John Henry and the Engine come to Warrensburg
Feb 3, 2010, 11:55 AM
By ELIZABETH ELLIS Digitalburg
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“I care about rock ‘n’ roll,” John Henry said. “Most of the things in my life are based in some way around music.”
The group, originally from St. Louis, has a distinct classic rock ‘n’ roll feel with Bruce Springsteen sort of honest lyrics, driving guitar and drum rhythms with a slightly old country twist. There’s even a little R&B influence thrown in for good measure in John Henry’s soulful voice. All of the genres are mixed together seamlessly into a distinct sound that is both original and familiar at the same time.
Most of the band is from the same neighborhood since childhood. “When the band is all from the same area, you listen to the same things, have the same influences. It’s really important.”
John Henry and the Engine released their first CD in 2006, “Charlie Baby” and another in 2008 titled, “Under the Yellow Moon.” The group has been touring since 2007, and even performed before President Obama in Columbia, Mo., in October.
This will be the second time the band has played in Warrensburg.
“We love playing in college towns. There’s a lot of energy,” Henry said. “We try to go back to the same areas and play again as often as we can.”
The band has been seriously touring since 2007, but somehow still found time to write new music for their shows. They may be releasing another CD sometime this year.
“I write a lot,” Henry said, “we always want to bring some new material. We don’t want to have the same material all the time—every time you come listen to us, there should be something new. We’re always looking for something new to bring to the table, instead of playing the same old tired songs.”
With two CDs worth of music to mix up, plus their new Vinyl and several songs that haven’t made it to a CD yet, they have a lot of music to choose from.
“We’re just trying to write honest music,” Henry said. “Trying to do what we want to do, write the way we want to and play the way we want to.”
