Stolen Rhodes

Artist Information

Biography

Most bands have an amusing anecdote to tell whenever someone asks them about their name. In the case of Philadelphia quartet Stolen Rhodes, they have two.

“We had a Rhodes keyboard that was stolen from our singer earlier in his music career,” explains Kevin Cunningham, the band’s lead guitarist. And the other story? “The band may have commandeered a Rhodes at some point from an undisclosed location,” he sheepishly admits.

Take another look at that last sentence: the band sought to reacquire a Rhodes piano, a keyboard that’s been out of fashion for nearly three decades. The band’s name isn’t just a funny story – it’s a battle cry.

“The music of the past is what spoke to us the loudest,” explains Cunningham. “It is music you can feel, timeless music, songs that people react to in any generation. It's less like a yearbook of a certain point in time and more like a National Geographic magazine. It's good no matter when you hear it.”

Of course, you would expect a response like that from a band whose principal songwriters, singer/multi-instrumentalist Matt Pillion and bassist/guitarist Dan Haase, grew up a stone’s throw away from Bruce Springsteen’s adopted hometown of Asbury Park. It’s not like they really had a choice in the matter; “The classic Asbury sound was in the water,” Cunningham jokes.

The Boss’ influence proves to be more spiritual than literal, however, on Falling off the Edge, Stolen Rhodes’ debut album. If anything, the ghost of the Allman Brothers looms the largest, particularly in the mile-wide chorus of “Blue Sky” and the easy-like-Sunday-morning “Freight Train.” (Speaking of “Easy,” the band’s track “Beautiful Way” sounds like the Allmans taking a crack at that very Commodores song.) Pillion takes no vocal cues from the Southern rock gods, though; his raspy tenor is bound to draw (lazy) comparisons to Kings of Leon’s Caleb Followill, but one listen to the horn-kissed “One Day Everyday” and it’s clear that Free-era Paul Rodgers is a better starting point.

At least for the moment, anyway. While they may currently take their inspiration from an earlier time, Stolen Rhodes has no interest in carving out a career as a classic rock tribute band. For them, the writing process is nonstop and constantly evolving. “It changes daily,” Cunningham says. “We are all students of music, so we are all bringing in our own personal tastes that we continue to discover to expand our sound.” One aspect of the band’s personality that seems unlikely to change, though, is their love of playing live. Indeed, for each day they spend writing new material, they spend five days practicing for that weekend’s gig, and that passion for performing can be felt throughout Falling off the Edge. With each track clocking in at a minimum of five minutes, this is a band that loves to let their songs breathe, and are not afraid to go wherever the moment takes them.

Their hard work has thus far paid off in the form of a dedicated – and diverse – live following, and also earned them the respect of veteran acts from opposite ends of the music spectrum (punk rockers Dropkick Murphys and country act Diamond Rio have both sung the band’s praises), and while Stolen Rhodes is grateful for the regional success they’ve attained, they have their eyes on a larger prize. Falling off the Edge, they hope, will serve as their calling card to the national stage.

NOTABLE ACCOMPLISHMENTS
2013 Stone Pony Houseband
Showcased at Sundance Film Festival
MTV Movie Awards Celebrity Showcase
Appeared on the Artie Lange Show on DirectTV

Opened for National Acts including :

Dropkick Murphys
Breathe Carolina
Stephen Kellogg & the Sixers
Third Eye Blind
Michael McDonald
12 Stone
Josh Gracin
38 Special
Edwin Mccain
Nick Clemons
Dan Stevens of the Dead Milkmen
Gloriana (2x)
Diamond Rio
Edgar Winter Band
Adler's Appetite
Angie Stone
Her & Kings Country
Stephen Cochran
Tommy Conwell and the Young Rumblers
Black 47
Automatic Fire

Greater Media 93.3 WMMR's Artist of The Month October 2012

Featured on CBS College Sports Pregame Show

Accepted into the Armed Forces Entertainment Program

Performed during a taping of Food Network's Dinner Impossible with chef Rob

Instrumentation

Kevin Cunningham - Guitar / Vocals
Dan Haase - Bass/Guitar/Vocals
Matt Pillion - Guitar/Keys/Vocals/Sax
Eric Skye - Drums

Discography

From the Dark Side of 88 EP (2009)

Live From The Stone Pony DVD/CD

Falling Off the Edge (2011)

Links

• Facebook
• Stolen Rhodes YouTube
• The Official Stolen Rhodes Site
• MySpace
• Last.fm
• Twitter
• Stolen Rhodes OurStage

Audio

• Blue Sky
  Listen  
• Beautiful way
  Listen  
• Freight Train
  Listen  
• Peacemaker
  Listen  

Video

Stolen Rhodes "Blue Sky" at the World Cafe Live in Philadelphia, PA

Stolen Rhodes "Freight Train" at the World Cafe Live in Philadelphia, PA

Photo Gallery

Press

• Stolen Rhodes – Falling Off The Edge [+ Show ]
  

  Shoreworld: Stolen Rhodes – Falling Off The Edge; —by John Pfeiffer, November 28, 2012 Stol...Shoreworld: Stolen Rhodes – Falling Off The Edge;
  —by John Pfeiffer, November 28, 2012
  
  
  
  Stolen Rhodes are a Jersey-born rock and roll outfit that doesn’t pull any punches when it comes to their love of the past. Now, before you misunderstand, this isn’t a band that performs retro music or lives in a period of time far, far behind us. This group plays music in the traditional vein of Traffic, The Guess Who and the Drive By Truckers without getting lost in the influential sauce.
  
  As for their name, I picture some rival backwoods band member running out the backstage door of Porky’s with a Fender Rhodes piano. Well, not running, more like dragging with great effort. Anyhow, that description just so happens to be fairly accurate, as lead guitarist Kevin Cunningham states in their bio, “We had a Rhodes keyboard that was stolen from our singer earlier in his music career. Also, we might have commandeered a Rhodes ourselves from some undisclosed location along the way.” Moreover, the fact that the band sought to reacquire a Rhodes piano, a keyboard that’s been out of fashion for nearly three decades, means that the band’s name isn’t just a funny story; it’s a battle cry hailing the bygone days of analog mojo.
  
  Battle cry or black market ivory scandal, one thing is for sure; Stolen Rhodes put their life experience and hard-earned talent into the music they record and play. Their latest release is titled Falling Off The Edge, and it was recorded in PA and CA. Produced by Capitol Records point man Jake Gorski, who has produced, engineered or assisted on a wide spectrum ranging from Shinedown to Katy Perry and Frank Fairfield, Falling Off The Edge is organic and stark.
  
  As you listen to the tracks, you hear a compositionally smart group that dodges left, throwing in addictive sax runs and key change passages that steer them off of the typical rebel rousing highway and into an area centered more on the arrangement savvy of Steve Winwood meets the James Gang.
  
  And while they admit influential nods to the spiritual influence of Springsteen (Matt Pillion and bassist Dan Haase grew up in the Boss’ backyard), their true mentor here is the ghostly specter of The Allman Brothers.
  
  A song that jumped out at me was the bite of “Peacemaker.” 1960s feedback intro takes flight as the band kicks into a riff-dominated passage that would get the Jersey Devil up and dancing Jesco White style. As a vocalist, Matt Pillion isn’t easy to categorize. Powerful and diverse, his range can go from subtle to full on warrior cry within the context of the song. Think Chris Robinson meets Paul Rodgers and you would be in the ballpark. Bass and drums are heavy duty dynamic, holding down the rhythmic ruckus while making room for dirty, dangerous guitars. From the sound of things, it’s a Gibson-dominated party that snarls all night long.
  
