GIOVANINA VANCHERI
Special to The Leader
A spooky event for a not-so-spooky cause.
Muldoon’s Pub in downtown Fredonia hosted Fright Night on Oct. 26 at 10:30 p.m.
The bands Previous Love, The Burkharts and Skulking Ghost all performed.
The event was hosted by HAIL! Fredonia Records, a group that brings Fredonia’s music industry program into the community. The club started hosting Halloween events in 2016.
This year’s function was even more special for Claire Dennehy, a senior music industry major and social media manager of HAIL! Fredonia.
She has participated in all three Halloween themed events the club has hosted. This was her first year as an e-board member of HAIL! Fredonia.
“It’s really exciting to see it all finally come together after over a month and a half of planning,” said Dennehy. “When I graduate, I hope the event continues to be as fun and successful as past years.”
Previous Love is an alternative rock band from Buffalo, NY. They have one EP released in 2017 that’s available on Apple Music and Spotify.
Their members include Steve Browne on bass, Gary Sheedy on vocals and John Perdue on drums. They are heavily influenced by 90s grunge and bands like The Cure.
Though they’ve performed at BJ’s in the past, Muldoon’s was a brand new venue to them.
“Nothing like a late night weekend show in a college town,” said Browne. “We love playing in Fredonia. People get it with music here.”
The Burkharts are an alternative/indie rock band based in Buffalo.
The band consists of Trevor Hodge on guitar (“and sometimes I dance,” he added), Luke Sampson on guitar, Austin Knorr on bass, James Wrobel on keyboard and Gavon Hodge on drums.
All of the members contribute vocals as well.
“[Our style is] a little psychedelic with some 70s influences,” said Hodge.
The group is originally from Arcade, NY.
Coming from a small town, they recognize the importance of performing local shows.
“It helps build a better following,” said Knorr.
“More people show up,” added Sampson.
“People appreciate the music more. They’ve never heard of you before, but they’re out there jamming like they’re your biggest fans.”
They’ve performed in Fredonia before at events such as the Local Lowdown and radio shows. However, this was their first time playing Fright Night.
They are currently working on a new album that should be out by the end of the month. They’re also going to be embarking on their first northeast tour this coming May.
Their music is also available on Spotify.
Skulking Ghost is a self proclaimed “local band for local people,” as stated in their Facebook bio. They are Fredonia-based and play “metalloid” (not quite metal, not quite not-metal) music.
Their members are Andy Pszonak on guitar, vocals and trumpet, James Sprecker on bass and guitar, Griffin Jones on guitar and vocals and Jonah Rosel on drums.
The best part about performing?
“Being able to play really loud music with our friends,” said Jones.
The event was open to those 21 and up and cost $4 to get in.
All of the proceeds gained went toward funding for Lend a Paw for Autism, another HAIL! Fredonia event in the Spring semester. Last year, this community walk raised over $3,000 to be donated to the Institute for Autism Research.
“[This] would not be possible if not for the funds we raise at our Fright Night event,” said Dennehy.