Jason Sandford
Jason Sandford is a reporter, writer, blogger and photographer interested in all things Asheville.
Who wants to see and support some local rock and roll? To win tickets for two to this weekend’s show, just be first to comment.
BIG THANKS to Jeff at The Grey Eagle for the tickets. Keep your eye on Ashvegas for more ticket contests, and support local music and local venues.
If you’d ever like to sponsor a giveaway on Ashvegas, just comment or email us.
The Hermit Kings @ The Orange Peel from Industrious Productions on Vimeo.
The Hermit Kings are a rock band based in Asheville, North Carolina that formed in the winter of 2010/2011. Musician Zaq Suarez recruited members from several existing local bands for a new musical experiment, known as Big Hungry.
Zaq, as the lead singer and song writer, experimented with a range of sounds; from ragtime-inspired songs like “Yankee Whalers” to the soulful and lyrically-brilliant songs “A Day at the Races” and “Into the Ground.” With six members, the band has an almost anthemic and orchestral quality with instrumental ingenuity and layered harmonies.
After several months of creative maturity, the band changed their name to The Hermit Kings. The Hermit Kings’ sound is fundamental rock-n-roll, with soul and country under-tones. Thanks to the addition of Alex Finlay’s sound design and audio engineering, the Hermit Kings also have electronic and atmospheric elements. The band has played mostly local venues, including The Orange Peel and The Grey Eagle and are working on releasing an album in 2012.
River Rats
http://www.reverbnation.com/theriverratsmusic
The River Rats formed right here in Asheville around early 2011 as a busking project. Jump started from several songs written by local singer/songwriter Andrew Scotchie, The River Rats have evolved from a stripped down guitar and harmonica duo between Scotchie and other local player Andrew Adams to a full on rock/soul and blues outfit.
Currently with over 2 hours of original songs ready and the instrumentation consisting of guitar, bass, drums, harmonica, trumpet and trombone the River Rats produce a wall of sound that gets audiences dancing and connecting with their raw energy. The band is: Andrew Scotchie on guitar/vocals, Jordan Miller on bass, Eliza Hill on drums, Andrew Adams on harmonica/saxophone, Kyle Snuffer on Trombone and Alex Bradley on trumpet.
The River Rats have made a habit of staying busy; the band is currently on the tail end of a southeast tour, has gotten to share the stage with WNC greats such as David Earl and the Plowshares, made airplay on 98.1 the River and will be releasing their debut album “Soul and Sarcasm” at the Grey Eagle show July 20th and online in the fall.
Influences of the Rolling Stones, The Black Keys, traditional blues and southern rock can be heard from the River Rats and the band shows no signs of slowing down this fall. Make sure to bring your dancing shoes when checking out this band!
Giant Giants
http://giantgiants.bandcamp.com/
One Giant was walking around, looking for something to do, as he was oft to do. He had been walking for hours, peering into the strange vats as he walked by them. Each vat stored its own melody that could
only be heard at this one spot, unless some large creature were to come by and pick it up. Now, the problem with One Giant was that he had no arms nor hands – not that he was born as a defect, but he
simply had no need for them so he did not have any. However, after spending enough time peering into the strange vats and listening to the melodies, he did begin to wish he had arms and hands. So he
continued walking. In a period of time later that can be only described as a period of time later, Two Giant shuffled into the picture. Shuffled, in that he had no legs, and was thus reduced to using his large arms and hands for transportation (and of course the occasional lost melody that had escaped its vat – a quite pleasant way to travel). Two Giant knew of the strange vats with their strange melodies and had too wished he could somehow move them. In the days that followed the meeting of One Giant and Two Giant, an idea began to float around them, wishing to be used. One Giant and Two Giant agreed that they could help each other out, and that they did not need their own identities as much as they used to. Thus, the Two formed into the one, and the moving of the strange vats filled with melodies began.
9pm. $5.
Standing room only.
This should be a good show, I sure would like to go.
Ashewill, you’re our winner. Stay tuned for details in email!