  “Freight Train” is another down home winner. Based off of the band’s Lakewood, NJ connection, the song stems from the old freight lines that ran behind Matt’s grandfather’s place during the vital years of rail freight. “Freight Train” raises the influential spirit of The Guess Who, building from a strong foundation of handpicked electrics, bass drum hits and sunny, Southern California vocals. The middle eight features the pentatonic double lead harmony style of Duane Allman and Dickie Betts, and the big chord washes in the performance style of Grand Funk Railroad. That’s a lot of influences, but I should point out that they are all utilized in a highly original manner that had me playing it over and over.
  
  The second song that I would consider the focus after “Peacemaker” is the laid back Eagles feel of “Beautiful Way.” Pillion’s piano work is well executed and guitars roll crystal clear, breaking up just enough during the chorus to show some teeth before subsiding back into the Eric Skye drum and pocket groove. The interesting addition of trumpet (James Doyle) and sax work of Pillion lifts this song out of the Southern rock arena and drops it onto a funky, left coast journey of commercial revelation. The guitar work of Cunningham is soul crushing blues rock goodness. Utilizing a simple and tasty technique, he gets the point across with zero amount of silly fanfare, squeezing out sustained bends, melodic pull-offs and vibrato-driven notes that go for miles.
  
  Other mentionable picks are the dark and dirty growl of the disc’s title-track. “Falling Off The Edge” throws out imagery of the New Jersey Turnpike, beat up Chevrolets and the act of the prodigal return to one’s roots. Seashore bars swirl with lost and restless souls on the verge of falling off the proverbial edge and the act of fighting back to the top of their game. Drums roll and guitars howl as Pillion throws out his best Shoreworld tone here. I love the stark and muscular guitar and drum build between verses. The middle eight free flows with Echoplexed guitar savvy as Pillion lays into the chorus in ways that would make Paul Rodgers do a double take.
  
  Stolen Rhodes has proved without a doubt that they are not a band comfortable with being pigeonholed into a specific sound or style. They have their likes, but they’re smart enough to use influences as a platform to launch their own undeniable rock and roots sound, a commercially viable sound that should take them high into the visibility sector of the majors.
  
  To check out the entire song selection on Falling Off The Edge, head over to reverbnation.com/stolenrhodes.
  
  

• Stolen Rhodes: Falling Off the Edge [+ Show ]
  

  The easiest way to describe Stolen Rhodes to someone who hasn’t heard them is to put them under the ...The easiest way to describe Stolen Rhodes to someone who hasn’t heard them is to put them under the genre of classic rock. They could fit in with the Allman Brothers or Springsteen and have your dad, or even your grandfather, scratching his head wondering why he doesn’t remember these songs. It’s almost uncanny how a young band could capture the essence of a time period that precedes them by at least a generation, yet their other influences and experiences make them uniquely their own. They are, after all, anything but a copycat, tribute band.
  
  Favorites included “Blue Sky” for not only the sweeping length of the song, but the versions of love it contains-from the love between a man and a woman to the love between a parent and a child, especially as the child has reached manhood and gives his life for the country he loves. Instead of depressing, it’s uplifting; that life, in the grand scheme of things, comes down to that one word…love. “Beautiful Way” is absolutely gorgeous. Gor-geous. “Freight Train” also deserves a mention for the fact that I wanted to see one, I wanted to be on one, I wanted to be carried away every time I heard it. And I was, at least for the five minute, twelve minute endurance of the song.
  
  I was swept away by their romantic notions; of big dreams, endless love, and freedom. I could also get lost in the neverending choruses just as much as the guitars and drums and keys that make this album a long jam session that I didn’t want to end. I’m also impressed by all this album isn’t; while classic rock can often portray the political unrest, the anger, the sarcastic whining of that era, Stolen Rhodes isn’t about making a statement or getting lost in fleeting pleasures that elude happiness. While the name of their band came from the long forgotten brand of piano that may or may not have been thieved (from them, or someone else), I like instead the image of a road they’ve “borrowed” instead. I like the paths they’ve chosen, and better yet, I like that they’ve made this music and let me in on the journey.
  
  Please visit www.stolenrhodes.com for more information, and be sure to download legally from a digital retailer of your choice.
  
  

• Stolen Rhodes Falling off the Edge [+ Show ]
  

  Stolen Rhodes,Falling Off the Edge (self-distributed) The specialty of this Philadelphia band is r...Stolen Rhodes,Falling Off the Edge
  (self-distributed)
  The specialty of this Philadelphia band is roots
  rock and roll showing influences
  from Springsteen to Winwood.
  Guitarist Kevin Cunningham supplies
  frantic solos when needed
  (“Keeps Us Moving”), jangling
  guitars (“Blue Sky”), and even
  menacing licks (the title cut).
  Keyboardist Matt Pillion’s
  vocals give an edge no matter
  where the music goes. – JH

• A Review of the Artists at Liberty Music Festival [+ Show ]
  

  Stolen Rhodes 11:30 PM Second Floor Stage Rock and Roll four piece. Blues country rock. This seems ...Stolen Rhodes 11:30 PM Second Floor Stage
  Rock and Roll four piece. Blues country rock. This seems to be a trend. I have no problem with that. Great vocals. Great dueling guitars. Their music has balls. And their set hasn’t started to fade; some of this genre tends fade 3/4's through the set. Overheard someone, who’s been here every night, saying these guys were the best band of the festival. That’s saying something after what Kid Felix just did downstairs. ~ JD
  
  

• STOLEN RHODES – Falling Off the Edge [+ Show ]
  

  Rolling along the stirring sonic road with utmost verve and harmony, this lively rock album sweeps t...Rolling along the stirring sonic road with utmost verve and harmony, this lively rock album sweeps the listener along on one hell of a hugely rousing and enjoyable journey down the ol’ rock’n’roll highway. The raspy, yet expressive vocals hit the soulful spot. The tuneful arrangements likewise do the trick, with ringing guitars, sturdy drums, and smooth basslines keeping things chuggin’ along at a pleasingly constant clip. The songs nicely alternate between full-bore exciting barn burners and more laid-back and reflective numbers. Better still, these guys eschew needless flashy razzle-dazzle and just get right down to the straight-up butt-shaking basics with a winning lack of pretense. A really solid and satisfying album.
  

• Stolen Rhodes-Falling off the Edge [+ Show ]
  

  Style : Rock Rate (1-5) : 4 When spinning the debut album of the Stolen Rhodes I can’t resist br...Style : Rock
  Rate (1-5) : 4
  
  When spinning the debut album of the Stolen Rhodes I can’t resist bringing up some Southern Rock names. Sure the Allman Brothers Band are the first (listen to Blue Sky) but also the rocking Molly Hatchet (Keeps Up Moving), Elvin Bishop Band, Alabama or the Marshall Tucker Band are passing by. Still “The Stolen Rhodes” are much more, even Paul rogers which is totally not Southern Rock is on my mind.
  
  Sure they are influenced by old music and it’s clearly they are influenced big by it but still the band has something fresh to add to that old touch. They claim for themselves they are not interested in being a classic rock tribute band. One never knows what the future will bring but I’m pretty sure we are going to hear more and different influences on future recordings.
  
  Tracks like Peacemaker, Blue Sky, the lazy Freight Train or One Day Everyday are certainly amongst the better tunes on this nine-track album. Each of them is self penned and shows the craftsmanship of these music students. A must have for lovers of the southern sound!
  
