The Recycled Zombies will perform at Owego’s Zombie Fest scheduled on Saturday, Oct. 24 from 2:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Draper Park and the Parkview Hotel and Restaurant located at 145 Front St. in Owego, N.Y. The popular rock and metal band returns for the third year in a row and is slated to take the stage at 7 p.m. (Provided photo)
One of our region’s favorite bands and a consistent crowd-pleaser, The Recycled Zombies, return for the third year in a row to perform at Owego’s Zombie Fest scheduled on Saturday, Oct. 24. Taking place at Draper Park and the Parkview Hotel and Restaurant located at 145 Front St. in Owego, N.Y., the recycled musicians reunite on the Zombie Fest stage with all of their original members and will be all-out dressed for the occasion and in zombie-form like never before.
Just after darkness falls, the undead will surround and then encroach upon the stage at the historic Owego Parkview to hear what the Recycled Zombies describe as “old school rock and metal.” The four-man Binghamton-based band takes the stage from 7 to 9 p.m.
“We really like playing in Owego,” shared Recycled Zombie singer and guitarist Jim Popeck. Pleased that all of the original members are together again, he added, “Our tight machine is back.”
Another band member suggested the name “Recycled Zombies” after watching a Syfy television marathon about five years ago.
What may be surprising to fans, Popeck commented, “I didn’t like it at first.”
Fast-forward five years, and the name today is highly recognized in the Southern Tier and surrounding region. With their accompanying flashy and trademark neon green logo along with the collaboration of their individual talents and distinctive edge, fans and followers, and even people who may not be as familiar with their music, can easily identify them.
“And we are all really ‘recycled’, too,” Popeck chuckled, and explained, “We’ve all played in at least three, and even as many as nine different bands.”
When asked what Zombie Fest goers can expect from the Recycled Zombies at the Owego event, Popeck replied, “A great show and a good loud time!”
In addition to playing rock and metal cover songs which include classics fans will know, and then occasionally throw into the mix a few obscure tunes, what sets the Recycled Zombies apart from other bands is their original music. Popeck described a particular song he wrote centered around the events of Sept. 11, 2001, and the band plans to play it in Owego.
Popeck explained, “The lyrics really speak to 9/11 and how I was feeling at the time.”
Also planned during the Recycled Zombies set is the opportunity to join talents on stage with ten-year-old drummer Eli Van Shephard of GriEli and Sonny Weeks from Wreckless Marci, who will together perform a piece which Popeck is confident will liven up the undead crowd a notch higher on the zombie scale.
For Zombie Fest goers and to those who may be on the fence about attending the event, Popeck shared, “It’s all about the fun! Come out and support the local musicians.”
Owego’s Zombie Fest, a free event for all ages, will feature the Recycled Zombies, Wreckless Marci, GriEli and Kathy Hansen’s School of Dance performers, along with face painting, a haunted house and the not-to-miss “Zombie Walk” around downtown Owego.
Taking place at Draper Park and the Parkview Hotel and Restaurant, which is registered on New York’s Haunted History Trail, Zombie Fest will bring the undead out of the woodwork for a howling good time from 2:30 to 9 p.m.
For more information, find the Recycled Zombies, Owego Zombie Fest and Owego’s Parkview Hotel and Restaurant on Facebook. To learn more about the haunted history trail visit www.hauntedhistorytrail.com.
This free event is organized by community volunteers, and is made possible through various sponsors to include the event sponsor, Music, Movies & Mayhem featuring Heather and Ron; and the major sponsors, Visions Federal Credit Union, Tioga Downs Casino, and Armstrong Music House – formerly of Towanda and Sayre, Pa.
