From a press release:
Formed in 1989, Side Over cut their teeth in the emerging Scranton/Wilkes-Barre hardcore music scene that would soon become legendary.
They played countless shows with many influential bands, including Sick of It All, Biohazard, Shelter, Earth Crisis, and more. They quickly grew into a melodic hardcore powerhouse, contributing to the early ’90s proto-emo scene. Northeastern Pennsylvania was surging with new venues and bands, key factors in cross-pollinating with bands from other strong scenes, particularly Philadelphia, Morgantown, and Syracuse.
The group made a lasting impact despite only releasing two cassette demos. The 1991 demo was a live soundboard recording from Reading’s famed Unisound Club. Their 1993 demo was instigated and released by John Dudeck via his fledgling operation Very Distribution. He was launching a new label, Edison Recordings (Starkweather, Coalesce, Overcast), with Side Over on deck for his first LP release, but the band would end before the LP was recorded.
By 1994, Side Over was playing consistently in the mid-Atlantic region, with highlights including Turning Point’s New Jersey reunion show, New Bedford Fest ’94, and the infamous Life of Agony show at the Pancake House in Lake Ariel that quite literally brought the ceiling down. Drummer Brian Craig left to tour with Turmoil, and the band went in separate directions with other projects, pausing work on their upcoming debut album indefinitely.
Side Over reunited in 2025 after the sudden death of co-founder Neil Husvar. They would perform their first show in over 30 years in Scranton at Hardcore for Husvar in his memory, also honoring departed bandmates Craig and Chris Pawloski. It proved to be a reunion, a benefit, and an opportunity to reignite their passion for the music and community from where they began.
Following international write-ups from Decibel, New Noise, Rough Times, and IDIOTEQ.com, Side Over released “Loves You” today on CD, vinyl, and all major streaming platforms via independent record label La Société Expéditionnaire. Re-recording five of their original songs, the EP preserves the ethos of those original cassette demos, spirit and purpose intact. With the addition of a new track, “Scars,” created from riffs from a 32-year-old practice tape, the record is an homage to the band’s history and departed brothers while remaining firmly rooted in the present.
Recorded and engineered by Don Sternecker (Misfits, Luna, The Feelies) at Mixolydian and Side Over guitarist Lou Rogai (Lewis & Clarke) at Customer Service, produced by Rogai, and mixed and mastered by Sternecker, “Loves You” marks their first new music in over three decades. The quartet – which currently features Aaron Ferranti (vocals), Rogai (guitar), James Simon (bass), and Phil Layland (drums) – will celebrate with two release shows. Tonight, they’ll play a free all-ages event at Gallery of Sound (186 Mundy St., Wilkes-Barre) at 7 p.m.
On Saturday, June 27, Side Over will take over The Bog (341 Adams Ave., Scranton) with A Constant Murder and Loading starting at 8 p.m. Admission is $10 at the door.
Looping back to where their second life began, their next performance will be at Hardcore for Husvar 2 at St. Mary’s Center (320 Mifflin Ave., Scranton) on Saturday, July 25 with Judge, Burial Ground, Human Animal, Controller, Rabid Shaft Badgers, Joystick Fury, and Still Won’t Break. Tickets, which are $25 in advance or $30 the day of the show, are on sale now at various local businesses. Visit hardcore4huz.com for more info.
Learn more about Side Over in Episode 238 of the NEPA Scene Podcast:
