NEPA SCENE PODCAST: Scranton alternative rock band University Drive and new album ‘On/Off: Reset’
The NEPA Scene Podcast is back in a new location with new co-hosts and a fresh format, conducting the same honest, uncensored interviews and in-depth discussions about Northeastern Pennsylvania that the show has become known for, covering local arts, entertainment, and the issues that matter to the area.
Recorded and produced every week by Internet marketing company Coal Creative in their production studio in downtown Wilkes-Barre, the podcast is now presented as a live, multi-camera show that streams in high definition on NEPA Scene’s Facebook page on Wednesday nights at 7 p.m. Every hour-long episode is hosted by Rich Howells, editor and founder of NEPA Scene; Brittany Boote, owner of Boote Photography Studio in Forty Fort; and Johnny Popko, the senior marketing consultant at local radio stations Alt 92.1, Rock 107, and ESPN Radio. Viewers are encouraged to tune in and interact during the Facebook Live stream so that the hosts can address comments and answer questions as they come in.
After the live webcast, the show is available the following Friday as an audio podcast on iTunes, SoundCloud, and Stitcher, while the video version can be seen on Facebook and YouTube.
In Episode 2, we chat with Scranton singer/guitarist Edward Cuozzo and bassist John Husosky about their new alternative rock band, University Drive, and their debut album, “On/Off: Reset.” We talk about Ed’s previous band, A Social State, and what led him to end that project and start this one; his process of writing and recording the entire album by himself at JL Studios in Olyphant; how John ended up joining the band’s now solidified lineup and adding his own touch to the material; signing to Canadian label Fightless Records; live shows and touring; making cassettes as well as CDs; John’s other bands, including Permanence, and balancing them all; and more, including a discussion about music released after an artist’s death.
In The Last Word Segment, we talk about the announcement that The Marketplace at Steamtown in downtown Scranton will be building the new 17,000-square-foot Electric City Aquarium and Reptile Den where the Express, Hollister, and Verizon stores used to be. It will contain more than 1,000 animals and tanks up to 30,000 gallons, along with features like a “touch pool” to pet certain species, educational programs, and space for birthday parties and other events. We debate whether or not this is a good idea and read comments from the public.
Watch the live video version on YouTube:
Listen on iTunes.
Listen on SoundCloud:
Listen on Stitcher.
Watch “Safe and Quiet” on YouTube:
Stream/download on SoundCloud:
Watch “You Won’t See It” on YouTube:
Stream/download on SoundCloud:
Watch the original Facebook Live stream:
Read an interview with University Drive from earlier this month here and see photos from the band’s first show here.
