This week we get off the couch and cut a rug to the music of Mike Guldin and Rollin and Tumblin! For a guaranteed boogie good time check out a Mike Guldin and Rollin’ & Tumblin’ live show of “Good ole butt-shakin music”.

This band has turned longevity into a gold standard. Some of them having been playing together for 31 years and instead of it getting stale it just keeps getting better. This band knows how to entertain. They want you up out of your chairs and being a part of the show. Every night “they lay it down”.

Mike Guldin started with the guitar when he was 15 and turned professional at 18 playing in the Philly area. He is heavily influenced by the standard bearers of the blues- Muddy Waters, the three kings- BB, Albert and Freddie but he also digs deep into the southern sounds of Muscle Shoals, Eric Clapton and the Rolling Stones. Having shared the stage over the years with many music luminaries he has also developed a love for a wide variety of sounds all of which can be heard, in part, on his three CDs, the most recent being “Mike and The Tumblers Live” recorded at The Sellersville Theatre.

Mike and the band like “real music”. No drum machines. https://youtu.be/1CiSPIa8b4o They look for something that is heavily crowd centric so the audience “can fuel the fire”. For an extra treat go see them when they are appearing with The Snake Eye Horns.

They are particularly proud of being finalist in their two appearances at International Blues Challenge.

This road house dance band has a full schedule check it out-

https://www.facebook.com/pg/mikeandthetumblers/events/?ref=page_internal

For more listening go to-

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOUE-5TjdjGLmOqTzgbsTnJ_AppZx6RQD

Mike Guldin- Guitar, vocals

CJ Clark- Bass, vocals

Tim Hooper- Keyboards, vocals

Matt McNally-Drums

This week we get off the couch and cut a rug to the music of Mike Guldin and Rollin and Tumblin! For a guaranteed boogie good time check out a Mike Guldin and Rollin’ & Tumblin’ live show of “Good ole butt-shakin music”.

This band has turned longevity into a gold standard. Some of them having been playing together for 31 years and instead of it getting stale it just keeps getting better. This band knows how to entertain. They want you up out of your chairs and being a part of the show. Every night “they lay it down”.

Mike Guldin started with the guitar when he was 15 and turned professional at 18 playing in the Philly area. He is heavily influenced by the standard bearers of the blues- Muddy Waters, the three kings- BB, Albert and Freddie but he also digs deep into the southern sounds of Muscle Shoals, Eric Clapton and the Rolling Stones. Having shared the stage over the years with many music luminaries he has also developed a love for a wide variety of sounds all of which can be heard, in part, on his three CDs, the most recent being “Mike and The Tumblers Live” recorded at The Sellersville Theatre.

Mike and the band like “real music”. No drum machines. https://youtu.be/1CiSPIa8b4o They look for something that is heavily crowd centric so the audience “can fuel the fire”. For an extra treat go see them when they are appearing with The Snake Eye Horns.

They are particularly proud of being finalist in their two appearances at International Blues Challenge.

This road house dance band has a full schedule check it out-

https://www.facebook.com/pg/mikeandthetumblers/events/?ref=page_internal

For more listening go to-

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOUE-5TjdjGLmOqTzgbsTnJ_AppZx6RQD

Mike Guldin- Guitar, vocals

CJ Clark- Bass, vocals

Tim Hooper- Keyboards, vocals

Matt McNally-Drums

This week Smoky timbers comes in to share a bit of a style variety with us. Smoky Timbers is a talented Pennsylvania progressive folk band made up of cousins and friends. George Gaston at first put together a combo to play Rockabilly and swing but it morphed into something new and fresh as the band came together playing pop songs with unique instrumental spins. They are great at taking these songs and making them fresh with a folk flavor.

George brought his cousin Holly Gaston and friend Keith Szczeniak together for the funeral of Georges father, Billy Gaston. They played together at the memorial and haven’t stopped since. They liked this experimental experience so much that they decided to try a few gigs. Both Holly and George grew up surrounded by music so it was a natural transition for these family members to keep the music going.

They are proud of their varied musical tastes with Holly and Haley enjoying some more contemporary genres which makes their song writing have a dynamic push and pull. These differences also make their rewrites of contemporary material time consuming and thrilling.

