A Gentleman's Evening

Black tie? Check. Immaculate mustache? Check. High class cigar? Check. Euphoric music? Check.

This Friday, March 28th, is a special event at The Main Street Cafe. Not only is it an evening of all ages local music, but it is an evening of epic gentlemanly proportions!

From crooning to growling, the night will span the spectrum of suave. Here's a list of the class acts.

A Greener Shade of Blue (high-energy rock featuring flowing, ginger hair)

The Danger of Falling (faith-driven hardcore featuring the epitome of handsome five times over)

Timelines (acoustic-turned-mellow-rock jam band featuring a perfect mustache)

Culture Thief (eclectic experimental music featuring the voice of an angel)

Tomorrow to Forever (heartfelt acoustic-pop featuring well-groomed hair; I'm looking at you Grayson & Grace!)

A Gentleman's Sport (hard-hitting metalcore featuring courtly, yet fierce gentlemen)

It is a $3 admission fee. So fellas, here's an opportunity act smooth and find a lady and pay her way in! Doors open at approximately 4 p.m.

I could ramble on about how awesome the show is going to be, but what better way to truly preview such a night than to hear from the gentlemen and gentlewomen that are going to be putting on the event?

I reached out via Facebook and asked some band members, as well as the cafe's managers, the following questions:

1. What does it mean to you to be a gentleman?

2. How does a gentleman rock out?

3. What’s the most gentleman thing you’ve ever done/had done to/for you?

Check out some of the responses below!

Sissy Broadwater, manager of The Main Street Cafe

Q1: A man who is kind and attentive. Someone who's respectful of himself and others.

Q2: Like a sir! Haha in all seriousness, we've had a lot of gentleman perform at the cafe! They're the ones who come early to support all of the bands, the ones who come up and grab water for their band mates, who thank the venue and the people for coming out.

Q3: Some of you may not know this but I asked Daniel to marry me first. Daniel got to do the official proposal, but I was the first one to bring it up. I think that was pretty gentlemanly of me and Daniel too. 

Daniel Bonner, manager of The Main Street Cafe

Q1: A gentleman is a term that has lost its meaning over the years. Very few people now days are considered to be gentleman. To me, a gentleman is a man who is kind and courteous to everyone he encounters. Whether it be open a door for someone, helping someone carry their groceries, or simply smiling as someone passes them by.

Q2: A gentleman rocks out by putting on his Sunday best and supporting all the bands by buying merch, and standing right up front during all their sets.

Q3: I consider myself to be a gentleman. I may act like a crazy, bearded freak, but deep down I am truly a kind hearted person. Sometimes too kind. The most gentleman thing I have ever done? There have been too many time to pin-point any single time...lol.

Luke Smith, vocalist of The Danger of Falling

Q1: To be a gentleman to me, means being polite to grandma and smelling appropriate.. When in public.

Q2: A gentleman rocks out with a combover and classy shoes.

Q3: The most recent gentleman-like thing I've done was kill a spider for the ole lady.. She's terrified of 'em.

Tyler Wells, drummer of Timelines

Q1: So, being a gent means being classy, suave. Slick back hair and mustaches. Hah you know? Opening doors for lady's, pulling out chair(s). That's a true gentleman.

Q2: A gentleman rocker goes up on stage and DOES NOT act like a fool. Doesn't go up there, being all flashy and disrespectful and what not. He goes up on stage and gives the best performance of his life no matter how many people are there. A gentleman doesn't have to be flashy, a true gent goes up there and knooooows he's an awesome performer and doesn't need to be all show offy towards the crowd.

Q3: Most gentlemanly thing that's every happened to me is probably the one time this dude went out of his way to hold the door a little longer for me after he had already held it for his group and as I walked in I said "Preciate man" to which he replied to me, "No problem, man. That mustache is off the chain." This young man held the door for me, all cause he liked my mustache. True. Gentle. Man. Complemented me aaaaaand held the door. Take notes, fellas.

Grace Corley, vocalist of Tomorrow to Forever

Q1: First and foremost, I am a lady. To me though, being a gentleman would be using your skills and talents to help those around you while rocking an amazing mustache. ( I have yet to start work on my mustache, though I'm sure it'll happen any day now).

Q2: A gentleman rocks out by getting on stage and just having a good time. No matter the mistakes they may make, just get up there and continue on for the show, and never stop having fun.

