Nepa Scene

In Episode 2, we chat with Scranton singer/guitarist Edward Cuozzo and bassist John Husosky about their new alternative rock band, University Drive, and their debut album, “On/Off: Reset.” We talk about Ed’s previous band, A Social State, and what led him to end that project and start this one; his process of writing and recording the entire album by himself at JL Studios in Olyphant; how John ended up joining the band’s now solidified lineup and adding his own touch to the material; signing to Canadian label Fightless Records; live shows and touring; making cassettes as well as CDs; John’s other bands, including Permanence, and balancing them all; and more, including a discussion about music released after an artist’s death. In The Last Word Segment, we talk about the announcement that The Marketplace at Steamtown in downtown Scranton will be building the new 17,000-square-foot Electric City Aquarium and Reptile Den where the Express, Hollister, and Verizon stores used to be. It will contain more than 1,000

This exclusive track was recorded live on the NEPA Scene Podcast on March 29, 2017. The song is from Scranton alternative rock band University Drive's debut album, "On/Off: Reset." 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.

This exclusive track was recorded live on the NEPA Scene Podcast on March 29, 2017. The song is from Scranton alternative rock band University Drive's debut album, "On/Off: Reset." 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.

In Episode 1, the new crew introduces ourselves and discusses what we do and why we do it. We talk about the interesting ways we met, how we became involved and invested in the arts and entertainment scene in Northeastern Pennsylvania, what NEPA Scene's purpose and place is in all of it, the "Valley with a heart" versus the hard-boiled cynicism of the area, the impressive talent in NEPA and why people need to go out and support it, following your own passions, and what our future plans are for the show. We also respond to a few live viewers. In The Last Word segment and in other parts of the show, we discuss the NEPA Scene Scene Stage Time open mic, the unintended consequences of streaming it live (like dealing with armchair critics), and the importance of open mics in helping people develop and grow as artists. 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

NEPA Scene Live is a series of live events featuring artists from Northeastern Pennsylvania. The first-ever event held at Thirst T's Bar & Grill in Olyphant on Nov. 22 featured young rising star James Barrett, a Clarks Summit native who recorded his latest album, “The Metamorphosis EP,” with Nik Bruzzese of Man Overboard. Currently working on new solo material and songs with his full band, Emberá, his albums can also be purchased on Bandcamp. Find more NEPA Scene Live recordings and learn more about the series on nepascene.com.

NEPA Scene Live is a series of live events featuring artists from Northeastern Pennsylvania. The first-ever event held at Thirst T's Bar & Grill in Olyphant on Nov. 22 featured Used-Car Cowboy, a musician (and occasional stand-up comedian) who blends country, folk, blues, rockabilly, alt-country, and more into unique tunes like “Hot Box,” which is available on iTunes and various other platforms. He often performs with The Jerks, as he did in the NEPA Scene’s Got Talent Finals, earning them a very close second place. Find more NEPA Scene Live recordings and learn more about the series on nepascene.com.

NEPA Scene Live is a series of live events featuring artists from Northeastern Pennsylvania. The first-ever event held at Thirst T's Bar & Grill in Olyphant on Nov. 22 featured young Easton singer/songwriter Ryan Barry, who is set to release a new single in January that he played that night, along with other originals and some cleverly reworked covers. Find more NEPA Scene Live recordings and learn more about the series on nepascene.com.

NEPA Scene Live is a series of live events featuring artists from Northeastern Pennsylvania. The first-ever event held at Thirst T's Bar & Grill in Olyphant on Nov. 22 began with Moosic musician Joe Craig, who has been playing in the local scene for about 30 years in various bands like Attracted to Syn in addition to his solo work. His latest album, “13,” is available now on Bandcamp. Find more NEPA Scene Live recordings and learn more about the series on nepascene.com.

In Episode 5, as Halloween approaches, we talk about how our love of horror movies began and developed over time. We also discuss how the movies and the way they are marketed has changed in our lifetimes. First, we talk about the new “Exorcist” TV show, “The Conjuring 2,” “Luke Cage,” the new “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2” and “Logan” trailers, and an upcoming steelbook Blu-ray re-release of “Phenomena.” Then we get into the topic at hand, discussing the ratings system, the scariest things we saw at a young age that left a lasting impression, CGI versus practical effects, horror throughout different decades, the strange marketing of Freddy Krueger, "Friday the 13th," “Halloween,” “Dawn of the Dead,” teasers and trailers now versus reading the back of the box and renting movies, Disney Halloween cartoons like “Sleepy Hollow” and their TV specials, “Goosebumps” and “Fear Street” books, “Are You Afraid of the Dark?” and “Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark,” “Saw” and the rise of “torture porn,” the “Scream” f

In Episode 4, we talk about collecting movies, comic books, action figures, CDs and vinyl records, and more. How did we get started with these hobbies? Why do we collect things? How does collecting change over your lifetime? What did we collect as kids, and what do we collect now as adults? We’re all collectors in one way or another, so we tell our personal stories and would love to hear yours. First, we talk about some new Irish horror movies, HBO’s new show “Westworld” and the cult movie it’s based on, Halloween staples like “Child’s Play” and why that movie holds up, and “Welcome to Fat City,” the highly recommended new album by Crobot. Then we dive into collecting, discussing “Spectreman;” action figures of “Masters of the Universe,” “Ghostbusters,” “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles,” and other big franchises; “M.U.S.C.L.E.” men; comic books and ‘90s superhero cartoons like “X-Men” and “Spider-Man;” price guides and Wizard magazine; sports card collecting and its inevitable bust; ordering CDs and organizing

