Music for a cause

Music Row
By Brian Rademaekers

The El Bar, aptly situated under the rumbling tracks of the Market-Frankford Line on Fishtown’s western edge, is a place where cheap beer, well drinks and rock ’n’ roll are served en masse in a laid-back environment.
It’s one of those rare places where you can still get a drink at a fair price and catch highly original acts, all without the usual rock-club pretension.
Still, it has established itself as a music venue only in the last few years. It started when Robin Schimpf took the reins from her mom four years ago. Schimpf wanted to expand the offerings of the El Bar without changing the corner-bar casualness of the place. She started out booking some live bands, but things got a jump when David Robins, a bartender at the El Bar and a musician, began hosting a weekly open mic.
Soon, the rock-heavy Hell Under the El Productions company made the El Bar its resident watering hole, bringing in boozy tavern bands like Whiskey Livin’ and the Buzz Deluxe.
These days, you can stumble onto just about any genre of music at the El Bar — from the psychedelic indie rock of Cheers Elephant to the singer-songwriter set and the punk acts that play there.
But there is only one day each year when you can find it all: "Fishstock." Now in its fourth year, Fishstock is a 12-hour musical marathon where the performers run a truly eclectic gamut.
The event had its beginnings in a benefit that was coordinated to help the grandson of open-mic maestro/bartender Robins. The youngster was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis four years ago.
Eager to aid a good cause, the mishmash music scene that had become part of the El Bar decided to put together a benefit concert to raise cash for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.
That was in 2004, and the annual Fishstock benefit has grown and morphed along the way — much like the music scene at the El Bar.
"It started out much more folky, and now it has ended up being much more mixed," said Schimpf. "And every year, it just gets bigger."
This Saturday, the show will kick off at 1 p.m. and last until 1 a.m., encompassing the music of more than 15 bands along the way.
Ten bucks will get you in the door, and once you’ve bought a ticket, you’re welcome to come and go as you please.
Proceeds from ticket sales and purchases of the five-dollar "Fishstock Special" — a 16-ounce well-liquor drink with your choice of mixer — go toward the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.
If that doesn’t keep the party well-lubricated, consider the ongoing backyard jam and barbecue that will take place in the El Bar’s rear courtyard.
As for the bands officially on the roster, things are pretty well shaken up. Bands like Newtown’s The Rebel County bring an acoustic-folk take on punk a la Green Day, while Buzz Deluxe brings chugging rockabilly all the way from Ontario.
There is plenty to chose from in the local field as well. Sister Blue, fronting her four-piece band, brings a rocking take on the blues to the El Bar. The Sidewalk Sensations bring a dose of classic rock, while Pat Conway and Friends offers straight-up Americana folk.
Perhaps the most unusual performer on the 12-hour roster is "Todd S." — who plays an Australian wind instrument called the didgeridoo and has studied with other musicians around the globe.
In short, it’s is going to be fine, long day of music, food and general good cheer. And to think, it’s all for a good cause, and all for a very reasonable price. oo
"At first we didn’t think that anything like this would be possible at the El Bar," says Schimpf. "But it has really grown into this great day that we have every year with this great menagerie of music." ••

Check it out . . .

Who: More than 15 bands hailing from Philly, Canada, and beyond.
What: A 12-hour music marathon, with proceeds going to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.
When: Saturday, July 26, from 1 p.m. to 1 a.m.
Where: The El Bar, Front and Master streets, two blocks north of the Girard El station. Tickets are $10.