Q3: It's hard to choose just one good act to show one being a gentleman. To me personally I'll always be thankful for my boyfriend Ben, whom has never stopped being a gentleman for me and goes out of his way to make everything just right. And while being in a band of mostly gentleman, I have seen them go out of their way as well to help me not only find my voice, but also get over my stage fright by getting me up on that stage and helping me to sing. It doesn't take much to become that of a gentleman or lady, it just takes simple acts of kindness to get you going on the right track.

This Friday isn't going to be something that you want to miss. Don your most elegant apparel and come out for an evening of fun, classy music. Dudes, slick your hair back if you feel so inclined. Ladies, do whatever makes you feel like a gentleman. Swap out your cigarettes for cigars and your band tees for button ups, and lets make this a night to remember!

(Of course, the whole gentleman theme is 100% optional. We won't judge you if you come in your day-to-day attire.)

Leave your own responses to the questions in the comments below!

The 5th Gear LIVE

This Saturday at The Main Street Cafe is going to be a good old fashioned rock show. The 5th Gear, a group of friends dedicated to churning out hard rock music, will be filling the air with powerhouse vocals and shredding solos.

What started out as five teenagers participating in Bandland's Rock Camp in the summer of 2013 grew to be an era-spanning rock band.

Although the five friends were in different groups at the camp, they knew each other. Three-fifths of the band are siblings.

Brothers Dylan, Riki and Franky teamed up with Kelsey Jeffries and Brandon Kennedy after the camp had ended to begin their own music venture.

Since the band's inception, it has been all speed ahead for The 5th Gear.

"We have played every month since we have formed," said Jeffries.

The band has performed in front of nearly 1000 people at the Court House Plaza for a Trick or Treat Bash, and headlined at Schmitt's Saloon, among other shows.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sC-Vy0KD4iY

If you close your eyes and listen to this group, you probably wouldn't expect them to all be in their teens.

Jeffries, 19, is the oldest member of the band, while Franky is just 12 years old. But don't let their age fool you, this group has a heart for rock and roll.

[caption id="attachment_235" align="alignleft" width="300"] (From left to right) Dylan, Franky, Brandon, Kelsey, and Riki make up The 5th Gear. Photo courtesy of their Facebook page.[/caption]

"I think each of us has a different era(s) we like and we just collaborated all of them together in making the set list and song choices," said Jeffries.

You can see what she means. Their set in the past has contained everything from Led Zeppelin to My Chemical Romance. They just want to perform music that people can rock out to.

So what can you expect this Saturday?

"You can expect to be ROCKED," Franky said, "We may be teenagers but are very serious about our music. We are not a kid band."

The quintet of rockers are confident in their ability to get a crowd moving. To see for yourself, stop by The Main Street Cafe this Saturday, March 22.

This is another free and all ages show, and it starts at 7 p.m.

Barracuda & What's Missing make their Clarksburg debut.

"Free music" are two words that look beautiful side by side. While some events will require an entry fee, we at The Main Street Cafe will always seek to provide the community with free shows whenever we can.

This Friday, March 21st, Barracuda and What's Missing will be making their debut in the Clarksburg music scene. While Barracuda has played several shows in the past year, this is What's Missing's first performance.

Although both bands could be labeled as "punk", the music they create takes its own, unique identity.

"I'd compare our sound to 50's rock played by a punk band," said Timothy Taylor, vocalist and guitarist of Barracuda.

He also used the word "garage-core" in reference to his band's music.

Their sound may seem familiar, as Barracuda includes two members from beloved local punk band, Dangerkat. Taylor and Jack Friend played guitar and bass respectively in Dangerkat.

For anyone that was around local music 5-10 years ago, the loud, unpredictable sets put on by Dangerkat never included a dull moment.

[caption id="attachment_194" align="aligncenter" width="300"] (From left to right) Nicholas Cooke, Timothy Taylor and Jack Friend of Dangerkat. Band photo courtesy of their Facebook page.[/caption]

As Dangerkat dwindled out about a year and a half ago, Taylor had already begun working on Barracuda. This new band was the next logical step to a more developed and dynamic sound.

"For me it's a lot like being in dk (Dangerkat), but more variety and maturity," said Taylor.

Taylor, as well as the rest of the band, is excited to give Clarksburg its premiere of Barracuda.

"It'll be a whole new crowd for us," said Taylor.

What's Missing also includes some recognizable faces. Vocalist and guitarist Zane Miller and drummer Matt Herrald handled the same duties in pop punk band Playground Mentality. Herrald is a busy man in the local scene. He plays drums for Of Existence and A Greener Shade of Blue, as well as bass for Get With It.

