The end of an era at The Recher Theatre
Since 1997, The Recher Theatre in Towson has been hosting live music acts, big and small, giving many local groups a chance to perform. Mike Ruocco, who is originally from Lutherville, was one of those acts. He started playing when he was a teenager at the Recher in his then-band Plunge, went on to join SR-71 and eventually started the band Cinder Road. A week before the Recher closes for renovations to turn it into a club and bar, Ruocco led Cinder Road Saturday night to their final performance at the venue.
Below, watch a video from Cinder Road’s performance, and hear Ruocco and theatre owner Brian Recher talk about how the venue contributed to their success.
- The band Frenamie opens the show at the Recher Theatre in Towson on Saturday, March 23, 2013, a week before it closes as a live music venue. (Jon Sham/BSMG)
- Autographed photos of artists who’ve performed at the Recher over the years line the walls. At the center here is singer Macy Gray. (Jon Sham/BSMG)
- The lead singer of band Mason Summers, who goes by the stage name Mikey Scars, performs at the Recher on Saturday, March 23, 2013. (Jon Sham/BSMG)
- People walk by the tack board that used to be covered with posters of the Recher’s upcoming acts, now only two posters remain. (Jon Sham/BSMG)
- Cars zip by the Recher Theatre on Saturay night before headliner Cinder Road takes the stage. The theatre will be closed for possibly several months while it is remodeled as a bar and club. (Jon Sham/BSMG)
- A poster advertising Cinder Road is taped in the window in front of the Recher Theatre. (Jon Sham/BSMG)
- Pat Scally, of Timonium, self-described as “not the normal patron” at the Recher, takes a minute to look at the photos of acts who have performed there in the past. (Jon Sham/BSMG)
- Nightsbridge lead singer Mickey Valentine sings a song during the band’s act at the Recher. (Jon Sham/BSMG)
- Cinder Road lead singer Mike Ruocco, right, performs with bassist Nat Doegen at the Recher Theatre. (Jon Sham/BSMG)
- Mike Ruocco, lead singer of Cinder Road, performs. (Jon Sham/BSMG)
- Cinder Road guitarist Pat Patrick rocks out. (Jon Sham/BSMG)
- Mike Ruocco and Cinder Road perform. (Jon Sham/BSMG)
- Cinder Road’s bassist Nat Doegen, left, and guitarist Pat Patrick jam during the band’s performance at the Recher on Saturday night. (Jon Sham/BSMG)
- Cinder Road frontman Mike Ruocco sings. (Jon Sham/BSMG)
Video below