Artist description Now defunct, 78 West thrived in the early to mid-1990s in the New Jersey Shore and East Central Pennsylvania areas. Note: This is a *fan* site (created with the band's permission); the band's history and information provided are from a fan's point of view.

Music Style American roots rock'n'roll

Musical Influences Otis Redding, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Bruce Springsteen, War, Wilson Pickett

Artist History I first experienced 78 West when they were performing under their previous name, Fire Tribe, at the legendary Stone Pony club in Asbury Park, NJ in the summer of 1992. Being a fan of the celebrated but by then ignored "Jersey Shore sound," I was always on the lookout for bands that were continuing this style and helping it evolve. I heard a snippet of Fire Tribe's music advertised on the local "modern rock" station and, liking what I heard, I went to check out their next gig. What I saw and heard just blew me away. Some bands can make a lot of noise but their presence doesn't extend beyond their frontman's nose; this band had a presence that filled the entire room, and their music, while typically rock-club-loud, was not noisy at all. The charismatic frontman -- part rock'n'roll singer, part gospel preacher -- was backed up on vocals by the keyboard player and guitarist in tight, soaring harmony; the rhythm section was solid; and the overall sound was such that you could hear every instrument, with no individual overpowering another. And the lyrics were not only intelligible -- they were intelligent; not about girls, girls, girls and how much they hate their lives, but about the intricacies of relationships and the difficulties of making one's way in an often-adverse world. And there was this underlying spirituality, something intangible that made this band just, well, *greater* than most of the other bands I had seen before or since. This was, in short, *exactly* the band I had been searching for in my quest through the Shore-area clubs (perhaps not "the next Bruce," but that was a blessing, since all these wanna-be successors wind up sounding cheesy anyway). I went home that night and wouldn't stop talking about this band to my girlfriend, Ginni. She HAD to go see these guys, I kept telling her. Well, a couple of weeks later the band was playing at Cheers in Long Branch, and I brought Ginni along ... she saw immediately what I had been crowing about. During the break between the band's sets we approached the lead singer to buy the band's tapes, which were on sale that night; the singer, Rob Reilly, took the time to ask us our names and get to know us. That was already more than just about anyone in a band had taken the time to do. Shortly after that, I was doing a project for a college class in which I was interviewing local musicians and asking their opinions on the state of the vaunted Jersey Shore Music Scene; I talked to more of the band members at another Stone Pony gig. After that, Ginni and I went to see the band whenever it was playing in the Shore area, at places like T-Birds Café and the Saint in Asbury Park; the Good Side Café and Tradewinds in Sea Bright; and Dr. Gimpi's in Highlands, among other venues. Wherever they were, we were. We talked them up to all our friends and families, and often we succeeded in making new fans. Eventually my own band wound up opening up for them the night of May 27, 1994, which happened to be Ginni's "almost-30th" birthday ... she got drunk, my band played wildly, and 78 West were furious and intense. It was one of those rock'n'roll nights that assures you that it's great to be alive, and that rock is far from dead. We had many more nights like that ... what was funny was that the band members always seemed to remember my name, but never Ginni's. She said it was because I had a unique name and distinctive "look," while she appeared to be along for the ride (far from it, honey, you were as much a part of this as anyone!) ... it became a running joke between us and the band. Scott, the keyboard player, would greet us: "Hey, Hesh! And ... uh ... George ..." Eventually the band decided to seek its fortunes in the east-central Pennsylvania region, and although they never abandoned the Jersey Shore, they were focusing more on shows in the Reading area. That didn't stop Ginni and I, who would think nothing of jumping into the car and making the four-hour-plus trek to Reading or Allentown or wherever else. The band, upon seeing us so far away from home, would take pity on us and invite us to stay over at their cabin in the woods, and we accepted their gracious hospitality on many an occasion. Thus we practically became part of their "family," or at least their inner circle of fans. When the band recorded their live set, "Road Tested," at the cabin on a snowy night in early 1995, Ginni and I were there (in fact, you can see me in one of the cover photos!) ... the band was at the top of its game, the atmosphere was, for lack of a better term, transcendent. Things just didn't get any better than that. Of course, whenever nothing can possibly go wrong, something does. This seemingly perfect band and surrounding scene developed the usual personality conflicts, together with bass player Kevin's departure for Florida in pursuit of his Dream Job, and a host of other fractures that I was thankfully not privy to. I don't know what happened, but by 1996 the band was history. Ginni and I were very sorry to see it fizzle the way it did. I don't know where all the band members are these days; Rob and I stay in touch every now and then, and I have Scott's email address, but not much more than that. I heard that the others cut their hair, got straight jobs, and in some cases even stopped playing music altogether. What a sad end to a great, very special scene, an island of pure rock'n'roll, humanity, and community during the time of grunge, angst, and self-centeredness. But I am proud to say that I, as well as Ginni, was part of it while it was happening. I decided to establish this site and dedicate it to all the members and fans of 78 West because so much good music and good vibes were put out by this band, and I refuse to let it all fade into oblivion while the unsold and unheard CDs gather dust somewhere. ~Heshy (a/k/a THE HESH INC.)

Group Members Robert Reilly -- lead vocals, acoustic guitar; Austin Lyons -- electric and acoustic guitars, backing vocals; Scott Kunkle -- keyboards, backing vocals; Kevin Kolman -- bass guitar; John Bermingham -- drums, percussion.

Albums Down Deep; Whatever It Takes; Road Tested (live cassette)

Press Reviews There were many.

Location Reading, PA - USA

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