So … Pasadena. They’ve been around for a bit and know a thing or three about a thing or three. They also recently welcomed Joe Hatcher, formerly of the Knolly Moles, on board to play a little horn here and there. And he’ll be doing just that Friday night as The Pasadena Band takes Boonsboro’s Stage House stage with Bumpin’ Uglies, Secondhand and the Slim Jimmies. We recently caught up with Joe – along with singer Joe Harkum – to talk about their upcoming cruise with Flogging Molly, who they’ve been listening to lately, and what we can expect from their performance tomorrow night in Boonsboro.
I see you guys are doing a Flogging Molly cruise in March – how did that come about and how excited are you? That seems like a pretty fun opportunity.
We’ve done a similar music cruise in the past with our brothers in Bumpin’ Uglies a few years ago, and they are a ton of fun! We are especially honored and excited to be on the Flogging Molly cruise because we are fans of the band and have toured with them in the past.
Joe Hatcher, you used to be in The Knolly Moles; can you talk about some differences between the bands, both good and bad?
The guys of Pasadena are professionals when it comes to shows and getting on the road. They have a great team, good support, diehard fans, and a desire to help spread the music and the brand. They are on the level that the Knolly Moles wanted to get to, but were never able to get to.
What’s your perception of the Maryland music scene currently?
Maryland has one of the best music scenes we have seen in all of our years of touring. There is more camaraderie here than the bigger markets and it feels like we’re all in this together – not as competitors.
Who are some of your major influences and why?
Johnny Cash, Dave King, Citizen Cope to name a few. Honest lyrics written for regular people, backed by a good band!
Can you give us names of some bands we need to check out that we maybe haven’t seen yet? Who are you listening to the most these days?
Skribe, Pressing Strings, Joe Pug, Jason Isbell, Ray Wroten, Bumpin’ Uglies.
In addition to the shows that you guys already have announced, what does 2017 hold for you?
In the new year, we will be putting out a new record!
And, of course, what can we expect from your show at The Stage House?
The show Friday is with our brothers Bumpin’ Uglies. We have some songs we do together and we have been touring with these guys for years. It’s always a little more lively when we play with them! We’re excited to be in the area; we don’t get to play out in Western Maryland that often anymore. We love the people out there – they know how to party!
