Nepa Scene

During the live recording of Episode 33 of the NEPA Scene Podcast on Nov. 1, 2017 at Coal Creative’s production studio in downtown Wilkes-Barre, local folk funk band Fake Fight opened the show with this acoustic version of their original song “Mood Ring.” The award-winning 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 31, we sit down with Wilkes-Barre Township native Chris Bohinski, known as “Boh the Smile Guy,” the founder of the upcoming Smile Day in Wilkes-Barre Township and creator of NYC Smile 4 Me, where he interviews celebrities like Morgan Freeman, Helen Mirren, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Bette Midler, and Kristin Chenoweth and asks them, “What makes you smile?” Beer Boys is hosting a Susquehanna Brewing Company tap takeover, so they provide us with crowlers of Orange Is the New Ale and two versions of the Pittston brewery’s Pumpkin Ale - one from a cask with coffee and vanilla and the other blended in a Randall with Ghirardelli white chocolate wafers, which you can only get at Beer Boys - to drink before and during the interview. Needless to say, they all go over very well. We talk about the power of smiling; staying happy and positive in an often negative world; NEPA’s infamous cynicism; how he responds to negativity or criticism; making everyday conversations more positive; his unique celebrity experiences

In Episode 29, we sit down with Scranton author, teacher, and filmmaker Kenny Luck, who wrote and directed the viral short documentaries "Opioid Nation: The Making of an Epidemic" and "Half Empty: Life in America’s Unhappiest City," which both premiered exclusively on NEPA Scene. Before and during the interview, we drink crowlers of beer from three Pennsylvania breweries - Das Pretzel Gose by Roy Pitz Brewing Company in Chambersburg, One and Done No. 11 by Benny Brewing in Wilkes-Barre, and a special version of Vaughn's Cream Ale by Berwick Brewing in Berwick that was put through a Randall with Sour Patch Kids, which was made exclusively at Beer Boys. As “Opioid Nation” hits 23,000 views, we discuss how he got into filmmaking, the local opioid epidemic and the impact it has had on the area, why it became so bad here, what he learned during the filmmaking process, the discussions his films have started and responding to criticism, interviewing different people and gaining different perspectives that shaped t

In Episode 28, we sit down with John “Guido” Phillips, owner and designer of MCR Design Group, director of production for Heavy Grass, a former local musician, and a freelance tour manager, previously working with bands like Breaking Benjamin. Before and during the interview, we drink crowlers of Framboise by Fegley's Brew Works in Allentown and Bethlehem, Mango Wheat by Free Will Brewing in Perkasie (a brewery that Massive Beer Reviews has featured before), and Pineapple Express by Mispillion River Brewing in Delaware, courtesy of Beer Boys in Wilkes-Barre. We also do some shots of Jägermeister, which we immediately regret. We talk about his time as a local musician in bands like UUU and OurAfter, how education plays a role in changing music scenes, founding the Steamtown Original Music Showcase and its ups and downs, Breaking Benjamin putting national focus on NEPA music and what was going on in the scene at the time, the area’s often negative perception, working with Breaking Benjamin and how people see

In Episode 27, we sit down with Scranton Fringe Festival co-founder and managing director Elizabeth Bohan and Fringe organizers and participants Simone Daniel and Laureen O'Handley to discuss this huge five-day festival returning to downtown Scranton on Wednesday, Sept. 27 through Sunday, Oct. 1. Before and during the interview, we drink some crowlers of Ouais by Une Année Brewery in Chicago, Turbo Shandy by Hoppin' Frog Brewery in Ohio, and R2 Koelschip by Draai Laag Brewing Company in Pittsburgh, provided by Beer Boys in Wilkes-Barre. The Turbo Shandy ends up being the most popular, while Rich is the only one who seems to enjoy the sour beers. We talk about founding the Scranton Fringe; the purpose of fringe festivals and why this is an important addition to the local arts scene; how it has developed over the past three years; the many diverse shows coming to 13 different venues; the work Laureen does with the Lackawanna County Children's Library and what the festival will bring there; Simone’s roles as a

This session revolves around the artist management aspect of the music industry. Panelists explain when and why an artist requires a manager, how to go about attracting a manager, what they should look for in a manager, and exactly what a manager does. This panel discussion featuring Chris Bianchi, Christian Wagner, Mark Woodbridge, and Eric Droegmoeller was recorded at the 2017 Electric City Music Conference on Saturday, Sept. 16.

This session features Will Beekman, the executive director of the F.M. Kirby Center in Wilkes-Barre, one of the area’s most successful talent buyers, and Eva Alexiou-Reo, a veteran booking agent. The two discuss both sides of the “world of booking.” Attendees learn what talent buyers and booking agents truly look for in acts as well as proper techniques and etiquette. This panel discussion was recorded at the 2017 Electric City Music Conference on Saturday, Sept. 16.

