Keith Perks

PHOTOS: Camp Rattler opening with Killcode, Kaleigh Baker, and more at Border Bar in Pittston, 06/09/18

PHOTOS: Camp Rattler opening with Killcode, Kaleigh Baker, and more at Border Bar in Pittston, 06/09/18
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Camp Rattler has organized and hosted quality concerts all over Northeastern Pennsylvania, so when the local music promotion and production team announced that it would be camping out for the summer at the Border Bar in Pittston and opening its own outdoor beer garden there, it had to kick off with a major event.

On Saturday, June 9, the beer garden was opened to the public, complete with drink tables and a bar made from recycled parts and pallet wood surrounding a covered stage. “The only stand-up comedy viking,” Thomas the Red, started things off with his very real swords and fake blood-soaked antics, followed by an opening set from Scranton sleaze rock band Idol Hands of original songs that closed with a riveting cover of Mötley Crüe classic “Piece of Your Action.”

Then New York City’s Killcode dominated the small stage with their huge Southern-influenced rock music after playing in venues and festivals around the world, even serving as direct support for Dee Snider last year. The show also served as a homecoming for guitarist Charles “Chas” Banellis, which ramped up the crowd’s excitement even more as they sang along to catchy songs from their latest album, “The Answer.”

The party then moved inside for Exeter heavy metal band Royal Hell, who performed some of the new material they’re working on, before winding down with the soulful voice of New York singer Kaleigh Baker with guitarist Matt Walker. The jazzy, bluesy acoustic set was captivating and a perfect way to end what is just the beginning of a variety of unique Camp Rattler events at the former World of Brew that is now so much more than a bottle shop.

NEPA Scene live streamed the music throughout the night, so watch those videos now on Facebook. See photos from a local Kaleigh Baker show back in 2014 here and watch a video of her performing for the “In the Office” series here. Watch Camp Rattler founder James Callahan and Royal Hell talk about the Killcode show and their history in the music scene as well as the future of Camp Rattler in Episode 61 of the NEPA Scene Podcast: