Tape Swap Radio’s concert series returned to the Ice House in Bethlehem on Saturday, November 9, 2019 for the LV Fall Bash. The event marking the late fall season featured an international line-up: Lou Rogai (of Lewis & Clarke) from Delaware Water Gap, Lehigh Valley psych rockers The Beings, Philadelphia fuzz rock band Grayling, and Tokyo’s Transkam on their U.S. east coast tour. The event raised $1,100 for Hope Lodge NYC, an American Cancer Society program which provides cancer patients with a free and welcoming place to stay while they are receiving treatment. The program was chosen in memory of Lehigh Valley musician Emily Meixell (VoirVoir, Zepplehem) who was helped by this program earlier this year.

Grayling perform at the Ice House. (Shamus McGroggan/TAPE SWAP RADIO)

Philadelphia’s Grayling played first. The band is the project of Lexi Campion whose Lehigh Valley connections include performing in Beach Bod (which includes Lehigh Valley musician Rachel Wild) as well volunteering for Lehigh Valley Girls Rock. For Grayling’s live performances, Campion is joined by her brother Greg on rhythm guitar as well as bassist Sean Rynkewicz and drummer Nicco Piagessi.

2019 is proving to be a big year for Grayling, being signed to 6131 Records and releasing their new EP Low on October 18th. The band performed both new songs and older material in their 30-minute set.

Transkam perform at the Ice House. (Shamus McGroggan/TAPE SWAP RADIO)

Tokyo, Japan’s Transkam performed second with a 35-minute set. The band is made-up of guitarist Tune, bassist Yukiyo, and drummer Yana. This was the band’s second appearance in Bethlehem. Transkam first played at the Funhouse in 2016 and also recorded a Shards Session with Tape Swap.

Transkam released their sophomore album The Voyage of the Dark Light Years earlier this month and were on the tale end of their U.S. east coast tour. The band mixed in songs from the new album as well as older material. The band had their final date of the tour the next night in Washington, D.C.

The Beings performed third and played a 50-minute set. The Lehigh Valley-based band rolled through with an expanded six-person line-up featuring Nathan Breininger on guitar and vocals, Dan McGonagle on guitar and vocals, TJ Zellers on drums, Justin Tagg on bass, Tim Burke on keys, and Matt Wermuth on trombone. We also saw this new line-up when the band performed at Tape Swap’s stage at Allentown ArtsFest back in September.

The Beings perform at the Ice House. (Shamus McGroggan/TAPE SWAP RADIO)

A projectionist mixes dye during The Beings’ set to create a psychedelic projection on the band. (Shamus McGroggan/TAPE SWAP RADIO)

The Beings’ merch table. (Shamus McGroggan/TAPE SWAP RADIO)

Lou Rogai played last, finishing the night with a 50-minute set. The band performed downstairs on the Ice House’s main floor as opposed to the balcony where the rest of bands played. Rogai played guitar and vocals and was accompanied by his son Julian on upright bass, Alex Luquet on cello, and Pat McGee on flute.

Lou Rogai performs at the Ice House. (Shamus McGroggan/TAPE SWAP RADIO)

The quartet performed songs off of Rogai’s new album Cathedral which saw its official release the day before on Veriditas Records. The band also performed material from Rogai’s other music project, Lewis & Clarke.

Lou Rogai perform at the Ice House. (Shamus McGroggan/TAPE SWAP RADIO)

Lou Rogai’s merch table. (Shamus McGroggan/TAPE SWAP RADIO)

Photos: LV Fall Bash