The Reppertons Bring Punk Rock to State Street

Bristol is a city right on the Virginia/Tennessee border that is known as the birthplace of Country music. This is not the setting one would expect to hear the thundering sound of Punk Rock music. Friday, July 15th O'Mainnin's Pub on State Street hosted a show that featured Punk and Metal music. The multi leveled Irish Pub has an outdoor stage that was just big enough for the 4-piece band to fit on but the sound coming from that small stage was massive. As The Reppertons started into the beginning of their set the crowd started to move. In a town famous for country music a crowd full of young bar patrons were swept away into the sounds of reckless abandon. The Reppertons played a set that lasted just over 45 minutes. Featuring a newly added bass player the band seemed to be very happy with the way the night turned out. Troy Repperton, founding member and drummer, said, “I F**king love it. It’s great when people come out, they sit there and drink their beers, and tap their foot. They don’t stand up. It's wonderful. I love these people and I love this area.” The dust from the crowd was settling and the next band was loading their gear onto the stage as the Reppertons hauled their gear to their renovated band school bus. It was there that I had an opportunity to speak with Anthony Arriaga. Arriaga said, “Why not put out some more Punk Rock? If it’s so called dead because I don’t think it’s dead”. At the end of the night, it is time to head out. The impact of the nights activities still held strong in the heart of Davey Repperton who spoke emotionally about the experience of getting his band back together and playing this show when he said, “I like to Skateboard and play music with my friends. Its all positive. It has helped me get off drugs. I have stopped using needles since I started my band back up. I feel real proud about that. I’m not doing that anymore I’m living life and it feels good. We are playing Punk rock on State Street like you said bro. Very good. Very good.” An unusual night of entertainment for the patrons of O’Mainnin’s Pub and a profound night of music for the members of the Reppertons.