This satirical campaign poster by Static Spirit sparked interest and enthusiasm among locals, and with the help of another local band, 3-Fold, helped spread the word about the one day Old Timers Day Festival in Peebles on Saturday, September 13 from 9 a.m. - 11:30 p.m. (Photo courtesy of Static Spirit)
By Ryan Applegate
People’s Defender
Static Spirit has always been known for loud guitars, harder edges, and a streak of mischief, but this year the Peebles-based band has taken its creativity off the stage and onto the internet. In the weeks leading up to Old Timers Day, the group engineered a playful “campaign” for town council that was never real at all. What started as a series of tongue-in-cheek memes quickly snowballed into a full-blown “meme war,” sparking online buzz that has turned into the most unlikely promotion for this year’s scaled-down festival.
Bassist Matthew Mahoney, who also serves on the Lions Club committee that organizes the event, admitted that the whole thing began as a joke. Seeing a sudden interest in young people declaring as candidacies for town council, he thought Static Spirit might as well join the fray. Memes were made, and the band leaned into the absurdity. “It was like the Hunger Games,” Mahoney said. “We wanted that five minutes of fame, and then I thought—why not pull in some of our friends too? We can’t run unopposed.” Soon enough, their posts were everywhere, with the band leaning into a satirical tone that made people laugh while also getting them to notice Old Timers Day.
Drummer Cory Phillips is credited with creating the most eye-catching piece of the campaign, a mock political-style image of the band jammed into a chair with the tagline warning against electing them. The image circulated quickly, tapping into memories of a more serious moment when some in the community had expressed disappointment about the band’s Old Timers Day debut several years ago. Rather than sulk, Static Spirit leaned into the critique. What might have been a setback turned into an in-joke and eventually a rallying cry. “It was kind of funny,” Mahoney said. “It didn’t bother us, and honestly it made other people upset on our behalf. That felt good.”
The satire worked, but it also served a practical purpose. Old Timers Day, normally a full weekend festival, has been pared down to just one day this year because of ongoing road work in Peebles. With limited vendors, food trucks, and space, organizers needed a way to keep the community engaged and excited. The Lions Club, which supports local causes ranging from the Children’s Home to the Veterans Home, wanted the event to retain its family-friendly heart even at a smaller scale. As a committee member, Mahoney booked the bands and made sure Static Spirit would close out the night. “We’ll have other groups people want to see, but we’re playing last just in case things get shut down,” he joked, recalling a long-ago performance at a record store that police had to halt mid-show.
For the band members, the chance to play their hometown festival remains a special occasion. Clean vocalist and guitarist Aaron Davis noted that while the group usually performs outside Adams County, where their style of heavy music is more widely embraced, the Old Timers Day stage is one of the few places locally where they can share their sound with friends and family. “It’s neat to just go out and show them what we do,” Davis said. “It feels cool that people actually come out and enjoy it.” Harsh vocalist and guitarist Caleb Rhoads added that the camaraderie of local bands coming together for the lineup makes the night feel like a celebration of the region’s music scene as much as the town itself.
That sense of collaboration is reflected in the promotional theme Static Spirit embraced: “The Super Friends Save Old Timers Day.” The phrase was their way of turning the mock rivalry of their meme campaign into a message of unity. After years of joking about rivalries, this year’s event felt like the perfect time to showcase what happens when bands pull together to support a community event. “We’re working together now, so now we’re the Super Friends,” Mahoney said with a grin.
Old Timers Day will look different this year, but organizers promise it will still be filled with tradition and energy. Berea Miller, a Lions Club member and Old Timers Day committee member, described this year’s festival as a “one day small event with limited vendors and food trucks but with rides and games for the kids to enjoy.” The theme is drawn from Dr. Seuss: “A festival is a festival no matter how small, there’s always fun to be had by all.” It’s a reminder that even when construction and weather conspire to make things difficult, Peebles can still gather for its signature tradition. The event will run from 9 a.m. – 11:30 p.m. on Saturday, September 13 at 185 Charlotte Avenue and will feature all the usual fellowship, food and family fun condensed into a single packed day.
Music will still anchor the evening, with a lineup designed to appeal to a variety of tastes. Geoff Pelletier will take the stage at 6 p.m., followed by Violet Embers at 9 p.m. Fire 4 One at 10 p.m. and Static Spirit closing out at 11 p.m. The smaller stage time does not mean smaller enthusiasm—if anything, this year’s condensed schedule ensures that every moment counts.
Static Spirit’s antics may have been tongue-in-cheek, but they have undeniably amplified attention for the festival. The band leaned on humor, nostalgia, and a little self-deprecation to stir up conversation in the community, proving that even memes can help sustain small-town traditions. As Mahoney reflected, “It’s rare we get to play here. So it’s always a good time. And it feels cool that people actually come out and enjoy it.” For Old Timers Day 2025, that energy may be exactly what’s needed to remind Peebles that a festival, no matter how small, is still worth celebrating.
