Welcome home, Adelyn

by Jane Singleton, contributing writer

Three JMU-grown rock bands — Adelyn, Welbilt and Pepper’s Ghost — will be coming together tonight at The Pub to take part in Adelyn’s second-annual homecoming show.

“We really want to include all of our fans and potential fans from our hometown to be a part of our performance,” Adelyn guitarist junior J.K. Royston said.

Adelyn is back from its summer tour and in full throttle from their recent appearances at prestigious festivals including CMJ, NEMO and the Dewey Beach Music Festival. Adelyn said they are ready and psyched to play for their hometown fans in Harrisonburg.

Adelyn gives a modern twist to rock and roll and are comparable to bands such as Hoobastank and Matchbox Twenty. Most of their lyrics are based from life experiences and “understanding the bigger picture,” said lead singer Ryan Parrish (’05).

“Our music is not intended to make you realize the difference between right and wrong but give the listener room to grasp their own vibe of the message being presented,” Parrish said. Adelyn will go on stage at 11:30 p.m., after opening bands Pepper’s Ghost and Welbilt perform.

Pepper’s Ghost, a band that originated in Philadelphia, is a rock band whose music is influenced by ’60s and ’70s rock. The band has played several times in Harrisonburg, as well as in the Lynchburg area, opening for big-name bands such as Collective Soul. They went on their first U.S. tour this summer with Ashlee Simpson.

Pepper’s Ghost is known for carrying a tune of its own and, according to their Web site, their music is “harmony-rich and literally vibrating with manic energy.” The Web site also states that the band is “…on the bleeding edge between polished showmanship and beer-fueled rock ‘n’ roll mayhem.” Pepper’s Ghost will be the first band to perform at 9:30 p.m.

Welbilt originally started in the northern Virginia and D.C. area, and has more of an ’80s traditional rock beat to their music. Their sounds are similar to both the Verve and Matchbox Twenty. Welbilt’s quality of lyrics is one of their best attributes, and you always see their fans singing along at their performances. Welbilt will take the stage at 10:30 p.m.

Tonight’s show will include a $5 cover charge for those 21 years of age and up. At Adelyn’s request — for this event only — The Pub will allow 18 and up to come for the concert at a $7 cover charge. Doors open at 8:30 P.M., and the performances will begin at 9:30 p.m.