Richmond, VA – Hop in the Studebaker and let’s go for a ride! Turn on the radio, take a listen, and what do you hear? Michael Jackson, ELO, ABBA, Brittney Spears, and Radiohead… as you would expect to hear in days of old when AM radio was the only way to bring music along for the ride. On November 30, 2023, at the Dominion Energy Center in Richmond, VA, Scott Bradlee’s Postmodern Jukebox (PMJ) took us back in time to experience “Life in the Past Lane“.
If you have ever followed PMJ, you know that their lineup rotates and changes from time to time. This year’s lineup consisted of Rogelio Douglas Jr. (Master of Ceremonies, vocals), Tatum Langley (vocals), Gunhild Carling (vocals and every instrument under the sun), Sarah Potenza (vocals), Effie Passero (vocals), Allison Young (vocals), Demi Remick (tap), Tony Kieraldo (keys), Anthony Castagna (guitar), Adam Kubota (bass), Dave Tedeschi (drums), Kyle Morgan (sax, clarinet), and JP Floyd (trombone).
The live broadcast started at 8PM sharp with M.C. Rogelio taking the stage along with the band, Anthony, Adam, Dave, Kyle, and JP. The top was down and the speakers were loud so all could hear about what was to come. After a little intro, Rogelio kicked off the night with a little “Thriller” as only PMJ could perform. Demi added a little monster flare with tap on the side.
Next on the agenda was Tatum Langley who delivered the goods… she was a “Basket Case” (Green Day). Yes, we had the time… to hear about a lack of sex. I suppose that could make anyone a basket case in some situations. All the shrinks in the house could relate. It was a good thing we were not the ones driving the Studebaker.
Not to be outdone, Sarah Potenza seductively took the stage and eyed the audience with the “Power of Love“. Yeah, we all felt the power and we were in love!!
There is talent and then there is talent. No, I am not talking about Madonna, I am talking the Swedish sensation, Gunhild Carling. Not only can she sing and dance but she can play pretty much every instrument under the sun (I was half expecting to see a theremin on stage, but that would have been too much… maybe next year). The Studebaker was rocking as she got down to business with a trombone rendition of “Material Girl“.
Enter the Tennessee girl with a guitar, Allison Young. Sitting on the stool, telling a little story before crooning ELO’s “Mr. Blue Sky“. This was one of my favorite songs from the day, done in a way my grandparents would have loved.
Now what would a truly old fashion rock and roll show be without a little Kiss? Effie Passero told us all, “I Was Made for Loving You” and we were all about loving PMJ. About this time some seemed to migrate to the back seat of the Studebaker!!
For the intermission, Demi took the stage once again. With the band backing her and some help from Rogelio, we experienced a Mario moment tap style.
Sarah, Allison, and Tatum were up next and we could certainly feel the “Burn“, but the heat was turned up even more with Rogelio getting “Radioactive” with a glowing performance. We were now along for the ride in a modern day nuclear powered Studebaker.
Slowing things down and taking us on a Sunday go to meeting drive was Effie with a soulful version of “Hallelujah” leading into the introduction of the band. What was next was surprising as there was Sarah, hitting on the lone “Bad Guy” in the audience (I think he put the stud in Studebaker).
Gunhild then blew us away with a little trumpet and some down home (country, Sweden), “Dancing Queen” followed by a some more Demi “Ocarina of Tap“, with a Legend of Zelda theme. “Bye Bye Bye” and “Oops I Did It Again” were next followed by Gunhild as she dazzled the audience with her multi-instrumented talent in “Happy” (you have to watch this video). Members of the band were scrambling to help her deliver the instrumental and dance salvo as she played everything from trumpet to bass, harmonica to flute, and rounding it out with a three trumpet solo.
Rounding out the main set was “All About the Bass“, a PMJ staple and “I Still Haven’t Found What I Am Looking For“… but they were not done yet.
Shifting the Studebaker into overdrive, Effie belted out a wonderful encore performance of “Creep“.
With that, the brake was set and the the engine set to idle. In two short hours we had been treated to a drive through yesteryear, experiencing the music we grew up loving in a way our parents and grandparents could relate to. Not many have ever ridden in a Studebaker, as the original parts are hard to come by. Thanks to Scott Bradlee’s Postmodern Jukebox, keeping yesterday alive and well with the kids of today would be a breeze… you just have to experience life from the past lane.
Scott Bradlee’s Postmodern Jukebox Gallery
PMJ Setlist
Thriller
Basketcase
Power of Love
Material Girl
Mr. Blue Sky
I Was Made for Loving You
Super Mario Tap
Burn
Radioactive
Hallelujah
Careless Whisper
Bad Guy
Dancing Queen
Ocarina of Tap
Bye Bye Bye
Oops I Did It Again
Happy
All About the Bass
Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For
Encore:
Creep
Metallica cover anyone? Check out the past lane version of “Nothing Else Matters”
