Shown above are members of the Ten Cent Howl who will be in concert on Friday at 7:30 p.m.

The 1891 Fredonia Opera House Performing Arts Center will present popular regional band Ten Cent Howl in concert on Friday at 7:30 p.m.

Back before computers and cell phones and i-everything, when we were still trying to find our way, in the corners and pockets of our country when things were simpler, though always complicated by the human condition, there was music. It spoke of the lives of our families; the older generations before you or me, before Mom and Dad, before Grandma and Grandpa. It was the feeling of the soft blades of grass between your toes on a warm summer day; of a tall cold glass of lemonade after a back-breaking day of work in the hot sun. It was dancing with your best girl under the stars. It was the voice of life and family and experience and love and heartbreak. It is where we come from and who we are; our roots.

Generations later, Ten Cent Howl has distilled that distinctly American experience into song once more. The band makes its debut performance at the Opera House. Band members include Bill Smith on vocal and acoustic guitar, Jerry Hall on bass and vocals. Randy VanWey on drums, Charlie Wesley on electric guitar, and Sasha Pack on keyboards.

Jeff Miers, in The Buffalo News, notes “Ten Cent Howl (has) managed to marry the influences of bluegrass, rockabilly, primal rock ‘n’ roll and Pogues-like punk-folk with strength and vitality.” Jay Burney, in The Public, says “this is a unique band with plenty of lyrical and musical sweetness. This includes exquisite vocals, sensational and evocative original song-writing, and spectacular musicianship.”

General Admission tickets are $15 (Adults), $13 (Opera House Members) and $10 (Students), and can be purchased in person at the Opera House Box Office or by phone at 716-679-1891, Tuesday-Friday, 12-4:30 p.m. They can be purchased online anytime at www.fredopera.org.

The 1891 Fredonia Opera House Performing Arts Center is a member-supported not-for-profit performing arts center with a mission to “present the performing arts for the benefit of our community and region … providing access to artistic diversity … and high-quality programming at an affordable price.” It is located in Village Hall in downtown Fredonia. For a complete schedule of events, visit www.fredopera.org.