Lunar Levitation
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Lunar Levitation

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"Second Set"

Let’s follow a journalistic bread crumb trail: a few weeks back, Second Set featured “STL 2000,” Matt Meyer’s documentary on St. Louis’ punk rock scene of that moment. He mentioned mentoring a tween band called Million Hits, who employ him as a sort of coach and all-around sounding board; so I wrote about them in a blog at stlmag.com. On Saturday, I caught Million Hits, playing with two other underage groups, at a Cicero’s rock matinee. Though the sun had already dipped by my arrival at 5 p.m., or so, the slender gent leaning against the wall outside of Cicero’s was obviously Jimmy Griffin, pulling on a smoke, waiting to head back in to see Million Hits. He was dressed in his usual attire: a T-shirt topped by a hoodie topped by a sports coat; slim jeans; and a pair of boots that seem to stretch from his legs to infinity. Lunar Levitation, quickly came over to him when leaving the building with his mom and some friends. Griffin complimented him on the group’s set, then did something interesting. In between the praise, he mentioned that that group had floated out a new original, one that incorporated a reggae tinge. He suggested that the band consider playing the chorus straight, eliminating the reggae. “It’s just an idea,” he said. “If you don’t like it, you can go right back to how you’re doing it now.”
Inside the venue, he gave me a quick scouting report on the group. Ryan Hoffman, on bass and vocals, has some major talent, he indicated, at both skills. Drummer Dominic Anzalone, meanwhile, “can really swing, doing things you shouldn’t be doing until you’re 15.” Along with guitarist Henry Dieckhaus, the three walked over to Griffin during a set change, basically planting themselves in front of him, with crossed arms and open minds. Griffin suggested that the group consider ditching the reggae tint on their original’s chorus, this time stating that they “should play like 14-year-old white kids would.” They shook their heads in full understanding. He then suggested that the band check out The Police’s “Reggata De Blanc,” the name of which Hoffman quickly tapped into his phone, admitting that he hadn’t heard much Police yet. “Any band that’s adding reggae to rock got it from that band,” Griffin offered. “It’s probably their best album. Start with that.” At some point Hoffman cracked that he’d be dropping out of high school to play music, which resulted in a “stay in school” speech from Griffin, including the caveat that “if you four guys are still making music together in four years, when you’re 18, then you get into the van and start driving.”
Copping to the fact that he’s actually already thinking about going to college in Nashville, where his sister attends school, Hoffman said he was considering studying audio engineering and wanted to eventually play and record there. Even here, Griffin continued to lay down some lessons. He mentioned that even if the best player from St. Louis traveled to Nashville, the competition of the scene there meant that “at least 16 guys are ahead of you. And they’ve all been waiting for the guy in front of them to die, basically, or give it up.” With the line “best player in your own town,” Hoffman extended his hands, palms up, obviously giving a nod of respect to his former teacher.
Griffin laughed and brushed it aside, mentioning John Horton of the Bottle Rockets as the gold standard of St. Louis guitarists. Even he’d find it tricky there, Griffin reasoned, sketching out the exact rooms and scenarios in which players score gigs.
It was a gentle schooling, but super-effective. Upon leaving, Hoffman could be heard saying to his friends, “That guy’s so cool.” When you’re teaching rock, you get to be the cool teacher, no doubt. Though it helps to just be Jimmy Griffin, too.
- STL Beacon


Discography

Still working on that hot first release.

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Bio

Lunar Levitation is a pop, rock and blues band from the Midwest. The band consists of lead vocalist, keyboardist and guitarist Ryan Hoffman, James Whalen bassist and vocalist, drummer, percussionist and backing vocalist Dominic Anzalone and guitarist and backing vocalist Henry Dieckhaus. Lunar Levitation formed back in July 2011 after drummer/band member, Dominic Anzalone decided to start a band. The band's name came from the members’ hope of playing in front of a large crowd and seeing people being lifted off the ground by the bands musical talent. This is best defined as Levitation. During discussions the word Lunar came up, so there it was- Lunar Levitation.

Coming together possessing extreme talent the band was playing popular venues and events around town within a month of forming. They were even selected as the "opening band" at the 2011 Lou Fest Music Festival. The largest music festival in St. Louis, Missouri. Now for nearly two years, these young musicians has thrilled audiences with their tremendous energy and their proven ability to entertain audiences of all ages. Their repertoire stretches across many genres of music including a mix of originals and Classic Rock, Pop, Blues covers as well as music from the 60’s, 70’s, 80’s, 90’s and today.