While there were many options on New Year’s Eve, I took the ones that I could quickly take a bus to and the ones in my neighborhood. I started with Iron Road Brewing. They provided their jazz house band from 5-7 PM.

The tight knit group of buddies include Aaron MacInnis on guitar, Stefan Thordarson on violin, Alex Ward on double bass, and Jared Wilman on drums. This talented bunch played a selection of beautifully arranged jazz tunes.

Each musician was given plenty of space to solo and the audience responded to show their appreciation. Thordarson’s solo on the classic standard ‘Body and Soul.” was a highlight of the evening! As usual the freshly made beer was very tasty!

Then it was a cab downtown with time to spare before the New Year’s Eve performances at Pizza Pi on Victoria Street. I checked out the karaoke scene at the Central Station Pub. An exuberant audience sang their hearts out and seemed to be having a good time. Then it was off to Pizza Pi. A mysterious poster mentioned a show containing the music of important grunge and rock bands, plus a surprise guest. A drink or piece of pizza was included in the reasonable price of admission. This all ages show was very enjoyable. The suprise opening solo act was none other than, the owner and this evening’s chef, Greg Smith. He did a great job playing covers of Bad Religion and Tom Petty.

Pizza Pi was quite full and nearly everyone knew that some members of Creature would be involved. From Creature, on guitar and vocals was Matt Rane, Zoey Wilds
on bass and vocals, added was Sam Scherrer on drums.

It was Scherrer’s first live show. You certainly wouldn’t have guessed it. They played a solid, energetic set, complete with a New Year’s countdown. Some songs they played were Bowie’s “Blackstar,” Nirvana’s “In Bloom” and “No One Knows” from Queens of the Stone Age.

The all-ages crowd packed Pizza Pi and sang along often. It was a wonderful New Year’s evening.

The bands were great, the pizza tasty and the beer and soda pops were cold. It was a good way to end the train wreck that was 2025.