By Rick Hiduk
Despite icy roads and the threat of DUI checkpoints, The Trail Inn in Meshoppen Township filled quickly last night for a Thanksgiving Eve party featuring 12 Letters.
As the four-member band worked their way through three sets of iconic pop and alternative tunes spanning the ’60s to the present, patrons sang along, played pool and darts, and danced.
The Trail Inn is unique with its “long house” layout. While the music could be clearly heard up front near the entrance, the band was best experienced in the back room, which is generally only open for entertainment or dart league.
Joanne and her crew kept the beers and shots flowing as 12 Letters performed their diverse repertoire, which included Blondie’s “One Way or Another,” Green Day’s “Basket Case,” The Rolling Stones’ “Honky Tonk Woman,” Ugly Kid Joe’s “I Hate Everything About You,” Pink’s “Raise Your Glass,” Billy Idol’s “Dancing With Myself,” and Melanie’s “Brand New Key.”
Despite the driving rhythm, there were not as many people on the dance floor as is usually the case. Perhaps it was because the front of the bar was so darned cozy with the wood stove throwing off abundant heat on such a cold night, or maybe people were more in the mood to relax on the last night before the hubbub of the holidays begins. Thanksgiving Eve is one of those nights when people see people whom they haven’t for awhile, so there was probably a lot of catching up to do.
Not me. I figured that it was a good idea to burn off some calories (and some alcohol) to make room for today’s turkey and stuffing (and more alcohol).
There is an irony in the fact that The Trail Inn is the only bar I know of in the Endless Mountains that charges a cover for 12 Letters, yet rarely fails to pack the place when the band is booked.
I love Twelve Letters–especially their rendition of “Brand New Key!”