Rev Up for St. Pat's with Rock Sensation 'Wedding Banned'

High energy rock band Wedding Banned will cap off the first Paint the Town Green festival with a performance at Durty Nellie’s West Irish Pub in downtown.

Nellie's is one of the forces behind Paint the Town Green, a pre-St. Patrick's Day celebration organizers hope will become an annual tradition in Palatine. Nellie's has an entire day of enteratinment planned starting at 12:30 p.m. and ending with Wedding Banned.

“We are a rock n roll band focusing on music that keeps the party going,” said Wedding Banned's press contact ChucknTipton said. “We often put our own twist on the songs we play, but we want everyone to have fun and sing along.”

Wedding Banned plays favorite covers from many popular era rock bands like Guns 'n Roses, Whitesnake, Kings of Leon, Bon Jovi, Rick Springfield, Eddie Money, KISS and, a personal favorite, Journey.

“Wedding Banned is the most popular party in the Midwest,” Tipton said. “We pick a random bride and groom out of the crowd and have their wedding reception.”

Tipton said that because the band’s performance is an interaction requiring audience participation, Wedding Banned and the crowd feed off of each other’s energy.

Wedding Banned is comprised of Mayor Manaconda, lead vocals; Vinnie Van Action, lead guitar; Alfredo Muffalatta, guitar, vocals, keyboards; Ted "The Gooch" Spumonte, drums and Bruce Winche'll, bass.

The show starts at 11 p.m. Visit Wedding Banned for more information on the band.

The rest of Nellie's Paint the Town Green lineup includes:

• Irish folk band Character Fleadh from 12:30 p.m. until 3 p.m.
• Celtic punk band Flatfoot 56 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
• Rod Tuffcurls & Bench Press will perform songs from the 80s and fun sing alongs from 7 p.m. until 9 p.m.
• Black Cadillac will cover bands such as The Killers, Bon Jovi, Billy Joel, Guns N Roses, and Bryan Adams from 9:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.

Other Paint the Town Green entertainment includes:

• Emmett’s Ale House, 110 N. Brockway St.

Enjoy a kegs and eggs buffet 9 – 11 a.m., and a pasta and prime rib buffet directly following. Full menu is also available all day. Music will begin at noon:

• Irish folk band Kingsfold Trio will play from noon to 3 p.m.

• Trey Higgins will perform with bagpipes from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Also on Saturday, will feature live entertainment:

• Rock band 30 Stones spins off an energetic set featuring hard rock classics. Show begins at 10 p.m. $3 cover to go upstairs, free cover for downstairs. Drink specials include 32-oz Miller Lite and Coors,  Light for $4.50, Fruity shots for $1. Full food menu served until midnight.