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Formed in the spring 2000 at Lafayette College, Tar Beach has gone from playing fraternities and coffee shops to headlining major venues in the northeast region. The group began its first East Coast tour this month, and will travel as far north as Waterville, Maine, and as far south as Winter Haven, Fla.
Members of the group include: Jim Reeder ’03 (drums), Dave Campos ’01 (lead vocals, harmonica, percussion), Steve Miller ’00 (rhythm guitar, vocals), Karim Ouazzi ’01 (bass, vocals), Bryan Berry ’00 (violin, vocals), and Ned Allis ’02 (lead guitar, vocals). Each member of the band contributes his own musical background and influence to each Tar Beach original tune.
Tar Beach is described as “a six-piece pop-rock groove-funk fusion.” They can be visited on the web at www.tarbeachband.com.
Once the band decided to pursue something greater than an “every now and then” thing, it started developing into a recognizable and talked-about band. Breaking into the scene one year ago, Tar Beach has become a headlining mainstay in the Grape Street Pub, a popular Philadelphia original music venue. It also is a regular in top New York City venues The Lion’s Den, The Elbow Room, and Le Bar Bat. Combined with several Lafayette alumni and many new friends, the Tar Beach audience ranges from 16-45 years old. Major labels have noticed this group of six Lafayette grads including Epic, Columbia, and Universal as well as some smaller “Indie” labels.
In just eight months, Tar Beach has sold more than 2,000 copies of its Milkboy Sessions demo from the back of its van. The CD was recorded and produced by Tommy Joyner at the renowned Milkboy Studios in Philadelphia. Tar Beach was featured in Phreshwater.com’s “Gene Pool.” Reviewer Shane Remington said, “The band has a great groove and velocity that is infectious and is highly danceable. If these guys aren’t soon to be found in the limelight and pestered by record labels then someone is not paying attention.”
2003 “Mom, Please Send More Money! Tour” Dates: (as of Feb. 1st…More to be added)
Key: * Indicates Headlining
FEB 1* NEW YORK, NY Le Bar Bat 11 PM
FEB 8* STAMFORD, CT Bradford’s 10 PM
FEB 11* SOUTH ORANGE, NJ Seton Hall University 9 PM
FEB 15* TOLEDO, OH Village Idiot 10 PM
FEB 21* PHILADELPHIA, PA Grape St Pub 11 PM
FEB 27 ARDMORE, PA Brownies 23 East 9 PM
FEB 28* WILKES BARRE, PA Murray’s Inn 10 PM
MAR 1* PLATTSBURGH, NY Monopole 10 PM
MAR 8* NEW YORK, NY Elbow Room 11 PM
MAR 11* PHILADELPHIA, PA Grape St. Pub 11 PM
MAR 14* WASHINGTON, DC Grog and Tankard 11 PM
MAR 15* WILMINGTON, NC Charlie Brownz 10 PM
MAR 20 ALLSTON, MA Harper’s Ferry 9 PM
MAR 21* READING, PA Brass Lantern 10 PM
MAR 22* FALLS CHURCH, VA Sign of the Whale 10 PM
MAR 27* RICHMOND, VA Poe’s Pub 9 PM
MAR 29* NEW ORLEANS, LA Polynesian Joe’s 10 PM
APR 4* PHILADELPHIA, PA Grape St. Pub 11 PM
APR 10* EASTON, PA Curve Bar 10 PM
APR 12 COLLEGE PARK, MD U Of Maryland 9 PM
APR 19* ROCHESTER, NY Alexander St. Pub 10 PM
APR 24 HOBOKEN, NJ Willie McBride’s 10 PM
APR 25* STAMFORD, CT Bradford’s Grill & Tavern 1 0 PM
APR 26* WASHINGTON, DC Grog and Tankard 11 PM
MAY 9* PHILADELPHIA, PA Grape St. Pub 11 PM
MAY 10* NEW YORK, NY Lion’s Den 11 PM
MAY 16* HARRISBURG, PA Appalachian Brew Co 10 PM
MAY 17* PITTSBURGH, PA Buskers 11 PM
JUNE 1* HARRISBURG, PA Charity Event 3 PM
JUNE 4 ATLANTA, GA BrandyHouse 10 PM
JUNE 5* WINTER HAVEN, FL Blue Guitar 10 PM
JUNE 6* CHARLOTTE, NC Fat City Deli 10 PM
JUNE 7* WILMINGTON, NC Paleo Sun Cafe 10 PM
JUNE 12* CHARLESTON, WV Empty Glass 10 PM
JUNE 13* HUNTINGTON, WV The Monkeybar 10 PM
JUNE 20* WATERVILLE, ME Mainely Brews Tavern 10 PM
JUNE 22* BURLINGTON, VT Nectar’s 0 PM
JUNE 25* ITHACA, NY Castaway’s 10 PM
JUNE 26* SYRACUSE, NY OPL 10 PM
JULY 10* BLOCK ISLAND, RI Club Soda 9 PM
JULY 11* MALVERN, PA Flying Pig Soda 9 PM