Small Town Son’s songs are all about the people, be they grass roots blue collar folks trying to pay the mortgage, or the young men and women who are still out there looking for answers, it’s the songs that make us all.
The sound is country rock, a mix of southern rockers like Jason Aldean and ZZ-Top, with honest country in the style of Dierks Bentley, Eric Church, and Toby Keith. But the life’s blood of Small Town Son is in the honest, every man’s songwriting and melodies that any person can relate to.
"I want the the songs I write to be real, to be honest words about honest people's lives. Whether you're going broke, falling in love, fighting with your folks, or laughing it up with your buddies, there's a song in that. Basically, I want to write the soundtrack to your life."
STS's style of real-life country poetry, over clever guitar playing and haunting melodies, demonstrates the diverse musical environment that STS grew up around. Kris Hitchcock, singer and guitar player, is never more comfortable than when he has a guitar in his hands. And having been playing in bands and writing songs since the age of 13, that's been most of the time.
"Music has been my outlet all of my life; whenever something else didn't make sense, I always could find the truth in a song to get me through it. The key for us on stage is to share those moments; you get the chance to leave behind the daily grind of work and life, and listen to songs that make you say ‘yeah, I’ve been there.’”
For Dan Anspaugh, bass guitar and vocals, that music has been the road to keep him sane. Dan has busted his knuckles working 60 hours a week most of his life, and that honest living gives him a great edge when helping to write songs for real people. He also brings his style and personality to the bass and stage show that make Small Town Son memorable.
Ian Szarafinski, guitar and vocals, brings a different sound to the group as well. His clever guitar playing and musical knowledge allow STS to take their live show to whole new heights. One of the more intelligent musicians ever to grace a country stage, Ian also adds his perfect harmonies to the modern sound. With a background ranging from metal to acoustic rock, and the ability to play nearly any instrument with strings, Ian more than holds down his side of the show.
Big Ben Crites, drummer and vocals, provides the backbone that Small Town Son needs. Ben has played in all kinds of bands in his musical life, and brings all that experience to the stage with Small Town Son. Whether rocking on a skynyrd-esque honkytonk tune, or playing the two-beat to some fast lick country, Ben is right there on beat to keep STS pumping.
For more information visit their website at www.myspace.com/smalltownson
Small Town Son Photos
08-08-2009 Small Town Son