  Mr. Blue Boogie
  

• The Great Southern Rock Sound of Stolen Rhodes [+ Show ]
  

  The Allman Brothers. The Marshall Tucker Band, Lynrd Skynrd. All of these bands have an honored pla...The Allman Brothers. The Marshall Tucker Band, Lynrd Skynrd. All of
  these bands have an honored place in rock history. Now there is a new
  band that just might find its name someday uttered with the same
  reverence. It is a band based in Philadelphia that sounds like they
  came right out of the middle ‘70's Southern Rock arena.
  
  The name of the band is Stolen Rhodes. They have just released their
  debut album Falling Off The Edge.
  
  Kevin Cunningham is the band's lead guitarist. Dan Haase is on bass
  and guitar. Eric Skye is the drummer. But on the album J.T. Dubosky
  provided the drum music. Matt Pillion is the band's vocalist and plays
  several instruments on the album. Also helping out on the album are
  James Doyle and Mike Mulligan.
  
  The album was produced by Jake Gorski. All of the songs on the album
  were written by the band.
  
  The album begins with a really cool classic Southern Rock sounding
  song called Keep Us Moving.
  
  Blue Sky is the second song. It is slow and easy ballad with a
  Marshall Tucker kind of tone to it.
  
  Peacemaker is a tough song with great guitar. Some sections of it kind
  of reminded me a bit of the music of the Rossington Collins song One
  Good Man. The bridge in the song is killer, digging deep into the
  band's Southern Rock influences.
  
  Freight Train is a great ballad with solid vocals and terrific guitar.
  
  All I Need is a moderate rock ballad.
  
  Beautiful Way is a love ballad with nice music and lyrics that are
  sung with touching sincerity. Kind of a nice surprise is a sax solo in
  the bridge. And the guitar solo in the bridge is really good too.
  
  One Day Everyday starts out like it might be a Stevie Ray Vaughn type
  guitar tune. But then things move into a smooth anthem mode.
  
  Idle Ways is a sincere love lament ballad.
  
  The album ends with the scorching title track, Falling Off The Edge.
  
  I love classic Southern Rock. There aren't too many bands out there
  that can embrace that type of music and make it work. Stolen Rhodes is
  one of the few bands that I've heard that seem to have stepped
  directly out of the 70's Southern Rock era. The influence of that time
  can be distinctly heard in their music. And as such, for me anyway,
  makes Stolen Rhodes a band well worth listening to.
  
  Falling Off The Edge is now available.
  
  Check out the Stolen Rhodes Facebook page to learn more about them and
  to hear songs from the album. That page is www.facebook.com/stolenrhodes
  

• CD review: "Falling Off the Edge," Stolen Rhodes [+ Show ]
  

  It's an all-too-common complaint: "Music's not as good as it used to be." While I don't totally a...It's an all-too-common complaint: "Music's not as good as it used to be."
  
  While I don't totally agree with that lament — there are tons of modern acts making worthwhile music — I will agree that it's harder to find the good stuff.
  
  And it's especially hard to find good, old-school rock 'n' roll.
  
  Much of what passes for rock these days — especially the popular stuff — is generic, tuneless and, worst of all, emotion-less.
  
  Where's the rock music that makes you want to grab your girl and dance all night? The rock music that is the perfect summer-time complement to a 12-pack and a group of friends on the back deck? The rock music that you want to turn up to 11 while cruising down the highway with the windows down?
  
  Not to live in the past or anything, but 30, 40 years ago, that rock music was everywhere — or at least just a turn of the radio dial away.
  
  The guys in the Philly-area band Stolen Rhodes get this, and they do their part to bring this kind of music back on their debut full-length album "Falling Off the Edge."
  
  The album's nine songs, each of which is more than 5 minutes long, are undeniably classic rock; that is, if classic rock was a genre, and not an era of music. They would fit comfortably aside the songs you'd hear on WMGK, if of course, Philly's classic rock station played anything released after 1984.
  
  Stolen Rhodes' songs easily could have existed in 1975; there are lots of infectious melodies, rousing choruses and juicy guitar solos. Obvious influences include Bad Company and the Allman Brothers (there's even an epic, soaring-guitar track called "Blue Sky," not to be confused with the Allmans' classic). The band also name-drops Bruce Springsteen at one point, not a surprise given that main songwriters Matt Pillion (lead vocals/guitar/keyboards/sax) and Dan Haase (bass/guitar/vocals) grew up near Asbury Park. Lyrically, at least, Springsteen's influence is evident throughout the album, as on "All I Need" ("Well, I got a dollar underneath my hat and a pocket full of change and I'm stumbling down the alleyway just searching for a piece of advice").
  
  But while the songs wear their old-school influences proudly, Stolen Rhodes is definitely not a nostalgia act. The band, which also includes lead guitarist Kevin Cunningham of Newtown and drummer Eric Skye (J.T. Dubosky played drums on the album), manages to sound modern and fresh, the result of its exceptional musicianship.
  
  The up-tempo trio of "Keeps Us Moving," "Blue Sky" and "Peacemaker" gets the album off to a hard-rocking start before things slow down with the mellow jam "Freight Train." Other highlights include the aptly named ballad "Beautiful Way," complete with a gorgeous saxophone solo, the us-against-the-world anthem "One Day Everyday" and the title track, which closes the album leaving you wishing there was more.
  
  Stolen Rhodes doesn't break a whole lot of new ground with this album, and they won't save rock 'n' roll (if Jack White and Dave Grohl couldn't do it, it's probably too late).
  
  But they do provide a much-needed throwback to a time when rock was king, and music left you feeling ... something.
  
  Stolen Rhodes boasts on its website that it plays "rock 'n' roll that makes your ass shake harder, your beer taste better and your girl look hotter."
  
  There's no guarantee they'll completely live up to that promise ... but give them credit for trying.
  
  Grade: B+
  
  

• Stolen Rhodes "Falling Off the Edge" Review [+ Show ]
  

  Like Kings of Leon, this Philly phoursome has produced a debut that masterfully channels classic roc...Like Kings of Leon, this Philly phoursome has produced a debut that masterfully channels classic rock sounds, specifically the Southern strain of such. Unlike Kings of Leon, they don't suck. Channelling your Skynyrds and your Allmans ain't a small achievement. and these rockin' Rhodes are on the edge of awesome!

• Stolen Rhodes – From The Dark Side of 88 Review [+ Show ]
  

  Warning: Do not listen to this disc unless you have extra room around you to dance, swing and smile....Warning: Do not listen to this disc unless you have extra room around you to dance, swing and smile.
  
  The opening track “Brand New Cadillac” is a great tune. There are so many things right with this song, I could probably spend a whole review on just this tune. I should probably move on…
  
  “All I Need” harkens many depths of musical prowess, feasting on a toe-tapping, pop-happy verse and chorus, with a much mature musical style. I’m really impressed with how the attention to small details give the listener a very fresh an exciting listen.
  
  “Long Way Up” is a very cool track. I’m not sure how to classify it but it has a march-like verse that could lend itself to a Billy Joel or Elton John piano ensemble but Stolen Rhodes have arranged it very well for their chosen instrumentation. They make a big, full sound with less…I like that very much.
  
  The only negative aspect of the whole CD is the packaging! This CD deserves better packaging and artwork treatment than how it was received. I would recommend that a full CD outing from this group should get the full packaging requirements that it would deserve.
  
