90s Grit, Grunge, and Gratitude
- Moose Nicholson
- Jun 18
- 7 min read
Updated: Jun 26
Party Crashers
The day started out suspiciously beautiful.
Blue skies, warm sun, and just enough breeze to make us feel like maybe—just maybe—we were going to get away with it. Everything was set. The Bud Light Stage was ready, cables were run, banners hung, and we had even started to feel a little smug about how smooth it all was going.
Then the rain showed up like the parents coming home early to a house party.
One minute we were feeling ourselves, cueing up soundcheck and maybe even getting a little cocky—and the next, we were scattering like busted teenagers trying to hide the good liquor and Febreze the evidence. Trash bags flew over gear, people started shouting in half-sentences, and The Alley turned into a full-blown sitcom. Farmers Market booths got soaked, soggy signage flopped around, and just when doubt started creeping in, EmmaLee from the ADDA popped her head in to ask what we were doing.
What we were doing?
Throwing the party anyway.
Sure, the rain tried to throw a wet blanket on the whole night, but Aiken wasn’t having it. If the band was still down, the market was staying up. That’s how it goes at Amp.
Please Rise... and Shine
And wouldn’t you know it—after the scramble, the sun came back out. Just like that, it felt like we’d earned a second chance.
That’s when I looked up from a tangle of cables behind the stage and saw it: a wave of people pouring down The Alley like the gates had opened. No hesitation. No umbrellas. Just folks deciding for themselves how their Thursday night was going to go.
We got soundcheck in just under the wire, took a short breath, and kicked things off with one of the most powerful Amp openings to date—Patrick's 11-year-old daughter, Penelope, stepping up to sing the national anthem.
She was poised, composed, and controlled. A voice with clarity, range, and an honesty that hushed the crowd. It was more than impressive—it was symbolic. The same nerves and power I wrote about in The Grumble’s Amp debut last year? That’s exactly what she delivered. I'm not crying - you're crying.
The New Old
And just like that, we were off.
The Grumble—Patrick Daddario (lead guitar/vocals), Bob Houck (bass/vocals), and Blase Dragna (drums)—launched into a 90s alt and soft rock set that didn’t just nod to the era—it dragged us right back into it. You could hear it in the way folks started shouting lyrics they hadn’t thought about in years. The kind of songs that live in the back of your brain until someone cranks an amp and they come flooding out. Songs from Stone Temple Pilots, Sister Hazel, Red Hot Chili Peppers, and Dishwalla filled The Alley, while “Paralyzer,” “Counting Blue Cars,” and “Low” brought that gritty, lyrical storytelling the genre is known for.
And then there was “Superstition.”
If you’ve never heard a talkbox meet Stevie Wonder via a 3-piece rock outfit, you’re missing out. Patrick’s effect-driven vocals gave it this digital soul twist that had people doing the classic what did I just hear double take. Bob even had this foot-controlled synth rig on stage—something between a keyboard and a spaceship control panel. I’ll be honest, I don’t know exactly what it was, but it looked cool and it sounded even cooler.
The guys even invited Kenny George up to sit in on “You Wreck Me” by Tom Petty. It was raw, loose, and real—in the best way. Pat and Kenny got into alternating guitar solos, and you would have a hard time convincing anyone that it wasn't heavily rehearsed.
It's so much fun having a band focus on the 90's alt rock. Of course, I'm biased I grew up on it, but it's that little middle area between the new and current and the 70's, 80's, and country. No knock on any of them, but there are certainly a lot of them. The 90's covers make them feel new again, while simultaneously making me feel old.
Cheers to the Risk Takers
The wave of people, spilling down the alley like a dam had burst.
Not just some people. A crowd. A crowd crowd.
And that’s the part I won’t forget.
See, we’ve had nights where the weather didn’t come but the forecast kept folks away anyway. This was different. The sky had already delivered its bad news, and people still came. It was like that 90s rebellious angst kicked in and told the weather—and maybe even the weatherman—where to go.
And maybe that spirit is exactly what independent business owners understand better than most. If you listened to the peanut gallery every time they said, "That’ll never work," nothing new would ever exist. No new restaurant. No new shop. No new music.
If you’re waiting for everyone to say it’s a good idea before you invest in yourself, you’ll be waiting forever.
That’s why we celebrate the brave ones.
The ones who put their money—and more importantly, their hearts—into their business and their community.
The ones who show up, even when the forecast says don’t bother.
At Amp the Alley, we’re not just putting on concerts.
We’re building the kind of community that believes in trying anyway. That supports instead of scoffs. That risks the rain and gets rewarded with music, friends, and moments worth remembering.
So shoutout to The Grumble, who brought the buzz and the 90s energy back to the Bud Light Stage.
And shoutout to you, the crowd that didn’t wait for permission to have a good time.
We’ll be back tomorrow (6/19/25) with Anna and The Funkle Brothers making their debut on the Bud Light Stage.
Come join the rebellion.
Build the Band, Homes, Hope, Community!
