Fringe Revival

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Fringe Revival is an Asheville, NC based Psychedelic Rock Era (1966 - 1970) tribute band delivering energetic, true to the sound and spirit musical performances.

With a catalog of songs ranging from Steppenwolf to Cream to The Doors, Fringe Revival takes your audiences back to the era that contributed incredible songs to music history. Concertgoers are delighted by their spirited performances and faithful renditions of a full repertoire of popular, but rarely performed songs from the Psychedelic Rock Era.

The Band

The idea for Fringe Revival began in 2021, when keyboardist Jim Stair joined Somewhat Petty, Asheville's Tom Petty Tribute Band, and met their drummer, Sam Vulopas. The two quickly realized a shared vision for a tribute show centered around mid to late 60's rock, and began recruiting talented, like-minded musicians with a strong work ethic who love that musical era. A requirement was a passion to tackle technically challenging material while maintaining exceptional attention to detail and high performance standards.

After curating a setlist from hundreds of Billboard 100 charting songs from 1966 to 1970, they spent months in the rehearsal studio refining complex vocal and instrumental arrangements. The band debuted as Flashback Fringe in September, 2023.

Hurricane Helene delivered a crushing blow to Western North Carolina in 2024, impacting many lives. A secondary outcome was the effect on local bands and music venues. Jim and Sam kept the flame alive and recruited new members Corky McMillan on bass / lead vocals, Dave Eske on lead guitar, and John Keck on lead vocals / rhythm guitar. After another long and intense rehearsal period, the band reemerged in June 2025 as Fringe Revival.

The concept has struck a chord with music lovers in Western North Carolina, with Fringe Revival quickly attracting growing audiences and social media numbers.  The band continues to enhance their song catalog and refine their performances.

Fringe Revival is:

Dave Eske David Eske
Lead Guitar, Vocals

A recent transplant to WNC, Dave has performed in numerous bands from California, Delaware, and Maryland, playing keyboards and guitar in Child, Avalanche, Slicknickle, Shaker, Risqué, and Terra Fermata.

In addition to songwriting, Dave has worked as a theatre technical director, lighting and set designer, sound engineer, and fine woodworking craftsman.

Dave also plays guitar for KD Groove Alliance, a vibrant 8-piece soulful, rock band.

John Keck John Keck
Rhythm Guitar, Lead Vocals

John is originally from California, but now lives in Asheville, NC. While living in California, John had a record deal with Epic in the 90s with his band Hand of Fate. John has played with people from the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Pearl Jam and Smashing Pumpkins. His earlier stuff was Alternative Rock.

John stopped playing music over 25 years ago, but started writing songs and playing again in 2018. John’s music is influenced by Tom Petty, Led Zeppelin, The Rolling Stones, David Bowie, Pink Floyd and the Beatles.

John also fronts his own group, The John Keck Band.

Corky McMillan Corky McMillan
Bass Guitar, Lead Vocals

Corky started his career in Winston-Salem, NC, and was in Sacred Irony along with Mitch Easter (producer of REM and many others), one of the first bands to record their own material and get airplay in what would become a musical hotbed. Corky spent many years working in the Atlanta music scene with many of his own bands.

After touring for several years with Grammy winning Vassar Clements, he played on the album “Vassar”. Others he has played with include Levon Helm, Paul Butterfield, Papa John Creech, John Hartford and John McKuen of the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band.

Corky also plays with The John Keck Band.

Jim Stair Jim Stair
Keyboards, Guitar, Vocals

Jim’s musical roots extend back to the 60’s and early 70’s when he was heavily influenced by the great rock, Motown, and jazz artists. Jim started formal piano training at age 5 under the mentorship of his grandfather, a professional big-band drummer, and his mother, an accomplished classical pianist.

He was soon knocked off course when the Beatles phenomenon swept across America and electric guitar became the rage. Jim eventually found his way back to the keyboard in college, and after graduating, landed in Boston where he played in several successful rock and R&B bands while engaged in formal jazz training.

Professional opportunities took Jim to Silicon Valley, Austin, TX where he hooked up with country rock artist Darby Ledbetter, and later to Las Vegas where he played keyboards in a Pink Floyd tribute band until retiring from high tech in early 2020 and settled in Asheville.

Jim also plays keyboards, guitar & harmonica for Somewhat Petty, a Tom Petty tribute band.

Sam Vulopas Sam Vulopas
Drums, Vocals

Sam has had a love of music since his childhood, growing up in a household where the stereo or radio was always playing. He started playing drums in 1968 on a Sears Blue Sparkle drum set, and has never stopped. Thankfully, his drum equipment has gotten better. He’s played everything from progressive rock to classic rock to blues, constantly striving to improve.