In Episode 26, we have an extended chat with Joe Caviston of The Point After Show and Kenneth Norton, formerly of Graces Downfall and currently with The Sellout Soundtrack, who both founded the Electric City Music Conference and the Steamtown Music Awards, which return for their fourth year to 11 venues throughout the Scranton area on Thursday, Sept. 14 through Saturday, Sept. 16. Before and during the interview, we drink crowlers of Troegenator by Tröegs Brewing Company in Hershey, Grandes Lagos by Great Lakes Brewing in Cleveland, and I.C. Light by the Pittsburgh Brewing, courtesy of Beer Boys in Wilkes-Barre. We talk about Joe’s sports podcast and what Ken has been up to musically since Graces Downfall ended, the purpose of the ECMC and why they feel it’s important to honor local musicians and bring the music scene together; what goes into planning an event that spans 11 venues across three days; their early days of booking shows and what they’ve learned since then; award show mishaps; memories of the m

Suzanne Paulinski, founder of The Rock/Star Advocate, and Rich Howells, founder and editor of NEPA Scene, tell their success stories in the music business, provide tips for musicians hoping to make it in the business and develop professional relationships, and share personal anecdotes about following their passions. This panel discussion was recorded at the 2017 Electric City Music Conference on Saturday, Sept. 16.

In Episode 25, we sit down with local comedians Angelia Petrillo and Elliott Elliott, who are hosting the Back to the ‘80s Comedy Show & Dance Party at The Keys in downtown Scranton this Saturday, Sept. 9 at 8 p.m. The show features comedians pretending it’s the 1980s, only referencing topics from that decade, along with an ‘80s dance party and live music by Katie Evans, Candi Vee, and Anthony “Shiny” Montini. The featured drink is $5 Ecto Cooler. Before and during the interview, we drink three different crowlers from Bell's Brewery in Michigan - Pooltime Ale, Porter, and Quinannan Falls IPL - courtesy of Beer Boys in Wilkes-Barre. Each turns out to be great representations of their respective styles. We talk about why they both decided to get into stand-up comedy, their best and worst show stories and strange venue experiences, their different comedic styles and deliveries, working with fellow comedians in the local comedy scene, developing their voices through performing live and attending open mics, the

In Episode 24, we sit down with Ted Wampole (Wilkes-Barre DJ Newpy Hundo), Nate Miller, and Richard Roani of Funkstronaut Productions, who are organizing the first-ever Satellite Ranch Music & Arts Festival at Mountain Sky in Jermyn on Friday, Sept. 1 and Saturday, Sept. 2 with intelligent dance music, house, techno, dub, disco, hip-hop, electronic fusion, and jamtronica, along with light and art installations, workshops, yoga, and silent disco. Before and during the interview, we crack open some crowlers from Beer Boys in Wilkes-Barre. They support local just like we do with NEPA breweries on tap every day, so this week, we try Front Street Wheat by Berwick Brewing Company, Sippin’ Time by Benny Brewing in Wilkes-Barre, and Pimp My Rye by North Slope Brewing in Dallas – all great session beers packed with flavor that go down easy. We talk about the origins of the inaugural festival, convincing Mountain Sky to host Satellite Ranch and how the location informed its name, what the different members of Funkstr

In Episode 23, we chat with our own Brittany Boote about her experience as an actress and assistant director on “The Barre,” a new crime drama television series set and produced in Wilkes-Barre. We also planned to interview fellow local actor James Callahan, who played the role of Bryan on the show and is well-known in the local music scene, but he had to cancel due to a family emergency. We still manage to have a good conversation and a great time, though, as always. Beer Boys in Wilkes-Barre is hosting a Founders Brewing Company tap takeover, so we drink some crowlers of three of the beers they have on tap during the show - Frootwood, cherry ale and ages it in oak barrels that held both bourbon and maple syrup, Lizard of Koz, a stout brewed with blueberries, chocolate, and vanilla aged in bourbon barrels, and Backwoods Bastard 2015, a bourbon barrel-aged version of its Dirty Bastard scotch ale. They’re very different than the Founders beers we tried last week, but they’re boozy and rich with flavor. We al

In Episode 22, we sit down with four of the five members of the new Scranton doom/sludge metal band Dour. Beer Boys in Wilkes-Barre is hosting a Founders Brewing Company tap takeover next Wednesday, Aug. 23, so we drink some crowlers of three of the beers they’ll have on tap - Green Zebra, a gose-style ale brewed with watermelon and sea salt; All Day IPA, a complex but balanced session beer; and Sumatra Mountain, a strong imperial brown ale with caramel and chocolate malt. Each has a distinct flavor and style that we discuss before and during the interview. We talk about the origins of Dour; what doom and sludge metal are and what attracted them to these styles; the appeal of metal; their new demo copied to cassette tapes by hand; what songs like "Satanic Root Beer," "Black Cat Amphetamines," and “Upside Down Sinner” are about and whether or not they should be taken seriously based on their titles; how comedian and filmmaker Bobby Keller became their singer and showing people that his involvement is no joke

