STS9 (SOUND TRIBE SECTOR 9) IN CONCERT:
STS9 take fans to groovy new stratospheres with impassioned performances and a unique mix of EDM, jazz, and psychedelic rock. The group prefers building a vibe to showing off with flashy flourishes, but these rockers know their instruments -- each memberÕs instrumental prowess is on full display at all times. Drummer Zach Velmer and percussionist Jeffree Lerner combine acoustic and electronic rhythms to create a larger-than-life beat. Bassist Alana Rocklin gets heads bobbing and bodies swaying with her tasty, swinging basslines. And keyboardist David Phipps and guitarist Hunter Brown alternate between smooth leads and effects-drenched rhythm chords to keep things moving and grooving. Altogether STS9 has loaded up their funky spaceship with a killer sound system and their most immersive laser-light show yet, promising to take ticket buyers on an interstellar ride during their 2015 tour.
BACKGROUND SNAPSHOT:
Formed in Atlanta in 1998, the original STS9 (short for Sound Tribe Sector 9) lineup featured Hunter Brown (guitar/midi), David Phipps (keys), Zach Velmer (drums), and David Murphy (bass/midi). The group soon released their debut album Interplanetary Escape Vehicle (1999), gaining attention for their mastery of jazz, funk, and electronica. Percussionist Jeffree Lerner came on board a year later and brought fleshed-out dance influences, which featured prominently on their 2000 sophomore effort Offered Schematics Suggesting Peace. The band then opened for superstars like Snoop Dogg, NAS, and Bassnectar before headlining tours of their own that fueled their growing reputation for stellar live performances. After David Murphy left the group in 2014, the band reached out to long-time friend and seasoned touring bassist Alana Rocklin to handle the low end. The refreshed lineup continues to bring mind-expanding music and far-out laser-light spectaculars to arenas and festivals around the world, converting more and more fans each step of the way.
