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Featured Band:
R.A.T.L.
Featured Artist:
John Pe-We Damiter
In 2009 a new band hit the area, a band of energy, experience and talent. Like so many other bands in the area, their talent, energy and incredible shows is why our new featured band for July 2014 is the phenomenal, R.A.T.L.
Something you don’t see too often today is a “classic rock” band. R.A.T.L. brings those songs we all loved years ago back again but still brings today’s great music, add some country, funk and even some polka and that is a recipe for a great music. For more than 20 years the members have been Skook Musicians. The band consists of 3 original members that had been in a band together previously and added that one little thing that very few bands have, a father/daughter mix.
R.A.T.L. left the garage for the music scene between Mt. Carmel and Shamokin. Amanda, who had been retired but we all know how long a Skook musician can stay out of music, was talking to her dad Phil one day and said, “You should probably come out of retirement and come play with us, or at least come hang out at a practice.” A week later, Phil Krebs, a known fixture to local music, came out of retirement also and joined the band as a second guitar player. This freed up Amanda to take on more instruments and adding much more to their shows.
About a year later, in 2011, lead guitarist Ted became ill, and had to give up playing. To this day he is still greatly missed but can still be seen in the crowd now and then. This was the worst time for the band. That leads us to the present lineup.
Amanda Krebs - Lead Vocals, Rhythm Guitar, Keyboards, Mandolin, & Flute.
From the day she could walk and talk, Amanda was a musician. There was no doubt that this was what she would be doing with her life. Hailing from Coal Township, Amanda brings you the vocals from the raspy rock of Janis Joplin and Melissa Etheridge to a haunting version of "House of the Rising Sun". Amanda credits her musical talents to her Dad and fellow band member and her Mom for dealing with the many instruments that were brought home through the years, and thanks her local musical influences, including Rusty, Jeff, Bob, Chris and Rick from Hybrid Ice, The Badlees, Geof Levan, Harpo and so many others. Amanda enjoys performing and takes "Diva" as a compliment! (Personal note: I have personally had the pleasure to see Amanda perform some years ago at an open mic and to say she’s talented would be almost an insult. She doesn’t have blood she has music moving through her. There isn’t any room for regular blood.)
Phil Krebs - Lead & Rhythm Guitar, Vocals and Mandolin
Phil, a career bass player since the 70’s, has had the pleasure to play in bands like Hydra, BackTrack, and Phoenix. Mr. Krebs decided to try something different and picked up the lead guitar job. Now three years later he has never looked back. He not only brings the lead guitar for every song, but lead vocals now and then. Phil has said many times, he not only enjoys playing in a band, but getting to be in a band with his daughter makes it even better!
Ron Berresford - Bass Guitar,& Background Vocals
Ron adds those rocking bass lines and incredible background of the band R.A.T.L. Listen up for those driving bass lines in some of those great classic songs such as "Black Magic Woman" and "White Rabbit" the backbone of all that R.A.T.L. has to offer. As if kicking butt on the bass wasn’t enough, Ron adds his great voice to the background to fill those vocals of the band.
Lynn Erney - Drums and Vocals
Erney comes from Mt. Carmel, brings the versatile rhythms to R.A.T.L. Much more than a drummer, Lynn adds all styles of beats for "Gunpowder and Lead" and "Time of the Season". Like everyone else in the band Lynn adds background vocals to the show. Erney is the drummer so it’s no wonder that Lynn brings the comedy to R.A.T.L.
No band would be complete without their crew and R.A.T.L. is no different. Chuck Haertter is the band’s Sound and lights guy. Chuck has been part of the family for the last two years. He says he can't play an instrument and he only sings in the shower, but wanted to be in the music scene. From day one, the band wasn't going to let him go. Chuck has brought an element to the band they didn't have before, allowing them to concentrate on playing instead of what the sound and lights would be like.
No matter where you see the band play one thing is for sure. You’ll be leaving dizzy from the ground shaking and the heavens R.A.T.L.”ing!
Keep up to date with them online at www.RATLrocks.webs.com on Facebook at www.facebook.com/RATLrocks or see some of their live shows on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLvWjuO5wRTilPs4ogm47Ow
Taking a small break after a very very busy summer, you can see R.A.T.L.
