HOMEGROWN ROCKER 8/14/16 (SMALL TOWN HORROR SHOW)

[Jim Price]

Hello Everyone,

Here is the recap of the August 14 edition of 105.9 Qwik-Rock's weekly local music program, "The Homegrown Rocker," which airs every Sunday night from 8 to 10 PM on Lion Country's Rock Station, 105.9 Qwik-Rock. The show can also be streamed via Qwik's website, www.1059qwikrock.com.

This week, we chatted with band guests Small Town Horror Show! This new Altoona-based hard rock group, featuring former members of Dragon Fire and Choking Faith, discussed their band and music, and we featured tunes off their soon-to-be-released debut CD, The Dead Didn't Die! And as guitarist Chris Peters is one of the organizers of the inaugural ZombieTown USA weekend in Altoona later this month, we discussed ZombieTown and the various events surrounding it! Along the way, we updated "Local Music News," dug a 2000 tune by Dragon Fire from the archive for this week's "Local Music Flashback," and reviewed Whiskey Burn's Devil's Dues CD in "The Professor's CD Corner!"

Here is this week's playlist:

HOUR ONE:

NITRO - "Uranium"
ROADSIDE FUNERAL - "Parliament"
SMALL TOWN HORROR SHOW - "Crazy"
THE WHATLEYS - "Bionic Eyes"
SMALL TOWN HORROR SHOW - "Poison Apples"
HATE GRENADE - "Wake Up"
SMALL TOWN HORROR SHOW - "Let It Go"

HOUR TWO:

NAILDRIVER - "Seal the Exits"
ONE ADAM 12 - "Alive/Undead"
SMALL TOWN HORROR SHOW - "Innocence"
WHISKEY BURN - "Church of Gageby"
SMALL TOWN HORROR SHOW - "Storm of the Century"
DRAGON FIRE - "You Thought" (2000, Local Music Flashback)
SMALL TOWN HORROR SHOW - "Bow to Your Enemy"

On our next program, we will speak via phone with members of western PA-based group Shannon & the Merger! We will learn about the group and their music, plus hear recorded songs from them! Along the way, we will update "Local Music News," dig out a "Local Music Flashback" from the archive, and review Angry Johnny Stangry & His CRS Band's The Sike-O CD in "The Professor's CD Corner!"

Upcoming guests and specials include:

SEPT. 25 - The Chrome Hearts

(All dates are subject to changes as circumstances warrant.)

Bands and artists wanting to submit news items for "Local Music News" may email their news to homegrownrocker@gmail.com. Indicate "MUSIC NEWS" in the subject heading!

Bands and artists interested in having music aired on the show are invited to send their broadcast-quality recordings to: Magnum Broadcasting, 315 South Atherton Street, State College, PA 16801; ATTN: Jim Price/Homegrown. Or drop the recordings off at the station during regular business hours, Monday-Friday 9 AM – 5 PM. You can also email digital song files or inquiries about the show to homegrownrocker@gmail.com.

Jim Price

In Local Music News...

The regional and state music scenes lost two well-known members in recent days. On August 5, Randy Robertson passed away after a long and storied battle against cancer. He was 57. A musician and former owner of Triple R Guitar shop in Lemoyne (outside Harrisburg), Randy was first diagnosed with cancer in March of last year, and in his ensuing battle against the disease, became a vocal advocate for the legalization of medical cannibis. He took his campaign to the state Capitol, and was an instrumental force in helping to convince state legislators to pass the bill legalizing medical cannibis in April of this year. Randy was well-loved among the music community, and a celebration of his life took place on August 11 at Gullifty's in Camp Hill.

And one of the best-known names of the Pittsburgh music scene passed away on August 7. B.E. Taylor died from complications stemming from a brain tumor; he was 65. He was best known for his self-named band, the B.E. Taylor Group, which signed with MCA Records in 1982 and scored the Top Ten hit song "Vitamin L" in 1984. Since then, B.E. recorded four Christmas albums and performed his B.E. Taylor Christmas Tour every holiday season. He is remembered as a force that opened eyes to the Pittsburgh original music scene during the 1980s, and he continued to perform even after his brain tumor was diagnosed in 2007.

Hate Grenade has announced that former bassist Rich Johnson is stepping in to perform with the group until their new bass player is found. Buddy Reilly, who replaced Rich in the roster earlier this year, recently announced his departure from Hate Grenade.

And Naildriver is rocking to the beat of a new drummer, and he is an established name. Jamie Kmett - former drummer for Stix and Stones, Stept On, I Enemy and other area groups - returns to active duty behind Naildriver's kit, replacing Andy Melusky Foley, who had taken over kit duties earlier this year.