[caption id="attachment_207" align="aligncenter" width="300"] (From left to right) Matt Herrald, Zane Miller, Molly Ranhart and Aaron New of What's Missing. Band photo courtesy of their Facebook page.[/caption]

What's Missing, according to Miller, draws inspiration from early 90s grunge, pop punk and "emo revival" bands.

"It's kind of this mash-up of pop punk and some grungier indie stuff," he said.

Miller and Herrald are joined by guitarist Aaron New and bassist Molly Ranhart. New and Ranhart collaborated in an Elkins-based indie project entitled Cusique.

The members are excited for their first show, which has been a long time coming for them.

What's Missing formed half a year ago, in September of 2013, but certain factors have taken a toll on their productivity.

"We're all in college and at times we live an hour away from each other," said Miller.

Despite the setbacks, the four-piece pop punk outfit is prepared and excited to be on stage.

"It's a learning experience and it's truly one of those things that makes you feel alive," said Miller.

Joining What's Missing and Dangerkat is Tomorrow to Forever, melodic pop from Phillipi, as well as acoustic sets from Bradley Shaw and Ryan Glaspell.

With this being Barracuda and What's Missing's first show at The Main Street Cafe, show some love by rallying all your friends and coming out to this free evening of music. The cafe and all of the bands that have performed here recently have seen so much love and support from the community. Let's extend that same warm welcome this Friday and reinforce the statement that The Main Street Cafe is Clarksburg's premiere music venue.

Doors open at 6 p.m., and the show starts at 7 p.m. It is all ages and free admission.

Street parking is free after six.

Meet the Crew: Corey Hurley

May I introduce everyone to the wonderful Mr. Corey Hurley. Corey can't be labeled with one position. Since the kick-off show he has been all over the place being helpful and devoting his time and heart to The Main Street Cafe. Whether he is behind the bar serving customers, dancing with Sissy or on stage hyping up the crowd, Corey's charisma is infectious.

[caption id="attachment_172" align="aligncenter" width="645"] Corey Hurley, bartender and event host at The Main Street Cafe.[/caption]

What is your name and position at The Main Street Cafe?

I’m a little bit of everything. We’ll just go with house host and promoter.

Why did you get involved with The Main Street Cafe?

Well, because I love the fact that they were opening up a venue where we could actually come in and enjoy the music. First off, we live in Clarksburg and there’s nothing here and music is my life and it’s a nice place to come hang out and have fun and chill with your friends.

Favorite musician/band?

I like many, many, many styles of music and many artists. If I had to pick one I’d have to go with Queen. Freddie Mercury is my hero.

Favorite movie?

Perks of Being a Wallflower

Favorite drink?

I’d have to say a margarita. Anything with tequila in it.

What are you most excited about with The Main Street Cafe?

Eventually I’m excited about putting on theatrical shows, eventually. But I like the fact that I’m being introduced to bands I’v never heard. Like The Renfields, I’ve never heard of them until the kick-off show and I’m in love with them now.

(note: Corey is hoping to eventually put on a live production of The Rocky Horror Picture Show)

What has been your favorite memory of the cafe so far?

The kick-off show.

What is your dream for the cafe? 

I would like to see us get huge and be able to bring some big name bands in and have, like, a nice little concert. Anyone between Mayday Parade to, like, Of Mice & Men coming in and performing. That would be pretty kick ass.

You’re stranded on a deserted island. What are your three essentials?

My e-cig, my iPod and a book.

Which book?

Actually I would go with the one I’m reading right now because it’s pretty fantastic, Unhinged. It’s kind of a spin-off of Alice in Wonderland, but it's about somebody who further down the line is related to Alice and goes through the same stuff.

Leave everyone with your best bit of life advice.

Just stay positive and never give up on your dreams. Like, it takes forever, believe me, forever, but it happens.

Anything else the world should know about Corey Hurley?

That I’m freaking fantastic.

That you are Corey. That you are.

A week in preview.

The Kick-Off Show was just the beginning. This upcoming week is filled with a handful of exciting events at The Main Street Cafe.

There have been questions about the hours of operation for the cafe. Manager Sissy Broadwater responded to this on Facebook. Her post is below.

As of right now, we are essentially operating as an event center. Only open for business when we have something going on like a show, benefit dinner, or open mic. We have placed an order for our coffee supplies. When we get the shipment, figure out some recipes, and can provide a quality menu, we will officially be opened up for business as a full time cafe. I can't say when that will be, but we are working on it! Thank you guys for being patient but as they say, Disneyland wasn't built in a day. tee hee.

We appreciate any eager customers longing for that "Open" sign to be up on a regular basis. The time is coming soon!

