Catawba River Monster ready to rock Friday the 13th

Creepy forces may run rampant since the weekend begins on Friday the 13th. Are the spirits about to speak? Yes, they are – in the form of the band known as Catawba River Monster, live Friday at The Handlebar Tavern in – where else – Catawba.

How fortuitous. But, what might have possessed the venue to challenge fate? Handlebar owner, Jeff Towery is completely upbeat about the band’s return saying , “They are awesome guys. They play mostly classic rock and are very talented.” As far as mythic beings, Towery cited “Some locals swear he’s (the monster) real and originated about the same time as the Lizard Man,” then adds, with a laugh, “The legend lives on.”

Back to reality and a conversation with Catawba River Monster’s lead vocalist/rhythm guitarist Van Brown who called their content a big mix of “rock, blues, Southern rock, country, oldies – just a little something for everyone. The face of the monster continues to change,” he explained, “as we try to get all the right pieces in place,” Brown is the only original member of the band which now includes Mike Petrie, drums; Jimmy Freeman, bass; Rick Wagoner, guitar and John Thigpen, guitar.

With a lineup often in flux, the band began with a bang in late 2014. “We met in a barn for a jam session that lasted 9 hours,” Brown said, “it was just too much fun. That was in November,” he continued, “our first gig was a month later on New Year’s Eve, so, we were rolling. We’ve changed a lot of faces, but just can’t give it up.

”We’re rocking, full of energy…we don’t slow down. We’re entertaining – make people nod their heads and have a good time.”

The feeling is returned. “I sure have a good time,” the Catawba-area native said, then revealed his ‘right here, right now’ motivation for rocking live. “Listen,” he confided, “I’m not headed to Nashville, not looking to get a contract, or go on to the next level. I do it because I love it.’

As far as the band’s curious name, well, it’s a conundrum. Initially, they just needed a moniker, but that’s never easy. “Looking for a band name,” Brown remembered, “We’d think of something, look it up on the internet but find it was already in use.” Then, they remembered fans calling them ‘ a screaming rock band,’ that’s ‘louder than a locomotive.’ Someone even said, ‘ya’ll created a monster.’ “So we did. It just seemed logical to go with something we’d heard of – Catawba River Monster, plus no one else named that.”

So, what about the myth of an entity? Living near the Catawba River, in Catawba, fishing and camping there often, Brown maintains, he knows of what he speaks . “I know for a fact something is out there,” he said, citing “strange sounds, creature noises down on Sand Island in the middle of the river, plus something Brown says “let out a scream, threw rocks, made ‘a ruckus in the woods – something big.” Who knows what creepy creatures dwell out there, in the dark, on the river?

But, for the time being, this monster comes to rock! “We want to see you, anybody and everybody at the show. Come see, hear us,” Brown invited. “Come out to have a good time” with Catawba River Monster, live Friday at The Handlebar Tavern, 2610 South Anderson Road, Catawba. Call 327-0074 or check Facebook for more details.

Elsewhere

Friday: The Rockaholics at Revolutions, The Galleria Mall, Rock Hill; Khaos Kings at Luke’s Sports Bar & Grill, Rock Hill; Soul Therapy at The End Zone, Rock Hill; Jason Poore at McHale’s On Main, Rock Hill; Carolina Smoke at T-Bones on The Lake, Lake Wylie; Jody Edwards & Co. at Madison’s On The Corner, Tega Cay-Fort Mill.

Saturday: Hoodwinked at WingBonz Live, Rock Hill; Vinyl Road at Original Empire Pizza, Rock Hill; Bandam at Luke’s Sports Bar & Grill, Rock Hill; Ashley Peeples at McHale’s On Main, Rock Hill; Oneppo Brothers Band at John’s Place, Fort Mill; Dazey Jayne at Pineville Tavern, Pineville.

Sunday: Just for Fun Band with Wayne Moore, Mike Taylor and Uncle Ronnie Farrington at The Handlebar Tavern, Catawba.

This story was originally published May 12, 2016 at 2:37 PM with the headline "Catawba River Monster ready to rock Friday the 13th."