Below is a history of the band, including all our performances.
History
2010
June 17
We played a second year at the kickoff for a Cornell film criticism institute. The Andrew D. White House was a beautiful setting, and the food from Just a Taste was delicious.
June 4
We played a set at the Ithaca Festival. A nice crowd at the Aurora Street Pavillion.
May 30
We played a set without Shane at Boogie Shakedown, a local party hosted for many years by members of Plastic Nebraska/Family Knife.
March 19
CD release party at Felicias. Thanks everybody for coming out.
February 20
With the CD mixes finished, we played at Wildfire (formerly Lost Dog). Playing under the name Cape Horn, Steve Gollnick and Walt Lorenzut opened.
2009
Saturday, October 24. We played a set at the Americana Jubilee, held at the Rongo in Trumansburg.
Friday, September 4, As usual a fun time at Felicias Atomic Lounge
Tuesday, July 14
A nice crowd on a beautiful summer evening for Music in the Hollow at the Ellis Hollow Community Center.
Sunday, June 14
We played the Nonesuch program with host Tracey Craig on WVBR. Each of us was interviewed, and we played Easter Island, The Spark, I Will Follow, Another Quarter, and Caberet. We followed that with an evening gig at Maxies Always a good time at Maxies' Shuck and Jive Sunday.
Sunday, May 31
We played the Ithaca Festival at Stewart Park. A great small crowd danced enthusiastically and shielded us (somewhat) from the strong, cold northerly wind.
Friday, May 15
Two sets for a great crowd at Felicia's.
Tuesday, April 28
We played a short set at the Nines. Opening was Sgt Dunbar & the Hobo Banned from Albany, and the headliner was These United States from Lexington KY and Washington DC. Both are bands to check out!
Friday, March 13
Anther packed house at Felicia's Atomic Lounge. Great fun, as always.
Friday, February 27
Nice to be back at Korova (i.e., the bar formerly known as Korova). The first gig with Peter as a married man!
Friday, January 23
A packed house at Felicia's Atomic Lounge.
May - December 2008
Sunday, December 21
We played four songs (Easter Island, Caberet, Gospel Song, and Seven Days) at the musician's office party at Felicia's. Thanks to Mary Lorson for organizing such a fun event.
Sunday, December 7
We played two sets at Maxies. Thanks to the brave souls who came out on a very cold winter evening.
Saturday, November 22
We played one set following Pearl's Basement.
Friday, October 17, 5:30-8:30PM
A packed house at Felicia's Atomic Lounge. Thanks for coming out, everyone.
Saturday, October 11
We played a three-hour set at the Montour Falls Harvest Festival. A beautiful day, a nice crowd, and great food at the Harvest Cafe.
September 26
Pourhouse
Shane Hartman joined us on drums for the first time. A surreal second set with the Obama/McCain debate captioned on TVs.
August 16
Korova
A very fun time playing at the party for Tim and Alyssa's wedding. Congratulations!
August 12
Music in the Hollow
We played two sets as a trio to a nice crowd at the Ellis Hollow Community Center
June 29
Maxies
Three sets plus a four song encore. Nice to be back at Maxies for a good time and delicious food.
June 20
We played one set as a trio in the brief sunny hour between rain showers.
June 1
Korova
Chad could not make it, so we played as a trio.
May 2
Pourhouse
Emily Arin opened the show, then we played two sets, backing up Emily on a few of her songs at the outset of the second.
Up to April 2008
April 5
We provided the accompanying music for Steamboat Bill Jr., Buster Keaton’s classic silent film, as part of the Finger Lakes Environmental Film Festival. A sell out and a standing ovation.
February - April
Chad and Peter continue work on the CD
February 17
Another fun gig at Korova
January 11
Rural Research Laboratory, Arnot Art Museum
A nice space for concerts and for artists to gather.
January 5-6, 2008
In Chad’s studio recording demo/CD. On Saturday we captured basic tracks to Release Me, Cast Iron, Loretta, Bar is Full of Options, Open Country, Should You Reconsider, and Hottest Days. On Sunday we selected five songs to put on our demo and do overdubs and fixes: Easter Island, Cabaret, Taste of Nothing, Paralyzed, and Should You Reconsider.
December 16
Love Knows No Bounds benefit, The Haunt
Not well attended, but we made some new friends in the music community.
