Cliffs Riffs - Stuph n Nonsense

If you like rock n roll performed by people who love what they do, then The Hard Lessons are for you. These three folks kick out the jams. We went to see them at Billy's in Easttown July 10. The show got off to a way late start and as a result THL didn't take the stage until LATE - we got home at 1:30 which is pushing it on a week night. But Augie apologized several times (they did not cause the delay) and thanked us all profusely for sticking around. Ryan provides the back bone. He plays the drums with authority and has a good time doing it. Korin fills in a bass line and other synth parts while she sings. She also dances quite well while staying connected to her keyboards. Augie is an energetic guitar shredder of the first water. The stage at Billy's need to be half again as big in order for Augie to really put on his show, but he made do with the cramped quarters. I have seen these folks twice and they make me smile. Excellent musicianship, great interaction with th...

Julie and I went to the Local First party in downtown Grand Rapids for my birthday (6/13). We had some great beer and good food, there was a band playing but they didn't grab either of us. After our second beer and stuffed tummies, we decided to head home. Julie stopped for a smoke and we were outside the roped in area the party was in, but we were up by the stage - over to one side. The Hard Lessons were setting up and did their sound check. They got my attention - Augie knows his way around the guitar, the chemistry between he and Korin was palpabable and Ryan was drumming with authority. This was just the sound check and they had us! We stayed for the show and were waaaay impressed. Energy - smiles - kick ass musicianship - energy - The Hard Lessons are all that. If you get a chance to see them, do it. They are playing Rothbury, they play all around Michigan this summer - back in Grand Rapids at Billy's July 9th. Here is a link to their website so you can fi...