Backlash

BACKLASH was formed in Topeka, Kansas in 1993. Band members have come and gone over the last 17 years but the band has stayed true to what made them popular all this time: play great, danceable music and become involved with the crowd.
Backlash plays high energy good time classic rock and roll, primarily the late 60’s/early 70’s rock but has dabbled in hits from all across the board. Around 2001 the band began to write and record their original material and release them on cd. In 2003 “Dressed For Success” was the first Backlash cd released followed by “No Quarter No Mercy” in 2004 and “Tattooed Nation” in 2006.
In May 2009 the band released their 4th cd “Backlash” , the first album to be available globally on the internet for single and full track download. The band has received radio airplay and some very good cd reviews. The band at one time had 4 dvd’s available along with other merchandise such as t-shirts, hats, panties, teddy bears, even lunch boxes. The fan base over the years for the band has become loyal and big, spreading across not only state lines but also fans are found in Europe and as far away as Thailand.
The group has played some great festivals, bike rallies and charity events, but some fine mentions are some of the big name bands that Backlash has had the chance to open for, including Steven Piercy of Ratt, Artimus Pyle from Lynard Skynard, White Lion, Doro Pesch (from Warlock), Eddie Money, Cheap Trick, and Alice Cooper. Finding their place in any small bar or huge club, Backlash can rock a crowd
of 7 or 7000 people, and get them involved as well.
Backlash is also known for never playing the same show twice. There is never a set list, but rather a list of almost 300 songs that are played by what the audience wants to hear. The band is not afraid to take a chance on something they’ve never attempted live before, and the rawness and unpredictability of any given show on any given night is what keeps the music, the energy, and the sets for the show fresh.
In 2008 the band started performing Pink Floyd’s THE WALL in it’s entirety, including construction of the wall between the band and the audience, animation and graphics shown on the wall, lasers, smoke and fog, and full production lights and sound. The band still plays this show on select dates at select venues.
Currently the band consists of four of the best musicians around, including 1993 original Backlash member Shawn Ames on guitar and vocals, Brian McGuire on guitar and vocals, Ron Prothe on drums and vocals, and the most recent addition to the line-up, Chris Nicklay on bass. Chris replaces Backlash bassist Danny Tallent, who was in a horrific car crash in May 2008 that claimed the life of his wife Ashley and left Danny partially paralyzed on his left side. The band spent the winter of 2008 and spring of 2009 off of the road to finish and release their latest cd and hire a new replacement. With Chris on the bass the band looks forward to booking and performing shows in the fall of 2009 and beyond.
The band also owns and runs their own lights and sound, if needed. The band uses a 16 channel P.A. run by an available sound man and the lights are controlled by the band on the stage.