Mike Pelone.
The idea of being a local promoter of Do-It-Yourself punk, indie and hardcore shows is as humble and underwhelming as one would guess. You orchestrate the lineups for show and set dates. Usually then you reschedule dates, while re-orchestrating lineups. You deal with venue halls and of course deal with venue hall cancellations... until ultimately — if you luck out — you are able to put on a decent show.
It can be a very rewarding — perhaps stressful — practice that many people have gone through over the years around here. With an area so rich in music, it is hard for one to stand out amongst others and remain loved by absolutely everyone. There is only one person to ever stand out that much. That person stood out so much that he was able to book a show from beyond his grave. That person was our dear friend, Mike Pelone, and that show was ten years ago today.
With his passing in the summer of 2010, Mike rattled our souls. Shows weirdly had died down slightly in the area. This came as many bands were doing exciting things around the world and many of the area venues had stopped allowing shows to happen. The new crop of Lansdallions were still learning to play their instruments and waiting for the torch to be passed, so times were in a bit of a lull.
It cannot be emphasized enough that anyone and everyone that had played or attended shows in Lansdale from 2003-2010 was gutted by these times. Even people that absolutely hated each other were on the same page, without question, that Mike needed to be remembered. His viewing was one of the most packed events he would take part in planning — second only maybe to Sept. 4, 2010, the night of the last show he would ever book.
It was not a prearranged event left for his friends to enjoy him by. It was the opportunity for his friends to come together and do what he loved to do one last time: book a solid banger of a show in the VFW down the freakin' block.
The what, why and where were obvious: a memorial show for Pelone at his favorite venue. The when was the soonest available date, but the who was the most important part. Through a painstaking process of logistics, the lineup was secured: The Wonder Years, Bangarang, The Premier, Leavenworth, Ancestor and Rough Justice. That leaves the how, and the problem was that this was a show in a VFW and this lineup could have packed any of the center city Philly venues. So, creativity had to be utilized.
Details maybe should stay out of that, but just know that the venue was at about three-times capacity and a few very lucky fans of The Wonder Years and Bangarang got to hang with basically everyone the two bands had played for before they became so well-known. Lansdale native and good friend of Mike's, James Heimer, did the screen-printed posters for the show.
Local rock aficionado, Derek Calhoun, was able to secure the legendary Lansdale VFW for the occasion, as well as have his band Rough Justice open for the festivities. Wissahickon natives and high-school pals of Pelone's, Ancestor, were second on the bill. References to healthy and happy living were a common theme in the between-song banter that night. Ancestor vocalist Scott Muir gave the first of many heartfelt speeches about his friend. Lansdale's main purveyors of fun and violence, Leavenworth, took the third slot in the show. A mid-set hug from Mike's father with Leavenworth singer, Jason Grubb, was debatably the most wholesome moment of the entire night. Those three bands were the warm-up for the rest of the night... and their mission was accomplished.
By the time Bangarang started, the entire venue had erupted into a whirlwind of emotion and energy. This band had reunited after several years of being broken up, and the reason for the show was the only reason for the reunion. This was made clear by guitarist, Taylor Madison, in a vulnerable and honest tribute to our dear friend between songs. It was the best set Bangarang ever played, and we were all very lucky to witness it. Youtube has some footage from this set, and others.
The Wonder Years were experiencing a new world of achievement in music at the time. Touring internationally, having their first breakout album still flying off the shelves... the anticipation of them playing Lansdale again was high, and the set delivered. It was somewhere during this set that basically everyone started crying. Members of The Wonder Years switched some instruments around for The Premier's set, which was a continuation of lachrymal magnificence. The two sets bled together to paint a beautiful fair well to our friend. Like a painting being finished with the breathtaking colors of a sunset. The show painted a picture for us to remember him.
There will never be another Mike Pelone. It is with every show that has happened and every future local gig that he is remembered. To know Mike was an honor and to love him, a privilege.
Forgive. Never Forget.
See also:
Round Guys: Teaming Up With Headway Art Collective For ‘Artist In Residency’ Series
Pennbrook Middle School Production Of ‘Mary Poppins’ Cancelled Due To Coronavirus Concerns
Lansdale Artist, North Penn Grad Selected As Finalist For Pabst Blue Ribbon Can Art Contest
Tantric To Play The Underground In Lansdale This Spring
Exploring Underground Yoga With Sheriden Earle
