Phantastic Phanphest Experience in Kempton, PA

[Colie Brice]

I arrived with Sarah Tomek and Jeremy Korpas on Saturday afternoon just in time to see Status Green letting loose and playing some guilty pleasures of old Billy Joel tunes and the Supremes - taking well worn pop masterpieces and giving them new life and energy through Lou's sincere reverence of oldies. Quite charming and disarming to see a guy like that who has the scene by the balls, simply not afraid to admit that he just likes these old tunes and doesn't give a damn if you don't.

I then proceeded to pitch a tent for the first time in years and make myself a little fen shui SNAG temple under a tree adjacent to the main amphitheatre.

After struggling with that a bit I strolled over to catch Outside the Box featuring my former neighbor from Lavallette Jeff Cafone. Any one worried about classic rock dying away as an art form need not worry.. These guys are upholding the old school Jersey Shore Sound just fine. Is it me or does Jeff sound a lot like Steve Winwood on the vox?

I then proceeded to hike into town on a quest for adventure (and beer). Along the way, Scott and Meagan from the Saint picked me up on the side of the road and brought me to the Kempton Inn for a few rounds. We met the former owner Archie and heard some first hand stories about when Willie Nelson stayed there. Around this time I started relaxing :)

Meagan and Scott had to get back to the Saint, so I bought a bag of ice and some beer and put it all in my backpack. It was hot as hell, but with a bag of ice and cold beer within arm's reach, I courageously marched on.

Back at the festival gate, I stumbled into Chris Vidal and Gus Vigo which equated into stage two of the relaxation level.

Around 4:20 we headed over to see Turtle Soup. Mudd was in full on take no prisoners rock and roll War God mode, slashing out sonic fury.. Turtle Soup just keeps getting better and better and is really developing a strong following.

After a Turtle Soup appetizer I took a nice walk and bumped into Ken Richlin who kindly offered me a ice cold beer and a nice chat, I then had an amazing organic vegan Indian platter from some beautiful vegan elf chick that was sumptious to say the least.

After all this excitement I settled down for a peaceful nap while Splintered Sunlight delivered a honey baked set of Grateful Dead classics. Talk about chill..

I awoke to the distinctive bell like tone of Mark Diomede's guitar and fluid/druid riffs. I don't know how, but the guy got better and I didn't think he had anywhere else to go - kind of like when Gandalf the Grey became Gandalf the White :) Just a mind shattering alchemy of Juggling Suns tranzmutational sounds.

After that it was pleasant dreams for me..

On Sunday I awoke to the bone rattling freight train of the Amboys. RUDE ASS KICKING OUTLAW BARN STORMING ROCK & ROLL!

I then caught the Sunday Blues singing their poignant, bittersweet but oh so tasty tunes. Lindsey - she's a little bit country, Keith he's quite a bit rock & roll. Truly one of my favorite bands today. I took another walk and it was exquisite to have Sunday Blues play the soundtrack as I was staring at beautiful, panoramic views of the surrounding country. Awesome..

I caught the tail end of Project 222's set and helped move Eric Safka's gear over to the barn for the Matt O'Ree set. I was rewarded with a tour of the band's bad ass tour bus and was never more grateful to be in air conditioning.

After that I arrived just in time to see Ben Feld rapping with Sarah Tomek playing drums, with Billy Vegas on bass, and Mudd on guitar. It was like a Tuesday night at the Saint being teleported magically to a field. Surreal. Ben was the consumate showman taking a mellow crowd and getting people MOVING. Once they were warmed up, Jeremy helmed Green Tag Sale and took flight. While he was lighting it up, there was a mild pirate invasion as Capt. James arrived with the rest of the band. Within seconds Nick from Dub Proof was passing around a bottle of Capt. Morgan gleefully.

I took a few swigs and caught a few fierce Matt O'Ree tunes while making my way over to sound check..

I was now ready to play..

[Moira]

Nice!

[Brett Smith]

Nice write up my man!