The Lehigh Valley and surrounding areas of Pennsylvania have become the haven for a fast-growing original music scene. Already creating some big waves within and beyond the area, the driving force behind this uprising is the hard-hitting rock group, Poppy Cock Babble. Since 1996, this dedicated foursome has been delivering their own blend of raw, yet focused art-tinged rock to audiences throughout the Northeast. Unmatched in presence, creativity, songwriting, and live performances, Poppy Cock Babble has boldly staked claim to the title of best original rock band on the scene.

      It was late 1995 when vocalist/rhythm guitarist, Pat Wilson, and guitarist, Eldro, began their search for a new bassist and drummer to complete their fledgling band. They already had a number of solid original songs that they had been performing with various other musicians until this point. However, things still hadn’t clicked for them as a full band. Then, while attending Kutztown University as a Fine Arts student, Wilson was introduced to fellow artist/musician, Jason Berger. A self-taught bassist, Berger had never been in a band before, aside from the occasional jamming with friends. Wilson invited Berger to his rehearsal space for an improv session with Eldro. An accomplished drummer, Wilson took a spot behind the kit, while Eldro and Berger began improvising on some jazz/rock fusion stylings. A week later, the trio was asked to perform at the local pub. Since Berger had not yet learned any of the written songs, they once again took to the free-form approach. That night, all three musicians felt it was the beginning of something special. It didn’t take long for Wilson and Eldro to ask Berger to join them full time. Not long after, a 19 year old drummer named Ryan Donohue answered a 6 month old newspaper ad that Wilson had placed and almost forgotten about. Donohue impressed the other three with his raw power behind the kit. It didn’t take long to decide he was the right person for the job.

      After learning the songs Pat and Eldro already had, the newly-formed quartet soon began writing together. The addition of the two new members changed the dynamics of the music. Berger’s funk/jazz influence lead to more intricate and melodic bass lines while Donohue’s powerful drumming kept a harder edge to the sound. This, combined with Eldro’s driving riffs and stellar soloing, laid fertile groundwork for Wilson to weave his soaring, poetic lyrics around. The combination worked, creating emotionally charged songs with both the energy to command any audience into a frenzy and the subtle nuances to please even the most fickle ears. They had the sound, with influences ranging from Led Zeppelin, Red Hot Chili Peppers, STP, Soundgarden, The Beatles, Radiohead, Tool, The Police, Smashing Pumpkins, Jeff Buckley, and many more.. All that was needed was a name. For a while, they performed under a different name each time they played. Eventually, they decided on Poppy Cock Babble, a name that Pat and Eldro had used with an older band. With a fresh line-up, new songs, and a permanent name, the group began performing regularly at local bars, clubs, and colleges by mid 1996.

     By 1997, independent filmmaker, Zeke Zelker, was working on his first feature titled, “Affairs”. Zelker asked grade school friend, Wilson, who also had a role in the film, to be the music director for the project. Consequently, several Poppy Cock Babble songs were used in the movie and on the soundtrack. Since then, the band has been featured in two other indie films: “A.K.A” (Zelker’s second project), and “You Are Here”, a film by Jeff Winner. Aside from soundtracks, the band has also performed three times at the prestigious Musikfest, a nationally recognized event held each year in Bethlehem, PA. They have also had the opportunity to perform with national acts such as: Fuel, Rusted Root, Vanilla Ice, Isle of Q, Tabloid Nation, Familiar 48, and Silvertide. In December, 1999, the band released their self-produced debut 5-song EP titled, “Boom-a-Shiver”. The disc was met with rave reviews. They have since won numerous awards each year at the annual Lehigh Valley Music Awards. (Pat Wilson: Best male vocalist – 3 years, Eldro: Best guitarist – 3 years, Jason Berger: Best bassist – 3 years, Ryan Donohue: Best drummer – 2 years, and Best Original and Best Rock Band – 3 years). Other accomplishments include winning the WZZO Battle of the Bands in 2001 at the Great Allentown Fair, performing at the Philadelphia and Harrisburg Music Conferences, performing at the 1st annual River Fusion festival in Bethlehem, PA, and recently having their song, “Push”, selected for an episode of a new Fox Sports television show, Re:Evolution. The band is currently working on a new full length CD, while building up their impressive following in Philadelphia and beyond. Come see and hear what the buzz is all about.