YOU SHOULD BE LISTENING TO: Scranton indie folk punk band Old Charades
City: Scranton/Philadelphia
Genre(s): Punk rock, indie rock, folk rock, alternative rock
Years active: 2014-present
Sounds like: “If Bruce Springsteen was 30 years younger and pissed off,” Old Charades is what he would sound like, according to bassist Tom Lopes, particularly if The Boss came from Scranton instead of New Jersey. They embrace that Northeastern Pennsylvania punk/indie rock sound, for sure, but it’s their folk and blues rock influences mixed with some Philly rock (where drummer Jerry Connor goes to school) that sets them apart. Rounded out by vocalist/guitarist Sean Flynn, they maintain a simple, tight sound as a trio that’s easy to understand and relate to.
The songs of Old Charades feel direct, emotional, raw, and distinctly American, telling true stories with hard-earned lessons from a dimly lit basement or corner bar. They’ll shake the cobwebs out of old memories and make some new ones for you in the packed watering hole just down the street.
For fans of: The Menzingers, The Gaslight Anthem, Modest Mouse, Brand New, Bouncing Souls, Frank Turner, The Scandals, Strand of Oaks, Queens of the Stone Age, Those Clever Foxes, Final Descent, James Barrett, Esta Coda, University Drive, Worries, Crock Pot Abduction, Young at Heart, and Emberá
Number of albums/EPs released: Three (one full-length album, “End Together/Start Together,” in 2016 and two EPs, “Songs from the Basement” in 2015 and “Stories from 2nd Street” in 2017)
Latest release: “Stories from 2nd Street,” released April 14, 2017
Fun fact: While they take their music seriously, they’re such big fans of “Star Wars” and “Seinfeld” that they’ll often stop practice sessions just to talk about the new movies or make obscure George Costanza jokes. They host a Festivus-themed holiday show every year.
Online: Facebook, Twitter, and Bandcamp
Upcoming shows:
April 21: The Bog (341 Adams Ave., Scranton) with Esta Coda, The Hill You Die On, and Clever Clever, 9:30 p.m.
April 22: Record Store Day at Embassy Vinyl (352 Adams Ave., Scranton) with Westpoint, Poison Thorn, Spur, Rest, University Drive, Gold Gauze, and Worn, noon
May 25: Kung Fu Necktie (1250 N. Front St., Philadelphia) with Spenser Colmbs, The Tisburys, and Willingboro, 8:30 p.m.
Photo by Parker Reinecker
