Music
Press
By Nick Brandon
GO & DO Editor
The Who's RIFFing: The Chesterfield Bridge is vocalist Steve Britz, Lewis Hensley and Justin Riley (guitar/vocals), Aaron LaFromboise (bass) and drummer Bob Priebe. Hensley, Britz and Riley are natives of New Boston, while Priebe and LaFromboise call Rockwood home.
The story behind the RIFFs: Formed in January, 2003 as a side project, the many months of writing and rehearsing that followed led the quintet to all other projects in the background and make The Chesterfield Bridge the first priority.
Led by the powerful playing and writing of Hensley, Priebe and LaFromboise are the latest additions to the fold, and have helped fill out the band’s sound and bring a new songwriting perspective.
The young band has since recorded two E.P.’s (the latest of which is music.prize.piece.god), and attracted a following in the Detroit area through constantly playing out and focusing on writing original songs.
Explain the name: The band’s unique moniker actually came from one of its former members, bassist A.J. Manoulian.
“At practice one day, the band … was just trying to come up with a name that fit,” said Hensley, 19. “He just randomly said chesterfield and we came up with the bridge, and placed them together.
“From that point, we kept it cause it just stuck in our heads.”
The sound of these RIFFs: “We are hard hitting rock, with blends of alternative,” Hensley said. “We come up with catchy, heavy riffs and put melodies with our vocals.”
The logical comparison for the group’s style is Deftones, but members also cites influences like 311, Finch, Lostprophets, Coldplay and Radiohead.
Got RIFFs on the record? Following its debut E.P., which featured tracks like “Pushing Back” and “Animalistics,” is music.prize.piece.god, four new songs that sold 300 copies on its first night.
Songs from the disc have already received airplay on Motor City RIFFs — an experience Hensley thanks Jay Hudson, the show’s producer, for hooking the band up with.
You can purchase a copy of music.prize.piece.god through the band’s official Web site at www.thechesterfieldbridge.com.
Your RIFFs outlook: With help from a new endorsement, The Chesterfield Bridge hopes to embark on a national tour in fall, 2005.
“We are currently working with our sponsor, Kronik Energy Drink … in planning our first tour in September, touring Arizona and Southern Claifornia,” said Hensley. “Our goal is to keep pushing, spreading the world and making new friends and fans.”
Where will you RIFF next? The Chesterfield Bridge will be in concert Thursday, July 7th for a WRIF/Motor City RIFFs sponsored show at US-12, 34824 Michigan Ave., Wayne.
The quintet will also perform the next day, Friday, July 8, at The Modern Exchange in Southgate with guests Rotation and autoReverse.
Stay posted on news and show listings for the band at www.thechesterfieldbridge.com.
Website: www.thechesterfieldbridge.com - 101 wrif
Discography
We released our first EP with four songs on it in may of 2004. We have had airplay on local stations such as 89x and 101 THE WRIF. Since then we have released a new EP called "muse.prize.peice.god" and it sold over 400 copies the first night. NOW OUT the newest EP "For The Good of Evil"- all songs are on our myspace right now. Now having an abundance of genius non-recorded songs, a full length CD is our next step in recording.
Photos
Feeling a bit camera shy
Bio
The young members of The Chesterfield Bridge have already compiled a list of accomplishments that any band would be proud of. This list of accomplishments is only the beginning however, and that does not mean that they are slowing down any time soon. These accomplishments have only motivated them to further their success. The band formed in 2003 in New Boston, MI and started playing live shows very soon after. There was nothing else to do, so we figured we would start a band, states founding member Justin Riley (guitar). 4 years, and many shows later, the band is selling out local venues with a capacity of 200+.
We work constantly every day to grow our fan base!, states Dane Sancho (bass). We spend a lot of time in malls, and other areas where our fan base hangs out, and we approach people and offer to let them listen to our CD. Most of the time, we end up signing autographs, and posing for pictures, which just amazes me!
The bands first EP was recorded at Tempermill Studios (Factory 81, Kid Rock, Suicide Machines) and released in May, 2005. Since it’s release, it has gone on to independently sell over 1,000 copies, and also receive radio airplay on such stations as 89X Radio, WRIF, and many college radio stations across the state of Michigan. Their 2nd release (For The Good Of Evil, released on December 12th, 2006), another EP, this time recorded at Cloud City Studios in Redford, MI and self produced has quickly made noise in the Detroit music market. Due to the bands great work ethic, the EP has sold 300 copies in it’s first month!
The bands local success has enabled them to open for such bands as Lucerin Blue (Tooth and Nail Records), Crackjaw (I Scream Records), and Shiner Massive (Metal Blade Records). In 2005, the band packed up and traveled to Santa Barbara, CA to open a show for V2 Records recording artist, Sugarcult.
The band performed in front of 4,000 people at this show, and left California having gained many new fans, and the respect of the members of Sugarcult.
Most recently (July, 2006), the band entered a battle of the bands contest sponsored by bodogMusic (Bif Naked, Neurosonic, Warren G). Through 3 rounds, and 300 total bands, the band survived all the way through to the final round, which was held at the State Theatre in Detroit, MI. In front of 2,000 people the band put on a show to remember, and ended up finishing in 2nd place. Once again, the band used this experience to motivate them, and continues to work hard towards achieving their dreams.
The future is bright for this young band from a small country town in southeastern Michigan. Currently planning upcoming tour date, make sure to catch The Chesterfield Bridge in a town near you.
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