Music: Stackin' Eights

STACKIN' EIGHTS

ULTRA-BUSY 6-PIECE SOUTHERN ROCK GROUP RELEASES DEBUT EP, WITH FULL-LENGTH ALBUM TO FOLLOW

Not every new tri-state band that comes along scores gigs right out of the gate or quickly builds a following - these things can take time in the crowded local music scene. But Stackin' Eights, it seems, didn't get the memo, leapfrogging much of the field in a hurry, wasting no time in topping the bills at numerous hot-spots around town. Indeed, for months now, this 6-piece southern rock group has been packing them in wherever they go - and for one very good reason: there's no weak link; every member simply shines on stage. That includes vocalist/ keyboardist Cameron Turpin, vocalist/percussionist Misty Dawn, guitarist/vocalist Stevie Lee, guitarist/ vocalist Jonathan "Jonny" Gluff, bassist/vocalist Jon Rochner and drummer Brett Holland. Together, they can whip up an absolute frenzy, effortlessly covering many of the pillars of the southern rock and classic rock genres - legendary acts like the Allman Brothers Band, The Band, Deep Purple, Gov't Mule and more.

Ultimately, though, the plan for Stackin' Eights was to record original material - a process kickstarted by Lee, a Florida transplant, who serves as the band's main creative force. "I write all the lyrics and basic ideas and then we all transform what I come up with into a Stackin' Eights sound," he explains. That collaborative approach comes across loud and clear on Rock n Roll Southern Soul, a terrifically gritty 4-track EP recently released to announce the group's next phase which also includes a full-length album scheduled to drop in the fall. But for now the focus is on this introductory handful of songs available on all streaming services - "Drive It Like Ya Stole It," "Southern Angel," "Live Love Lose" and "Home of the Brave." While each perfectly captures the classic era of southern rock and the swampy grooves of authentic rock bands like the Black Crowes, the latter hits the hardest with Lee's deeply personal lyrics and minor-key progression. "My family is Native American so I wrote it as a tribute to them and to bring awareness to the struggles our Native ancestors endured," he says. In lock-step with Lee's vision, Turpin expertly interprets the emotions attached to the words while the rest of the band performs flawlessly.

Keep an eye out for upcoming Stackin' Eights shows and be sure to check out the new EP online.

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