Community Center? When you see them live in concert you’ll think they brought the whole damn neighborhood!
Community Center is a seven piece independent rock band that hails from the thriving music scene in Baltimore, Maryland. Their extensive line-up consists of Beian Loeper (guitar, piano, vocals), Danny Benbow (saxophone, clarinet, harmonica, vocals), Amanda Rife (vocals, trumpet), Lacey Anderson (accordion, piano, violin, vocals), Zachary Mattix (banjo, bass, guitar), Tracey Schindledecker (violin, vocals), Steve Bainbridge (cello, vocals), and Dave Chen (drums).
Their myriad of influences from Jazz to Classical, Rock, folk, funk, and southern hymns all come together in one band to create a fresh, unique sound that is unlike anything you will hear anywhere. And their thoughtful, storytelling lyrics, spurred by artists like Bruce Springsteen and Tom Waits, lead listeners on unexpected journeys of heartbreak, despair, and sometimes even the optimistic side of love. Songs like “When I Grow Up I Want to be Ten Feet Tall” and “A Southern Gentleman.”
The band is known for their complex, layered, and textured arrangements, as well as perfectly constructed harmonies swirling from the sound of the band’s six vocalists. Their live shows are big, and I’m not just talking about seeing the image of seven people on-stage jamming all at once, either. The sound is big, it fills the room from corner to corner, bouncing from wall to wall, filling the ears and hearts of everyone in the audience and endearing themselves to crowds all over the country.
The band has pretty much been on tour since their conception in 2011, currently they are on the road to support their third and latest self-titled album (yes, all of their albums are self-titled, kinda like Chicago, the band not the city).
Community Center will be performing at The Bard’s Town on Sunday July 5th. Tickets are $8 and the show begins at 7 PM.
Photo provided by Community Center
