Evelyn's Ashes Says Farewell After Nearly 9 Years

The band that introduced me to Central PA's music scene played their final concert in York on a snowy Saturday in January. Evelyn's Ashes, a hard rock band from York, PA, began writing music and performing together in 2005. Their Facebook page describes the band as:

Five rock steady musicians, all working together in perfect harmony to create a climax of sound that fans and new listeners rarely forget. The red hot lead vocals of front man Wes Myers are complemented by the driving rhythms and searing lead riffs from guitarists and brothers Chris and Justin Cutshall, the bass and back vocals of Scott Salisbury, and Ted Hile on drums. Having shared the stage with such national acts as Sevendust, Papa Roach, Cold, Fuel, 10 Years, Rev Theory, Hurt, Taproot, Nonpoint, Dokken, Warrant, and Smile Empty Soul, when concert attendees leave an Evelyn’s Ashes high energy performance, they are always left spellbound and craving more.

They released two albums over the course of their 8 1/2 year career, 2008's 'Far Away' and 2012's 'Letters From Home', and were in the beginning stages of a 3rd album by late 2012. Their original songs pack a hard punch with a powerful message, but the band is also known for their live cover versions of well-known rock songs.

I began attending Evelyn's Ashes' shows in 2009 and have always been impressed by their stage presence, energy and talent, which has only strengthened over time. They have a loyal fan base and I made many new friends and discovered other local bands as a result. Although I only went to the shows in York the past 5 years, EA has played in many venues throughout Pennsylvania and Maryland.

My first show - November 2009



Various shows - 2011-2012


After a five-month hiatus to regroup, write new songs, and deal with personal obligations, Evelyn's Ashes returned to the stage in June 2013 with a new bassist, a new drummer, and several new songs. A summer of comeback shows preceded their announcement on September 26th that the group was planning to permanently disband and would be scheduling final performances for later that year. However, a major snowstorm in December 2013 caused the final show in York to be postponed until after the new year, and a Chambersburg show was scheduled for February 2014.


Comeback Show - June 2013


January 25, 2014 marked the date of Evelyn's Ashes' Farewell Show in York, PA. A brief evening snowfall hindered my plans and I almost didn't make it to the venue due to car trouble. Luckily my brother was able to give me a ride to Fat Daddy's Nightclub so that I could see one of my favorite bands play for the last time. I arrived as the opening band, Calisus, was coming off stage and the technicians were preparing for the headlining act. The original members of Evelyn's Ashes reunited for the 2014 shows and despite the weather, there was a large turnout of fans. For some, it was the first and only time they'd see the band perform. For others, who had followed them since the beginning, it was a welcome homecoming.

Anticipation filled the room as the "Intro" track from their debut album began to play over the speakers. The five musicians made their way onstage to thunderous applause and kicked off the live show with "The Innocent". They played many of their older tunes, such as "Silence Of The Serene", "Rewind", "Hate I Breed", "Disease", and "Tears of Deceit", some of which hadn't been performed in years. The second album, which was dedicated to the military, produced songs like "Unwilling", "Breathe", "This Time", "To The Fallen", and "Fake N Jaded". Newer songs, like "Memory", were never recorded but that didn't stop the fans from learning the lyrics at past live shows. They also included a handful of their most popular covers, such as "Outside", "Simple Man", and "Comfortably Numb". Staind's "Mudshovel" was requested, but the band ran out of time.





Final York Show - January 2014


"Backdown", an original that appears on both albums, is one of my favorites to hear live and a great song to blast in your car. Closing out the show, as always, was "Far Away". The title track from the first album is a rock ballad describing how difficult it is to be away from your family, and a song that I never get tired of listening to. With hugs all around and laughter between old friends, the evening ended on a positive note.

Don't miss the Final Farewell Show on February 8, 2014 at The Orchards in Chambersburg, PA. Evelyn's Ashes will be joined by Baltimore rock group, Silvertung.
For tickets, directions, and more info, click HERE.


