Friday, August 3, 2001 -
Harrisburg’s First Friday -
Market Square -
Honeypump, The Martini Bros., The Badlees
Friday, August 3, 2001
Harrisburg’s First Friday
Market Square
Honeypump, The Martini Bros., The Badlees
www.martinibros.com
www.badlees.com
Melanie arrived separate from Shannon’s gang because their car was filled.
Sitting up front, she listened to the last song by Honeypump and scanned the
crowd for Shannon. Spotting the Martinis, she even considered asking them
if they had seen Shannon around, but decided to wait just a bit longer before
asking around. Melanie finally spotted Shannon and her mom coming towards
her and hopped up from her seat. Melanie suggested sitting on the ground in
front of the stage and Shannon concurred, saying she was thinking the same thing.
Before the guys started their set, Melanie checked with Deuce, the guitarist
and lead vocalist, to make sure it was okay to videotape. Of course it was
allowed :) When the guys started the show, there was a small mass of
children in smack against the stage while we stood back for a better
angle for taping. One of the highlights was when Mike handed his bass
down to a young boy in front of the stage. Strumming to the beat, he rocked
out with Mike and had the time of his life. The set was composed of mostly
originals, but they made sure to add in "Bird," "Fire, Fire, Fire!" and some
other cool covers. Before their set of rock and roll was through, a mass of
people sitting in the street had formed. Also, the children apparently swiped
all the stickers from the merch area. Not to worry, the stickers were free.
We chatted while waiting for the Badlees to prepare. Seizing the opportunity
of Mike, Deuce, and Rej all in one place at one time off stage, we snapped up
a posse picture with all thee guys. Our first ever! And we had been fans for
nearly a full year! We were also quickly introduced to one of the sound and
lighting guys. Running into Pete Palladino, he proudly showed us his bright
blue Casper tee. Casper is the friendly ghost you know. Nearby, Shannon’s
father manned Pete’s merch table.
More people decided to sit by us for the Badlees performance. Some women
danced about towards the corner of the stage and a scruffy man approached the
same little boy who was rocking out in front of us. He started to dance with him
and walking back and forth in front of the stage. He grooved a bit with the ladies
and found a crutch (which his one-legged friend had been leaning on) and
danced around with that for a while…not to mention using it as a microphone
as well. During one of the songs, Pete Palladino of the Badlees busted
out laughing during the song due to the man's amusing antics. The band
drew a massive crowd full of fans singing along to each and every word.
After their performance was over, Melanie had to catch her ride home with her
mom while Shannon and her parents helped Pete protect his
merchandise from the heavy rain that had suddenly surged on top
of the dispersing crowd.
Pete, Shannon, and her parents all ran to the nearest roof for protection....it was
too late though, everyone looked like drowned rats! Pete thanked her
parents for their help and he surprised Shannon by handing her his harmonica.
She told him she wasn't worthy and gave him a hug and couldn't thank him enough.
She's trying to teach herself harmonica right now, so maybe one day the two
of them can perform a wee duet.