  Throughout “From The Dark Side of 88? I hear nods to Tom Petty, John Cougar and Bruce Springsteen with perhaps a twist of Train thrown in for good measure. Well written songs, cohesive themes, clean production and top-notch musicianship make this CD a hidden gem in the rough of mediocre attempts by others to emulate this style of music.
  
  This one is going in my CD player…I just wish there were more tunes to listen to!
  
  Stolen Rhodes – “From The Dark Side of 88?
  www.myspace.com/stolenrhodes
  

• Stolen Rhodes Review [+ Show ]
  

  Stolen Rhodes is a rock band from Newtown, Pennsylvania. This is a band that is dedicated to produci...Stolen Rhodes is a rock band from Newtown, Pennsylvania. This is a band that is dedicated to producing good rock'n'roll music in the purist sense. Stolen Rhodes has opened for some major acts like Kansas, and has been labeled "the hardest working band." The songs seem to have all the parts moving together. Pulsing drums, lead guitars and infectious riffs. Vocally strong, and lyrically original, the band is more than just the average gig band. They are forging a new path with hard work and great musical style. If you happen to be in the New York, New Jersey area, make sure to check out some of their dates below. Their live tracks I heard just blew me away. Stolen Rhodes is your classic hard working American rock band.
  
  
  
  
  Songs I like are "Peacemaker," and "Keeps Us Moving." Check them out at their myspace: http://www.myspace.com/stolenrhodes, or check soon for their updated website: http://www.stolenrhodes.com/
  

• Working Class Heroes - Stolen Rhodes taking it to the Streets [+ Show ]
  

  Stolen Rhodes might be the hardest-working band in the Delaware Valley. Where most local acts playin...Stolen Rhodes might be the hardest-working band in the Delaware Valley. Where most local acts playing original music average about two or three gigs a month, Stolen Rhodes often manages that many in a week, traveling as far as the Jersey Shore and New York City in between gigs in Bucks County and Philadelphia. But these boys in the band wouldn’t have it any other way.
  
  “The reactions we get after a set with people seeming like they sincerely enjoyed what they heard really inspires and pushes us to take things as far as we do,” explains guitarist Kevin Cunningham. “We’ve all been in bands before, some good and some bad. But none of us have ever struck a chord – no pun intended – with audiences like we do now.”
  
  After forming in 2008, Stolen Rhodes found their musical stride, taking both musical and performance cues from acts like the Allman Brothers and Bruce Springsteen. The band unleashes their trademark blend of blues, rock ‘n’ roll and country over the course of a freewheeling and sometimes three-hour set. After cutting their teeth on stage, the band settled on a core lineup of Cunningham, bassist Dan Haase and guitar and keyboard player Matt Pillion in 2009.
  
  Stolen Rhodes also has a geographical ace up their collective sleeve. Featuring members who call Bucks County, Philadelphia and New Jersey home, the band quickly began developing a regional fan base. Inspired by their audience’s enthusiasm, Stolen Rhodes looked further down our area’s highways, taking the occasional sojourn as far south as Maryland and Virginia.
  
  But Cunningham never worries about traveling to places where crowds might not recognize the band’s sound. He says the group’s guitar-driven classic-rock style helps draw older fans, while an unlikely source attracts young audiences: video games. “The way Guitar Hero and Rock Band have blown up, they’ve exposed younger generations to a lot of great music,” Cunningham explains. “I think the music that inspires us is universal. We’re not trying to recreate the wheel.
  
  We just want to write good songs that, at the end of the day, we’re happy with.” As busy as they are now, Stolen Rhodes plans to add even more to their schedule in 2011. After recently taking a brief hiatus to rehearse with new drummer J.T. Dubosky, the band plans to follow up their live EP from 2009 with their first full-length album early next year. “We’re proud of our live show, and the first record gives people a feel for what we do on stage,” says Cunningham. “But we’ve also written so many songs that we’re really itching to finally get into the studio and record.”
  
  The band is also preparing their first tour of the West Coast with the Los Angeles-based band Shaimus, who first gained prominence when their songs were featured in Guitar Hero and Rock Band. “We’re good friends with the band. Their sound is close to ours, and they pretty much have the same line-up as we do,” says Cunningham. After the California tour, Shaimus will head east with Stolen Rhodes. “It’ll be such a good time, going out on the road with good friends,” he adds. “I think our audiences will really dig each other’s music.”
  
  Stolen Rhodes will be performing at Puck Live on Friday, Nov. 12.
  
  Go online at stolenrhodes.com
  

• Stolen Rhodes is speeding along the music highway [+ Show ]
  

  By JOE McALLISTER Correspondent Like any upstart band, Stolen Rhodes is winning fans one at a ti...By JOE McALLISTER
  Correspondent
  
  Like any upstart band, Stolen Rhodes is winning fans one at a time. Whether online or onstage, this hard working band is “out there,” making a name for itself.
  
  “We have a great fan base. Musicians in this day and age have a great resource in the Internet,” says vocalist Matt Pillion, 27. “With Facebook, MySpace and e-mail, we are able to reach a lot of people. Social media is the main way to get the word out about a band.”
  
  Stolen Rhodes’ music has been described as “Bruce Springsteen meets Dave Matthews.” Their live shows around the tri-state area often jam for hours making “music to please almost any crowd” but Stolen Rhodes certainly is not all things to all people.
  
  “We’re pretty versatile,” says guitarist Kevin Cunningham, 25, formerly of Havertown. “We incorporate different styles into our playing - rock, jazz, and some country influence - we’re not afraid to go different.”
  
  The band prides itself on playing “real music.” “We’re all good musicians. We love real original rock ‘n’ roll - not a lot of production and superficial stuff,” says Pillion. “We try to get to the real genuine rock ‘n’ roll sound, the sound people playing together in a room make.”
  
  Cunningham and bass player Dan Haase, 24, met while students at the prestigious Berkeley College of Music in Boston. The four-man band is rounded out by drummer Ian Petrie, 22, recently out of the Marines and found on Craigslist.
  
  The self-described “hardest working band in the tri-state area,” Stolen Rhodes has played between 75 and 100 gigs over the last year without the support of a record label or booking agent. “Kevin is a good business man. When he joined the band, it turned into a working band,” says Pillion. “He’s good at promoting what we have to offer and attracting the attention of people who book live music.”
  
  The band plays the New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania triangle, appearing regularly at Kenny’s Castaways in NYC, Stone Pony in Asbury Park and The Nail in Ardmore. The band will headline the main stage at MilkBoy in Ardmore on Saturday, Feb. 27 at 8 p.m.
  
  The past year has been one of professional growth for Stolen Rhodes. They headlined at the venerable Stone Pony, played the Welcome America Festival in Philadelphia (opening for soulstress Angie Stone), performed on the deck of the USS Wayne E. Meyer at Penn’s Landing and made a television appearance on NJ12’s “Spotlight New Jersey.”
  
  The strength of the band lies in their “honest” live performances. “We’re not a ‘gimmick band,’” says Cunningham. “We’re not reinventing the wheel but rather putting our stamp on our own version of rock ‘n’ roll.”
  
  Playing a repertoire of 20-plus original compositions and a sprinkling of cover songs, Stolen Rhodes is building a reputation as band strong on musicianship (group members often switch instruments) and lyrical content.
  
  Songs like the love ballad “Beautiful Way” illustrate the group’s emphasis on lyrics. “Lyrics are the easiest part of the song to recognize, they make a song strong,” says Pillion. “You want to be able to tell a story with your lyrics.”
  
  Pillion belts out a convincing cover of the The Allman Brothers Band “Whipping Post” and “Keep Us Moving” is the band’s closer, an up-tempo, guitar-driven original classic rock number.
  
