Review: I finally returned to Old Towne Pub

Even before the pandemic, Old Towne Pub was never part of my venue rotation, but I did occasionally head over there. The last time I was there was in Nov 2019 when a band called Peg Leg Love asked if I'd check out their set. When I made up my list of favorite "new to me, but maybe not to you" 2024 list, I added that a 2025 music goal was to head over to Old Towne Pub (if you are interested, you can see that 2024 list here). 

I finally got to checkmark that 2025 goal off the goals list in early August -- yeah, it took longer to fulfill that goal than I thought it would. I happened to notice that Crisis Actor was playing and that it was also an early Sunday show (that helped with the decision making). I believe I got home before 9 p.m.

Psychoactive at Old Towne Pub

First up was the three piece band Psychoactive. What I noticed first was the drummer, Patrick Butterworth. He fronts his own band (on guitar) Dutch East Indians that I've seen a couple times (you can read my Song Spotlight of the Dutch East Indians song "All Time High" here). Psychoactive screamed their way through the set with a hyperactive stage show. The music was played at 2x speed with sweat flying. If you want to see their set, you can watch it here. 

Nearly 6 years had passed since I was last at Old Towne Pub. It felt so similar. The same door guy from pre-2020 was there to collect the $5 dollars, a price that hasn't changed even with all the inflation we've experienced over the last few years. Some of the people in the crowd looked vaguely familiar. Yet, something things had changed. A gigantic guitar prop is now hanging from one of the walls. I swear that there used to be a small bicycle hanging from the ceiling, which is no longer there. The venue used to have a television that I believe played old b-movies. That television is no longer there. So small little updates here and there inside the pub. As for the patio area, I'm not sure there has been any changes there since 2010 and I prefer it that way: nice, clean, and simple. 

After Psychoactive, Stormhouse came up on stage. Like Psychoactive, I immediately noticed something, but this time it was a flashback feeling. Lead singer Markie Medina had me thinking of Christa Collins of The Woolly Bandits. I swear their sounds are similar with a sixties punk attitude though The Wooly Bandits incorporated psychedelic influences. Also, both Medina and Collins have similar onstage attitudes. The most amusing moment of the matinee show popped up at the end of their set. The band was wrapped up, but their bassist was so into the set that he started playing another song. When he realized the situation, it was an "Oh sh*t" with a slight look of embarrassment. You can catch their recorded set here. 

Stormhouse at Old Towne Pub

Closing out the night for me was Crisis Actor. So the first two bands were unfamiliar to me, but I had seen Crisis Actor a couple times. The first time was during the pandemic when The 6*6*60s was doing online shows on The Satellite's Instagram page. The sets were in his back yard. You can see that set here. I then got to catch a live set at Harvard & Stone in late 2022. Flashforward to 2025 and you can say that Crisis Actor is the reason why I finally got myself back to Old Towne Pub. Three years had passed since I last saw Crisis Actor, but I have to say that the band was always top of mind as I often run across lead singer Tony Knox at various venues across town. 

Crisis Actor itself is a thee piece with Knox on guitar, Zach Crawford on bass, and Jonathan Ihejeto on drums. Knox took that small stage by storm, twisting his body in every possible direction. With Knox's forceful guitar playing, it is a wonder that the guitar strings didn't break during the set. Though there were no guitar issues, Ihejeto hit one of his cymbals so hard that it ended up vertical. The band did have the moment of the night when Knox went into the crowd and gave his significant other a kiss. They're a band that will remind you of a favorite eclectic rock band from the 1980s. They're working on releasing a new album and you can listen to their first release "Nervous Laughter" here.  

Crisis Actor at Old Towne Pub