Savor sounds from Rock Hill’s Crashbox

Fans fond of a rambling variety of popular music will find a wealth of sounds to savor when Crashbox smashes into The Sandbar, Rock Hill live Friday.

It’s the band’s first bar show in Rock Hill “for several months” professing they’re “definitely looking forward to it.” Crashbox features the musical skills of Kelly Bristow, bass/vocals; Chuck Lee, drums/vocals and Michael Waters, guitar/vocals.

A three-piece ensemble, Crashbox crams a hefty cross section of genres into their musical bag of tricks. There’s plenty of flair and experienced know-how to go around. A conversation with guitarist Michael Waters reveals not only his viewpoint but also his easygoing personality when he calls himself, “just one of the guys in a trio” he said, with that big laugh he’s known to have. “We’re a good time band and we just keep rocking.” To do that they employ a diverse repertoire that runs the gamut from “Johnny Cash to Alice in Chains and a little bit of everything in between.

“We started out playing all hard rock, then branched into a more radio friendly variety – hoping to have something for everyone. Crowds vary at different places but we go over well with young crowds. to our age to older crowds.and,” he laughed, “We can adapt.”

Naturally-talented and an instinctive performer, comments most often heard about Waters’ is his upbeat persona, since he’s universally held as ‘a really nice guy’ on top of his artistic credits.

Waters’ tenure in area bands for more than 20 years include many that “people might be remember,” running from the very early Wired, to all-original Rezistor, plus combination mode groups Control Freak and Mob; even an all original/hard rock entity Snakedriver. In addition to Crashbox, his long standing popular solo, acoustic gigs are ongoing. His solo gigs add another aspect to his musical menu thanks to artists including Elton John, Billy Joel, and some older country stuff like Merle Haggard.

So many styles, bands, gigs, – is he still enjoying it all? “Oh yeah,” Waters said, “absolutely. Even when I’ve had a rough day or feel tired, I just take a step back – look at things, and ask myself ‘What am I complaining about?’ and then, I just enjoy the music. I really appreciate being able to do this. It’s a great opportunity and fun to be playing with my buds they’re really stupendous musicians. I feel lucky to be here.”

We’re all lucky to share such good vibes and the driving melodic sound of Crashbox live, Friday at The Sandbar, 4124 Celanese Road, Rock Hill. For more details, call 803-366-774.

Elsewhere

Friday: Halden Vang at Empire Pizza-Newport, Rock Hill; The Oneppo Brothers Band at Luke’s Sports Bar & Grill, Rock Hill; Mike Faulkenberry & The Whiskey Prophets at McHale’s On Main, Rock Hill; Hair Nation at Amos Southend, Charlotte; Frank Sciandra at The HandleBar Tavern, Catawba: Khaos Kings Acoustic at Madison’s on the Corner, Tega Cay-Fort Mill.

Saturday: Jody Edwards & Co. with Joanna Llambias at McHale’s On Main, Rock Hill; Ben Gatlin Band at Luke’s Sports Bar & Grill, Rock Hill; Sonny Skyyz Revue at Original Empire Pizza, Rock Hill; Iris Dement at McCelvey Center, York; The Rockaholics at John’s Place, Fort Mill; MLB Acoustic Allstars at Pineville Tavern, Pineville; PJ Brunson and Katrina Brown at Eaglespeak Coffee House, S. Charlotte.

Sunday: Catawba River Monster at The HandleBar Tavern, Catawba.

This story was originally published April 28, 2016 at 4:12 PM with the headline "Savor sounds from Rock Hill’s Crashbox."