Lansdale Music Factory Kicking Out the Jams

While Lansdale Borough works toward reviving a former arts center at 311 W. Main St., an arts and music revival is already underway next door at the former PEAK Center location.

The Griffo family has pressed play on the Lansdale Music Factory at 315 W. Main St. and, so far, what it offers is music to the public's ears.

A stroll through the doors at Lansdale Music Factory—located between 311 W. Main St. and the Dresher Arcade—shows off everything for the local music fan: an agenda of upcoming concerts, a room stuffed with vinyl and CDs, and a stage with cafe. Even the hallway leading from the lobby to the theater is lined with vinyl. 

Unfortunately, the vintage 1983 Atari "Star Wars" arcade coin-op in the back is not working right now.

Lansdale Music Factory is the brainchild of Rocky Dean Griffo and Cathy Griffo, of Hilltown Township. The husband and wife also own The Attic thrift store on the same block, and Cathy Griffo co-runs Griffo & Griffo Tutoring and Beyond on Harleysville Pike in Franconia with her daughter, Caitlin Griffo, a Class of 2009 Kutztown University Special Education major.

"Someone came to the store one day and mentioned the PEAK Center people were relocating. Rocky always thought it would be nice to have a venue liek this where people can come and perform and play for the community," said Cathy Griffo. "He thought it'd be nice."  

One month in and Lansdale Music Factory has already had a "Lansdale Idol" singing competition and its biggest concert yet—an acoustic set by Real Diamond, a Pennsylvania-based Neil Diamond tribute band. 

On Friday, Lansdale Music Factory hosts Pillars of Villainy, The Mahlors and Dugout at a 6:30 p.m. all ages show for $7. 

Its most popular attraction, however, fits nicely with the current revived interest in vinyl records. A room right off the front entrance from West Main Street is stacked with used vinyl and one entire wall is jammed with used CDs of varying genres.

"People seem to like it," said Griffo. "They walk in and see it's a lot different than The PEAK Center used to look. We think it's a fun place."  

Lansdale First Friday on May 3 saw shoppers perusing the vinyl room and taking in an acoustic performance from local musician Kenny Ferrier.

Cathy Griffo said her family refers to the place as an arts venue, much like what 311 W. Main St. wants to be.

"That's what we call it," she said. "There's no theater per se yet, but we have the stage for it. So, it might be a possibility too."

The biggest draw, she said, is a combination of concerts and vinyl record shopping.

"The records catch the eye and people come in and don't realize a stage is back there," she said. "There's not a lot of concerts going on yet." 

The ultimate plan for Lansdale Music Factory? Keeping having more concerts and selling more tickets.

"We have a wide variety to meet everybody's needs, be it children's concerts or bands," she said. "A seventh-grader came up to me just tonight and said he would like this place to perform a show."

Lansdale Music Factory has its own website here. It can be reached at 215-393-ROCK.