Texas Hippie Coalition With Bridge To Grace, & North Fork

The Texas Hippie Coalition cruised into Cruiser's Biker Bar in Stateline, ID Friday night August 12th, bringing along with them all the way from Atlanta, GA Bridge To Grace, and locals North Fork opening up the show. I had never seen THC live before and I was looking forward to see them perform especially since a friend recently joined the band. The outdoor stage was all set up in the parking lot of Cruisers ready for the bands to perform.

Cruisers is a bar that has been featured on several cable TV broadcasts, showcasing the uniqueness of the bar which is one of the only around that has a road running down the middle of it. Bikers can ride their Harley's, Ducati's and even cars through and show off their ride. Most visitors from out of town have never seen anything like it, and really like the concept and atmosphere of the bar, this rang true with the bands performing on stage this hot August night.

Texas Hippie Coalition was founded in 2004 by Big Dad Ritch and bassist John Exall, Texas Hippie Coalition blends Southern rock, heavy metal, and stoner rock accompanied with lyrics paying tribute to the artists favorite things, it's easy to hear some of the band's biggest influences, like ZZ Top, Molly Hatchet and Pantera in their music. Other members include Timmy Braun on drums, Cord Pool-guitar and new addition Nevada Romo also lead guitar.

The show was well on it's way when Big Daddy Ritch of THC noticed the concert goers moshing in the pit, he liked how everyone seemed to mosh with care as to not hurt anyone, that it was the most careful mosh pit he had ever seen. My friend Nevada Romo just joined THC about 3 months prior to this tour and I was looking forward to see him play. Nevada came right up to me, recognized me right away and thanked me for all the support I have given them. It is always nice to be noticed by friends that are rock stars*. I met Nevada Romo in 2014 at a To Broke To Rock show put on by our rock radio station 94.5 when he was in the band Anti Mortem, also on that bill was Royal Bliss and Wayland. Nevada is from Oklahoma originally and also plays in a band called Cozmic Wool. THC put on a show full of energy and some Texas style Rock N Roll, great show guys.

Bridge To Grace is a 4 piece quartet out of Atlanta, GA members include: lead vocals David Garcia, guitarist Alex Cabrera, bass man Christian Lowenstein and drummer Justin Little. The quartet arrived at Cruisers the night before the show was to take place just in time for the Thunder Thursday celebration at the bar and to sing a little karaoke with the locals.

With Bridge to Grace on the verge of breaking big nationwide I was glad I was able to chat with David Garcia and Christian Lowenstein for awhile after their set. I first met BTG a year prior while touring with Like A Storm, I attended an acoustic set the band performed at Pawn One Music Corner before the show and I was blown away, great vocals from David Garcia, great energy the band puts off on stage. If you have a chance to see BTG live grab the opportunity, you won't be disappointed, these guys ROCK. The video below is from last years performance at Pawn One in Spokane, WA.

As I chatted with David Garcia I found out Scott Stapp former lead singer of the 90's band Creed contacted BTG and asked them if they wanted to tour with him?They packed up on the spur of the moment and headed 26 hours and a 3 day drive from Atlanta, GA to Billings, MT for their first show on the tour, Cruisers in Stateline, ID was the second show, they were added on their way through the area, I for one am so glad they made a stop here. David Garcia mentioned to me that it had always been a dream of his to play on an outdoor stage with the sun setting in the background and finish their set into the night, last night in Stateline, ID that dream came true.

Up and coming local band North Fork, from Post Falls, ID opened the show and primed the crowd for a rocking good time. Members of North Fork include: Myles Weaver-vocals/guitar. Brandon Kunka- Drums, Josh Wilhelm - Bass, Robby Erickson - Guitar, Vocals If you are from the Spokane and surrounding areas make sure you check out North Fork, they may just become one of your favorites?

All the bands were gracious enough to hang and sign CD's, posters, skin, what ever your fancy and take photo's with the fans. After the show I was hanging out with some of the members from THC back by the buses before they took off to their next destination when a tipsy gal decides she is going to put on a show for us swinging fire? I have seen the fire dancers perform at Cruisers in the past and they are good at what they do, but I don't suggest trying it after you have tied one on. This gal was so drunk she couldn't even walk straight let alone swing fire? She caught herself on fire at least 3 times including her hair, luckily the flames were extinguished fast, but that did not stop her from continuing? She started stumbling toward the group I was standing with, we all scatter running into each other trying to avoid getting caught on fire, crazy. I'm sure the guys in the band won't forget their visit to the Pacific NW?

This summer is full of some awesome concerts and festivals and it's not over yet, it's just beginning, August is the busiest month for Rock N Roll. Take it easy and keep it real until the next go round, but most importantly, Rock On. **Peace**js*