Silversmith

Silversmith
"Stories and Nightscapes"
The music: This four-song EP by the band that started life as The Backstrokes boasts an indie alt-rock vibe with roots in classic, prog-rock, propelled by singer Jess Luiz and the keyboard strains of Rob Antecki. Guitarists Justin Dore and Brian VanFleet, bassist Chris Sanders and drummer Ryan Engemann round out the group, which plays The B.O.B. at 8 p.m. July 8.
Get it: Schuler Books & Music, Vertigo Music
Spinfo: myspace.com/silversmithband, silversmithband.com - Grand Rapids Press

Once upon a time, Silversmith was named The Backstrokes, an indie-pop band of sorts formed by some Aquinas College students.

Nowadays, however, a realigned/revamped Silversmith lays claim to a rockier approach with some blues, classic-rock and prog-rock underpinnings as suggested by today's featured track, "Give a Little Soul."

It's the lead track off of a new four-song EP ("Stories and Nightscapes") from the band: Rob Antecki (keyboards), Jess Luiz (lead vocals), Justin Dore (guitar), Chris Sanders (bass), Brian VanFleet (guitar) and Ryan Engemann (drums). The CD's available for sale at Schuler Books & Music and Vertigo Music.

You can catch Silversmith live at 3:30 p.m. July 24 at Taste of Grand Rapids in John Ball Park. For a schedule of shows and more information about the band, check out their websites at myspace.com/silversmithband and silversmithband.com.

E-mail John Sinkevics: jsinkevics@grpress.com - Grand Rapids Press

GRAND RAPIDS -- Started as a college project for a battle of the bands, Silversmith has evolved over several years into a rock band to watch.

Consisting of singer Jess Luiz, keyboardist Rob Antecki, lead guitarist Justin Dore, rhythm guitarist Brian VanFleet, drummer Ryan Engemann and bassist Chris Sanders, Silversmith is the most recent incarnation of the band that began as The Backstrokes in 2007. Antecki said he hopes this version of the band will have staying power.

"It's kind of the primary focus of most of us right now, trying to get this off the ground," Antecki said.

Antecki and Engemann began the band while students at Aquinas College, and at their first performance as The Backstrokes in 2007, the band had nine members. Since then, the band has gone through many lineups and changes in sound.

After adding Luiz in January, the band renamed itself Silversmith and declared this its permanent lineup.

"Our sound is continuing to evolve," Antecki said. "So (the name change) just seemed really natural -- we're a different band."

Sanders said the band benefits from having its members come from different musical upbringings and influences. Sanders was a bassist in several metal bands, Antecki is a classically-trained pianist, and Dore was trained as a jazz guitarist, Sanders said.

The band is most heavily influenced by classic rock, with some indie sensibilities as well.
IF YOU GO

Silversmith

When: 3:30 p.m. Saturday as part of Taste Of Grand Rapids and Barbecue Competition (3-10 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturday)
Where: John Ball Park, 1300 W. Fulton St.
Admission: Free

"When we hear people talk about our music, what we hear most often is 'blues rock,'" Antecki said.

The band recently recorded a four-song eponymous album, "Stories and Nightscapes," at Mackinaw Harvest Music Group, 347 National Ave. NW, recorded by Chris Andrus of Bless You Boys.

Antecki said the band is hoping to begin more regional touring throughout the midwest, and is in the final negotiations for an endorsement deal with an instrument company.

"Now that we've got the EP out, and the lineup set, we're really giving it the big push," Antecki said. "This is what we want to do for a living, so anything we can do to make it happen, that's what we're going to do."

Antecki said the band, which is playing at 3:30 p.m. Saturday during the Taste Of Grand Rapids event in John Ball Park, tends to be better-received at festivals and outdoor concerts.

"We tend to do better at the larger music festival kinds of things, because we tend to attract a wide demographic," he said.

- Grand Rapids Press