I was saddened to hear the news on Monday, July 18^th, regarding the passing of Mike Fritz.  I first ran into Fritz at a Dead 50’s show over 10 years ago.  He was up front, saw my camera and gave up his spot, so I could sneak in for some photos.  

Since then I’ve seen Fritz at many shows.  He was a true supporter of local original music.  I knew during the 5-year span of our Twisted Tuesdays, if Fritz showed up, I did my job on putting together a great show.  He loved the Dead 50’s but also appreciated all forms of original music. 

The last time I saw him was in May during the HARD Fundraiser at Gullifty’s.  He was dancing a good part of the night and having a great time, as he always did.  I now feel honored in having a cigarette with him between bands that night.  We talked about past shows and he gave me some ideas of future shows he would like to see.  

I kinda feel obligated now to put on a show, in the memory of Fritz.  Although not a musician himself, Fritz was a true supporter of local music.  If Fritz showed up for your gig, you should feel honored that your music touched his eardrums. He wasn’t picky, but knew a good sound when he heard it. 

They say everything happens for a reason, but I’m not sure about this one.  However, I do know the next time I see Fritz, there will be a cold PBR and a shot a Jager waiting for me. 

Please join me by posting a comment in memory and honor of a great guy, Mike Fritz. 

Thank you – BigJim

Photo used courtesy of Danette Bartholomew

We were saddened to hear the passing of Mike Fritz.  A true fan of local original music.  Click here  to add your comments in memory of Mike Fritz.

Do music and song-craft go hand-in-hand with alcohol and drug use? Does an artist, writer or musician need to be a tortured soul in order to make great work? Do the drugs and alcohol really help to communicate the message deep down inside?

Jefferson Airplane gave us “White Rabbit”, The Velvet Underground gave us “Heroin” and The Rolling Stones gave us “Sister Morphine”; The Beatles explored psychedelia with “Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds, Eric Clapton discussed the highs and lows of cocaine use with his song “Cocaine” and The Doors glamorized getting drunk with “Whiskey Bar”. Modern artists such as Green Day, Lily Allen, MGMT, Dr. Dre, Nirvana, and Pink also draw attention to drugs and alcohol in their music.

A recent research report from an English university charted the lives of 1,050 American and European pop music artists from 1965 to 2005, and found they are two to three times more likely to die young than the general population. In all, 100 stars died “too young” between 1965 and 2005, amounting to almost ten percent of famous male rockers and more than seven percent of famous female rockers. And according to the report, published in Britain’s Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health, a quarter of all the musician’s deaths were due to alcohol or drugs.

I know I have been known to indulge to excess, but as I get older, I am beginning to look at my life and lifestyle. I have never been a musician, but have been very involved in the “scene” for many years. I’ve seen a significant amount of alcohol and drug abuse and the negative affects it has had on people’s lives. I don’t have an answer to my original questions, and I’m definitely in no position to lecture anybody about right and wrong, but hopefully this gives you all something to think about. I would hate to see any more musicians, whether local or famous, have their lives come to an early end due to alcohol or drugs. There is help available and there is life in rock and roll after becoming sober.

Water Way Raw Bar and Grill located in York, PA will host the Saints of Sorrow CD Release Party on June 4th.

Doors open at 8pm and the bands start at 10pm.

For more show info go to: http://www.hbgonline.com/?p=2139

Come out and show your support for local original music!!!

Come out for the Saints of Sorrow CD Release Party June 4th!!!  The event will take place at the Water Way Raw Bar & Grill located at 220 West Philadelphia Street, York, PA. Other bands playing will be Saddle of Centaur and Boots.  Doors open at 8:00pm and the bands start playing at 10pm.  The night will also feature $5.00 PBR pitchers.

The Saints of Sorrow CD “Songs for the Forgotten” was recorded at Seventh Wave Studios.

Always a good time when SOS plays, so be sure to stop by to show your support for local original music and have a great time!!!

Wow it’s been along time since I last spoke, so buckle up your seatbelts and enjoy the ride. 

I’d like to begin by welcoming two new site staffers to our HBGOnline family.  I’ve stated many times in the past, I only trust a handful of people on their opinions, and I’m pleased to report two of them, will now be sending in articles for the website. 

 Please join me in a BIG WELCOME to “Caesar Says” and “Fly on the Wall”!!!  It’s not to hard to know who Caesar is, however “Fly On the Wall” doesn’t want his ID known as of yet. Both have years of experience in the local music scene and I’m so proud/glad they have joined the HBGOnline family of staffers. 

I have a few more staffers that will be added over the next few weeks, so be sure to keep checking back in every week to see the latest editions to our staffer family. I can assure you this will be our best crop of peeps ever seen! 

I must admit, I’m quit disappointed on the new vision I’ve had for HBGOnline.  Our new format allows for anyone to critic a band, venue or article anywhere on our website.  I know over the years, many have appreciated my honesty and my staffers, with what we have said, so I thought opening things up, would create more interaction from our users everyday.  OK sure you have to register to leave a comment, and to date a couple hundred have done so.  Yet only a few handfuls of peeps have left a comment.  So quit dicking around and leave some comments!!!

 Everything on this website now has the ability to leave a comment.  Bands, venues, dining establishments and all shopping establishments, you just need to click on the comment link and tell us what you experienced.  You can also rate via a 1 – 5 star on the particular listing. So stop being slackers and get involved with your opinions.  If you don’t see a listing to comment on, just shoot an email to jimo@hbgonline.com  and I’ll get it up. 

Over the year’s I’ve done my fair share of shows.  Fortunately most have been successful.  It’s been proven over time that if you come out to one of our shows you have my “No suck guarantee!!!” 

