Live Review: Stone Horses @ Hub City Vinyl (Hagerstown, MD) — 11/28/25

Stone Horses Bring a Hard-Hitting, Hometown Spark to Hub City Vinyl
Words and Photos by Mike Sprouse / Odd Rocker Photography

There’s something about a chilly late-November night in Western Maryland that makes a rock show feel heavier in all the right ways. Folks pile in with coats half-zipped, wit a little leftover Thanksgiving fuzziness, and the first real bite of winter hanging in the air.

Hub City Vinyl has a kind of friendly warmth to it that’s part shop, part hangout, part listening room and when Stone Horses recently stepped up, it already felt like the space had shifted from “small venue” to “living room with a decibel problem” that just happened to include a loud, confident rock band from right here in Maryland.

The band didn’t waste time on Nov. 28. John Allen walked out with that calm-but-dangerous confidence he’s honed over the years, like a guy who knows exactly what happens once he opens his mouth.

They fired off “Reckless Ways,” which hit like someone dropped a match into dry leaves. John’s voice ripped right through the room; sharp but warm, familiar in a way that works best when you’re only a few feet from the PA.

Watch the official music video for “Reckless Ways” by Stone Horses on YouTube:

Teddy Merrill leaned into his guitar with a tone heavy enough to anchor a tugboat, and Jason Heiser slammed into the beat like someone trying to knock on heaven’s door with a sledgehammer. Dylan Howes locked in beneath all of it; not flashy, just brutal and steady in a way bass players rarely get credit for.

Before that last note even settled, they punched ahead with “Let’s Rock N Roll.” It’s one of those songs that feels like it should carry an exclamation point everywhere it goes. The crowd leaned forward, maybe unconsciously, maybe on purpose, but something about that tune nudges you toward the stage whether you meant to move or not.

“Free” landed with a steady pulse, loud, still tough, but carrying this little openness that made the song breathe in a way the first two didn’t.

With “Flirtin’ With the Devil,” Jason’s drumming was tight and punchy, filling that small space with low-end muscle that you could feel in your bones. There’s always something fun about watching a crowd react to a drum part before the vocals even hit.

Then came “Good Ol’ Days,” which stirred up the kind of sentiment that sneaks up on you during the holidays, all soft nostalgia without leaning too hard on it.

“Broken Hearts Broken Bones” held the room tight. The way John sings it feels like he’s talking directly to someone in the front row, then suddenly to everyone at once. That’s a neat trick.

Watch the official music video for “Broken Hearts Broken Bones” by Stone Horses on YouTube:

One of the highlights of the night came with “Man of Constant Sorrow.” There’s a reason that song keeps finding new life every few years. The band didn’t reinvent it, but they didn’t need to. John’s voice suits that dusty, rugged melody almost too well, and Teddy carved out these little guitar moments that felt like nods to tradition without getting stuck there.

Then they hit “I Got Mine,” a Black Keys cover, and it fit the room like it was written for venues exactly this size; tight, warm and buzzing. Their version had a rougher edge, leaning more into the grit than the swagger. You could see a few folks perk up, the kind of reaction that says, “Oh yeah, that one.” “When I Get Paid” rolled in right after, and the timing couldn’t have been better. Late November, holiday bills stacking up and everyone doing the mental math.

Then the band dropped a little treat with a cover of the Kiss anthem, “Rock-N-Roll All Night.” It was rowdy, loose, maybe even a little goofy in spots, but that’s exactly why it worked. Covers like that aren’t about precision, they’re about shared joy, the weird communal grin you can’t get rid of when the chorus hits.

As the night pushed closer to its peak, the band launched into “Fuck Around and Find Out (FAFO),” which hit like a beer can to the forehead, it was loud, blunt, and delivered with a little wink. The crowd shouted the title back louder than expected, but that’s Maryland for you. They wrapped with “Gasoline,” a closer that sounded way bigger than the room should’ve been able to handle. Teddy lit into the final solo with this hungry energy, and Jason and Dylan anchored everything firmly. It felt like everyone had stepped into the club for a quick break from real life and ended up getting something better: a shot of local rock that doesn’t pretend to be anything it isn’t.

If you’ve been around Maryland rock for a while, you know this band, you know these players, and you know exactly why nights like this remind you why small-room gigs still matter, why loud guitars in tight spaces never go out of style, and why hometown bands can still hit harder than half the touring acts sweeping through bigger rooms.

Setlist

1. Reckless Ways
2. Let’s Rock N Roll
3. Free
4. Flirtin’ With the Devil
5. Good Ol’ Days
6. Broken Hearts Broken Bones
7. —
8. Man of Constant Sorrow (traditional folk cover)
9. I Got Mine (Black Keys cover)
10. When I Get Paid
11. Rock-N-Roll All Night (Kiss cover)
12. Fuck Around and Find Out (FAFO)
13. Gasoline

Band Members:
John Allen — vocals/guitar
Teddy Merrill — lead guitar
Jason Heiser — drums
Dylan Howes — bass

Here are some photos of Stone Horses performing live at Hub City Vinyl on Nov. 28, 2025. All pictures copyright and courtesy of Michael Sprouse/ Odd Rocker Photography.