Chalk it up to musicianship, perseverance, or simply being able to give audiences what they want to hear as reasons for The Aardvarks musical longevity, but one thing’s for sure: The band has defied the odds over the last 20 years and cemented themselves as one of the Lehigh Valley’s premier and longest running rock bands. 

After years of performing together in and around the Valley in The Armadillos, bandmates Michael Rauscher (vocalist/guitarist) and Rod Walls (vocalist/keyboardist) founded The Aardvarks in 2004. The band would quickly evolve with the arrival of vocalist/guitarist Jason Morgan and vocalist/bassist Jon Novak in 2006, and later, when vocalist/drummer Ted Donatelli joined, six years later. 

The current line-up of The Aardvarks has been together for more than a dozen years; constantly updating their song catalog with an eclectic and energetic blend of rock and pop from the 1970s through the 2000s. At any given show you’re just as likely to hear the band’s spin on songs from Earth, Wind and Fire and Pink Floyd as you are to hear covers and medleys from artists like The Bee Gees, Rick Springfield and Blink 182. 

On Saturday, The Aardvarks will begin their new season and celebrate their 20th anniversary as a band along with another familiar Lehigh Valley group, The Honey Buzzards, when they perform at the Musikfest Café in Bethlehem. 

I recently spoke with Rauscher and Donatelli about the show, the band’s milestone anniversary and more in this new interview. 

What can fans expect from the band’s upcoming performance at Musikfest Café?

Michael Rauscher: The guys and I have been working hard on learning new material over our winter break, and I think our fans will be pleased. We’re also bringing up a surprise guest to dive into our old material. It’ll be a hoot!

Read the rest of my Morning Call interview with The Aardvarks by clicking here!