Rock Hard At The Park Featuring Alter Bridge With Spokane's Own Myles Kennedy: Special Guests: B

Spokane's annual summer rock fest Rock Hard At The Park went down Wednesday August 24, 2016 at the Greyhound Event Center in Post Falls, ID put together by Rock 94.5 and The Knitting Factory. Featured performers included: Breaking Benjamin, Alter Bridge with Spokane's own Myles Kennedy, Saint Asonia, Avatar, Shaman's Harvest, and Stitched Up Heart, This is by far Spokane's largest show of the summer not to mention the year and what a great line up to rock your face off.

Alter Bridge was one of the headliners of the show, the crowd was anxious to see Myles Kennedy a native rocker raised right here in Spokane, WA. Alter Bridge members include: Myles Kennedy – Vocals, Guitar, Mark Tremonti-Guitar/Vocals and formerly of Creed, Scott Phillips – Drums, also formerly of Creed, and Brian Marshall – Bass. I was determined to catch up with Myles Kennedy for an interview but with no luck not for a lack of trying, however. I also wanted to catch up with one of the best guitar players around, Mark Tremonti he can really tear up the guitar.

Here's a little background on Myles Kennedy, He was born in Boston, Massachusetts on November 27, 1969. When Myles was very young the family moved to Spokane, WA where he attended Mead High School and graduated in 1988. He studied music at Spokane Falls Community College. He formed and played in the band Citizen Swing and later on to Cosmic Dust before forming The Mayfield Four in 1995. Myles started teaching guitar lessons at Rock City Music Store in Spokane, WA in 1996, he also made an appearance in the 2001 movie, Rock Star which is a subject I have come to find out he does not like to talk about. Personally, Rock Star is one of my favorite movies, re-living the greatest era of all time the 80's. Kennedy left the Mayfield Four disillusioned after finding out he had developed a hearing problem called tinnitus and went back to teaching guitar. Slash contacted Myles in 2002 looking for a vocalist for a band he was forming but Kennedy declined the offer to sing lead in Velvet Revolver. Later in 2009 Myles decided to join up with Slash and is lead vocalist for Slash And The Conspirators. In 2003 Mark Tremonti, formerly of the band Creed contacted Myles on a new project with former Creed members Scott Phillips, and Brian Marshall, in 2004 Alter Bridge was born.

At least Myles finally saw me as I shot this photo he's pointing right at me.

I Did catch up with the members of Shaman's Harvest and Stitched Up Heart, I had the pleasure to meet both bands last year at a couple of local rock shows .

Shaman's Harvest from Jefferson City, MO their music reminds me more of a southern rock style but I heard people at the show refer to them as country, I don't think so. Members include: Nathan Hunt - Lead Vocals/Acoustic, Josh Hamler - Guitar/Vocals, Matt Fisher - Bass/Vocals, Adam Zemanek - Drums/Vocals, Derrick Shipp - Lead Guitar/Vocals. Their remake of Michael Jackson's song, Dirty Diana rocks along with the entire album, you might want to add it to your music collection.

Stitched Up Heart from Hollywood, CA with their heavy metal style opened the show, with members: Members: Mixi - Vocals,Decker - Drums,Merritt - Guitar,Randy - Bass. This band tears up the stage and with their new album, Never Alone, they are sure to be one of your new favorite bands.

Saint Asonia was founded by Adam Gontier Former lead singer of the Canadian rock band Three Days Grace. Saint Asonia was formed in Toronto, Ontario, Canada in 2014 after Gontier's departure from Three Days Grace. Other members of Saint Asonia include: Mike Mushok, Rich Beddoe, and Corey Lowery. The band played some popular Three Days Grace tunes from when Adam was a member such as, I Hate Everything About You, and went on to perform some new hits off of their debut studio album Saint Asonia released on July 31, 2015.

Avatar from Göteborg (Sweden) also on the line up of performers at Rock Hard. Avatar was founded in 2003 and members include: Johannes Michael Gustaf Eckerström - Vocals John Alfredsson - DrumsKungen - GuitarsTim Öhrström - GuitarsHenrik Sandelin - Bass. This was the first time I had ever seen Avatar perform live and I have to say I truly enjoyed their performance with their crazy stage costumes and makeup that reminded me of a circus side show makes this band a must see.

Breaking Benjamin from Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania closed out the night performing some of their top hits include, The Diary of Jane, Blowing Me Away, So Cold, Dance With The Devil just to name a few. Breaking Benjamin is a rock band founded by guitarist/singer/songwriter Benjamin Burnley.

This was the must see concert of the year with all headlining acts that performed at the 2016 Rock Hard At The Park. The attendance seemed lower than years past but the crowd was ready to rock hard with all these acts and with their native Spokane local Myles Kennedy. The show landed on a Wednesday and I heard this was the reason some fans could not attend but if you look back on the past Rock Hard's they are usually always on a weekday. If you missed this one? I would hate to be you :) With so many great bands performing this years Rock Hard At The Park it is hard to get everything down on paper, this is just the tip of the iceberg. Until next time Rock$tarzz, take it easy and keep it real and most importantly Rock N Roll. **Peace**js**