Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA • 1968-1974

Fresh Blueberry Pancake emerged in the vibrant Pittsburgh music scene of 1968 as one of the city’s first power trios, formed by bassist/vocalist Tony Impavido, guitarist John Behrens, and drummer Geoff Reidell. Influenced by Jimi Hendrix and Cream, the band quickly distinguished themselves with their high-volume, electrifying performances, cutting through the garage-dominated local scene with their towering stacks and raw intensity. Their unique name was a lighthearted accident, chosen from a cookbook during a rehearsal.

Fresh Blueberry Pancake became a staple of Pittsburgh’s live music circuit, performing everywhere from church basements to shopping center parking lots. One legendary gig during a Battle of the Bands ended with the stage collapsing under the force of their sound—without missing a beat, they played on and won. In 1971, the trio self-recorded Heavy, a nine-track demo captured almost entirely in single takes. Only 54 copies were pressed to vinyl, and it remains a remarkable document of their ferocious energy and tight musicianship.

Though Fresh Blueberry Pancake disbanded in 1974, their brief but explosive legacy lives on through Heavy, a raw and powerful snapshot of early U.S. hard rock that continues to captivate fans and collectors alike.