The songs that they play don’t stick to a 12-bar blues setup and don’t categorically fit into a folk format. They like to sneak in some trumpet and when they can even a little harmonium. Although the band is still developing they feel that their democratic take on song writing and band decision making creates a great working setup. Rehearsals, fellowship and dinner are all part of this band’s chemistry.

One of the bands new signature songs “A song for you” is Hollys wedding vows put to music. The band played it at the ceremony.

George started playing guitar in 4th grade.

Keith picked up the drums in high school to join Georges punk band

Holly was born a musician and

Haley is a classically trained pianist that can play any instrument placed in her hands

Holly Gaston - Acoustic Guitar/Lead Vocals

George Gaston - Bass/Background Vocals

Keith Szczesniak - Drums

Haley Whitney - Electric Guitar/Background Vocals

You can check out their schedule

https://www.facebook.com/pg/smokytimbers/events/?ref=page_internal

or give a listen

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P58kHrvfu3o

This week Smoky timbers comes in to share a bit of a style variety with us. Smoky Timbers is a talented Pennsylvania progressive folk band made up of cousins and friends. George Gaston at first put together a combo to play Rockabilly and swing but it morphed into something new and fresh as the band came together playing pop songs with unique instrumental spins. They are great at taking these songs and making them fresh with a folk flavor.

George brought his cousin Holly Gaston and friend Keith Szczeniak together for the funeral of Georges father, Billy Gaston. They played together at the memorial and haven’t stopped since. They liked this experimental experience so much that they decided to try a few gigs. Both Holly and George grew up surrounded by music so it was a natural transition for these family members to keep the music going.

They are proud of their varied musical tastes with Holly and Haley enjoying some more contemporary genres which makes their song writing have a dynamic push and pull. These differences also make their rewrites of contemporary material time consuming and thrilling.

The songs that they play don’t stick to a 12-bar blues setup and don’t categorically fit into a folk format. They like to sneak in some trumpet and when they can even a little harmonium. Although the band is still developing they feel that their democratic take on song writing and band decision making creates a great working setup. Rehearsals, fellowship and dinner are all part of this band’s chemistry.

One of the bands new signature songs “A song for you” is Hollys wedding vows put to music. The band played it at the ceremony.

George started playing guitar in 4th grade.

Keith picked up the drums in high school to join Georges punk band

Holly was born a musician and

Haley is a classically trained pianist that can play any instrument placed in her hands

Holly Gaston - Acoustic Guitar/Lead Vocals

George Gaston - Bass/Background Vocals

Keith Szczesniak - Drums

Haley Whitney - Electric Guitar/Background Vocals

You can check out their schedule

https://www.facebook.com/pg/smokytimbers/events/?ref=page_internal

or give a listen

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P58kHrvfu3o

If you have been to any Philly area blues shows recently you have probably seen and been blown away by “Slim and the Perkolators” I know it’s a cliché but they are smokin’ hot. Their careers are taking off and the shows are electric. Recently they had a great showing at The International Blues Challenge in Memphis where they made it into the final rounds that started with 230 nationally ranked blues bands. They will be touring out of the area in New York and New England and have been booked for festivals in Florida, Delaware and Kentucky.

In his early 20’s Derek “Harmonica Slim” Matteson was given a harp as a gift. A gift that he has not put down since. He worked hard to hone his craft and diligently pursued work in the area. He was mentored by area great Mikey Junior in all things blues. He was introduced to traditional musicians and fell in love with Chicago and West Coast Blues sounds. After he met Tim Perks it all came together and a great band was born.

Tim Perks grew up outside of London in the 60’s listening to the blues infused British Rock n’ Roll of the time. His older brother brought home some Peter Green albums and Tim’s musical path was set. Fast forward to the early 80’s and Tim is living in Pennsylvania, obsessed with classic blues guitarists, but it wasn’t until eleven years ago that Tim started to truly put the time into the guitar. At first his only expectation was a few open mics, then maybe a bit of real gigging. That dream morphed into being a real band and now playing festivals around the country and becoming a full-fledged national artist. Tim’s song-writing is based on things in his life that tell a blues flavored story.