December 9
In Chad’s studio recording a demo. We captured basic tracks for five songs: Bedsprings, Cabaret, Clap Hands, Easter Island, and Paralyzed.
December 7
Harvest Cafe
224 W Main St, Montour Falls, NY (607) 535-8986
sharing the bill with the Yardvarks and Emily Arin
December 1
413-415 Taughannock Blvd, Ithaca (607) 272-1370
Common Railers
November 9
106-112 South Cayuga Street, Ithaca, (607) 277-9143
Wayward Girls 9:30
Common Railers 10:30
Berrit Smylin Band 11:30
September 29
Americana Jubilee, Rongo. Probably the best set we’ve played thus far with Chad.
September 18
Maxies for Chicken Fried Tuesday. Chad joined us for the second time.
August 12
Korova
August 9
Music in the Hollow, Ellis Hollow Community Center, A ninety minute set in the near dark, near rain.
August 3
Felicia's Atomic Lounge. We played a couple sets acoustic in the alley. Mighty fine Mojitas.
July 29
Maxies. Chad Crumm joined us on fiddle and banjo. Great fun, hopefully to be soon repeated.
July 12
Dancing on the Commons. We performed at the Aurora Street Pavilion as part of the Summer Concert Series on the Ithaca Commons
June 27
We played one set, opening for Driftwood Groove at Castaways.
June 16
A good turnout at Pourhouse.
June 13
We played three sets at the Showcase Tompkins trade show at
Ithaca Farmers Market. A beautiful day to be playing outdoors, and terrific sound provided by Sound on Sound--thanks to Dave and Kenny.
April 28
No Radio Records. We played between two sets by our friends Sean Donovan and Steve Gollnick. Peter and Mike sat in with Sean. Peter played with Steve as well.
April 1
We played the closing party for the Finger Lakes Environmental Film Festival at Korova. Dancing to the Common Railers! A first.
March 17
Pourhouse. A fine St. Patrick's Day gig, although a small crowd because of a continuing snow storm (16 inches in a couple days). Peter and Gordon stopped by Chad Crumm's studio, the MusicTank, beforehand. A very nice setup.
February 25
A day of recording. Able to lay down the basics of about 6 tracks. The CD is started. Huge thanks to Dave Yantorno for his help!
February 11
A fun gig, as always, at Korova
February 8
Castaways. One set after the Splendors and before Gustav and the Seasick Sailors (playing without the sailors but with Helena Arlock on cello) and Stanley and the Livingstons.
January 28
A good time with lots of friends, even Mike's mom and dad, at Maxies.
January 4, 2007
A fun gig at the Pourhouse in Trumansburg.
December 19
Rehearsel at Bailey Hall, Cornell University. We helped our friend Andy test out the sound system.
December 16
We played two sets at a private holiday party hosted by our friends Doug & Treva. Lou DePole sat in on harmonica for one song.
December 9
Crossing Borders live radio show, Club Euphoria, Ithaca. We opened for Steve Gollnick. Mike could not make it so we were bassless railers. A small crowd of friends--thanks--and nice feedback from as far away as Indiana.
November 24
Johnny Cash Tribute, Castaways. A well-received set of three songs and a packed house for the event. Mike even made the cover of Ithaca Times (in the background behind Johnny).
November 12
Korova, on the Ithaca Commons. Our second gig went well, especially the second set after we worked out some sound issues and relaxed more. Thanks to Scott Seidts, who provided assistance with the sound system.
@ October 28
Our first website went live. Peter did much of the content and design. Gordon did The Name. Andy and Dan host us as a beta test of their new product.
October 19
We did one set at No Radio Records along with Barn Burning, Clinton Bush, and Paul Bucholz.
September 23
We backed up Regina O'Brien at the Americana Jubilee, Rongovian Embassy, Trumansburg, NY.
September 3
Our first public gig at Korova, on the Ithaca Commons. After struggling for weeks with hundreds of possibilities, we agreed on the name Common Railers 15 minutes before starting to play. Tim replaced Trout Derby with Common Railers on the board.
June 10
We appeared for the first time as a trio, jokingly called "Flood of 55" for Gordon's 50th birthday party.
2006
In early 2006, we jammed a few times at Peter's house. We found that it started working and talked about calling it a band and playing out.
Beginnings
Mike and Peter met at Ithaca College and played together in bands including ElectriCo. The three of us sat in simultaneously with Don Bazley Project in late 2005/early 2006 and talked about playing some time outside that context.