Piano Fight Club Rocks the Phyrst

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. — Every Wednesday night, the basement of The Phyrst transforms from a small Irish pub into a booming stage for Piano Fight Club, a Philly-based dueling piano act that’s equal parts musical talent and compelling camaraderie.

Led by longtime friends and performers Eric Henkels and Vinny Derenzis, Piano Fight Club has built a cult following in State College over the last several years. Their show—a mix of high-energy covers, crowd requests, and spontaneous banter—has become a weekly tradition for students and locals looking to cut loose in the middle of the week.

The duo arrives at The Phyrst in the early evening, often with just enough time to unload their gear, run a quick sound check, and adjust lighting and layout before the opener takes the stage. They do everything themselves including bringing their own fog machine– water based so they don’t smoke out the cramped Phyrst– and lights. By 10 p.m., the venue goes from completely empty to packed wall-to-wall. Crowds claw to the front to see the show. A group of regulars never fails to be at the front railing each week.

Once Eric and Vinny take their seats at the pianos, the night unfolds with organized chaos. Audience members write song requests—everything from Billy Joel to Chappell Roan—and the duo responds, riffing off each other musically and comedically. No set list, no rules. Just two keyboards and a crowd willing to sing along.

The interactivity is the heart of the experience. Eric and Vinny are always shouting out their regulars, taking shots at each hour, and engaging in crowd work conversations. They know how to get an audience going and it is what sets their show apart from others in State College.

Behind the scenes, the show is as much about friendship as it is about performance. Eric and Vinny met over a decade ago while playing gigs across Philadelphia. What began as a shared passion for piano and performance grew into a partnership built on trust, timing, and good humor. They not only perform their dueling pianos in their home city, but also have a larger band where they play multiple instruments.

While Piano Fight Club is based in Philadelphia, the Wednesday residency in State College is a priority for both musicians. The crowd at The Phyrst, they say, brings a different level of engagement that’s hard to find elsewhere. They also have a close relationship with the servers, bartenders, and bouncers. It is the reason they keep coming back, driving over six hours each week.

As the final notes ring out sometime around 2 a.m., the pair closes the show with a nod to the crowd and a promise to return next week. For many in the audience, it’s already marked on the calendar. Looking to the future, the duo hopes to expand their shows and take it to more cities including New York. They are very passionate about their music and want bigger crowds to experience it. While they continue their State College tradition, the future is sure to hold a lot for these incredible performers.