  The band’s last recorded effort was the LP The Dark Side of 88. With a backlog of dozens of new songs, the band is itching to get back in the studio, hoping to record a full-length CD by the summer of 2010.
  
  In the meantime, Stolen Rhodes encourages people to attend and even record their live performances. “We put so much effort into a live show. We want people to be able to capture that,” says Pillion. “We look forward to getting back into the studio. In the meantime, trading tapes is part of our grassroots philosophy of getting our music heard.”
  
  Pillion summarizes the hard-driving intensity of this professional band of musicians. “Any time, any place…if people want to hear us, we’ll be there. We all feel that way.”
  
  http://www.delconewsnetwork.com/articles/2010/02/25/life/doc4b86af19a0fc0924167991.txt
  
  

• Stolen Rhodes Interview [+ Show ]
  

  What's the meaning behind the band's name? The name Stolen Rhodes comes from the combination of two...What's the meaning behind the band's name?
  The name Stolen Rhodes comes from the combination of two stories involving the "acquiring" of a Fender Rhodes keyboard. The first involves our singer/guitarist Matt Pillion. He was working with a band out of Pennsylvania at a time and let a friend of his borrow his Fender Rhodes keyboard, a keyboard which Matt never got back. The second involves our bands first drummer Jon Grill. We both had heard of a Fender Rhodes that was going to never be put to use at a high school in New Jersey, so the important people at the school turned their head as he took the Rhodes away. Hence the name Stolen Rhodes
  
  
  How the band started??
  Pillion and bassist/guitarist Dan Haase are the two founding members of the band. They along with Grill actually jammed for the first time in high school as all three are from Lakewood, NJ. They just played backyard BBQ's in the summer of 2000. It was only a one summer thing though as Matt went off to school and he started his own project out in Lancaster, PA. It wasn't until Matt's wedding in September 2007 that we played together again, at the urging of his new wife Randi. Nothing came of it at the time as Dan was living in Boston at the time. It wasn't until Dan moved back to New Jersey later that year that the three of us started playing together again. In February of 2008 we decided that Stolen Rhodes needed to form officially. Guitarist Kevin Cunningham joined the group about a year later, when we decided we wanted a full time lead guitarist, as Matt also plays keys and sax in the band. Grill left the band in October of 2009 and was replaced by Ian Petri. Petri left the group in June of 2010 and as of now the drummer we are working with is in the tryout phase of the band.
  
  
  What's the message to transmit with your music??
  What we really look to transmit is that kick ass straight ahead rock and roll music can still be appreciated by people. We want to show that people can still be enticed by a great guitar riff or great guitar solo. We want people to be able to listen to lyrics in our songs and equate the lyrics to their lives. All of our songs tell a story. Whether it is a story that directly affects our lives, or whether it is a brief 3-5 minute synopsis of what were observe in the world. The point is everything is real and from the heart, and as we grow in popularity it is nice to see that people still appreciate just down home kick ass rock and roll. If we could portray that to the masses, it would be amazing.
  
  
  What's your method at the time of writing a song??
  Well all three of us write, and all three of us write in a different way. Sometimes we write as a group, and sometimes we write individually and bring it to the group. It depends on the situation. When Matt writes he usually he has all his lyrics ready to go, and his chord progressions ready to go. At that point he'll bring it to the band and Kevin will usually come up with a guitar riff of some sorts, and then fill in guitar solos where need be. Kevin's method of writing songs is what usually leads to the most group writing. Kevin will come in with an idea (usually a guitar riff) and from there the three of them will run with writing the rest of the song. Dan's songs are usually all but finished when he brings them to the band, save a few arrangement and fill ideas that Kevin or Matt would suggest. Dan is very much more exact with the songs he writes and they usually don't get much work from the product that Dan brought in.
  
  
  Which are your music influences??
  The three of us are all huge Bruce Springsteen nuts. He pretty much does what we want to do. Real rock and roll music, with lyrics that speak to you, and the most amazing live show you will ever see. The three of us are also bug Zeppelin fans; their influence though doesn't shine through as much as the Springsteen influence though. The three of us are also big into country and southern rock, and that is an influence you can hear in a lot of our tunes. We are all big Allman Brothers, Eagles, and Skynyrd fans, and we use a lot of their influence in our writing. We're also big fans of some of the modern guys such as Brad Paisley, and Dierks Bentley. Individually, Kevin's guitar influences are Stevie Ray Vaughan, Jimi Hendrix, and Mike McCready of Pearl Jam. Dan's bass influences are James Jamerson (of Motown fame), Paul McCartney, John Paul Jones, and John Entwistle. Matt's vocal and guitar influences are The Band, Jackson Browne, and Duane Allman.
  
  
  What plans do you guys have for the future??
  We want to be able to make a living solely from playing our music. We don't have to accomplish world domination to the degree that a band like the Rolling Stones has achieved it (though we wouldn't be opposed to it either) but just to be able to make a comfortable living playing our music. Obviously the sky will always be the limit for us, but we see a band like the Old 97's who play nothing but bigger clubs, yet they are very happy, and very successful, and have been doing it for 20 years. They have also required a very loyal fan base while doing it. In the immediate future, once we officially hire a drummer, we are going to head into the studio to record and eventually release our first full length CD. We would also like to explore playing in other parts of the country in the next year. We have already branched out successfully to the South, and hopefully we can go even further south and then bring the music west.
  
  
  Which has been the funniest prank you guys have been or took part while on tour or after a show??
  There was one show in Philly where a friend of mine had come, and they had the same car as Matt. Well Kevin, and I (along with my friend) thought it would be funny to switch the keys of Matt's car with my buddies. Well Matt comes in all pissed off because he can't open the door to his car. He's sitting trying to think how this could be mathematically possible (as Matt is very good at math), meanwhile we're sitting in the corner cracking up, as Matt is just in this terrible place because he can't load his stuff into his car. Eventually, when he was about to break the window of his car in, we told him what we did...we should have let him bust the window in.
  
  
  If you guys were stranded in the middle of nowhere after a show or while on tour. The help is 65 miles away from where you guys are. Who would you guys send to look for help? And if while the rest wait, there's no food and the only way to feed yourself is by eating each other, Who would you eat first?
  No one. First off I can hold off for 65 miles. Dan watches way too much Man vs. Wild, so Bear has taught him exactly what to do in this situation. Matt would have to be spared because he can probably build a rocket ship out of guitar and amp wires and launch us to safety. Dan usually carries a knife everywhere he goes, so he would probably just kill a squirrel for food, upon which we would cook on the stove that Matt made out of guitar amp speakers. Kevin would probably be the first to think of a logical solution. He would use his blackberry (which he is attached too) and get the right GPS coordinates so Matt can shoot the rocket ship in the right direction. We are not scared of the wild, the wild is scared of us.
  
  
  Which country you guys would love to play?
  Germany, Ireland, or England. They still love good music over there, and there is a lot of beer to be drunk in both of those countries.
  
  
  With which bands you guys would love to share stage??
  Bruce, what a legend.
  
  
  Are you guys OK, with the direction the band is going actually?
  Besides the fact that we have a hard time keeping a drummer in the band (both our drummers left for personal reasons and we are on good terms with both of them), yes. We play bigger and bigger gigs, and people enjoy us more and more by the show. We can't complain.
  
