Harlen Simple
A beer swilling, live band Harlen Simple is a Rock band with hard hitting vocals, tasteful melodies, and a rythm section that will knock your socks off .If you
5
songs
1.2K
plays
I'll Shine I'll Shine
Oh Me Oh Me
A band that crosses every invisible line and boundary in music, the soon to be infamous Harlen Simple. On any given night you'll see; a rapper, a full horn section, percussionist, two harmonica players, all trying push and stretch boundaries as players and creators in todays music scene.
The flexibility lies in the core members of the group. A veteran bass player in Kenny Morrow and energetic beat maker in John Peterson make the rythem section seem like a machine. The machine runs at full tilt for hours on end with Erick Thomas peppering an unmistakeable groove with guitar, a distinctive touch that fuses everything from reggae guitar tones to nasty slide licks. The icing on the cake is the natural on the microphone, front man Travis Williams.
They refuse to follow rules and set lists. "We write them, they just don't work, we get so wrapped up in it that we usually play 5-6 songs without stopping, before we realize that we planned on using a set list," says Williams. This statement is so true that it only takes 10 minutes of a live performance to understand. The group looks like fish in water on stage, flowing from original to cover and back again, with a library of songs in and from every style of music that has hit their ears, they just let it out. The free flowing style has enabled them to fuse songs together, make new ones in the middle of a set, or just throw curveballs at eachother as fast as they can think of them. They jump into every genre they've ever heard; this is how their material spans 8 decades of music. "We feel it; like everyone else in the band, I'm not up there to show you how technical I can play, or that I took a couple hours and learned a song note for note...(laughs). Hell no I don't play the same stuff for our own stuff. We're there to drink beer and have fun like everyone else, that's a good time, and if everyone else is having fun then so are we," Thomas remarks. Between the on and off stage antics that's making their name and the body of work they're creating, this is certainly an act worth seeing as soon as they hit a town anywhere near you.
By: Billy DaymontBand/artist history
A band that is slowly becoming more of an institution rather than a weekend hobby. What started as a guitar player and a singer sitting in and playing open mics with whatever patchwork band that would get on stage with them. To an outfit that's running up and down the East Coast playing in any club, bar, or backyard. Harlen Simple was formed by childhood friends, Erick Thomas and Travis Williams. A drunken idea that's turned into a way of life.Have you performed in front of an audience?Constantly, we'll play anywhere we can plug in. Every show has special moments, that's why you do it. Sometimes it's only for 30 seconds, others it's for 3 hours, it all depends. It's like a drug we're all hooked on.
Your musical influences
Songwriting is really influenced by the guys that walk to the beat of a different drummer. People like Neil Young, Brad Nowell, Greg Allman, Warren Haynes, and Stevie Wonder. As far as bands that make us want to do it, Gov't Mule, Sol, Allman Bos, Rolling Stones, Pearl Jam, and the local veterans that play the bars in town. Some of us are younger and have gotten into the hip-hop, while some of the older guys, love the jazz and blues, and rock.What equipment do you use?
Paul Reed Smith- Carlos Santana SE through a Ampeg Reverbrocket, with a Jekyl & Hyde double distortion and a DOD 30. Ibanez bass, though a Peavey Scorpion with Boss overdrive, distortion and synth stomps.Anything else?
We are working on CD number 4 - keep your eyes posted to www.harlensimple.com for more information
Manassas, VA
USA
ID
67156
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Comments (21)
hi how are u????
Hey all, we are updating the page so bear with us while we get it all snazzy & *$*()*)*#@ ...... Got anything to say to us, throw it up here & we'll get back to ya~
peace
Hey everyone, get your tickets for the show Sunday June 25th in advance on www.harlensimple.com or email harlensimple@aol.com for more info.
Make sure you all show up for the ACOUSTIC CD RELEASE PARTY at SHARP SHOOTERS IN MANASSAS ON MAY 28TH.
Hey everybody, Mike is leaving the band, anyone interested in trying out, let me know.
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