Molly Carl
Assoc. Arts & Culture Editor

It was miserably dreary and unseasonably cold, but suboptimal weather didn’t dampen the spirits of the attendees of Rock the Dock 2014 on Sept. 13. This Second Annual mini music festival took place at the loading dock of the Winter Visual and Performing Arts Center and featured performances from local bands as well as the Brooklyn-based headliner, Red Baraat.

The eclectic sound of Morse Coda had the crowd up and dancing at the 2nd Annual Rock the Dock music festival.
The eclectic sound of Morse Coda had the crowd up and dancing at the 2nd Annual Rock the Dock music festival.

The show opened with the Philadelphia based band, the Nocturnal Jocks, or NOC JOX. Founded in Jan. 2012, the band is comprised of Kevin Fulmer, James Ashford, Steve Mea, and Drew Drevyanko who describe their sound as an “eclectic mix of influences… from 80s pop ballads to rhythm and blues jams.”
Second up was Millersville-based Crisscross Albatross performing for the second time at Rock the Dock, with Aaron Rodden on guitar and lead vocals, Collin Brough on bass guitar, and Luke Helker on percussion. Founded in Sept. 2012, they define their style as Soul-Punk-Psyche-Funk.

This year, their setlist included “Happy Birthday,” “Burrito Torpedo for the Guido in a Speedo,” “Son of a Fisherman,” “Happy Pills,” “Jibber Jam No. 3,” and a cover of the Talking Heads song “Burning Down the House” which featured Jeff Grey and AJ Ortiz from Kid Cousin on saxophone and guitar, respectively.

Astronauts Really Fly mixed rock and hip-hop to form a unique sound.
Astronauts Really Fly mixed rock and hip-hop to form a unique sound.

Next up was Astronauts Really Fly, a Philadelphia-based group who is trying to “stretch the musical mold and break down the barriers between Rock Pop and Hip-Hop.” Mont Brown, lead MC, and Andrew Migliore, lead vocalist, guitarist, and producer spearheaded the group, accompanied by: Pace-O Beats, vocalist and producer; Joey Stix, drummer and producer; Art, saxophonist; Chuck Keys, bassist; and DJ Mike Lowry. The band name was conceptualized from inspiration the bandmates gleaned from Guion Bluford Jr., a West Philadelphia native who was the first African-American to travel into space.

The final opener was Morse Coda, based in the Lancaster/Harrisburg area. The band members include, “The absurdly talented Ben Young on bass, John Bonham’s illegitimate son Brian Doherty behind the drums, Jimmy Page and John Frusciante’s love child Ryan Nicholls on lead guitar, and the melancholy howls of singer/songwriter Michael James Stipe on vocals.”

Founded in Jan. 2012, they describe their music as having “huge sound, sweeping dynamics, and raw emotion.”

Red Baarat describes their unique sound as “a merging of hard driving North Indian bhangra rhythms with elements of jazz, go-go, brass funk, and hip-hop.”
Red Baarat describes their unique sound as “a merging of hard driving North Indian bhangra rhythms with elements of jazz, go-go, brass funk, and hip-hop.”

Finally, after much anticipation, Red Baraat took the stage and put the ‘rock’ in Rock the Dock, much to the satisfaction of the crowd. Formed in 2008, the eight piece group has gained popularity worldwide for its singular sound, described as “a merging of hard driving North Indian bhangra rhythms with elements of jazz, go-go, brass funk, and hip-hop.” The band is comprised of: Sunn Jain, Dhol and MC; Rohin Khemani, percussion; Tomas Fujiwara, drums; Mike Bomwell, soprano saxophone; Sonny Singh, trumpet and vocals; MiWi La Lupa, bass trumpet and vocals; Ernest Stuart, trombone; and John Altieri, sousaphone and rap. While the band has two full-length studio albums, when performed live their songs take on a whole new life, reaffirming the band’s agenda to “manifest joy and unity in all people.”

It would be remiss to not recognize and give thanks to the people who were responsible for organizing the entire event. Jeff Grey, a student intern working at the Ware Center office, worked alongside Stacy Rutherford to ensure the event came together.

Andrew Migliore on guitar and Art on saxophone aid to the funky sound of Astronauts Really Fly.
Andrew Migliore on guitar and Art on saxophone aid to the funky sound of Astronauts Really Fly.

Logan Wood served as the Front of the House sound man, as well as being the one responsible for organizing and putting the event together over a year ago. He had assistance for the rigging from Stephanie Witman who also ran lighting.
The monitor board was run by Sheldon Smith, technical operative representative. Also assisting were three student workers, Milk Wiltraut, David Hassler, and Jeff McKinnon.

Rock the Dock was hosted by the Center for Student Involvement and Leadership and made possible through its sponsors.