  Check out more: http://www.myspace.com/stolenrhodes

• Stolen Rhodes Interview at Aj & DBS [+ Show ]
  

  Interview with bassist/guitarist Dan Haase from Stolen Rhodes a rock band that calls New Jersey and ...Interview with bassist/guitarist Dan Haase from Stolen Rhodes a rock band that calls New Jersey and Philadelphia home.
  
  
  
  Q. How did the project come into existence?
  
  Myself (Dan Haase bassist/guitarist) and lead singer Matt Pillion formed the band as a trio with our original drummer Jon Grill in February 2008. The three of us all attended Lakewood High School in Lakewood, NJ and this basically was a reformation of our high school band. I was the last to move back to Jersey after college and we decided to just start jamming again for fun. Eventually we realized that we had something good, and something that other people thought was good, so we decided to hit the ground running with it.
  
  
  
  Q.Who are the members of the band if any and please tell us about it?
  
  Well our lead singer is Matt Pillion. Matt also plays guitar, bass, keys, and saxophone in the band. Dan Haase is primarily the bassist of the band, but also plays guitar, and the occasional keyboard. Kevin Cunningham is the lead guitarist, and J.T. Dubosky is the drummer. All of us write songs for the band. Usually one of the band members brings in a song or idea and we all contribute in taking the idea and making it a Stolen Rhodes tune.
  
  
  
  Q How would you describe your sound/genre?
  
  The best way to describe us is straight ahead rock and roll. We draw our sound from 70's classic rock, southern rock, blues, and country; all with a modern twist to it. Meld it all together and you get Stolen Rhodes. We really aren't afraid to touch any sort of genre of rock music. We have been played on rock and roll radio and on country radio, so we do have a sort of cross over sound. We have opened up for touring rock and roll acts, and touring country acts and have been well received by all audiences. There are no boundaries when it comes to being creative in this band.
  
  
  
  Q. What formal training or previous experience do any of the members have?
  
  Matt is formally trained on just about every woodwind instrument, and also briefly took guitar lessons. Kevin and I met while at the Berklee College of Music in Boston. I graduated with a degree in bass performance, while Kevin graduated with a degree in Music Business. J.T. is for the most part self taught on drums. We have all played in bands previous to Stolen Rhodes ranging from rock, to country, to jam band, to singer/songwriter.
  
  
  
  Q. Are you working w/ a producer on your upcoming album?
  
  Yes, we are working with Jake Gorski who is a producer based out of Los Angeles. Jake was a buddy of mine and Kevin's while at Berklee, and his body of work greatly impressed us enough that we are flying him out to Philly to be the producer of our upcoming full length debut. We'll be hitting the studio in February to start recording.
  
  
  
  Q. Who would you say has been the biggest influence on the bands sound or that you have used as inspiration for your music?
  
  Well the first artist that comes to mind is Springsteen. Matt and I grew up about 20 minutes from Asbury Park so Bruce was all around us growing up. We take a lot of our songwriting from him; lyrically and musically. Especially the concept of using song to tell a story, whether the story is describing everyday life, or to talking about a girl. He's one of a kind at connecting with his audience through verse. Matt is also a big fan of lyricists like Neil Young and Robbie Robertson of The Band and you can hear that in his lyrics. Musically for me I love the Beatles and the Stones. I find myself using their songs as blueprints for my tunes more times than not.
  
  
  
  Meanwhile when Kevin joined the band in early 2009 he brought in a more bluesy and edgy riff based style of songwriting. His style of playing and writing draws a lot of influence from Zeppelin, Hendrix, Stevie Ray, and even Pearl Jam. Add to that all of us are big into country and southern rock. J.T. joined the band officially in October of this year, and he has brought an element of jamming that we didn't have in the past. We do jam at times in our live shows and he is an expert at building up and bringing down a jam, and letting it morph into something great. He's a big Phish fan and it comes out in how he plays and approaches music. Those styles combined have basically formed what Stolen Rhodes is today. Like I said earlier, we are a rock and roll band that isn't afraid to touch any genre.
  
  
  
  Q.What advice would you give to others starting out?
  
  Gig, gig, gig, gig, and oh yeah did I mention that you should gig? Playing out is so important. There is never a bad time to play music; especially when you are starting out. Play any gig that you can, even non traditional venues. We actually played a couple benefit shows for the Lakewood Elks this past year, and those shows brought out about I'd say 700 or so people each. That means about 700 people heard your music. Those shows also led us to a paid monthly residency at The Laketon Inn in Lakewood (next show is on January 22). Never turn down an event in which people will hear your music. Just keep on playing.
  
  
  
  Q. Where can people go to learn more about you and hear your music?
  
  We have a ton of websites with our music. Our main website http://www.stolenrhodes.com is under construction but links there will take you to our Facebook and Myspace page, where you can learn more about the band and stay constantly in the loop. Our music can also be heard on Last FM where you can download our first live album "Diggin' at the Pony" for free. You can also see video footage of that show (which was recorded at The Stone Pony in Asbury Park) on Youtube. We also have pages on Sonicbids, Reverb Nation, and you can follow us on Twitter @StolenRhodes.
  
  
  Q. If you could play anywhere in the world or with anyone you wanted where and who would it be with?
  
  Me personally, oh man. I pretty much have two dream jobs on who I would love to play with. The first being the E Street Band, and the second is being a sideman for Paul McCartney. Probably my two biggest musical influences, and they put on the best live shows I have ever seen.
  
  
  
  As for the anywhere question, three of the five venues that I would die to play a concert at are no longer around. The first being Shea Stadium (birth of stadium rock, plus I'm a big Mets fan), the second being Giants Stadium (being a Jersey Boy and I'm a big Giants fan), and the third being the REAL Wembley. The two places I still have time for are Red Rocks and The Garden
  
  
  
  . If you were to ask Kevin this question his answer would most likely be a guitar duel with Philip Sayce at some run down bar a la Ralph Macchio vs. Steve Vai in Crossroads. J.T. would no doubt go with Phish. Matt, I think would also take the E Street Band route.
  
  
  
  Q. What has been your greatest experience so far either individually or as a whole?
  
  I'll tell you right now the most rewarding shows we have played as a band are the ones we have put on for the troops, mainly the U.S. Navy. We have been the pregame entertainment for the Army/Navy Game the past two seasons, and this season even saw us make it on CBS's Tailgate Show for the game.
  
  
  
  We have traveled to Norfolk to play at Norfolk N.A.S. along with Top 40 country group Gloriana and traveled to Sugar Grove in West Virginia to support Diamond Rio who are members of the Grand Ole Opry. We also had the honor of being the entertainment for the commissioning of the U.S.S. Wayne E. Meyer back in 2009. We are all big supporters of the Armed Forces in the band, and just to give that little amount back to the troops, and to see them enjoy themselves is a pretty awesome feeling. They are always very gracious and good human beings. Our shows for them have been wonderful and unforgettable experiences.
  
  
  
  Q. Do you have any upcoming events or news you would like to tell our readers about?
  
  The biggest tidbit of news is that we will be recording our full length debut this upcoming February. We recorded an EP back in 2008 that was released in 2009 called From the Dark Side of 88, that has since become dated. Of the four members of the band, Matt and I are the only members of the band that are represented on the album. This album is going to capture the full essence that is Stolen Rhodes, and we can't wait to give our fans a great rock and roll album to listen too.
  
  
  
  Q. Where do you see yourselves or hope to be in about 5 years?
  
  In five years, in five years I want this to be my only job. Right now I teach to get by, and the other guys all have office jobs. All of us would love to make this our only job. We all love to travel, we all love music, and we are all committed to the same goal of making this our life. Hopefully it will take a lot less than five ye
  

• New Jersey rock band finds a home in Manayunk [+ Show ]
  

  Sure, the guys in the classic rock/R&B-influenced band Stolen Rhodes would love to conquer the world...Sure, the guys in the classic rock/R&B-influenced band Stolen Rhodes would love to conquer the world someday.
  