One of the things that keeps their shows interesting is that they don’t like to play the same groove twice in a row. They want you to dance but to feel each song differently and they like to “explore the spectrum” that is the blues. They have a very well received debut album “Slim and the Perkolators” that can be purchased at shows and on their website.

https://slimandtheperkolators.com/store

Derek “Harmonica Slim” Matteson- Harp, vocals

Tim Perks -Guitar, vocals

Mark A. Shewchuk-Drums

“Doghouse” Dave Young- Standup Bass

Check out his video

https://www.facebook.com/HarmonicaSlimandTimPerks/videos/597402187707080/?vh=e&d=n

And schedule

https://www.facebook.com/HarmonicaSlimandTimPerks/

If you have been to any Philly area blues shows recently you have probably seen and been blown away by “Slim and the Perkolators” I know it’s a cliché but they are smokin’ hot. Their careers are taking off and the shows are electric. Recently they had a great showing at The International Blues Challenge in Memphis where they made it into the final rounds that started with 230 nationally ranked blues bands. They will be touring out of the area in New York and New England and have been booked for festivals in Florida, Delaware and Kentucky.

In his early 20’s Derek “Harmonica Slim” Matteson was given a harp as a gift. A gift that he has not put down since. He worked hard to hone his craft and diligently pursued work in the area. He was mentored by area great Mikey Junior in all things blues. He was introduced to traditional musicians and fell in love with Chicago and West Coast Blues sounds. After he met Tim Perks it all came together and a great band was born.

Tim Perks grew up outside of London in the 60’s listening to the blues infused British Rock n’ Roll of the time. His older brother brought home some Peter Green albums and Tim’s musical path was set. Fast forward to the early 80’s and Tim is living in Pennsylvania, obsessed with classic blues guitarists, but it wasn’t until eleven years ago that Tim started to truly put the time into the guitar. At first his only expectation was a few open mics, then maybe a bit of real gigging. That dream morphed into being a real band and now playing festivals around the country and becoming a full-fledged national artist. Tim’s song-writing is based on things in his life that tell a blues flavored story.

One of the things that keeps their shows interesting is that they don’t like to play the same groove twice in a row. They want you to dance but to feel each song differently and they like to “explore the spectrum” that is the blues. They have a very well received debut album “Slim and the Perkolators” that can be purchased at shows and on their website.

https://slimandtheperkolators.com/store

Derek “Harmonica Slim” Matteson- Harp, vocals

Tim Perks -Guitar, vocals

Mark A. Shewchuk-Drums

“Doghouse” Dave Young- Standup Bass

Check out his video

https://www.facebook.com/HarmonicaSlimandTimPerks/videos/597402187707080/?vh=e&d=n

And schedule

https://www.facebook.com/HarmonicaSlimandTimPerks/

The band was assembled over a few years by front man Damien James with the help of old high school friends Luke Benedict and Lydia Joy and the rich Philadelphia music scene which Damien says exposed him to different sounds and possibilities.

Damien came to the Philadelphia area with a music degree from Lebanon Valley College in Annville Pennsylvania. He started out playing open mic nights and meeting his future band mates thru friends and shared musical interests. He had been writing melodies with violin and cello parts because he felt the cello was seriously under used in contemporary music when he met Alyssa Almeida, an accomplished cello player from Temple University.

He claims the partial description of folk because his writing approach is classic cords-lyrics-melody and he embraces the dark because none of his songs are in a major key.

The songs, although not “edgy”, have an edge to them. The band prides itself in making dynamic exciting songs with uncomfortable changes that aren’t necessarily “clean” or “resolved” and can be traced to an alt-rock aesthetic.

My Familiar is finishing up a concept album called Demons. The songs on the album are inspired by, but not literally about, the seven deadly sins. As Damien found himself at a crossroad in his life and trying to understand what he was going through he found that a few of his songs that he was currently writing seemed to be thematic so he decide to stretch himself and see where it would take him. He has enjoyed having a vision for the whole project.

Damien James - Vocals/Guitar

Lydia Joy - Vocals

Luke Benedict - Drums

Brian Clarke - Bass

Alyssa Almeida - Cello

Chesy Tronchoni - Violin

Check out their new song “Demons” on Facebook and youtube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X5_aTzjJZXU

The band was assembled over a few years by front man Damien James with the help of old high school friends Luke Benedict and Lydia Joy and the rich Philadelphia music scene which Damien says exposed him to different sounds and possibilities.