In Episode 21, we sit down with Jess Meoni, a graphic designer, writer, editor of Ruthless Zine, and organizer of The Bad Trip Psychedelic Show - a free concert on Saturday, Aug. 12 on Courthouse Square in downtown Scranton with Piece of Mind, Walau-eh, Signs & Wonders, Earthmouth, The Mysteries, Mind Choir, and High Noon – along with Grrrls Night at Ale Mary's in Scranton, Scranton Zine Fest, and many other community events in NEPA. Before and during the interview, we drink some crowlers provided by Beer Boys in Wilkes-Barre, this time with a blueberry theme. We try Becky Blueberry Cider by Platform Beer Company, which is new to the area, Blueberry Belch by Fegley's Brew Works in Allentown, and Sea Dog Blueberry Wheat Ale by Sea Dog Brewing Company, comparing each of their flavors and styles. We discuss how The Bad Trip came about, a new wave of psychedelic-influenced local bands, working with the city and the county on events, what goes into organizing a community event, the importance of putting events t

In Episode 20, we have a very important and emotional conversation with the creators of Break the Silence: Sexual Violence Awareness Art Exhibit - campaign coordinator Stephanie Santore and photographer Ashley Matthews of Simply Lush Portrait Boutique. Before and during the interview, we drink some crowlers provided by our sponsor, Beer Boys in Wilkes-Barre, of three varieties of Single Origin Coffee Brown Ales by Terrapin Beer Company in Athens, Georgia made with coffee from Ecuador, Indonesia, and Kenya. Everyone agrees that, whether you love coffee or just beer brewed with it, these are worth drinking. Then we talk about this powerful exhibit before it debuts at The Leonard Theater during First Friday Scranton on Aug. 4, what motivated them to start this project and how their respective professions helped in its creation, the difficulty in discussing the issues of sexual violence and domestic abuse, photographing the brave volunteers who have endured this trauma and shared their stories, how this project

In Episode 19, we hear some stories and opinions from the hilarious and outspoken Freddie Fabbri, a radio DJ and on-air personality on 98.5 KRZ, Froggy 101, WILK Newsradio, and Max 102 who also does stand-up comedy and even managed Breaking Benjamin in their early days. Before and during the interview, we drink some crowlers of Olly, Chasing the Dragon, Cloudy with a Chance of Apricots by Free Will Brewing Company in Perkasie, Pennsylvania, all beers that were featured in a tap takeover at Beer Boys in Wilkes-Barre, our newest sponsor, and our tastes vary greatly on these unique brews. Then we talk about what “Fast Freddie” has been up to lately; working in the radio business and how it stays relevant in the digital age with more competition than ever; the freedom of speech he enjoys on the radio despite working for a large company; using innuendo, pushing the envelope, and how he’s gotten in trouble with previous stations he’s worked for; the infamous “dildo-gram” story; being politically incorrect in 2017

In Episode 18, we chat with Moscow artist, illustrator, and Jeweled Moon owner Patrick Kwiatkowski. Before the interview, we drink some crowlers of Sunny Spot by Susquehanna Brewing Company in Pittston courtesy of our newest sponsor, Beer Boys in Wilkes-Barre, and this is a different version of the summertime grapefruit shandy that you can only get at Beer Boys. This one is dry hopped with Citra, cask conditioned, and served at 55 degrees, giving it a much more natural, juicy, and fresh taste. Then we talk with Patrick about drawing as a kid and picking it up again later in life, developing as an artist, how jam bands like the Grateful Dead and Phish have inspired his work, taking music and turning it into art, following bands around and being a part of jam band culture, the importance of family-friendly venues like Mountain Sky in Jermyn, his relationship with his young daughter and her role in his work, creating his own original comic book, selling his art through Jeweled Moon, dabbling in local theatre a

In Episode 17, we sit down with all four members of Wilkes-Barre rock band Vine Street, who are hosting the new Sunset Sessions open mic at Kirby Park in Wilkes-Barre this Sunday, July 16. We begin by cracking open some crowlers of Chocolate Lobster by Dogfish Head Brewery in Delaware, courtesy of our newest sponsor, Beer Boys in Wilkes-Barre, and we’re pleasantly surprised about the taste of this porter that was actually brewed with live lobsters, dark cocoa powder, and a basil tea. Then we talk about how Vine Street originated in Hanover Township in 2012 and their musical backgrounds, their name and trying to define their sound, what inspires their original songs and how they choose what songs to cover, working on songs for their debut album, how the local music scene has helped them develop over the years, the importance of open mics to musicians and the mics they’ve benefited from most (like Tony’s Wine Cellar), how the Sunset Sessions came about and what their goals are with the event, how Brittany got

During the live recording of Episode 17 of the NEPA Scene Podcast on July 12, 2017 at Coal Creative’s production studio in downtown Wilkes-Barre, local rock band Vine Street closed the show with this acoustic version of their original song “XOXO.” 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.

During the live recording of Episode 17 of the NEPA Scene Podcast on July 12, 2017 at Coal Creative’s production studio in downtown Wilkes-Barre, local rock band Vine Street opened the show with this acoustic version of their original song “Mad Mad Woman.” 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.