Since the pandemic, Band Bash has been trying to get back on its feet. Saturday’s benefit concert marks the second event.

“It’s always great music and great food,” Heritage Volunteer Fire Co. President Brandon Basom said. “The bands that we have played are huge advocates of the fire department, and they all donate their time.”

The 2024 lineup features performances from seven area bands, including Adam and the Armadillos, Johnny Unit, Kenton Sitch Band, Hillbilly Diesel, Mindspell, Reboot and 3rd Story Dusters, at the Lewistown Moose Family Center, 80 Brady Lane, Lewistown.

The music starts at 3 p.m., with doors opening at 2 p.m. Tickets cost $25 and can be purchased at the Lewistown Moose, from any member of the Heritage Volunteer Fire Co. or at the door. Children under age 12 are free.

Submitted photo
The band Reboot performs at a recent gig (from left): Dan McCorkle, Josh Crownover, Chris Skipper and Brian Smith.

The Band Bash schedule is:

• 3 p.m. – 3rd Story Dusters

• 4 p.m. – Reboot

• 5 p.m. – Hillbilly Diesel

• 6 p.m. – Mindspell

Submitted photo
The band Mindspell includes members (from left): Jamie Lane, Brent Carolus, Eric Scott, Brad Slemons and Scott Hasson.

• 7 p.m. – Johnny Unit

• 8 p.m. – Adam and

the Armadillos

• 9:30 p.m. – Kenton Sitch Band

Basom believes Band Bash started in 2013 and this marks the 10th anniversary of the event. It returned last year after missing two years due to the pandemic.

Submitted photo
Ryan Russler performs as the lead vocalist for Johnny Unit, with Jordan Krepps to his right.

A typical sellout crowd is 500 people, while last year’s event was attended by about 300. Tickets allow attendees to come and go, if they want to hear select bands throughout the day.

Basom said the fundraiser usually nets between $3,000 to $8,000 for the fire department, which easily makes it their biggest fundraiser of the year.

Basom added there are always more bands wanting to perform than there are available slots. “We always have more bands than we have time,” Basom explained. “We just can’t let everyone in.

“Most of the bands very much enjoy the energy of the crowd,” he added.

Besides a variety of music, there is an assortment of food on the menu, including homemade pulled pork, macaroni and cheese, chips, pretzels and veggies.

Submitted photo
Adam and the Armadillos consists of band members (from left): Adam Yarger, Brandon Deamer and Alex Sterbenz.

Here is a look at the bands scheduled to perform:

Adam and the Armadillos

Hometown: Burnham

Type of music: Country

Founded: 2022

Submitted photo
The Kenton Sitch Band includes members (from left): Brett Rodkey, Michael Gassler, Kenton Sitch and Randy Servello.

About the band: The country trio found its musical mascot – albeit of the taxidermy variety at a general store known for its unique merchandise in the Fort Worth stockyards. The armadillo, affectionately named Esmerelda, traveled with the band to its bigger shows until someone stole its cowboy hat during a performance. The heist of the mascot’s hat might have all the makings of a country song.

What to look for: The band strives to bring their love of traditional and outlaw country music by honoring the greats who have paved the way, like George Strait, Willie Nelson and singer-songwriters Sturgill Simpson and Tyler Childers.

Members: Adam Yarger, lead vocals and guitar; Alex Sterbenz, guitar and bass; and Brandon Deamer, drums.

Hillbilly Diesel

Hometown: Mifflin and Juniata counties

Type of music: Kicked up party rock songs from the 1980s and ’90s.

Founded: 2022

About the band: Two band members are from Mifflin County and the other three are from Juniata County. Their schedule is getting full, so they make a lot of appearances, including benefits to show support for their community. That certainly includes the first responders.

What to look for: While this marks the second appearance for Hillbilly Diesel at Band Bash, its band members have taken the Band Bash stage with other bands since the event’s inception.

Members: Harry Bleyer, drums; Rod Bryner, lead guitar; James Foltz, bass; Mike Goss, rhythm guitar; and Steve Welshone, vocals.

Johnny Unit

Hometown: Lewistown

Type of music: Country, hip-hop, rock and roll and pop.

Founded: 2008

About the band: First time playing at Band Bash as a group. Individual members, like drummer Brandon Deamer, played at the event with other bands. Johnny Unit only performs a couple times a year, according to lead singer Ryan Russler. He and Becker have been playing together since 2008 and full-time until 2011.

What to look for: A cover band with a couple original songs, Johnny Unit plays music by the Zac Brown Band then turns around and plays Kanye West the next.

Members: Ryan Russler, lead vocals; Adam Becker, lead guitar and back-up vocals; Jordan Krepps, rhythm guitar; Brandon Deamer, drummer; and Nathan Peterson, bass guitar. Peterson is filling in for Justin Bumgardner.

Kenton Sitch Band

Hometown: Saxton, Bedford County

Type of music: Rock-flavored contemporary country music

Founded: 2016

About the band: Sitch records in Nashville but said one of the fire company members heard the band play at an area fair and called one of the organizers from the stage and told them, “You gotta get these guys for the Band Bash!” Once Sitch learned the benefit was for area first responders, the band didn’t hesitate to get involved.

What to look for: Kenton Sitch plays covers but does throw in a few original selections on each set to be certain the audience hears an original sound. They have produced five albums, which are available on a variety of platforms.

Members: Kenton Sitch, lead vocals and guitar; Michael Gassler, bass and backup vocals; Brett Rodkey, guitar and backup vocals; and Randy Servello, drums and backup vocals.

Mindspell

Hometown: Lewistown

Type of music: Hard rock and metal songs spanning from the 1970s to today.

Founded: 2020

About the band: This marks the third year they’ve signed up for Band Bash since they have two “smoke eaters” – Scott Hasson and Eric Scott – in the group.

What to look for: They cover all from KISS to Pop Evil to Metallica and everything in between.

Members: Brent Carolus, lead vocals; Scott Hasson, bass and backup vocals; Jamie Lane, drums; Eric Scott lead guitar and backup vocals; and Brad Slemons, rhythm guitar and backup vocals.

Reboot

Hometown: Huntingdon

Type of music: Mostly rock, but also pop, country and blues from any era.

Founded: 2015

About the band: Reboot prides themselves on the ability to play most audience-requested songs, not on our set list. Although Reboot has appeared as Band Bash previously, the band signed up as a chance to play in the Lewistown area.

What to look for: Reboot is strictly a cover band as they don’t play any original material. Three of them share lead vocal duties throughout the show.

Members: Josh Crownover, guitar, keyboard and vocals; Dan McCorkle, guitar and vocals; Chris Skipper, drums; and Brian Smith, bass and vocals.

3rd Story Dusters

Hometown: Lewistown

Type of music: Blues, rock and folk from the 1960s and ’70s.

Founded: 2022

About the band: According to band members, this band actually broke up last year, but they decided to reunite for Band Bash. This will likely be the first and only show together.

What to look for: Will be playing an original song, “Find My Train,” which is available on all streaming platforms. The rest will be covered.