05/2014 Featured Band, May

JUSTUS

This month we have a newer band with a ton of experience and a pure LOVE of music. Most of these guys have been fixtures of Skook music for many years and have been on our page in other projects since day one. Missing Lynx, Wild Cat or Bwahaha they all brought that something special to music and the music scene. Outside of the band these guys give back with some of them being part of or teaching at the Tamaqua Community Arts Center (plug!). All these factors and so many more are the reasons we are proud to have JUSTUS be our new featured band of the month.

“Independent studies have shown that rock music played by skilled musicians can lead to dancing, good times and increased revenue for venue owners.” Results may vary.  

Justus refer to themselves are just some guys with a handful, or so, of guitars, a boomin’ drum kit and an attaché case full of blues harps. Justus plays them live. Justus plays them well. Real Rock and Roll Played Right.” Well said.

 Some of us are asking who are the men of Justus? Lead/backup Vocals & Lead/Rhythm Guitar is LeRoy "Buddy" Musselman, Lead/Backup Vocals & Blues Harp (Harmonica for the uneducated lol) by Jack Kulp, Doug Betz- Bass Guitar, Billy Frye drums

Buddy started playing guitar in 1971 and performed live for the first time at the age of 12. Coming from a musicial family this really isn’t much of a surprise. Eight years of guitar lessons/music theory and two years of vocal lessons prepared him for a wide variety of musical projects. Buddy started his professional career playing bass guitar in the Robert Hoppes Orchestra, Country Band and banjo in the Northeast Pennsylvania String Band before making the transition to rock. Over the last 3 + decades, Buddy has performed in several local bands such as, Holeshot, Midnite Rain, Missing Lynx (with our member Tom), Ground Zero, Firkin, 3AM, and like some of the others, Bwahaha plus he filled in with several accomplished Bluegrass bands over time. Buddy is currently the guitar/bass teacher at the Tamaqua Community Arts Center where he passes on the gift to young aspiring musicians and his philosophy that music is an extension of a musician's life and emotions. Music is a universal language, rejoice and be glad in it. May it comfort your soul... Anyone that sees Buddy play can see and feel that.

Jack’s musical career began in 1964 (before classic rock was classic) as a lead vocalist and blues harp player in Williamsport where he played for several rock bands before moving to Pottsville in the 70’s.  He says “The only reason I originally took up the blues harp was because I was the only guy in the band with free hands!” for the most part he has been performing ever since, most notably with Pinch, Essence, Ma Rutts, The Recaps, Ffogg, Kulprit, Coal Hole Soul, The Meat, Wildcat, 3AM, Bwahaha and currently he is part of the Sterling Koch Trio with our previous Featured Artist Sterling Koch (probably got that from the trio’s name). His musical philosophy is summed up as follows: “Playing is an obsession for me. There is only one feeling that surpasses making good music with good friends. I just can’t remember what it is! You can take the man out of the music, but you can never take the music out of the man.”

Mr. Betz got his first bass guitar in the early 80’s; it was a Zapp from Cunningham Guitar Company. After some time learning how to make noise he joined Forum. The summer of 1983 was the last time he played in a band for 30 years. In the late winter of 2012 he picked up that old four-stringed friend again and, with the help of a couple of really good teachers and friend,  one of whom is bandmate Buddy Musselman, Doug got back in the saddle and picked up some new skills. Doug joined Bwahaha in 2013 and was their bass player until the band disbanded late that year. Doug brings a love of The Who, Led Zeppelin, Neil Young, and The Clash to the band along with movie star good looks. He is the eye candy for the ladies (their words not mine lol). He looks forward to playing for you in the near future!

Billy Frye is the Drummer and youngster of the band. Born in 1975 (when many of the band was playing) he has always loved playing the drums (us too). He was in multiple bands before Justus, including Guilty Conscience, Never Satisfied & Bwahaha playing classic rock music. When his latest band disbanded in October 2013, he took a break, was then asked to join Justus with 4 great musicians.

Justus might seem like the new kids on the block but knowing where these guys have come from and where they go anyone can see that they are exactly what the music scene is all about and they sound and look nothing like Joey McIntyre or Donnie Wahlberg. At the end of the day these guys really do Justus to their craft.

Check out the guys at: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Justus/679812942036859

And their BFF Neal Norlike

You can see the guys at the Tamaqua Community Arts Center July 19th from 7-9. You can also go to pretty much ANY music related event at the center. I think Jack might live there for the amount of time he spends at the center.

Justus is booked through

Tamaqua Area Music Promotions.

We’re members of the Tamaqua Chamber of Commerce.

Contact Captain Jack at (570) 778-0624

or Kulpable@ptd.net.