Pitman, N.J. (Top40 Charts/ Reesa & The Rooters Official Website) Wheelchair rocker Reesa B. (Reesa Marchetti) and her musical partner, Mo (Maureen Simmons), will bring their electronic punk pop to the Bus Stop
Music Cafe Cafe in Pitman, N.J., at 7 p.m. Saturday June 30. Previously known for jumping on- and off-stage during her outrageous antics as the leader of 1980s band Reesa and the Rooters, Reesa now performs seated in a power chair. Despite being diagnosed with MS some 12 years ago, she manages to keep up the same energy level and vocal power she had before. Reesa B. & Mo will be joined by acoustic trio Hofenakus and singer-songwriting team Fiorenza-Dowlin for this musical feast. The cafe's seasonal dinner, coffee, tea and ice cream menu will be available. Tickets cost $8; children under 13 admitted free.
Reesa B. & Mo: Having been compared to
Blondie and the B-52s, Reesa B. calls her sound "punky rock for aging new-wavers." Critics have noted her "new wave spirit that mixes a sense of fun with dance grooves."
An established Philadelphia area musician now living in Elk Township, N.J., her band hit its stride in the '80s when it had two underground hit singles and toured the East Coast. After that, Reesa and The Rooters was largely inactive until Reesa and two former bandmates got back together and released an EP, "Melt the Iceman," in 2008. The music is played on college radio and local stations such as WXPN. Reesa is working on a follow-up recording.
For the June 30 show, Reesa B. programmed much of her music into a synthesizer and will play in an electronic format, sans band. Mo (Maureen Simmons) will provide vocal support and percussion.
See http://reesaandtherooters.com to hear music samples, buy tickets, or for more info.
Hofenakus: Headed by singer-songwriter Brian Z. London, this trio employs guitar, upright bass, viola and vocals to mix traditional and original songs along with reinterpreted covers. Their warm acoustic sound can be heard in many South Jersey haunts.
Fiorenza-Dowlin: Hailing from Coatesville, Pa.,
David Fiorenza and Wayne Dowlin have been performing for over 12 years as a duo and sometimes a trio. Their lively acoustic originals have been likened to
James Taylor and Steve Forbert. The duo has released a CD, "Live at Wagonstock." See http://www.davidfiorenza.com for more info.
Bus Stop
Music Cafe: 148 South Broadway, Pitman, NJ 08071, (856) 582-0009. A mainly organic food, coffee and ice cream menu, as well as new and used vinyl, CDs, cassettes and musician's equipment.
Website:http://reesaandtherooters.com