I must admit our last show was the hardest ever to promote.  We had agreed to a fundraiser at Gullifty’s on May 7^th, for the H.A.R.D. roller derby girls at Gullifty’s.  In case you didn’t hear, Gullifty’s flooded twice during the month of April.  In fact 1 week before the show, Matt emailed me and said he doubted the show would happen.  I personally went over there to see what was going on, and pleaded with Matt to make this event happen.  Later that night he called me to insure we were ready to rock for May 7^th.  Despite my “street efforts”, there was still doubt, the club would be opened.  In fact at 7pm the night of the show, I still got an email from someone wanting to know if the show was still a go. 

Despite everything leading up to the show, we really did rock Gullifty’s that night!!!  You all know what I feel about Bon Fuhrer, (those fucker’s rock) however that night I saw 2 bands that are a must see!!!!  Saint of Sorrow are on fire of late!  If you like Dead 50’s or that type of punkish rock type music, be sure to check them out. With D50’s not playing as much, I’m sure SOS will take over the slack. They have a CD Release Party coming up the you will see more about next week on this website. 

For all my shows, I usually like to see the bands first, before booking.  However for this show, I gave a chance to Goat Roapin Bastards.  I listened to their music stream and have known Jr, for many years.  (Remember the F Bombs?)  I was impressed with what I heard and wanted to take a chance.  So glad I did!!!!  I don’t want to call GRB a “country band”, because that would be the end to them.  Perhaps, I should say they are the Lnyrd Sknyrd of Perry County.  They offer an exceptional stage show that will keep any local music fan entertained, plus their original songs are pretty damn good too!!!  Shot some video from the Gullifty’s show, however the video doesn’t show the true magic on stage of GRB.  Be sure to check them out, as soon as possible, I give them the 2 BigJim thumb’s up for sure! 

So Hierosonic is having another CD Release show this Saturday, May 21^st at ABC.  Over 4 years ago, we teamed up and had a record breaking crowd at the Dragonfly main stage.  This year however, no talks to help promote the latest CD.  Hiero (that’s what I have always called them) will always have a spot in my heart.  Over 10 years ago we gave them one of their first shows. (They totally bombed)  However, I saw something that grabbed me in their potential.  Over the years, the band has gone thru a few member changes, reduced their songs from 15 minutes to under 5 catchy minutes and stopped hanging baby dolls from the ceiling tied with ropes around their necks.  I guess my most impressive moment with the band, was that time I met with Ben at Zembie’s.  He was confused and really wanted to take the band up a notch.  We shot a few ideas around, and he hit the ground running.  

For all you old schooler’s, you know, I always thought Hiero was the best band around in Central PA. I didn’t climb on the Underwater bandwagon, and god forbid I took many shots for not hopping on the Bridges and a Bottle bandwagon.  I just felt in my gut, Hiero was the real deal.  Hard to explain, but it’s the same feeling I had with Halestorm. 

Over the years we have taken hundreds of photo’s and videos to help promote Halestorm. Recently I was told, I’d have to “wait in line” to see Lzzy.  Fuck her is what I told security.  I didn’t think it was possible, but I’m seeing the same pattern now with Hierosonic.  I received no invite to their CD release party and didn’t hear back on a possible 4^th band on the bill, that their record label wanted to play. 

Guess it’s time to let the boy’s go on their own and work on pumping up the next great band to hit the area.  I wish much success to Ben, Mike and Jared.  There’s 2 more in the band, but these 3, have been my contact, fun and great memories over the years. 

Not sure why, but I do have an ear for great music.   At this time my ear is hearing, Buzzchopper, Goat Roapin Bastards and Saint’s of Sorrow!  Be sure to catch one or all of these bands if you can.  You will not be disappointed!!!! 

Lator Gators – BigJim

The High Tops recorded by HBGOnline.com at Gullifty’s

Goat Ropin’ Bastards recorded by HBGOnline.com at Gullifty’s!

Be sure to come out to ABC’s Abbey Bar on May 21st to celebrate the world’s end with the Hierosonic CD Release party!!

What better place and time to end everything, with a HUGE party!!!

Opening for Hierosonic will be Sin Clarity and Kingsfoil! 

Doors open early at 7pm, and Hiero takes to the stage at 11pm.  So don’t fuck around,  head out to ABC and see one of Central PA’s best bands, celebrate their latest CD Release!!!  There is no other place to be on May 21st, so join the masses with the biggest party before the earth ends!!!

There has been a trend occurring in the local music scene that has recently started to really annoy me. I’m getting sick of seeing shows with 5+ bands on the bill. I guess it’s the easy way out for the promoters. The more bands on the bill, the more people through the doors, the more money in their pocket. Or at least that is the thinking. It’s funny hearing these promoters talk after their show about how they “packed the place.” Really? I would hope so with that many bands on the bill. Hell, half of the audience are members of the other bands and their significant others. 

The main problems I see with these shows are:

• Shows typically run late. Most bands are not very skilled at quick changeovers or on running on schedule.
• Headliner (or whoever is scheduled to play last) gets the worst slot on the lineup. I have not attended one of these types of shows where the crowd does not thin out as the night progresses and nears the end.
• Crowd fatigue. The audience gets bored and tired. Most of them only came there to hear one or two of the bands and could care less about the others.
• Shortened sets. After waiting through 4 horrible bands, the band I finally came to see takes the stage and I get to hear a whopping 5 songs and just as they are getting warmed up, their set is over.

More bands does not necessarily mean more bang for your buck. I really don’t care what a “great deal it is.” 10 bands for $10, that’s only a dollar per band, except I really don’t give a damn about 9 of the bands. Festivals are different and promoters need to realize that not every show they put on is (or needs to be) a festival. Please local music promoters, for the fans sake, please try and keep your shows to a 3 band minimum.

-Caesar