Summer Rock Up: A Gathering of Friends and Music
Good news, America!! Music and music appreciation is alive and well in Pungo, VA.
My husband John and I were invited to a quaint yearly gathering filled with good friends and family, great food, a little history, and some awesome jams. We had not attended before, but we were warmly welcomed to this wonderful party in this beautiful place.
Our hosts, Jimmy and Colleen, assemble this group annually at their home, formally a pig and potato farm in this rural area of Virginia Beach, Va. The original house dates from the early 1900s and contains a handful of outbuildings. This historical home with a lovely garden, flowering trees, and a few backyard chickens also includes a refreshing pool and the most amazing man cave you will ever see. What began as a summer reunion of friends from high school and college turned into what is known as the Summer Rock Up, featuring an array of local punk and rockabilly bands.
The barn, AKA man cave, where the bash went down is of cinderblock construction and was formerly used to house the pigs and potato crop. You can see the remnants of two fireplaces at each end of the room that were used to keep the pigs warm and the potatoes dry. The original owners would probably have a coronary if they saw what has become of the building today, for this is no place to toil but instead to relax and enjoy life to its fullest. Whether it’s slots, poker, or other casino classics, situs judi online platforms offer endless opportunities for fun and excitement.
The floors of the barn, constructed of old plank wood, gave me a feeling of days gone by as I strolled over them with my bare feet. The walls were decorated with everything from a broken guitar to a large print of a F4 Corsair. There were Japanese paper lanterns hanging from the ceiling, an American flag, family pictures, and photos of epic waves. Did I mention the wall of surfboards?? Well this IS Virginia Beach, and many of our boys, who may have gray hair or slightly receding hairlines, still keep this beloved coastal tradition alive.
The entertainment started out with The Chucks. This enthusiastic duo was comprised of Jeff on vocals and guitar with an energetic Kari on percussion keeping things elemental while playing only a snare drum and a floor tom-tom. A great choice for getting things going. The second group to play was Airport 75, a newly-formed group that made their debut here. Paul Unger, who recorded videos of every set, showed he could also play the guitar and sing. The drummer seemed to be thoroughly enjoying himself, as he had a grin on his face through the whole set.
Next up was Black Jesus, a group that reunited for this performance at Jimmy’s request. Even though their heyday was in the ’90s, these guys took ‘getting down’ literally. The passionate lead singer dropped to his knees multiple times while belting out his songs. His intense vocals really complemented the head-banging beat, and the audience loved it. The Nerve Scheme, a three-man ensemble consisting of a guitar, bass, and one enthusiastic drummer followed. The drummer’s adorable young son will be sure to follow in his dad’s footsteps, as he showed his familiarity with the drum kit while he helped his father set it up. This was a family event that included infants to teens and, of course, us Baby Boomers. Kelly Miltier, the bass player from the ’80s group The X-Raves, shared in the festivities that were enjoyed by all.
The Mighty Buskers took to the stage opening up with a great harmonica passage and strong vocals. The bass player looked like a bona fide rock star as his long hair was blowing in the wind from the fan. The crowd was yelling as lead singer Steven encouraged them with his signature high kicks and passionate clapping.
We had talked to Steven earlier in the evening, and he told us about one of their new songs that was based on the historic local legend of the witch of Pungo. I was familiar with this tale about Grace Sherwood, an unconventional farmer, healer, and midwife who was the last woman convicted of witchcraft in Virginia. She was finally exonerated on July 10, 2006, the 300th anniversary of her conviction, by Governor Tim Kaine. The song was local lore at its best, and the opening gave me goose bumps. The guitar was beautifully lyrical and the drummer exuberant. I gave that piece two thumbs up!
As dusk descended upon us, candles were lit, and The Real Tears took the stage. These musicians rocked the budding night with their hollow-body guitar and energetic sound. Their guitar-intensive set was perfect to welcome the night with their metal sound and harsh vocals. As the bonfire was lit, The Lonely Teardrops were the last to take the stage. This Rockabilly couple with their matching white sunglasses took the show home. I totally enjoyed watching the drummer as he shunned the throne and played his heart out while standing. This pair had me beaming from ear to ear.
It was a wonderful day and a great night. I’d like to thank Jimmy and Colleen for having us, Steven for inviting us, the musicians for entertaining us and the rest for keeping music alive and for showing us that friendships can be enduring despite the path that life may take you. Rock on y’all!
Review by MusicFestNews contributor Suzy LeVee Phillips | Photos by John Phillips