Damien came to the Philadelphia area with a music degree from Lebanon Valley College in Annville Pennsylvania. He started out playing open mic nights and meeting his future band mates thru friends and shared musical interests. He had been writing melodies with violin and cello parts because he felt the cello was seriously under used in contemporary music when he met Alyssa Almeida, an accomplished cello player from Temple University.

He claims the partial description of folk because his writing approach is classic cords-lyrics-melody and he embraces the dark because none of his songs are in a major key.

The songs, although not “edgy”, have an edge to them. The band prides itself in making dynamic exciting songs with uncomfortable changes that aren’t necessarily “clean” or “resolved” and can be traced to an alt-rock aesthetic.

My Familiar is finishing up a concept album called Demons. The songs on the album are inspired by, but not literally about, the seven deadly sins. As Damien found himself at a crossroad in his life and trying to understand what he was going through he found that a few of his songs that he was currently writing seemed to be thematic so he decide to stretch himself and see where it would take him. He has enjoyed having a vision for the whole project.

Damien James - Vocals/Guitar

Lydia Joy - Vocals

Luke Benedict - Drums

Brian Clarke - Bass

Alyssa Almeida - Cello

Chesy Tronchoni - Violin

Check out their new song “Demons” on Facebook and youtube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X5_aTzjJZXU

This week The Joe Kirschen band came down to rock.

Joe Kirschen has been a part of the Philadelphia area music scene for years. He was a member of the Philly Celtic/Rock band the Hooligans for 20 years and now brings that experience and a love of different genres to his own original work.

Joe doesn’t like to categorize his music but when pressed he admitted to folk and classic rock sounds. His debut LP “Flashes” has many other influences included the harder edged title song. “Train Song” is destined to make people dance to its rockabilly blues groove and “Pages In Between” is a well-crafted beautiful song.

Joe has never been far from the music. Aside from playing in area bands he also produced his own music video show from his living room studio called “The Love Lounge”. It featured Celtic area greats such as “Blackthorn” and “John Byrne” for The Irish Celtic Show.

Joe is currently devoting a lot of time to writing and recording his next LP. As much as he has always loved playing in front of an audience, nothing beats playing his own songs in front of those same people and having them sing along to his lyrics. He finds it very gratifying.

He started playing music in the Philadelphia area in the late 1980s. He says that there is a rich musical environment here that is open to original artists. Joe was also the founder and publisher of the Philadelphia based bi-monthly music magazine Rockpile for twelve years. Rockpile covered the independent music scene which Joe is very much a part of now.

Check out Joe Kirschen’s music on Facebook and at JoeKirschen.com/music

https://www.facebook.com/joekirschenmusic/

https://joekirschen.com/music

The Band Joe Kirschen- Guitar, vocals

Denis Manchon- Guitar

Pete McCoudry- Bass

Rob Monterosso- Drums

This week The Joe Kirschen band came down to rock.

Joe Kirschen has been a part of the Philadelphia area music scene for years. He was a member of the Philly Celtic/Rock band the Hooligans for 20 years and now brings that experience and a love of different genres to his own original work.

Joe doesn’t like to categorize his music but when pressed he admitted to folk and classic rock sounds. His debut LP “Flashes” has many other influences included the harder edged title song. “Train Song” is destined to make people dance to its rockabilly blues groove and “Pages In Between” is a well-crafted beautiful song.

Joe has never been far from the music. Aside from playing in area bands he also produced his own music video show from his living room studio called “The Love Lounge”. It featured Celtic area greats such as “Blackthorn” and “John Byrne” for The Irish Celtic Show.

Joe is currently devoting a lot of time to writing and recording his next LP. As much as he has always loved playing in front of an audience, nothing beats playing his own songs in front of those same people and having them sing along to his lyrics. He finds it very gratifying.

He started playing music in the Philadelphia area in the late 1980s. He says that there is a rich musical environment here that is open to original artists. Joe was also the founder and publisher of the Philadelphia based bi-monthly music magazine Rockpile for twelve years. Rockpile covered the independent music scene which Joe is very much a part of now.

Check out Joe Kirschen’s music on Facebook and at JoeKirschen.com/music

https://www.facebook.com/joekirschenmusic/

https://joekirschen.com/music

The Band Joe Kirschen- Guitar, vocals

Denis Manchon- Guitar

Pete McCoudry- Bass

Rob Monterosso- Drums