The Heavy Hitters will be bringing a unique brand of high energy funk to the Born & Bred Concert Series at The Robinson Grand Performing Arts Center on January 20th with The Bob Thompson, Creek Don’t Rise, and Lady D. Pharokeys of The Heavy Hitters took some time to talk to us about the inspirations of the band and what to expect from their show.
You can get your tickets to the concert series and the Born & Bred Readers Poll Best of 2023 Awards Ceremony by clicking here: The Robinson Grand
BB: Where in West Virginia do you hail from?
DF: I, Pharokeys, was raised in Montgomery WV, but after college I stayed in Huntington. The band is technically from Huntington because that’s where we were formed but we live all over WV.
BB: Who are some influences on your music and writing style?
DF:
We have tons of Influences Hip hop – old school Kendrick Lemar, J. Cole, Kanye, Outkast Funk – Cory Henry, Parliament, James Brown Prince Jazz – Snarky Puppy, Duke Ellington Robert Glasper Jacob Collier Rock – Red Hot Chili Peppers and tons more.
BB: How has being from/living in West Virginia influenced your music?
DF: Being from WV has taught us all how to change our style and be open to and influenced by multiple styles to come up with our own unique style and flow.
BB: What can people expect from your show?
DF: People can definitely expect being blown away and not being able to sit still when they listen to us.
BB: What are you listening to currently?
DF: Me personally im listening to Lawerence the Band, Jacob Collier, and a lot of Gospel to challenge my keyboard playing.
BB: What inspired you or took you down the path of music?
DF: In my earliest memories I remember my Dad singing in a mens chorus at church. “The Men on the Move” and their leader was the pastor of the church. He was one of the first people I ever knew to play guitar in a way to have me mesmerized then after that moment I caught the bug, I wanted to play everything. I took all kinds of lessons, but two people actually gave me the drive to pursue it like I have, and thats Dr. Ethel Caffie Austin and Mr. Chiles.
BB: What is one song you want people to listen to from your catalog if they were to say, “Hey what do you sound like?”
DF: One song that we have out right now that completely captures our style is “Smoke Em” from our “Live from The Shop” album.
