IN THE STREETS
Your Complete Guide to the Philly/NJ Cover Scene

By Vincent Foschini 

Comings & Goings:

Joe Bachman and Danny Gunz of The Benderz leave for Key West, Florida in June to become the house band at The Rum Barrell 

On The Record:

With Bryen of Mr. Greengenes 

OOT:  Tell us about your musical history before the band.

BRYEN:   Before Mr. Greengenes I was a music teacher at a high school and an elementary school for 4 years.  After having that itch I quit teaching to do the band full time. 

OOT:  How did you come about to joining Greengenes?

BRYEN:  I had put the band together after the band I was currently in sort of dismantled and then Harry and I pieced it together and later it became re-named Mr. Greengenes back in 1994. 

OOT:  What do you see for both you personally, and the band in the near future?

BRYEN:  In the future for me personally I just want to maintain the growth of my voice and my performance skills to be the best I can be.  For the band I’d like to see the future hold Mr. Greengenes staying on top of the scene and being what we are --- a mainstay for the past 12 years with no signs of stopping or getting weak.  The scene is so over-saturated with bands that are trying to do something, but I don’t see any originality with the cover aspect of it.  That to me is very disheartening.  So I guess we wait for someone to come take the spot overall.  I love when I hear about the buzz of a band that’s out there - gives me that old school drive that was around back in 1996-99... 

You can catch Mr. Greengenes throughout Pa, New York, Virginia, Delaware and Boston at such hot spots as Kahunaville, The Ocean Drive, Brownies 23, Parris and The Rusty Rudder.  Every other Tuesday acoustic at Barnaby’s in Media, Pa. and starting June 5th full band every Tuesday at The Paddock in Ocean City, MD. 

In The Spotlight:

The Interns

     Without a doubt one of the most successful, committed and entertaining bands out there over the past few years on our scene, The Interns rock out the top clubs continually leaving everyone who comes to see them wanting more.

     Always keeping the crowd on edge with an awesome stage show and ability to play just about anything and everything, this 5 piece band is definitely a must see if you haven’t. 

     They run a straight vertical at The Whiskey Tango every Tuesday night and you can also catch them throughout PA/NJ, up to Boston and back down to Washington.  Bootlegger’s, Parris, Seacrets and Finnigan’s just to name a few.

     The Interns are long time veterans of the Philly music scene and consist of Mark on vocals, Ryan on Guitar, Jimmie on bass, Jack on keys and Daryl on drums.  Be sure to visit them on their site at www.theinternsband.com 

At The Clubs:

The Ridge

      After opening their doors in 2003, The Ridge quickly became one of the top nightspots around and continue to hold their place at the top till this very day.  They provide something for everyone with their pub room, cabana area, live music in the nightclub, major drink specials and one of the best bar staffs around today.

     The best of the best play the Ridge on Friday & Saturday nights.  Such top names at Crystal Roxx, Octane, Lima Bean Riot, Emily’s Toybox, Monkey Bus and on and on.

     Thursday and Sunday’s it’s Texas Hold ‘em with drink specials and half price appetizers.

     Open Thursday thru Sunday till 2am and located in Limerick, Pa. The Ridge is without a doubt a great time had, each and every time you visit. 

On The Rise:

Jekylls Hyde

     Jekylls Hyde has been in the local area for about 8 years now playing all across the Philadelphia/New Jersey area over the years.  As a band, they always are on top of keeping their sets creative and of course, HEAVY, covering bands like Pantera, Metallica, Godsmack, Sabbath, etc.

     Lead singer Joe Jones says, “We really dig playing music that we like, from a personal standpoint.  We also try and play songs that you might not expect to hear a cover band doing, or songs that you haven't heard in a long time. We just jam out to what we've lived on for so long now - Hard Rock & Metal.” 

     Jones goes on to say, “When we jam live, it's all about entertaining the people who came in for a show. Every time we play, we try to put on a show that you won't forget anytime soon. It's our job to make sure that the crowd is involved and having a great time. We refuse to be a "background noise" band.  We literally feed off the energy of the crowd, so it's important to us that they're involved and entertained.  After all, that's what this is all about, isn't it? Jammin' out & partying with a bunch of cool people who dig what you're doing, and making sure that everyone goes home with stories to tell.”

     You can be guaranteed to seeing Jekylls Hyde making a break in a big way in 2006.  Check em’ out at www.jekyllshyde.net. 

Benefit:

     On Sunday, April 26th, The Whiskey Tango hosted a benefit for Cowboy Bob to help raise money for medical costs after suffering a stroke.  $3,000 was raised with the help of John Pennington and some of the top bands in the business took the stage for a great day of rock.  Octane, Laura Lea, FLOW, All Fired Up, Jekylls Hyde, 4 on the Floor and an incredible one time reunion of Monster Island.

     Special thanks goes to all who helped and attended the show. 

If  your club, band or agency has any news you would like to see published in my article, please contact me at Vince@Flowrocks.net 

Rock On!