It's less than a week until Hopstring Fest--Joliet's second annual celebration of craft beer and live Americana music. This year's fest includes a performance by The Steepwater Band.
Hopstring Fest is from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 24, at Silver Cross Field, the city's ballpark at 1 Mayor Art Schultz Drive in downtown Joliet. Tickets are only $20 each at available at the door or Chicago Street Pub, 75 N. Chicago St. Visit http://www.hopstringfest.com/ for a full schedule.
Although The Steepwater Band got their start as devotees of delta blues, they have since been expanding on their influences taking on everything from psychedelia to Americana, and of course, rock and roll music. Formed in Chicago in 1998, the band’s signature sound is at once a nod to earlier rock n’ blues combined with a raw and gutsy musical approach. Founding band members Jeff Massey (vocals & guitar), Tod Bowers (bass) and Joe Winters (drums) have a synergy that comes from years of playing together. In early 2012 the long-time trio have been joined by Eric Saylors (guitar & bk vocal), from Indianapolis, IN. Mr. Saylors brings an added depth to the TSB LIVE sound, where the foundation laid by Bowers & Winters leaves the space for the guitars to soar and vocals to shine. Massey always performs with a passion that can belie his virtuosity, while being true to the song at hand.
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The band’s infectious energy is equally evident in their live performances, as critics and fans hail their shows as forceful and intoxicating. It is their humble devotion to music, and a commitment to achieving their musical goals without compromising the integrity of their musical vision that make The Steepwater Band such a refreshing find. In 2010, the band released the highly lauded live record entitled “Live at the Double Door” which contained tracks from their previous two LPs, “Revelation Sunday (2006)” and “Grace and Melody (2008).”
The Steepwater Band has maintained a grueling schedule throughout the last 10 years, averaging about 125 shows per year. They have toured and shared the stage with acts such as Gov't Mule, Buddy Guy, Wilco, Taj Mahal, Marc Ford, ZZ Top, T-Model Ford, North Mississippi All Stars, Leon Russell, Drive-By Truckers, Robert Randolph & the Family Band, Cheap Trick, Bad Company and Heart. In 2005, the band made its European debut, performing at the Azkena Rock Festival in Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain. In the following years, the band has returned to the United Kingdom and Europe for multiple club and festival tours, increasing their loyal overseas fan-base. Visit steepwater.com to learn more.
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Hopstring Fest's lineup also includes Miles Nielsen and The Rusted Hearts, John Condron and the Old Gang Orchestra, The Righteous Hillbillies, Magic Box, Chicago Farmer, Ed Anderson, The Regressors and Paige and the Reverent Few. On an acoustic side stage there will be performances by Alex Hoffer, Chris Flood, Tom & Becky, Chris Corkery, Matt Biskie, Villains Company, Allison Moroni Flood, Scott McNeil and others.
