Afterparty

Local talent has always been showcased at the Sedgwick County Fair and this year will be no exception when Afterparty takes the Main Stage at 8pm Thursday, July 9th.
“The name Afterparty is actually a catch phrase,” said Josh Bell, who plays bass and harmonica. “Whenever we do a show, we bill ourselves as the afterparty.”
The band is made up of Bell, Clint Dayhuff on Lead guitar, vocals and harmonica, Brooke Bell on vocals and rhythm guitar, and Ryan Samaniego on drums. Providing a fresh take on many popular rock and country songs, Afterparty mixes in their cutting-edge originals.
“We play everything from Johnny Cash tunes to Rage Against the Machine,” Bell said. “We might do ‘Folsom Prison Blues,’ then ‘Gone ‘til November’ by Wycliff Jean, and then we’ll do something by the Red Hot Chili Peppers.”
Afterparty may do several songs by known artists before throwing in an original number.
“This is unique to our band,” Bell said. “Many bands do only cover songs or originals, but we mix them up. The original songs are what we call ‘chill’ numbers, something audience members sit down and listen to when they need a rest from dancing.”
The band does have a CD out called “Indie Underground,” produced by QuickStar Productions. It will be available at the Fair, but one of their songs, “Running Out Again,” is about to be released for radio play.
“Our songs are laid back and upbeat at the same time,” Bell said. “They are about things that have happened in our lives and how we got to where we’re at right now.”
“Brooke sings most of the songs and plays guitar as well,” Bell said. “She has a pink electric guitar and crowds like that, especially the girls. There are a lot of female singers, but not many who play guitar too.”
Afterparty has much to look forward to these days. In August they will perform at a showcase in Nashville for Indevo Records. They have shows coming up at the Brickyard in Wichita, The Keg in Colwich, and Kelly’s Irish Pub also in Wichita. In addition, the group has played in Kansas City, Lawrence, Manhattan, Hays and Emporia.
- Times Sentinel Newspaper