Tom Kohn from the Bop Shop is organizing a Scorgies Reunion for Friday, November 21, 2008 at the German House, 315 Gregory Street.
The idea for this project came about late last year from several reminiscences with Danny Deutsch, Stan Merrill, and Don about Scorgies and Rochester’s thriving music scene of the time. It all started with a Jukebox and the rest was history. This Reunion celebrates those days and will recapture some of the great music that was so integral to the Rochester scene.
The stories that you can share will make some of the most interesting aspects of this Reunion.
Please take the time to read the blog and contribute your memories. And stop back often; people are adding stories nearly every day.
Here’s the Official Scorgies Reunion lineup: Personal Effects, New Math, and The Press Tones.
Doors will open at 7pm and the show will be 8-11pm. Get there early; it’s a great chance to catch up with old friends, many of whom are coming in from out of town. If you eat downstairs at The Keg, we recommend getting there quite early; in fact, it’s best to call for reservations. The bar will be open both upstairs and downstairs and we’ve assembled some things to see – reminders of the old scene we know you will enjoy.
Tickets are $20 in advance and $22 at the door. They are now on sale at The Bop Shop, 274 N. Goodman St., Abilene Bar and Lounge, 153 Liberty Pole Way, and The Keg, downstairs from The German House, 315 Gregory St.
Contact:
Tom Kohn/Show Producer:
The Bop Shop 274 N. Goodman St. Rochester, NY 14607
email
Vanessa Capogreco: Publicity & Production:
email
A portion of the proceeds from the Scorgies Reunion will go to Bop Arts Inc., a not-for-profit organization, dedicated to presenting live performances of new and traditional music in our community.

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September 25, 2008 at 9:27 pm
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October 22, 2008 at 9:26 pm
Stan the Man
Jim Havalack of Quality Transportation (and the former manager of the Chesterfield Kings) will be happy to assist out of town guests with their transportation needs, His email is qts@frontiernet.net and phone # 585-455-8294.
Call Jim with your flight information to arrange pick up or drop off at Rochester and Buffalo airports. Quality Transportation also provides solutions for large groups (Limos, Large Passenger vans and sedans).
October 30, 2008 at 6:01 pm
Rich
Good lineup for the reunion but make it GREAT and put The Cliches featuring J Laben and G Proud at the top of the marquee! Lets face facts. They were the most popular band playing at Scorgies back then and the members are still in Rolling Stones-type shape and ready to go! What gives?? Just for their omission, I’m boycotting. Harrrrummmphhh!
October 30, 2008 at 6:37 pm
Brian Goodman
Where’s the poster for the Reunion?
October 30, 2008 at 7:20 pm
Jlaben
Obviously, “Rich” is on some really good drugs.
I’m not saying that his comment is inaccurate in any way: Au contraire.
I’m just saying he must be high.
And wise.
October 31, 2008 at 12:19 am
Simon Ribas
If Jeff does show, we’ll bring him up for a few songs. We have a wheelchair ready, so it could be like Stephen Hawkins singing “Riverview,” although I don’t think the astrophysicist ever wore spandex.
October 31, 2008 at 8:05 am
Jlaben
The wheelchair sounds good. Maybe you could have it waiting for me at the airport. We’ll be in on the 20th.
Now if you could just do something about the alzheimers…I have trouble remembering lyrics these days.
PS. Who are you, again?
October 31, 2008 at 8:24 am
Simon Ribas
you’re cooking what for dinner now?
October 31, 2008 at 8:59 am
Stan the Man
Jeff…
I think Jim Havalack has a wheelchair lift that he could install in one of his vans. If you add a wine tour through the scenic Finger Lakes (tip of the hat to Quality Transportation!) to your Scorgies Reunion experience you won’t need to remember lyrics!
October 31, 2008 at 9:59 am
Jlaben
Stan; What, do you WORK for Havalack or are you just his PR agent?
He should be paying you for the “press releases” that you’re doing for him.
November 16, 2008 at 6:06 pm
Dave Nevin
I’m so glad I listened to “Whole Lotta Shakin’” on WITR today, because that’s how I found out about this reunion.
I’ll be there!
December 17, 2008 at 9:11 pm
Vicky Lee Crosta
Does anyone out there remember PASSENGER?
December 17, 2008 at 11:58 pm
TBackus
I remember PASSENGER (John Kralles band) – Does anyone remember THE DESERTERS? or THE DRONGOS?
December 18, 2008 at 10:26 am
Brian Goodman
I remember hanging out with the Drongos at Ashley Blacks house!!!
December 18, 2008 at 11:52 am
Stan the Man
The Deserters became Miche and the Anglos; Gary Holt joined the Colorblind James Experience and runs a recording studio in Mt. Morris (and has been at Buzzo’s since??)
