Noon to Moon ready to rock Onslow

Hurricane Earl failed to rock Onslow County, but 10 bands are ready to do so.

“The storm didn’t slow us down at all; if anything it settled the dust,” said Victoria Costner who owns Deppe Agriculture and Music Pavilion where the largest show in Onslow County history, the Noon to Moon rock festival, thunders onto stage today.

Promoters anticipate more than 8,000 to begin filing into the venue at 10 a.m. and stay well past sundown at the outdoor arena.

But just because preparations for the Noon to Moon festival went smoothly, doesn’t mean it was easy.

Coordinating the bands proved to be the toughest challenge for show promoter Brian Wolfe. As the owner of Hooligans Music Hall, he is used to dealing with big name, headlining bands, but usually one at time. Here he has had to juggle nine major rock groups.

“Most of them are staying in Jacksonville,” he said, adding most of the acts came by tour bus, but some were still flying in Friday.

A last minute addition, Five Finger Death Punch fresh from their trip to entertain troops in Iraq, has caused a lot of excitement among the rock scene in Jacksonville. Wolfe said the group has a loyal local following.

Death Punch’s cover of the 1974 hit “Bad Company,” is steadily climbing Billboard Magazine’s Top 100 Rock Chart and is in the No. 8 spot this week.

Joining them will be Buckcherry, Deftones, Drowning Pool, Nonpoint, Shiny Toy Guns, This Will Destroy You, Trapt and 10 Years.

The bands have sold more than 12 million albums combined.

The winner of Friday’s 4th annual Battle of the Bands competition is set to open today’s event. The contest gave eight local bands a chance to impress judges, including members from bands playing at Noon to Moon.

“It is time for Jacksonville to have a show venue of its own,” Wolfe said. “People shouldn’t have to go to Myrtle Beach or Raleigh to see a big show.”

Event promoters have partnered with the Museum of the Marine as the event’s charitable organization, said Aaron Flahardy, promotions director for Hooligans Music Hall, which is producing the event.

“They will be helping us run this event with volunteers and, in turn, we will be donating a large number of the proceeds to them,” Flahardy said.

More than three dozen Marines from area bases volunteered their muscle to help roadies move equipment and set up the stage. Technicians were busy Friday assembling the huge stage and spectator areas. The fully constructed platform offers more than 1,600 square feet of stage.

Camp Geiger Marines Pvt. Max Marmolejo and Pfc. Randle Baker assisted electricians in the wiring of the arena’s main stage. They said they planned to see the show.

Before the acts hit the stage and after they perform, members of the band and their entourages will be well fed by Catherine Lake restaurateur Thig’s BBQ House & Catering.

Today’s show is the first in a series of concerts planned for the Deppe Road venue. Country singer Trace Adkins and rock legends Lynyrd Skynyrd will play the pavilion Oct. 8 with several acts being lined up for next year.

The Deppe Agriculture and Music Pavilion is located on 244 Deppe Road, off of U.S. 17 N just outside of Jacksonville. Food and beverages will be available for sale to the public throughout the event. For more information, call 910-346-2086.