For now, check out a preview for the events coming up in the next week.

Thursday, March 13th: Open Mic Night



Last Thursday the cafe held its first open mic, hosted by Fireside Soul, a local acoustic duo consisting of Josh Folmsbee and Daniel Nuzum. Talented musicians filled the night's air with well crafted melodies.

It was the first of many open mics that the cafe is holding. Every Thursday anyone will be able to come out and play music for a crowd.

If you're more of a listener, then come enjoy the music, drinks and food! There is no cover charge and we will be serving pizza, wings and hot dogs, as well as our wide selection of beer. You can also order food from Washington Square and have it delivered right to you.

So grab your guitar, keyboard, ukulele, or instrument of choice, and come jam out in a comfortable setting. Music starts at 7 p.m. and will go until approximately midnight.

After 10 anyone under 18 will need a parent or guardian accompanying them.

Friday, March 14th: Friday Night Fright

Zombie films may be a hot commodity right now, but nothing will beat the classic Night of the Living Dead. This Friday grab some friends and come out to the cafe to see the horror flick projected on our movie screen.

In addition to our normal food and drink menu, there will also be zombie juice (non-alcoholic), and graveyard pie (it's to die for).

This is a free, all-ages event. The doors open at 6, and the film will begin at 8.

Come get spooky with the cafe's crew.

Saturday, March 15th: Welcome To Die Tour

What's that sound? Oh, it's just the sound of hook-laden punk bands cranking the volume up to 11. Johnny B. Morbid, a touring horror-punk band from New Jersey,is being supported by three local acts.

Fellow horror-punk act and local scene legends The Renfields are joining Captain Catfeesh (Appalachian punk) and Get With It (raucous pop/punk-core) in an evening packed full of loud, energetic music.

Admission is $5, a low price to pay for all of the exciting music that is being presented. The show is all ages.

If you want to mosh, headbang or watch eccentric stage antics, then grab some friends and come rock out.

Monday, March 17th: Green Grub and Irish Pub, Waldo Hotel Preservation Society benefit dinner

It's not the first time that The Main Street Cafe has teamed up with the WHPS. The organization dedicated to saving and reviving the historic Waldo Hotel in Downtown Clarksburg will be hosting an Irish-themed night of food and entertainment.

This is an all-day event, starting at 11 a.m. There will be musical performances, including an open mic. Tickets can be bought at the door for $10.

The menu includes the following: corned beef, cabbage, potatoes, carrots, brick bread and a drink. Cash bar will also be open.

Come support a local community and let out your inner-Irish.

There will be more concerts and events coming later in the month. Keep up with us on Facebook and don't forget to tell all your friends about the awesome things happening here at The Main Street Cafe!

A note from the blogger.

Hey readers of the blog! Ryan here. I just wanted to spew some of my immense gratitude in lieu of the incredible show on Friday.

I started playing live music about five years ago. I remember playing at School Square Gym in Shinnston with my first band, The Hawaiian Toastmasters. Despite our less-than-stellar music and the crappy acoustics of the room, it was an incredible time. 150-200 kids came to check out that show.

Throughout those early years there was a consistently strong show of people that would come out to gyms and fire halls to support local music. But then something weird happened. People stopped caring.

Musicians feuded with each other. Owners of fire halls and gyms quit letting these "rowdy teenagers" make loud noises. The community stopped listening. Apart from a couple dozen people crowding into basements, the scene was struggling. Bands had to go to different counties just to have people listen to them perform music.

The occasional show at the random community building wasn't enough to be called a thriving "scene". It was more like a snippet. There were hardcore shows every now and then, but even those looked like some metal-loving kid's small birthday party.

Things didn't look good, but then last Friday happened.

It was something I couldn't have even dreamed of. When I saw that over 100 people said they were attending on Facebook I thought they surely wouldn't show up. It has happened nearly every time. More people kept talking about it, though. My newsfeed was nothing but "Kick-Off Show" fliers. Then kids started pouring in through the Main Street Cafe's doors like Moses was leading them out of Egypt. My heart starting pounding with joy.

This is really happening.

I normally get nervous when performing in front of people. It doesn't matter if I've played dozens of shows, it just happens. But when I stood in front of the 130-some people to share my music, not a limb of mine was shaking. I didn't feel nervous. I felt home.

Friday was so much more than a show with a good turnout. It was the community coming together and saying, "We believe in this."

I believe in it too. I believe in Daniel and Sissy. I believe in the ridiculously talented musicians. I believe in every person who took the chance and stepped through those doors.