  But for now, they’ll settle for Manayunk.
  
  Stolen Rhodes, which formed last year in Lakewood, N.J., begins a two-month residency at Kildare’s in Manayunk tonight (Oct. 7). The band will showcase its energetic live show every Wednesday night through Nov. 25.
  
  “We’re focusing on the tri-state area and our own backyard,” says guitarist Kevin Cunningham, 24, of Newtown “We’ve played with touring bands who spend lots and lots of money to play shows where they might travel all the way to Boston to play for three people. We’re hoping, by playing a set place each week, people will start to recognize us and keep coming back.
  
  “The big venues are nice, but sometimes you’ll go to a place and there’s nobody there. I don’t care if it’s the crappiest venue in the world, as long as there’s a good crowd open to hearing live music.”
  
  Cunningham joined Stolen Rhodes in March, re-connecting with a pair of classmates from the Berklee School of Music in Boston. The band previously existed as a trio but decided it wanted to fill out its sound with another guitarist, especially since guitarist/vocalist Matt Pillion also plays keyboards, bass and saxophone.
  
  Cunningham jammed with the band at drummer Jon Grill’s house in Lakewood and he was invited to join the lineup almost immediately.
  
  Stolen Rhodes, which also includes Dan Haase on bass, guitar and vocals and new drummer Ian Petri (he replaces Grill, who left the band recently on good terms), has an interesting gig scheduled this Thursday.
  
  The guys will perform on the deck of a new Navy ship, the USS Wayne E. Meyer, which will be commissioned at Penn’s Landing Saturday. The band will play a crew party for a future episode of “Dinner Impossible” on the Food Network.
  
  Cunningham describes Stolen Rhodes’ sound as “straight-ahead rock from the old days with a contemporary feel.
  
  “Songwriting’s the main goal,” he says. “We always go for a strong song, no matter how simple or complicated.”
  
  The band is heavily influenced by early Bruce Springsteen, as evidenced by its Jersey Shore-rooted sound and the title of its five-song EP, “From the Dark Side of 88,” a reference to a line in “Spirit in the Night,” from Springsteen’s 1973 debut. Jersey natives Pillion, Haase and Grill were especially stoked to play a gig earlier this year at the Stone Pony in Springsteen’s old Asbury Park stomping grounds.
  
  “Those guys are big Bruce fans and I’m a huge blues fan, and we kind of meet in the middle at the Allman Brothers and Led Zeppelin,” Cunningham says. “It’s funny how our different influences come across on stage.”
  
  
  
  Stolen Rhodes performs 8 p.m. Wednesdays though Nov. 25 at Kildare’s,
  
  4417 Main St., Manayunk. Information: 215-482-7242.
  More information at www.myspace.com/stolenrhodes
  
  http://www.phillyburbs.com/opinions/blogs/intell_blogs/intell_blogs_details/article/436/2009/october/07/new-jersey-rock-band-finds-a-home-in-manayunk-2.html
  
  

• Stolen Rhodes to headline TDBA Rockfest [+ Show ]
  

  Philly-area rock band Stolen Rhodes, featuring Newtown's Kevin Cunningham on guitar, will headline t...Philly-area rock band Stolen Rhodes, featuring Newtown's Kevin Cunningham on guitar, will headline the first TDBA Rockfest on Saturday, Sept. 11, at the TD Bank Amphitheater in Bensalem.
  
  The FREE event showcases past performers from reality's Battle of the Bands, which is on a hiatus this fall after a 10-year run.
  
  Confirmed acts include 9th Life (2009 champion, '08 fourth-place finisher); Faster Than Fate (runner-up in '08 and '07); Ophiuchus (third place in '09); Hiccup Hellen (fourth place in '09); Within the Black (a crowd favorite in '09 and '08); and Fairhill Drive ('01 champion). Two more slots will be filled.
  
  Former reality panelist Matt Huston, a judge at last year's Battle of the Bands and a promising young musician at The College of New Jersey, will open the six-hour-plus show, which begins at 3 p.m.
  
  Stolen Rhodes, which features three graduates of the Berklee School of Music (including Cunningham), is rapidly earning a reputation as one of the hardest-working bands in the region.
  
  The classic rock/R&B-influenced group prides itself on its passionate live performances. Stolen Rhodes plays regularly in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, including a gig headlining the Philadelphia Eagles Flight Night today at Lincoln Financial Field.
  
  Advertisement Other past shows of note include the famed Stone Pony in Asbury Park, a performance at the Welcome America Festival in Philadelphia, a gig on the deck of Navy ship the USS Wayne E. Meyer (which was taped for an episode of the Food Network's "Dinner Impossible") and a two-month residency at Kildare's in Manayunk.
  
  "Straight-ahead rock from the old days with a contemporary feel" is how Cunningham, 25, has described Stolen Rhodes' original music.
  
  "Songwriting's the main goal," he says. "We always go for a strong song, no matter how simple or complicated."
  
  Stolen Rhodes, which also features Matt Pillion on vocals, guitar, bass and piano, Don Haase on bass, guitar and vocals and Ian Petri on drums, has released an EP titled the "Dark Side of 88."
  
  The band cites Bruce Springsteen, Pearl Jam, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Dave Matthews and the Allman Brothers Band among its influences.
  
  More information on Stolen Rhodes at www.myspace.com/stolenrhodes.
  
  More information on the show at www.tdbaevents.com.
  
  

• Stolen Rhodes Interview [+ Show ]
  

  Imagine what would happen if Bruce Springsteen and Dave Matthews came together and had a baby. That ...Imagine what would happen if Bruce Springsteen and Dave Matthews came together and had a baby. That child’s name would be Stolen Rhodes. This New Jersey/Delaware Valley-based band puts on a unique performance every time they’re on stage.
  
  Stolen Rhodes started out playing small shows along the Jersey Shore. Since the release of their EP, “The Dark Side of 88,” they have yet to look back and have no intentions on doing so.
  
  Bil Facciponte: You guys released “The Dark Side of 88” in May of 2009. What was that experience like?
  
  Stolen Rhodes: The dark side of 88 is a reference to a Bruce Springsteen song “Spirit in the Night.” Bruce is a big Jersey Shore guy and everybody kind of knows that he’s probably one of the most famous people to ever come out of New Jersey. We hang out in Lakewood (NJ) a lot on the “dark side of route 88.” So we’re kind of just paying tribute to that song and also where we grew up. We listen to a lot of Springsteen and it’s cool that we hung out in his old stomping grounds.
  
  BF: Speaking of Bruce, one of the places he used to play was The Stone Pony in Asbury. What was it like to headline there?
  
  SR: That was probably one of the most awesome rock and roll experiences. It was overwhelming. You step out on that stage and there’s people there that are into it. It really feels good to play a venue like that. A lot of people talk about getting nervous before big shows, but we feed off the energy.
  
  BF: Speaking of feeding, you guys must love Surf Taco because you play a lot of shows at those locations.
  
  SR: Well when we first got together we played a few gigs. Then we heard there was live music at Surf Taco. We gave the owner one of our demos and he enjoyed it and asked us to come play. The first time we played there, it was actually our CD release party, so it was a real nice experience. They ask us back there all the time so it’s good stuff. The audience is right there and they get into it so it’s real nice.
  