All photos by Nicole McMillan
NRM 2/2/14

An Evening at The Cove with Small Town Titans

Central PA has a lot of talent that the outside world hasn't quite discovered yet. I saw Small Town Titans perform for the first time at Fat Daddy's nightclub in January, but a majority of their shows take place several hours away from York, so I have been unable to attend since then. However, I've kept myself updated on their events and activities on Facebook and Twitter, and participated in their 'Operation Flight Plan' album-funding project. I came to admire the band's determination and the individuals' work ethic and appreciation of their fans, so I became more active in promoting and sharing their info and music links on my own social networks to spread the word. I was glad to see that they would be in town for two shows in June so that I could speak to them in person and hear their songs live once again.

On June 7, 2013, STT made an appearance at The Cove, a bar that I had passed by many times in previous years, but never ventured into. Lead singer, Phillip Nathaniel Freeman, frequently hosts an Open Mic Night in the Whiskey Bar as The Lone Wolf Project, but that evening featured the full hard rock sound of Small Town Titans. I was curious to try another local venue and experience a different atmosphere, and it was certainly more relaxed and casual than a nightclub. A set of double doors at the back of the main bar led to the Whiskey room, which featured holographic-surfaced tables, several big screen TVs, and a pool table. Slightly cramped in some areas, but an acceptable setting for an intimate night with friends.

I chatted with some other patrons sitting at the long, wooden bar who had never seen the band before and enjoyed well-made (and inexpensive) mixed drinks while waiting for the show to start. I met up with some friends that love the local music scene as much as I do, and that made the evening all the more exciting. The band was friendly and approachable and because they were stationed at floor level, rather than on a raised stage, it was easy to interact with them from the makeshift dance floor. The sound from the speakers filled the small room but was not overpowering.

A mix of old and new original songs, as well as covers from popular artists like Tool and Awolnation, populated the set list and demonstrated the group's ability to play many different styles of music. I was delighted to hear one of my favorite old songs, Cream's "Sunshine Of Your Love," and STT's own, "A Beautiful Lie," from their upcoming album, 'From Fight To Flight'. Other highlights included "Amnesia", "Sky High", "The End Of The World", "Within The Heart Of War", and the crowd-pleaser, "Party In Hell". The band played three sets with breaks in between, and at one point Phil did a humorous solo bit, covering Tenacious D and others. Jonny Ross twirled his drumsticks with flair and produced beats with speed and precision while his long hair shadowed his face. Ben Guiles excelled on lead guitar and played complicated riffs and smooth melodies. Bassist Eddie Roberts kept up a strong rhythm as he moved across the floor to jam with the other musicians.




The band's charisma and performance of their art entertained the crowd through the three-hour concert. Long-time fans sang along to the familiar tunes and new fans purchased copies of their current EP to catch up. I had a lot of fun and I'm looking forward to hearing the new album in its entirety and seeing another live show very soon.

*** A group photo with the band ended the night ***

You can catch Small Town Titans at Fat Daddy's in York on Friday, June 21 and at the CD Release Show at Tubby's Nightclub in Duncannon, PA on July 13. They will be unveiling their signature drink, The Titan Bomb, as well as playing songs from the new album and introducing new merchandise. Also check out the horror movie, 'Slew Hampshire', which features STT's song, "Party In Hell".

For more information on the band, visit their Official Website and sign up for their newsletter.


NRM 6/15/13

Hard Rock In Central PA

Although I usually report on concerts and events in Philadelphia, I’ve had many opportunities recently to attend shows in the area of Pennsylvania where I grew up. There are an impressive number of talented bands making their rounds through the York/Lancaster/Harrisburg nightclubs. The best thing about these small venues is that it doesn’t cost very much to get in and see a couple of live bands a night, around $5 – $25 for cover or a ticket. An intimate bar setting allows the band to interact with the audience during the show and chat between sets.

Read the rest of the article HERE


Originally published on Vivogig.com (Guest post) 10/2/12