So THANK YOU. Thank you for allowing me to experience the absolute best local show I have ever been to. The atmosphere of Friday's show far exceeded anything that could have been put on when I was playing poorly composed punk music in high school. Let's make this an amazing place. It's already got an amazing place in my heart. I want it to have an amazing place in yours too.

Thanks for reading.

The scene is back. (Kick-Off show recap)

Over 130 people are estimated to have packed out the Main Street Cafe last Friday night.[/caption]

"In my dream world I was like, I'm gonna walk in the back door with my equipment, and this place is gonna be packed. And then I woke up in the car, got out with my equipment, and the place was packed," said Craig Debastiani of Culture Thief on The Tightened Wig's podcast.

Debastiani wasn't the only one who felt like he was entering into a dream last Friday as the kick off show went underway. Anyone who was on the fence about the Main Street Cafe being able to bring people together and give the music scene a much needed boost are able to get rid of their qualms.

The show went better than anyone could have thought. At least 130 music-craving people off all ages came to downtown Clarksburg to take part in the biggest local show that Clarksburg has seen in a long time. Talent was overflowing as solos were shred and choruses were shouted. The crowd danced, moshed and held lighters high as each band brought something different.

Enjoy a recap of the show below, including photos and thoughts from attendees.

Thoughts from the crowd. 

"I’ve been to lots of local shows and this was a totally new experience. Every person who attended the show exuded such a wonderful energy, and it lit up the room. It’s corny, but I have to say that it was truly a magical night. The connection was undeniable and I really feel that it was just a small glimpse at the great things that are to come in this town." - Sissy Broadwater, manager of the Main Street Cafe.

"I feel as though the kick off show wasn't just kicking off the new management of the cafe, but it was kicking off a new music scene, where the local music can come alive again. And this show definitely has started the local music uprising in West Virginia." - David Smith, guitarist for Tomorrow to Forever.

"I left that show satisfied, it was like being at an old 2007 rec center show. The bands all impressed the shit out of me, even the Allied Brothers. Timelines and Culture Thief blew my mind, The Renfields always leave me entertained, and all the other bands had great sets. I look forward to playing here [Greg is in Get With It!] and seeing more shows here as well. Congrats to Daniel and Sissy for doing a great thing to this dead city." - Greg Tassos, attendee and local musician.

"My sister, who has Down Syndrome, has recently become interested in going to live shows and I felt more than comfortable bringing her to this one! Super-late shows, the bar scene, and huge, over-crowded venues just aren't the right atmosphere for her, but last night was perfect! She told me that last night was the best night of her life, and she meant it! Please, please keep shows like this coming!" - Krista Toth, attendee (shared on Facebook).

"Personally I thought that show was the best there had been in a very long time. This music scene needed a serious pick-me-up and I thoroughly believe that show was the beginning of a great new era for this scene. Very welcoming, to say the least for my mates and I after being away from everything for so long. Keep up the good work and A Gentleman’s Sport will always be there for anything you guys need." - Jeremiah Price, guitarist for A Gentleman's Sport.


Dick Ramsses and Dr. Herbert Von Renfield IV of The Renfields pose with some dedicated fans. Credit: Feathers Fall Down photography

The Abominable Vincent Renfield gives his ghoulishly handsome smile. Credit: Feathers Fall Down photography

Jamie Lee Renfield, freshly back from the unknown, massages Dick Ramsses while he churns out face-melting punk riffs. Credit: Bethaney Wallace

Tyler Rieser and Daniel Mosley from Of Existence scream out some impassioned post-hardcore. Credit: Aaron New

Tomorrow to Forever serenaded the crowd with melodic, heartfelt pop. Credit: Aaron New


The Allied Brothers brought some hearty southern rock to the evening of tunes. Credit: Aaron New


Ryan Glaspell provided acoustic jams in between sets. Credit: Aaron New


Daniel Ludwig, bassist of A Greener Shade of Blue, contributed to the band's lively set with riveting tambourine playing.


Neil Wallace (left) and Craig Debastiani (right) joined the rest of their Culture Thief bandmates in providing sexy, innovative jam music. Credit: Aaron New

Head to our website to check out more photos from the show, and if you have any that you'd like to share please send us a message on Facebook.

The Main Street Cafe would like to give an enormously huge thank you to every single person that came out to the show. Whether you were playing, listening, or helped making the event happen, we are deeply grateful for your support. We couldn't exist without the support of the community. Please continue to support us. This is your cafe. Grow with us.

Leave your thoughts and experience from the show in the comments below!