  BF: Plus all the free Surf Taco has to be nice.
  
  SR: Oh absolutely, we drink and eat like kings when we go out there.
  
  BF: You guys have done a lot of travel and played a lot of shows. Do you have a particular favorite?
  
  SR: We like The Shrine Bar in New York. That’s a really cool spot. It’s the most eclectic group of people there and it’s a real good atmosphere where everyone just comes out and has a good time. It’ll be a Wednesday at 11 p.m. and people will be anxious to see us.
  
  BF: You play a nice combination of covers and originals. What’s your favorite song to play?
  
  SR: We love to play our originals. But we all have different songs we’re into because of certain parts we get to play.
  
  BF: Well who does most of the writing of your originals?
  
  SR: Lately we’ve been trying to get the whole band involved and it’s been really working out. It’s definitely starting to open up new doors to our sound. We want our music to be from Stolen Rhodes since we all contribute.
  
  BF: Where does the influence from your songs come from?
  
  SR: It’s now gotten to the point where we talk about work and where we want our lives to go. We’ll sit at work and just think “I’d rather be playing music right now. This is something I can do for the rest of my life.” That, to us, brings up a lot of songs. A lot of our songs kind of have that working vibe to it. We’re just telling a story and to us, its real song writing because it comes from our experiences.
  
  BF: Do you guys see this as the rest of your life? Do you see Stolen Rhodes together in 20 years?
  
  SR: Absolutely, you just hit it right on the head. That’s exactly what we want. Any one of us could get a job as a bass board musician or a hired gun but we all want to be in a band and to make a living with music we actually care about. It’ll be great to say we can sell out huge stadiums but as long as we can make a comfortable living, that would be a big success.
  
  Stolen Rhodes can be found on MySpace, Facebook and ReverbNation.
  
  http://riversidesignal.com/category/theroctagon/

• Stolen Rhodes Wins Crowd at Local Bar [+ Show ]
  

  On Monday, Sept 28th, the Pennsylvania band Stolen Rhodes performed at McIntyre’s Pub in Toms River....On Monday, Sept 28th, the Pennsylvania band Stolen Rhodes performed at McIntyre’s Pub in Toms River. Stolen Rhodes, fronted by Matt Pillion and Dan Haase, is a modern rock band with a slight blues twist. Their sound reflects influences by bands such as The Police and Bruce Springstein.
  
  Bands that play on Monday night at McIntyre’s don’t not get much respect. It was clear that as Stolen Rhodes set up, most of the folks at the pub were there to watch Monday Night Football.
  
  “I can’t tell you how many bands I’ve seen come in here through out the years and ruin my Monday night games,” Jon Robertson, a self proclaimed McIntyre’s regular said “I am sure these young fellows are going to ruin this one too”
  
  Stolen Rhodes had a small but loyal fan base at the start of the show, but as the night went on folks who were there to watch football, were starting to focus more on the band. At the end of the game, a majority of people had stuck around to listen to the rest of the performance.
  
  “All right man,” Robertson said. “This is the first time in eight years I’ve been coming here that I was happier with the band then the game.”
  
  By the end of their set, several people were out of there seats applauding as Stolen Rhodes performed their final song of the evening.
  
  Stolen Rhodes consists of Matt Pillion on guitar, bass, vocals, and piano, Dan Haase on bass, guitar, and vocals, Kevin Cunningham on guitar and vocals and Ian Petri on drums. Their next show is on October 24 at the Rusty Nail in Ardmore, Pennsylvania.
  
  

• Chorus and Verse Online Magazine - Stolen Rhodes [+ Show ]
  

  Hey Rock 'n' Rollers! Last night on the latest installment of ROCK ON RADIO my guests were Lakewo...Hey Rock 'n' Rollers!
  
  Last night on the latest installment of ROCK ON RADIO my guests were Lakewood, NJ recording artists STOLEN RHODES (www.myspace.com/stolenrhodes). I was joined by guitarist and lead vocalist Matt Pillion, bassist Dan Haase, and guitarist Kevin Cunningham. Unfortunately, drummer John Grill could not be present.
  
  STOLEN RHODES, in its current form, is the product of many years and few changes. Matt, Dan and John have played together since their days at Lakewood High School, sort of going their separate ways in college. You see, all four present members went to Berkeley School of Music in Boston, MA. However, as with most things in life, time and tastes differ. The original three founding members kind of drifted apart, playing in different bands and experiencing new things. Haase spent time in a country and western band, even sporting his authentic Stetson hat for all of my radio listeners. Grill and Pillion bounced around in various projects and Cunningham moved out to Los Angeles to pursue his musical aspirations.
  
  Funny thing, though, how there really is "no place like home." The original three began to play together once again and, early in 2008, they re-formed as STOLEN RHODES. Haase remembered Cunningham, his old friend from Berkeley, and he enlisted his services in February of 2009.
  
  Soon thereafter, they went into the recording studio, and in May of this year released their first EP entitled "From The Dark Side of 88". This five-song CD is available presently on iTunes. If interested in contacting them, please do so either through their above highlighted Myspace page, or at stolenrhodes@gmail.com.
  
  Next week on ROCK ON RADIO, my guests are Bucks County, PA rockers 4 STAR (www.myspace.com/4startheband). They'll be discussing their self-titled CD as well as upcoming gigs.
  
  Until then, turn on Sunday nights at 10pm EST, tune into www.wifi1460am.com and ... as always ... ROCK ON!
  
  http://www.chorusandverse.com/blog.php?id=20090817A

• Stolen Rhodes [+ Show ]
  

  STOLEN RHODES - EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE A BAND COMES THROUGH THE NAIL THAT JUST " HAS IT ". THAT SOUN...STOLEN RHODES - EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE A BAND COMES THROUGH THE NAIL THAT JUST " HAS IT ". THAT SOUND , THAT UNION , THAT RELATION , THAT ORIGINALNESS , THAT RADIO FRIENDLY MUSIC THAT WILL MAKE AN IMPRESSION FROM THE FIRST SONG TO THE LAST. THIS 4 PIECE BAND HAS A POP UPBEAT GRATEFUL DEAD STEVIE WINWOOD MODERN DAY ROCK AND ROLL TO IT. SONGS WERE INVENTIVE AND ADDING IN KEYBOARDS AND SAXOPHONE GIVE IT ANOTHER GOOD QUALITY. EVERYONE PLAYED A PART IN EACH POSITION. SUBTLETIES OF THE DRUMMER , BASS INFLUENCES , LEAD GUITAR RIFFS AND VOCALS HAD GOOD GOOD SOUND TO HIM. SOUND WAS LEVELED NICELY TOO. THE CREATIVENESS OF THE SONGS IS WHAT REALLY CAUGHT MY EAR. THIS IS A GOOD ORIGINAL UP AND COMING BAND. OVERALL.......I DUG THIS BAND.

• Stolen Rhodes [+ Show ]
  

  Stolen Rhodes is a band full of talented musical genius. The song and video peacemaker is a hit,alo...Stolen Rhodes is a band full of talented musical genius. The song and video peacemaker is a hit,along with the best cover of the boss I've heard in a long time [.spirit in the night]As a bass player/producer/songwriter.this band Stolen Rhodes will make it to the top .Thats my opinon so check out this band and kick back and enjoy.think jersey shore." Richie Simon - SOUND BYTES MAGAZINE

Setlist

Set Length: 45 mins - 4 hours

We never play the same setlist twice. Each night promises a new experience.

Basic Requirements

PDF Rider

Backline/Input List

Calendar