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URL: myspace.com/thebackstrokes
Members
Melissa Nicklowitz (Vocals)
Rob Antecki (Piano & Keyboards)
Justin Dore (Lead Guitar)
Brian Vanfleet (Rhythm Guitar)
Chris Sanders (Bass)
Ryan Engemann (Drums)
Location: Grand Rapids, MI
Record Label: Fifty-Fifty Music
Booking: [email protected]
Media Contact: [email protected]
So who are we?
Well, for starters, we are six people with very different musical backgrounds but a shared love of blues and rock. Our diversity, but shared passion allows us to approach music from different places, but still end up in the same one... usually :)
We began as nothing more than a vague notion between college friends in 2007. Originally we had a flute, viola, and a cello. Our first gig was a battle of the bands at Aquinas College Homecoming in Grand Rapids, MI, lol. We evolved into a full fledged rock band over the year and cut an EP in the fall of 2008. We received good local and regional press.
In 2009, a producer from indie label Fifty-Fifty Music was at a show we played. We got to know each other and later that summer, we signed with them. We are working on our first national single and gearing up for even more live performances.
Our influences range from blues to hard-rock, metal, and even classical music. These can be heard throughout everything we do. We've tried to incorporate all the things we love in others' music into our own songs: 60's and 70's style guitar and keyboard solos, glassy and airy vocals with an absolutely kickin rhythm. We love creating songs that have a solid groove that people just enjoy listening to whether in concert, driving down the road, painting a house... whatever.
Our "lofty" idealistic goal would be to carry on in the tradition of great rock like Zeppelin and Floyd with our own modern edge. Above all we want to write, record, and play music that you really dig and enjoy. We hope to see you soon.
-The Backstrokes
