Roger Hoover and the Hurt

Roger Hoover and the Hurt is Eric Baltrinic, Daniel Holmes, Roger Hoover, Kevin Martinez and Ysabel Price.

This Band Could Be Your Life: Roger Hoover and the Hurt
by Joanna Wilson

Local singer/songwriter/guitarist Roger Hoover is an experienced artist that has been making music for more than ten years.  But this past year, he has hooked up four others to form Roger Hoover and the Hurt creating an original indie/alt, roots rock sound.  This Akron-area band features the powerful hook of gravely vocals that bespeak a world weary wisdom and a slide guitar that echos and rocks the ground.  The band consists of Eric Baltrinic on drums and percussion, Daniel Holmes on guitar, Roger Hoover on vocals and guitar, Kevin Martinez on upright and electric bass, and Ysabel Price on harmony vocals.  My advice: catch this band while they play locally because they have the potential to blow up much bigger than the Akron Empire.

Artwork/cover of new 2012 CD release Lay My Rituals Down

Right now, Roger Hoover and the Hurt have a brand new CD out entitled Lay My Rituals Down.  This release contains seven very polished and tight songs including "Eastern Standard Time," "Girl's Got A Hold on Me," "Lay My Rituals Down," "Old Lover's Songs," "Full Force Gale," "First Bullet" and "My Home Is In The Ground." 

The first song on the CD, "Eastern Standard Time" is an uptempo bluesy song with a southern-influence and gravely vocals--the perfect introduction to the rest of the collection.  I was also impressed with the second song "Girl's Got A Hold on Me" a rockin' track with a touch of twang, a bad-ass attitude and an alt-country violin to boot.  The third track "Lay My Rituals Down" features a foreboding upright bass and profound lyrics that reveal a challenge to set ways of thinking.  I think my next favorite song is "First Bullet" another roots rock uptempo song; it's foot stompin' Nashville guitar rock.

CD release party is this Saturday, Aug 25th

I like this CD more and more as I listen to it and unravel its layers.  I encourage you to check this band out.  They are playing at their CD release party this Saturday, August 25th at Musica.  Click HERE for the Facebook event.   When asked what I could expect to experience at a Roger Hoover and the Hurt concert, this is what I was told by the band:

"We create a sonic story and guide the listener through common themes like redemption, loss and love from within all genres that form the Americana idiom. Our live shows are energetic and dynamic with a strong focus on the lyrical content. We play off of one another - its a subtle improvisation - and feed from the energy of the crowd."

Roger Hoover and the Hurt will also be performing next Wednesday, August 29th at the Beachland Ballroom in Cleveland.  Click HERE for that Facebook event link. 

For more on the band, check out this link to their website: www.RogerHoover.com
and their FB page: Roger Hoover