Andrew North and the Rangers will play at the Angela Robinson Bandstand in Henniker July 11 starting at 6:30 p.m.
They are small-town friends brought together by an adventurous approach to music. This piano-rock quartet spans different ages, hometowns, and musical backgrounds, but they hit it off quickly at local open-mic nights. Over nearly 5 years together they have honed their craft, drawing from the technical fireworks of classic rock, the spontaneity of jazz, the light-hearted fun of the jam scene, and even the intricate passages of classical composition. Their debut album, Phosphorescent Snack, showcases their genre-bending style.
Band members include Andrew North, songwriter, composer, piano player, and singer living in Concord. He loves improvisation and he wears the same shoes to every gig. He’s played in numerous bands, released four solo albums, and performed on stages large and small. He has opened for 3 Dog Night, shredded keys with Dizzy Reed (Gun n’ Roses), and even bluegrass jammed with Mike Gordon (Phish). He needed a band, and one-by-one they appeared to join in on the fun. Dale Grant, drummer, with roots in drum lines, jazz, classic rock, new wave and metal, has played and sung in a number of bands over a 49-year career including musicians from Yes, Survivor, Cheap Trick and Charlie Daniels. He does not wear the same shoes to every gig.
Chip Spangler, bass guitar, is originally from Maryland. Having played with several different bands throughout the years, including as far away as Alaska, and making a habit of dropping by open mic nights to jam with whoever was around, he’s learned many useful things along the way. Chip wears ordinary shoes at gigs because his feet are too big for cool shoes. The last member of the quartet is Rob “the Mysterious Stranger” O’Brien, a talented sax player who shows up to gigs with a Roland Aerophone that can sound like just about anything.
All concerts are free (although donations are welcome), and take place at the Angela Robinson Bandstand at Community Park, Main Street. Should there be inclement weather, the concert will move indoors to the adjacent Community Center. Stake out a space, bring a chair, spread a blanket, visit a local restaurant, have a picnic supper on the lawn or try some of the fare from the night’s featured Food Vendor: the award-winning Taco Beyondo, and join your neighbors and friends in this community-building event at our bandstand. The complete summer schedule and weekly weather updates are available on the town’s website: www.henniker.org or Facebook page: https://facebook.com/HennikerConcert.