2011 Sounded Good: The Top Philadelphia Bands Of The Past Year
The Philadelphia music scene sizzled in 2011. Several local bands and artists received national recognition for their musical contributions. Additionally, artists gave back to their communities by donating their time and music to charity. Here are a few Philadelphia musical acts that shined in 2011.
Amos Lee
Amos Lee, a graduate of Cherry Hill High School East, appeared at the International Music Festival Bonnaroo, on the Tonight Show and at the Academy of Music in 2011. His fourth album, Mission Bell, scored the number one slot on the prestigious Billboard Top 200. This was the highest chart position and best sales week of his career. Amos finished the year by touring the UK with Adele and continues his participation in the program Musicians on Call. Currently, Lee is touring. Stay tuned for up coming tour dates.
Ike
John Faye, leader of Ike has several catchy pop songs under his belt, such as "Devil's Diary," "Into Philadelphia" and in 2011, "Rock 'n Roll Dreams" from the new EP The Little People, Church and the Steeple. The songs have garnered prime time airplay on the city's number one rock station. Whether they are playing for thousands or one hundred people, the show is always filled with the same electric energy and incredible musicianship. Look for Ike to further influence the Philadelphia rock scene in 2012 with new music.
Halestorm
Lzzy and her brother Arejay formed Halestorm in 1998 while in middle school in York County, Pennsylvania. As a result of their popularity in Philadelphia, they released a live CD/DVD entitled Live in Philly 2010 that was recorded at the TLA. Their constant touring took them all over the country. With a new LP coming out on the Atlantic record label in early 2012 and a tour of Europe, Halestorm is poised to take their local flare to the rest of the world.
The Peace Creeps
Richard Bush once led the 80s band The A's into notoriety before taking a break from the music scene for much of the 1990s. He's back with a vengeance with his new band The Peace Creeps. In 2011, the band performed in area clubs including the Blockley Pourhouse. They also released a second CD called Time Machine, which was recorded at Bush's studio in Bensalem.
David Uosikkinen, drummer for the Philadelphia rock band the Hooters, headed up a project called In the Pocket in 2011. He gathered Philadelphia musicians to re-record songs that Uosikkinen called essential songs of Philadelphia, like the Dovells' "You Can't Sit Down," and "Open my Eyes" by the Nazz. Each recording is sold on iTunes and amazon.com with proceeds benefiting The Settlement School. He even secured longtime radio DJ, Jerry Blavat, aka "The Geator with the Heator," to make a special appearance on the Dovells' recording, since he was the first person to expose their music to the world in the early 60s on the radio and TV.
Cyndy Drue is a longtime radio and TV personality in Philadelphia. She lives in Center City. Visit her website at www.cyndydrue.com or check out her work here.