After living in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, California, Oregon and Eastern North Carolina, Sam and his wife El found a new life in Asheville, moving to the area in 2017.

Sam also plays the drums for Somewhat Petty, a Tom Petty tribute band, and KD Groove Alliance, a vibrant 8-piece soulful, rock band.

Songs

Here are some of the great songs played by Fringe Revival. New songs are always being added. Send us an email if you've got a song suggestion!

Badge - Cream
Black Magic Woman - Santana
Born To Be Wild - Steppenwolf
Eight Miles High - The Byrds
Green Eyed Lady - Sugarloaf
Hush - Deep Purple
I Can See for Miles - The Who
Incense & Peppermints - Strawberry Alarm Clock
Itchycoo Park - The Small Faces
Journey To The Center Of The Mind - The Amboy Dukes
Just Dropped In - The First Edition
Light My Fire - The Doors
Love Her Madly - The Doors
Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds - The Beatles
Magic Carpet Ride - Steppenwolf

Midnight Confessions - The Grass Roots
Nights In White Satin - Moody Blues
No Time - The Guess Who
Paint it Black - Rolling Stones
Revolution - The Beatles
Ride Captain Ride - Blues Image
Spill The Wine - Eric Burdon
Sympathy For The Devil - The Rolling Stones
Temptation Eyes - The Grass Roots
Time of the Season - The Zombies
Too Much To Dream Last Night - The Electric Prunes
Tuesday Afternoon - The Moody Blues
Vehicle - The Ides Of March
White Room - Cream
You Keep Me Hangin' On - Vanilla Fudge

Media

Watch and listen to Fringe Revival play the music that defined a generation. All music is performed by Fringe Revival. All songs copyrighted by their respective artists.

Black Magic Woman - Santana

Keep Me Hangin On - Vanilla Fudge

Love Her Madly - The Doors

Magic Carpet Ride - Steppenwolf

Too Much To Dream Last Night - The Electric Prunes

Fringe Revival Gallery

Fringe Fans Gallery

Shows

Upcoming Shows

We're continuing to book Summer and Fall shows. Check back here often!

Saturday, April 18th, 2026 - 4:30pm - 7:00pm
Lazy Hiker Brewing, Franklin, NC
Friday, May 1st, 2026 - 6:00pm - 9:00pm
French Broad River Brewery, Asheville, NC
Saturday, May 9th, 2026 - 6:00pm - 9:00pm
Pillar Rooftop Bar, Asheville, NC
Saturday, May 16th, 2026 - 7:00pm - 10:00am
Shamrock Irons, Asheville, NC
Saturday, June 6th, 2026
Private Event, Asheville, NC
Friday, August 7th, 2026
Gas Hill Drinking Room, Winston-Salem, NC
October, 17th, 2026
Hippie Festival, Morrow, GA
October 24th, 2026
Hippie Fest, Salisbury, NC

Previous Shows

April 10, 2026 - One World West Brewing
April 3, 2026 - Mars Theatre Brewing Company
March 29, 2026 - Highland Brewing Company
March 8, 2026 - Pulp at The Orange Peel
February 28, 2026 - Elkhorn Canna Company
February 7, 2026 - Pillar Rooftop Bar
January 16, 2026 - Lazy Hiker Brewing - Sylva
December 27, 2025 - Pillar Rooftop Bar
December 19, 2025 - Shamrock Irons
November 8, 2025 - Jack Of The Wood Pub
October 24, 2025 - Hickory Tavern
October 18, 2025 - Boojum Brewing Co
October 4, 2025 - Pillar Rooftop Bar
October 3, 2025 - Mars Theatre Brewing Co
August 31, 2025 - AGB/Terra Nova Beer Co
August 1, 2025 - Mars Theatre Brewing Co
July 25, 2025 - Records In The RAD
June, 22 2025 - Mars Theatre Brewing Co

Previous shows as Flashback Fringe:
August 25, 2024 - Mars Theatre Brewing Co
August 17, 2024 - Foundation Studios
July 6, 2024 - Shiloh & Gaines
July 5, 2024 - Mars Theatre Brewing Co
June 29, 2024 - The Outpost
June 16, 2024 - Foundation Studios
May 2, 2024 - The Outpost
Dec 31, 2023 - Mars Theatre Brewing Co
Dec 1, 2023 - Mars Theatre Brewing Co
Sep 29, 2023 - Mars Theatre Brewing Co

Sample Contract

View/download PDF

Stage Plot FR Stage Plot

Stage Banner Fire Certificate

Contact Us

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Wish to contact Fringe Revival for booking, band or other information? Please fill out the contact form, and send us an email. We'll respond as soon as possible. We look forward to hearing from you!