Kenny George is stepping up—and stepping out—for Habitat for Humanity. Our Amp sound engineer and local music staple has joined forces with Ryan Abel and a stacked lineup of musicians in this year’s Build the Band fundraiser. The event pairs local talent with a shared mission: raising money to help Habitat for Humanity of Augusta build homes, hope, and community.
Their group? The Peanut Doctrine. Their goal? Raise the roof—and raise the most money. Every dollar = one vote.
And the band with the most votes? They’ll headline the Build the Band concert in July.
Kenny’s always been the guy behind the scenes making sure the music sounds right. Now it’s our turn to help him shine.
👉 Vote for The Peanut Doctrine and support the mission—because we’re all about building stages, but we’re even more about building homes.
Downtown Hydration is Changing Lives
When it comes to feeling your best, Downtown Hydration is becoming Aiken’s go-to spot—and for good reason.
Joe Seamon left a glowing review after just one visit, calling the experience with Tasha “seamless and enjoyable” and praising her knowledge and care. After a single IV hydration therapy session, Joe felt noticeably more energized—and now he’s made it part of his weekly routine.
From the clean, welcoming space to the calming atmosphere, Downtown Hydration is more than just a health stop—it’s a recharge station for your body and your week.
“If I could give 10 stars, I would!” We’d say that about sums it up.
📍 Located in Downtown Aiken – go see Tasha and experience it for yourself.
Taste of Aiken: Chef Chad Takes the Spotlight
We talk a lot about how Amp the Alley brings the best of Aiken together—and our sponsors are proof that what happens on Thursdays is just one part of a much bigger story.
Coming up on Saturday, July 12, Chef Chad Jajczyk—the creative force behind Whiskey Alley and Prime Steakhouse—will headline Taste of Aiken: Live, a one-night-only cooking show hosted by The Aiken Standard and sponsored by The Aiken Dining Group.
This isn’t your average demo. It’s an evening of fire, finesse, and full-flavored storytelling set on stage at Aiken High School’s Performing and Visual Arts Auditorium.
Whether you’ve carved into a bone-in ribeye at Prime or navigated the ever-evolving printed menu of scratch-made dishes at Whiskey Alley, this is your chance to see the chef behind it all—live, unfiltered, and right in the heart of Aiken.
📍 Aiken High School
🗓 Saturday, July 12 | 6:00 PM – 8:30 PM
🎟 Ticket Options:
– Savor Pass (General Admission): $12
– VIP Front Row Seat: $25
– Chef’s Table Experience (Includes Meet & Greet): $55
👉 Get your tickets here: Eventbrite Link
Presented by The Aiken Standard
Sponsored by The Aiken Dining Group: Whiskey Alley, Prime Steakhouse, and The Alley Downtown Taproom
Rhumba’s Domino Saturdays
📍 321 Richland Ave W – right in the heart of Downtown Aiken.Every Saturday at 2PM, Rhumba Rum & Cigar Lounge turns into the place to be for dominos, good eats, and even better conversations. Whether you're a seasoned player or just learning the ropes, you're invited to pull up a chair, grab a drink, and connect with folks who love to keep it laid back but lively.
True Aiken "A Place Like No Other"
True Aiken’s latest tee captures a phrase that’s been passed down for generations: “Aiken: A Place Like No Other.”
It’s not just a slogan—it’s a truth spoken by locals, visitors, and anyone who’s felt the charm of this one-of-a-kind town.
This new shirt is a tribute to everything that makes Aiken unforgettable—its southern hospitality, rich history, and sporting lifestyle.
Available in unisex sizes S–3XL and youth sizes S–XL, it’s the perfect piece to wear your Aiken pride.
Grab yours at 146 Laurens St SW in Downtown Aiken.
Open Monday–Saturday from 10:30 to 5:30, and open late on Thursdays. Tell em Moose sent ya, and see if you can get a little discount!
Beach Party at Electric Eats
Electric Eats is flipping the switch to full-on beach party mode this Saturday, June 21.
They’re ringing in the first day of summer with tiki cocktails, frozen drinks, games, music, trivia, and throwback movies all night long. No sunscreen required—just bring your good vibes and a thirst for fun.
Classic pub fare
Island tunes & movie nostalgia
Trivia + prizes
It’s the summer kickoff you didn’t know you needed—right in the middle of Downtown Aiken.over.
Tomorrow: Anna and The Funkle Brothers Make Their Amp Debut
Anna and The Funkle Brothers bring a raw, roots-forward sound that blends folk grit with Americana soul.
Fronted by Anna—an expressive guitarist and vocalist with a no-frills kind of presence—the band plays with a balance that’s tight without feeling rigid. There’s a natural rhythm to what they do, like the songs were built to be played live with a little dirt under the nails.
It’s honest, it’s unpolished in all the right ways, and it’s exactly the kind of music that belongs in a place like The Alley.
Catch them this Thursday (6/18/25) on the Bud Light Stage.
Next Week: Whiskey Business
One of the most talked about bands from last year is back - Whiskey Business! Big Band, Big Sound, Big Energy - a Big ol' time!
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