NEPA Scene readers and share our own opinions on this topic, debating whether or not starting and ending concerts earlier would make a difference in our music scene for both bands and the venues that host them.

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.