What's in a name? In Psychedelphia's case, it's both their place of origin and their style of music.
The Philadelphia-based psychedelic band will perform at 9 p.m. Friday at the Bullfrog Brewery, 229 W. Fourth St.
Band members include Kenn Mogel on guitar; Scott Coulter on keys; John Olsen on bass; and Adam Pasqueal on drums. All four members provide vocals.
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Guitarist Kenn Mogel recently spoke with the Sun-Gazette about its upcoming performance.
Psychedelphia came together in 2008, when its members played an impromptu gig at Chaplin's Music Cafe in Spring City.
Mogel attributes their coming-together to fate, calling it "a great blessing."
Though the label "jam band" has been applied to Psychedelphia, Mogel is suspicious of the term.
"I don't like that label. I think the spectrum of music has gotten so wide that you can't pinpoint it," he said.
Each member brings his own sound to the band, whose music, according to Mogel, is best described as "variety."
"We grew up in completely different environments, musically and otherwise," he said. "I'm a blues guy all the way. Putting that in the mix with everyone else's sound or vibe - well, that's what makes a band a band."
When asked about the group's influences, Mogel stressed that his use of the word "influence" is more all-inclusive than most people's.
"Influence is such a broad term," he said. "I think that when you start to include the things deeper than musical influence, you discover the true artist."
All four members listen to jazz, rock, funk, progressive and psychedelic music, Mogel said. They admire artists like The Beatles, The Beach Boys, Frank Zappa, Brian Eno and Pink Floyd. According to Mogel, however, the band members' personal experience informs their music more than any one band.
"We are influencing each other to do good in life and in music," he said.
The band released its debut album, "Paradigm," in 2010 and has toured steadily over the past year in support of it. Despite their relentless touring schedule, the band has found time to write new material.
For Psychedelphia, songwriting is both an individual and collaborative effort.
"Each song has its own songwriting process," Mogel said. "It's always a learning experience."
According to Mogel, a follow-up album is in the works, and he has been pushing his fellow band members to record it live.
"I think that would be fun," he said.
In 2009, Psychedelphia was featured in High Times as an unsigned band to watch. The band has since played countless shows and festivals, attracting a loyal fanbase, yet they remain unsigned.
"We don't have a record contract, and I don't see the need for one in the music industry's current state," Mogel said.
Psychedelphia is part of the burgeoning music scene that has grown up in Philadelphia during recent years.
"I urge people within driving distance to start paying attention to the music scene in Philadelphia," Mogel said. "West Philly especially makes me think of what Greenwich Village was like during the 1960s."
Mogel attributes the scene's success to "good-hearted people going out to support local music." The band said that it is honored to play a part in Philadelphia's music boom and hope to bring some of that energy to Williamsport.
Psychedelphia made its first appearance on the Williamsport circuit earlier this year at Kimball's, during which Mogel said the band was very well-received.
"That was an awesome show - the energy was great. When we arrived, the venue was already at maximum capacity," Mogel said. "We couldn't even get into the place! It was a good feeling."
It's a feeling Psychedelphia hopes to recreate for their first show at the Bullfrog.
When asked if they have anything special planned for Friday night's performance, Mogel was emphatic and concise: "To rock."
There is a 5$ cover charge for the show. For more information about the band, visit www.psychedelphia.com.