In Episode 3, we’re joined by our friend Chef Gene Philbin, owner of Peculiar Culinary Company in Hughestown near Pittston, to discuss food, cooking, and the media surrounding it. First, we talk about “Cold in July” and Michael C. Hall, “Paranormal Activity: The Ghost Dimension,” The 69 Eyes’ new album “Universal Monsters,” Rob Zombie vs. John Carpenter, how “Cannibal Holocaust” scarred Gene and the poor animals that were harmed during the making of the movie, Ghost Rider’s recent appearance on “Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.,” and keeping up with superhero movies and shows. Then we get into food and why Gene wanted to become a chef, his experience studying at the Culinary Institute of America and how the college has changed over time, celebrity chefs and how the Food Network and Cooking Channel has shaped and changed the way we look at food, the TV cooking competition craze, his experience meeting Guy Fieri and competing on “Guy’s Grocery Games,” defending Fieri from his many critics, Netflix cooking shows and how

In Episode 2, we mourn the loss of Gene Wilder, who recently passed away at age 83, by discussing our favorite comedy movies and the TV shows and films that shaped our sense of humor, along with others we just enjoyed and would recommend. Before we get into comedy, we start by talking about the Misfits reunion, a documentary about extras in the original “Star Wars” movie called “Elstree 1976,” “Blood Punch,” “Pokémon,” remaking “Susperia,” and the upcoming “Phantasm” sequel. We cover a lot of comedic ground throughout the show, starting with Gene Wilder and moving into Monty Python, Kids in the Hall, “The Simpsons,” “Ghostbusters,” “Count Duckula,” “Mystery Science Theater 3000,” Kevin Smith’s movies, “Troll 2,” “Dead Alive,” “Trainwreck” and other Judd Apatow movies, “Tucker & Dale vs. Evil,” Weird Al’s “UHF,” “Microwave Massacre,” “Pee Wee’s Big Holiday” on Netflix, and more! Cult Personalities is a brand new podcast dedicated to all the geeky, underrated, unusual, and offbeat movies, music, TV shows, bo

A panel discussion with music industry professionals Erick Droegmoeller, Suzanne Paulinski, and Cory Wolff explaining when you are ready to take your musical career to the next level, the steps you should take to do so, and how you can make a living as a professional musician. This was recorded at the 2016 Electric City Music Conference on Saturday, Sept. 17, 2016.

An open and honest panel discussion of the current state of the local music scene with Rich Howells, Joe Caviston, Brittany Boote, Greg Shaffer, and Cory Wolff. Issues are identified and solutions are proposed. This panel was presented by NEPA Scene and recorded at the 2016 Electric City Music Conference on Saturday, Sept. 17, 2016.

Representatives from print media, blogs, and radio talk about the relationship between music media and musicians and how performers should pitch media outlets, what outlets to target, and much more. This panel discussion features Tori Thomas, Rich Howells, Freddie Fabbri, Matt Mattei, and Jeff Pittinger and was recorded at the 2016 Electric City Music Conference on Saturday, Sept. 17, 2016.

Musicians are introduced to promoters and talent buyers of all levels who they can network with when trying to create a fan base in the Pennsylvania music market, showcasing a mix of venues, from house shows to bars to large festivals. This panel discussion features Chris Castillo, Brittany Boote, Greg Shaffer, Vince Volz, and Jim Thorpe and was recorded at the 2016 Electric City Music Conference on Saturday, Sept. 17, 2016.

A panel discussion of the benefits and the drawbacks to “getting signed” with the guys who have been there. Panelists James Thomas Huy, Mark Woodbridge, Bret Alexander, Frank Woodworth, and Andrew Riccatelli speak about their personal experiences in dealing with labels, how artists should go about catching the attention of a record label, and the dos and don’ts of signing a recording contract. This was recorded at the 2016 Electric City Music Conference on Saturday, Sept. 17, 2016.

Cult Personalities is a brand new podcast dedicated to all the geeky, underrated, unusual, and offbeat movies, music, TV shows, books, comics, collectibles, beer, and more that we’re passionate about – basically anything that may have a cult following that influenced and shaped us into the irreverent weirdos that we are today. Hosted by beer writer and blogger Derek Warren, former co-host of the Beer Geeks Radio Hour, and Rich Howells, founder and editor of NEPA Scene and co-host of the NEPA Scene Podcast, this weekly show is our way to geek out and share our passions with fellow nerds and nerf herders, discussing big franchises and obscure gems while sharing our honest opinions and personal stories in a fun and relatable way. In the first episode of Cult Personalities, recorded even before we had a name for podcast, we sit down with our friend and fellow geek George Zvirblis to name our Top 5 albums, bands, action movies, comedies, horror movies, TV shows, and guilty pleasures as a way for listeners to get

Improvised handpan music by Steve Werner before the panel discussions began at the 2016 Electric City Music Conference on Saturday, Sept. 17, 2016.

Locally developed music app Tunefly 2.0 was officially released at the Electric City Music Conference. The creators of Tunefly - Sam O’Connell, Matt Simoncavage, and Elizabeth Klein - discuss growing your fan base using the power of social media marketing and give an in-depth look at Tunefly. This was recorded at the 2016 Electric City Music Conference on Saturday, Sept. 17, 2016. (Note: The section from 10:55-15:18 is Josh Slosky performing an original song, but he was not near the microphones, so the sound is quiet.)