ION INDIE MAGAZINE September 2015, Volume 16 | Page 149

snotty as it was melodically jubilant. ERVASA is another young band that treads this same sound; both acts proving that there is no shortage of talent among the under-30 musicians of the area. Hip-hop was also represented through the sounds of people like KID KERN, who features a vibrant, freestyle range that will undoubtedly bring him success on the local scene and beyond. Slapjaw, Threatpoint and Cause of Affliction Closing out the night were the metallic gods of the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre scene in SLAPJAW, THREATPOINT, and CAUSE OF AFFLICATION. Slapjaw’s decidedly Hardcore head rush was anchored by the stage-trawling stance of front man DAVE ITTERLY, while Threatpoint’s commanding lead shouter, CHRIS JAMES, donned face paint and punished the crowd vocally--while guitarist ALEX OLIVETTI (who actually performed an intimate acoustic set earlier with his father as THE OLIVETTIS) riffed ‘n mugged, standing upon the railings of the gazebo in which they performed. Cause of Affliction headlined, with outlandish power of their trademark “keg hits”--where front man GARY EDRINGTON rhythmically smashes an empty beer keg with a baseball bat. The band is truly a treat to see and one of the tightest live units on the Northeast Pennsylvania circuit. “I hope everyone is as excited as I am,” Eric Ross said the day of show. They indeed were, and there was already chatter before the end of the evening how everyone could make next year’s proceedings even bigger and better. The Scranton Music Festival should prove to be one of the emerging musical jewels of the scene, and a real showcase for the best and brightest talent Northeast Pennsylvania has to offer.