The Threshold’s Heavy on the Levee was an outstanding event with a great lineup!

On May 6, 2023, I made a trip south to Point Pleasant, WV along with my buddy Aaron. No, we weren’t heading that way to check out the legendary Mothman Museum, although that would have been cool had we had more time.

Instead, we were in the Mountaineer State to take in a concert down on the levee. Dubbed ‘Heavy on the Levee’, the event was put on Brian Francis and his staff at The Threshold, a music media outlet such as Rock Lines Magazine.

It was a beautiful day to spend on the Ohio River rocking out. The lineup was headlines by the mighty Bobaflex. Founding members, Shaun McCoy and Marty McCoy, were back home to entertain the masses. Growing up just 10.5 miles from the venue, the McCoys and company were on top of their game. But then again, when aren’t they.

Bobaflex has been around the music scene since 1998 and were road dogs back in the day. However, in 2019 the band announced that they were disbanding at the end of a tour run in September of that year.

Shawn was stepping down to spend more time with his daughter. Marty, Tommy Johnson (drums), Jake Early (guitar) and Jymmy Toland (bass) continued to function as a four-piece group that they called The Lonely Ones. That incarnation still exists today, with Early being replaced by bassist Tru Payne Roberts with Toland moving to the six strings.

Back to present day, or at least last Saturday anyway, Bobaflex was energized beyond belief to be playing back home. The band delivered a raucous performance that lasted just over an hour. They unleashed old school tunes such as “Turn The Heat Up”, fan favorites like “Bury Me With My Guns On” and “Bad Man” as well as their hits “Home”, “Mama (Don’t Take My Drugs Away)”, and “I’m Glad You’re Dead”, among others.

Bobaflex gave the hometown crowd a show for the ages. They also impressed visitors such as Aaron and me. But as we discussed things afterward, we could not remember a time in which they ever disappointed us, and we’ve seen them plenty.

Lost In Silence owned the spot just before the headliners and to say they did it justice would be a vast understatement. This Tennessee group got started in 2016 at of all things, a local YMCA. Lead vocalist Les Ford and drummer Alex Keys both worked out at the facility. The duo quickly became friends, and the start of LIS was launched.

They had some success with their initial release ‘Parallax’ but for whatever reason the group hit the brakes and went on a self-imposed hiatus. After a three-year absence the band returned in 2019 bigger and better than ever.

Now a six-piece ensemble, Ford and Keys are joined by Michael Serra (bass), Jeremiah Johnson (guitar), Leon Terry (DJ), and Keegan McDonald (guitar). LIS ripped the stage up with “Ghost”, which got airtime on Sirius XM’s Octane, and their return hit “Rest In Piece”.

It was my first time seeing the group play, but they were not strangers to me. I had the privilege of interviewing Keys in 2021 as they were revving things up after their hiatus. It may have been the first time seeing them, but it certainly will not be the last. If you see the name on a marquee near you, do yourself a favor and buy a ticket.

Southern Ohio four-piece group, SoHi, held down the middle spot of the show and just as I expected, they were outstanding. Frontman and guitarist, SJ Abele, is one of the most down to earth musicians I have ever met. His demeanor off the stage is as powerful as the persona he exudes on the stage.

Laura De Brier Miller is amazing on the guitar, providing a virtuosa sound every time she tickles a string. PJ Rupenstien and Kent Jolley are a powerful rhythm section.

Together the four poured their hearts into songs like “GI Jones’n”, “The Raft”, “Sock Monkey”, and of course, my favorite, “Bucknut (Welcome to Ohio)”. Aaron, who had never seen the quartet, walked away a new fan having thoroughly enjoying the performance.

Revision Revised brought their heavy-hitting, in-your-face style of rock to the banks of the Ohio just before SoHi. Lead vocalist, Charles Cody Wilds, had a haunting scream and growl that was second to none. Don Smith was outstanding on the guitar while the thundering sound of drummer, Logan Batista, was jackhammer like.

Wilds introduced the two gentlemen to his right as players who stepped in as last-minute replacements for their regular bassist and second guitarist. I apologize to those two gents for not getting their names. Go to their Facebook page or YouTube and check out their single “Ritual Cult”.

Opening the days affairs was a three-piece band from nearby Gallipolis, Ohio, The Ghostown Three. Although they did not get as heavy as the other four bands, their style got the crowd settled in for the rest of the evening.

Married couple, Ashli and Travis Halley, are joined by Jeremiah Johnson, yes, the same Johnson as the member of Lost In Silence.

If the Halley’s are in harmony in their marriage as they are on the stage, they will have a long and beautiful relationship. They were in sync during every tune that they sang. Johnson showed his wide range of talent in pulling double-duty.

Go to The Ghostown Three’s social media services and check out their latest single “No Way To Stay”.

In closing I would like to thank Brian Francis and his talented team at the Threshold for being so hospitable. You made our Saturday a very enjoyable one. Oh, and just a tip, if you ever visit the Point Pleasant Riverside Park, bring a chair or blanket, they are more than welcome.

I hope you enjoy the photo gallery of the event below. Until next time, this is Big L saying, ‘keep your horns up and rock on!! \m/ \m/