December 18, 2008 at 7:32 pm
joe hendrick
I remember passenger and Vicky. What band were you in Vicky?
December 18, 2008 at 7:58 pm
joe hendrick
I remember Vicki (Scorgies bartender) being in that band with Mike Gladstone
the Uncle Plum and Atomic Swindlers guitarist.
December 18, 2008 at 9:08 pm
Vicky Lee Crosta
Mike Gladstone ‘uncle Plum’ Jon Gary ‘woddy dodge’ and I put together ONE TRACK MIND after I left PASSENGER. PASSENGER played Scorgies all the time. We even played at Scorge and Eileens wedding.
I was into Miche and the Anglos and I definitely remember the Deserters and the Drongos. AHHHHH the good ole day’s.
December 18, 2008 at 9:12 pm
joe hendrick
Sorry Vicky, I wasn’t sure you were in Passenger. Minds going. Yeah, I have since met Jon Gary the bass player.I don’t remember the Deserters or The Drongos but I liked Miche and the Anglos. He is still doing acoustic stuff and was on a WRUR interview recently.
December 18, 2008 at 9:42 pm
DJ Thurmie Thurm
Actually…
I was the original bass player in Passenger, but those Bastards sacked me cause I used to get all the Hot Girls.
Only Pete Best and I know how that feels.
December 19, 2008 at 11:06 am
Kevin DeHond
Thermie Thurm? LOL
Passenger I: Jim Tota (drums) Vinny Sita (bass) Kevin DeHond (vocals/rythmn) John Kralles (lead)
Passenger II: add Don “Doc” “Raydar” Howcroft (drums)
Vicky Lee Crosta (vocals) Frank Antonetti (percussion) and “Doug” on Hammond organ for a brief stint.
The original bass player for Passenger was Vinny Sita and he was
never sacked. He was the greatest thing since sliced bread on the bass!
Damien Gruber replaced him and yes he was good on the bass and
had a rather nice steady girlfriend. He was not sacked either.
If I remember correctly? But the girls found him “easy on the eyes”. LOL
The last bass player for Passenger was Lee Brovitz who started out
with Cyndie Lauper in Blue Angel back in the day. He was not sacked either.
The band just merged with Holy Smoke and became Resurrection.
Resurrection:
Michael “Chico” Tomaselli (bass) Richard Iman (vocals/lead)
Robby Silvast (keyboards) from Holy Smoke. Mark Snavely (vocal/lead) later replaced Richard and Rob moved to California.
Don Howcroft (drums) Kevin DeHond (rythmn/vocals) John Kralles (lead)
from Passenger.
Tony Rivera (vocals/percussion) John Pascarella replaced Doc on drums.
Both Passenger and Resurrection played Scorgie’s on a regular basis.
Even though we, admittedly, didn’t quite “fit the mold” of the “wave” and
straight ahead rock format for which Scorgie’s became famous, we usually packed the place.
And, if I am not mistaken, I believe that Resurrection was the band that
played Scorgie’s last live music night. Feel free to correct me on that one.
And, yes, Passenger did play Scorgie and Eileen’s wedding.
Apologies to Don for not becoming more involved in providing memorabilia
photo’s and copy for the site. Those days of working the bar and
playing at Scorgie’s hold many wonderful memories for me personally.
However, sometimes going back into one’s “life in a box” to retrieve the
pieces, reminds me how those memories and a dollar will only get me
a bus ride now? Some things are too beautiful to relive.
Sincere thanks to the two or three of you who remembered
us and spoke up loud enough to give us a mention on the site.
I was more than a little hurt to discover that these bands I sang in
were not considered to be quite as important in the historical memories
of Scorgie’s patrons as I had imagined they were in my delusions of grandeur. I had at least thought that people would remember
“The Rap Song” in which Passneger would poke fun at every style of band that ever played Scorgie’s including ourselves.
By the way, I truly believe that Scorgie’s holds the world record for Quervo Tequilla consumption in a single venue?
December 19, 2008 at 6:11 pm
Stan the Man
Kevin, the history we are writing here is one written by folks like you. I’ve been writing what I know and what people have sent me. What you’ve written is great! We need to see more of it. If you need any help getting posters and pics up, let me know. I’m sending you my contact info. Thanks for checking in! It sure beats shoveling!
December 19, 2008 at 8:38 pm
Vicky Lee Crosta
Thanks Kev for clearing that up! The rap song was always one of my favorites especially the verse you would throw in when we played Scorgies. Remember?
Vick
ps Stan, I have a ton of stuff also.
May 7, 2009 at 5:43 pm
virgil currence
from virgil, r i p gorden, never forget the past as it defines the future!