Strange Culture PA: “Volcano Butcher”
It’s Brent Porche here, and since it’s Wednesday, it’s time for another song from WMMR’s Local Shots Artist of the Month for May: Strange Culture PA.
This is week three out of five with the fellas, and this week’s tune is very much a toe tapper, as Pierre Robert would say. (Translation: it’s a heavy and it’s loud.) Nick, Garrett, Noah, and Nathan started Strange Culture PA just a few years ago in Quakertown and they’ve been pumping out killer tunes ever since. You can hear and see more from them on their band page, and check out more even more Philadelphia bands on the Local Shots HQ page.
The guys in Strange Culture PA have a show this weekend at Sweeney’s in Northeast Philadelphia and it’s this Saturday, part of the Future Stars Metal Mania event. The show starts at 1:30pm, and runs through about 6:30pm or so, with End It All on the bill as well as Mindless Hope, 80 White Rat and Harkin. It’s an all ages show, so bring the kids out! Strange Culture PA will hit the stage around 4:30pm.
This week’s song is “Volcano Butcher.” Listen to it below, and let us know what you think on Instagram and Facebook. Hear what last week’s pick was here.
Strange Culture PA – Volcano Butcher
About WMMR’s Local Shots: WMMR has supported Philadelphia’s music scene since its inception in 1968. The station continues that tradition with the Local Shots Artist of the Month on air every Wednesday at 6:30pm, plus live events, podcasts, and more!
Every Local Shots Artist of the Month in 2023
March: Velvet Rouge
Gina Costanzo appeared on The Voice in 2016 when she was only 17 years old. She is now the lead singer of Velvet Rouge, a band that released its debut EP Dark Hallways in October 2021 under their previous name Zo.
Members:
Gina Castanzo (Lead Singer)
Buddy Mazzenga (Drums)
Joe McEnany (Bass)
Andrew Amado (Guitar)April: The Good Mess
The Good Mess started out with no name, no producers, and no one listening to music played in a South Philly row home. They recorded Smoke Like Ghosts at Studio 4 in Conshohocken in 2015 and New History two years later. They released their self-titled EP in 2019 with a style influenced by Nirvana, the Stone Temple Pilots, and Queens of the Stone Age.
Members:
Tim Mellor (Vocals, Guitar)
Mario LaForgia (Bass, Vocals)
Josh Rovinsky (Guitar, Vocals)
Mike Skierski (Drums)May: Riverside Odds
RW Hellborn and Matty Cobra formed Riverside Odds in 2014. Their fast and heavy punk-meets-blues riffs and energetic stage presence have helped them make a name for themselves in the Philadelphia area. They released Let The Mayhem Begin in 2015, V8 Wankers in 2016, Get Into It in 2019, and Punching Above Our Weight in 2020.
Members:
RW Hellborn (Vocals, Guitar)
Matty Cobra (Lead Guitar, Backing Vocals)
Andy Watts (Lead Guitar, Backing Vocals)
G. Patrick Poli (Bass, Backing Vocals)
Ginger Knight (Drums, Backing Vocals)June: High Leaf
High Leaf is a stoner rock quartet from Philly. Members of the band have been collaborators for several years, but they officially got together in February 2022. They use a wide range of influence from the 1970s-1990s from bands like Tool, the Sword, Clutch to Corrosion of Conformity, and Queens of the Stone Age.
Members:
Patrick Fiore (Lead Guitar)
Corey Presner (Vocals/Guitar)
Brian Schmidt (Bass)
Dean Welsh (Drums)July: Nick Perri & The Underground Thieves
Harmonies, scorching guitar work, and a solid rhythm section create something stellar for Nick Perri & The Underground Thieves. Their single “Feeling Good” from the band’s debut LP Sun Via hit #45 on the US rock radio charts in 2020. They’ve performed as headliners and supporting acts for the Struts, Blackberry Smoke, White Denim, and Rick Nielsen.
Members:
Nick Perri (Lead Vocals, Guitar)
Brian Weaver (Bass)
Justin DiFebbo (Keyboard)
Zil Fessler (Drums)August: MonteCarlo
MonteCarlo plays a loud and captivating hard rock sound. They have opened for Guns N’ Roses and Bon Jovi and performed at the Rocklahoma Festival. Their distinct sound is a fusion of Velvet Revolver’s electrifying energy with the haunting melodies reminiscent of Alice In Chains.
Members:
Albert Lepore (Vocals)
Dan Parsels (Guitar, Vocals)
Ahmed Smith (Guitar, Vocals)
Damian MonteCarlo (Drums, Vocals)
Joe Mal (Bass)September: Vixen 77
Rock & Roll should be loud, aggressive, fun, and rebellious. That’s exactly what Vixen77 brings. The five-piece female band opened at MMRBQ 2023 at Freedom Mortgage Pavilion.
Members:
Samantha Joan (Vocals/Harmonica)
Sarah Novack (Drums)
Elizabeth (Guitar)
Jaz (Bass)
Caitlin (Guitar)October: Dirty Brain
Dirty Brain has shared bills with high-profile bands like Foo Fighters, Shinedown, Robert Plant, and Limp Bizkit. The band has achieved a unique, polished and experimental hard rock sound, and they have become a growing favorite at 93.3 WMMR.
Members:
Will Schmidt (Vocalist/Songwriter)
Paul Buondonno (Drummer)
Ian Mackenzie (Keyboard)
Aidan Riess (Bass)
Mike Zajac (Guitar)November: Ryan Wade
Ryan Wade is a solo front man from South Jersey who produces his own music. He can command the stage with a screaming presence.
Wade plans to release a solo album in 2024. He is also the lead singer of the popular cover band GoodMan Fiske.
More from Brent Porche
