There’s something of an allure for Marbleheaders when local bands perform in town, said Robert Simonelli, co-owner and manager of The Landing Restaurant located on the harbor front.
“We have a packed house when we choose the local bands,” he said of gigs that take place every Thursday night, drawing 90–100 revelers. “They have a devotion.”
Turns out that there are several bands that play locally whose members are either all from town or have at least a couple of guys who live in Marblehead. They range in age from late 30s to 70, have professional careers outside of music, a few have retired, and all have families. A lot to juggle, but they’re driven by their shared passion and they get a particular kick out of playing for the friends, colleagues, and family who turn up to support them.
“It’s awesome, I love it!” said townie Keith Hersey of Halfway Rock, a band that plays everything from rock ‘n’ roll to country, which came together about one-and-a-half years ago. “You do get a little nervous about screwing up, but usually no one notices and we are doing what we really love.”
Many of the performers have impressive musical roots, with some playing nationally or overseas, or with the Boston Symphony Orchestra, and have attended Berklee College of Music. Others are songwriters with albums that have been released.
Hersey, who sings and plays piano and owns a real estate title company, founded his band, along with his friend and neighbor, Dave Angilly. Hersey discovered his love for music at Lincoln Sudbury High School, where he sang in the school band and got to sing with the Boston Symphony Orchestra at the age of 12. All eight members of Halfway Rock are from town and play at other town venues, such as The Beacon Restaurant and Bar, as do other local bands.
While Hersey says that his newfound moonlighting gig is “a fun little hobby project,” these guys are doing something right. Halfway Rock has attracted the likes of Dave Mattacks, a renowned professional UK drummer who has made his home here for the past 25 years. Mattacks has performed with Paul McCartney, Elton John and many other superstar musicians. On occasion, Mattacks sits in to play the drums with the band, as he often does with other locals.
Cover band True North, that primarily rocks out hits from the 80s and 90s with their own edgier spin, formed in the winter of 2020 as a group of local guys and Paula Gaull. Her husband Jamie is also in the band.
“It’s so fun to be able to play in a band in my hometown,” Gaull said. “Having grown up here, every time we play, it’s like a party … friends always show up and sometimes shenanigans ensue. And of course, it’s so awesome to have the support of so many locals…I love running into people in town who only know me from True North and the first question they ask is ‘When are you guys playing again?’”
True North drummer Adrian Bathurst has been playing drums since he was 10 years old, leading to several competitions, national titles, performing with the Boston Pops during July 4th festivities on the Hatch Shell and the Royal Edinburg Military Tattoo, which is an annual event featuring world-class military bands and drill teams held on the Esplanade of the Edinburgh Castle in Scotland.
“Performing in town for those who come to see me play holds a special place in my
heart,” said Bathurst. “It is so nice to have friends, people you know, have done
soccer with through my kids, now seeing me as a musician – I just get a thrill out of
it.”
Derek Rando, who moved to town 12 years ago with his wife, Lindsay and their two sons, started writing songs at the tender age of 13 and never stopped. He plays guitar and sings while performing and recently released a new, 12-song record, “Long Way Around,” that deals with growing up, always being late to the party and finally getting it all together, he said.
Rando helps run Bobbles and Lace, a 30-location specialty jewelry and clothing franchise, which Lindsay cofounded, with its flagship store on Washington Street. Rando does mostly solo gigs now, but was recently part of the band TenderHoof, which he and his friend Gus Percy put together in 2023. They often performed at Percy’s family’s restaurant, Three Cod Tavern on Pleasant Street.
Rando grew up in Beverly before playing in Los Angeles for two years, influenced by his dad who played acoustic guitar and sang at home for friends and co-workers.
“So, I grew up around this, and it comes full circle,” said Rando. I don’t know if I would have gravitated toward music if I hadn’t. I guess it’s a generational thing.”
Perhaps there’s a next generation in the wings gearing up to take over where their parents leave off. One of Hersey’s two sons, Alex, has a band with classmates at Stonehill College. Twelve-year-old Jet Rando and 14-year-old Rex Rando both play guitar, piano and drums, even though they remain unimpressed when they come to see their dad play, he said.
