Locals RFA, Dominy, and Hotbed All Debut New Songs At JB's Halloween Show

Johnny Brenda’s hosted the ultimate hometown Halloween gig on Thursday, and if you weren’t there to catch RFA, Dominy, and Hotbed, you missed one of the best local shows that I’ve been to in a long time. 

Hotbed, photo courtesy of @NJFresh

Hotbed, native to Philly and Newark, DE, is still coming down from the release of their debut LP, Florence, earlier this spring. It blends the best of their amalgam of sounds - rock, pop, dance, and surf - and integrates singer and lead guitarist Jake Wipf’s smooth but rough-around-the-edges vocals strategically between layers of synthetic filters and heavy but delicate rock tracks. Bassist Jonathan Diehl is a notable force in the rhythm section, and his grooves take the lead and work intricately with drummer James McKenney and keyboardist Kevin Kruelle.

Hotbed, photo courtesy of @NJFresh

Their set was unsurprisingly amped up from what their recorded work sounds like. These guys jam hard and it was such a fun first live experience for me. They played an intimate rooftop gig for Sofar Sounds Philadelphia earlier this month, and the way they’re able to switch effortlessly between stripped down and very plugged in is a total testament to the versatility each band member has as unique artists. All but two of their songs at JB’s were pulled from Florence, and they threw in a new untitled track toward the end. I love when bands totally fall into the moment of where the song is right now and watching Hotbed play is exhilarating. Their energy is consistently high and they’ll make sure you can’t stand still while you watch. I’m excited for what’s to come. The whole band are recent graduates of the University of Delaware, so they have nothing but time on their hands to get to work on LP 2.

Dominy, photo courtesy of Michelle O’Donnell

Dominy played second on the bill, and their indie-Americana sound was a major shift in tone (but not energy) after Hotbed’s set. They pulled from all of their full-length releases (Wet Leather, Dry Pleather, and Drugstore Cowboy) and transitioned easily between classic country and hard rock while peppering their set with sardonic humor. The whole band was decked out in costumes, and I’m going to petition to send singer John Dominy to the World Series with the Phillies uniform he sported onstage. Another notable outfit: Alex Dominy’s vintage track star look. (No, the shorts weren’t too short). 

John Dominy, photo courtesy of Michelle O’Donnell

Dominy thrives in a space somewhere between sweet, crooning vocals paired with dripping guitar riffs and heavy-hitting drums. They’re sound is uniquely their own, never falling too deep within one genre or another. They’re another high-energy group, something that you’ve gotta be if you’re playing for an excitable bar crowd. JB’s did a good job on this lineup because I don’t think I was still for a moment. Memorable Dominy tracks included the nostalgia-infused “God Left Us Locked Up in a Hot Car,” and the appropriately edgy opener “Belly of the Beast.” You can catch Dominy in Atlantic City with Dry Reef and Soraia on November 1st.

Brendan McHale of RFA, photo courtesy of Michelle O’Donnell

The crowd was plenty warmed up when RFA hit the stage, and they surpassed the title of “local up-and-coming rock band” long ago. These guys are Philly staples, and they consistently prove that they’ve earned their place high up within our scene by near-nonstop touring and killer new releases. Most of their set was new songs from their upcoming LP, date TBD. They told the audience that they’re currently in the studio, and teased us with “Chinatown,” “Year of the Dog, “Something Tells Me,” and plenty of others. The new sound is heavier than the classic, smooth and sweet garage rock sound we’ve come to love them for. RFA seems tighter than ever and their new songs blend seamlessly into their discography. The room was filled to absolute capacity while they played, and fans shouted back the lyrics to “Farewell,” which is always an indescribable and exhilarating feeling to both the band and the audience. They, of course, played all of their hits, including “Goodbye Stranger,” “Teenage Love Song,” and “Suzie Lee,” and reminded the crowd that change - for the better - is on the horizon with this next impending release. 

Dan Cousart of RFA, photo courtesy of Michelle O’Donnell

Shows like this just continue to prove to me that Philly is always going to be the place. Local bands with so much promise are my favorite thing about our music scene, and a gig that brings them all together like this is the reason that I’ll never stop showing up.