Hurdcore:Midwest set out this evening to observe a performance by a friend of hurdcore, Quad Cities, Illinois based rock/metal band Eleven Fifty Two. One this night there were two items of distinction the bands performance, which is one of (if not) their first as well as the beautiful and spacious venue in Davenport, Iowa known as The Redstone Room – both a first for hurdcore.

Eleven Fifty Two boast a heavy rock sound with a creative blend of metallic riffs and full bodied melodies. For only their first performance, EFT has a great stage presence as several of the local patrons noted, “Did I get here late, are you sure this is the opening act?!” Eleven Fifty Two is one of those bands who sounds as good in recording as they do live and translates their passion from live performances to their recordings. These are good looking dudes, which always helps when you are a local upstart working the grassroots of the bar circuit. There were several moments in between songs where the band displayed their presence with comical interactions, even when they were still working out the kinks with a few misfires from members of the band starting before the whole was ready.

This four piece hard rock/metal band is poised for regional dominance in the Illinois and Iowa local rock scenes. As described by the band,

Our music is pieced together with hard hitting drums, heavy guitars and a mix of rock and thrashy riffs that’ll get you stomping along.

Keep an eye out as Dustin [Vocals/Guitar], Mike [Guitar/Backing Vocals], Erik [Percussion] and Steve [Bass] continue to develop their live act. Stay up to speed with Eleven Fifty Two by checking in on their MySpace or check out video of the show at Hurdcore on Youtube – 11.50.2.

Unfortunately family duties beckoned from seeing the other acts for, but the venue itself was a highlight for the night and hurdcore looks forward to returning for many shows to come. The River Music Experience got its upstart in June of 2004 as one of seven pieces of the Davenport, Iowa’s River Renaissance supported by state, county and local government ventures as well as private investors, which was passed in 2001.  RME’s approach is multi-faceted exhibiting the heritage of Mississippi River music, with a specific emphasis on the Quad Cities creative history.  River Music Experience has hosted live bands, artists and performers from all genres while expanding their promotion and influence in local music through a variety of educational programming.

Our Mission: The River Music Experience (RME) exists [as a not for profit 501(c)3] to give Quad-City residents and visitors opportunities to experience America’s music, and most especially the music of the Mississippi River, through live music performances and programs which nurture, educate and inspire musicians, and music appreciators.

In short…The RME is a nonprofit helping build the Quad-City music scene through diverse live music and unique educational programming.

With a total space of over 31,000 square feet, The River Music Experience operates the bottom three floors of a historic five story building in the heart of Davenport, Iowa.  On the second floor is The Redstone Room, which serves as RME’s live music venue and boasts a full calendar of local and national artists from various genres.  Mojo’s serves as the RME’s spacious coffee house and Community Stage, with a collection of books, CDs, music as well as a calendar of local, regional and visiting artists offering live performances and open mic nights several nights a month.  Within the spectrum of RME’s instructional approach is an education based recording studio, The Sound Lab, and other successful programs like Rock Camp USA and partnerships with West Music to provide instrumental music lessons.

The River Music Experience is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization governed by a volunteer Board of Trustees and managed by a professional staff. Contact us at 877-326-1333 or visit them online

River Music Experience
131 West 2nd Street
Davenport, IA 52801-1828
(563) 326-1333
www.rivermusicexperience.org