They say that James Brown was the hardest working man in show business. That may be true but it also might just be because people don’t see the musicians of Skook. One of these men that are out there playing day in and day out and doing a HELL of a job at it is our Featured Artist for July/August. John Pe-We Damiter.
Pe-We, a native of Skook has been playing music for almost his entire life, starting in 2nd grade. Like some musicians John had the support of his parents, getting a drum kit (not the instrumental choice of parents, mine included). Next Damiter ventured further learning organ (a Magnus, air driven chord organ none the less). Finally the day had come for his journey with the guitar including lessons from Musicland’s Father Ted. There are a few limitations to music lessons from the clergy and John hit this problem. Father Ted wouldn’t teach some of the songs Pe-We wanted to play so the next step would have to be made and Damiter starting with Dick Bindi and “that cool cat taught me how to jam” right from John’s mouth. At one point Pe-We spent time learning from Sammy Koury (“another cool cat”). Damiter was mesmerized by Sammy’s versatility. John wanted to jam more and more so finding class mates and others was the next natural step.
His first 3 piece band in high school was “Bingo”. Like all “first” bands it showed him what he wanted to do and how many other great musicians there were in the area. Sterling Koch, Jack Kulp, Liz Fabian, Mark Mahal, Bob Jenkins, Jim Juranis, Bill Lindenmuth and countless other (John wanted to apologize for the others out there that he didn’t name but you know who you all are). Like many of us John played in countless cover bands over the but found that getting together with other musicians, to just jam is where he wants to be doing.
Damiter has had the distinct pleasure to have shared the stage with some of the absolute best there is including (name drop time) the "All Star Band" with Joe Jordan , Mike Macker , Kim Burns ,Vinnie Kalochie, Jim Semanis , Dale Kaufman , Frank Blazer ,Renee Gubala,Edju Michalik, and last but not least, my favorite bunch of amigo's The boys from "Tucker Young" Karp, Schotty, Wap & Chico .
Not too long ago Pe-We got injure and was unable to do his “day job” for a time. He took this time to expand his music and solo work appearing first at the Open mic night at the Greystone, Pottsville. He
“limped in with the help of a friend and was introduced to Steve Foltin and the Boys Upstairs. I had such a great time with them along with a super sax player Mike McCready, and Whoomp there it is”
Many people in the public don’t think of how hard it is to get the chance to play in a venue for the first time. Venues are taking a gamble with new artists and this fact didn’t leave John’s mind over the years. He would like to thank the venues that supported him and took a chance on him and so many other Schuylkill Country Musicians (in no special order) The Greystone , Maroons Sportsbar , Vito's Coal Fired Pizza , The Wooden Keg , Fast Franks , Jimmy O's Sportsbar and Tom & Sandy Burns from the Club Paparazzi.
“I am proud to be a Schuylkill Musician. Come on out to hear my show. Make sure to let me know that "Schuylkill Musicians" sent ya. (do we get free drinks?) Peace, rock on, live your dream.” John Pe-We Damiter
Keep up with John at his Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/johnpewe.damiter?ref=br_tf
And come see him at his following dates
August Dates: Sunday 3rd St. Josephs Parrish Picnic Frackville 6 to 8
Thursday 7th. The Greystone Pottsville 5:30 to 7:30
Friday 15th. “Vito’s Coal Fired Pizza” St. Clair 8 to 11
Friday 22nd. “The Mineshaft Ashland Pa . 7 to10
Saturday 30h Private Party
September Dates: Saturday 6th Private Party
Saturday 13th F.A.M.C. Pigroast….. open to public
Friday 19th. The Greystone Pottsville 8 to 11
Saturday 27th Private Party
Sunday 28th Sean Mettam Memorial Motorcycle Run .. St. Clair Fish & Game 12:00 to 6:00 open to public $15 per person .. ( run starts at 1:00 ) Bikers welcome. Support Your Local Flying Aces !
Booking info: 570-590-4839 or facebook : John Pe-We Damiter e-mail : allman11@verizon.net
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