Two Sticks and a Stone is:
- Joe Griffith: Vocals/Guitar/Piano
-Ben Strahsburg: Guitar
-Daniel Griffith: Bass/Vocals
-Nick Strahsburg: Percussion/Vocals
Biography:
Vulnerability, originality, intensity,
and sensitivity are what encompasses the
music played by up-and-coming, Medina, Ohio based Two Sticks and a Stone. Lead by
front-man Joe Griffith, the band is defined by
their Indie/Rock sound with heart-pounding
drums, soaring guitars, incredible distortionbass,
sprinkled with synth and crisp piano.
As the band’s heavy sound is let loose, though, the quartet does not miss a beat. Balanced with catchy melodies and hooks, their resolute and succinct tone has been rapturously hailed as a stand-alone work-of-art.
On The Stage…
…their melody and mayhem consistently surpasses. "Their presence is amazingly
inspiring. I thought I was going to a local show, but Two Sticks and a Stone really surpassed my
expectations.... Their live performance put to shame the performances of My Chemical Romance,
Rise Against, Green Day, and Chiodos, and was on par with The Devil Wears Prada and the Anti-Flag," said one concert-attendee.
What sets the quartet apart is simple: Unrelentingly intense breakdowns are coupled with carefully constructed choruses that leave audiences shocked. Two Sticks and a Stone's live performance is a sweet-tasting mix that reaches both full-blown intensity with songs like, "My Heart Followed After My Eyes" driven by lightning speed double bass and also sensitive ballads like "A Day's Events in Pictures” lead by broken cords on the piano.
A Few Bands They’ve Shared the Stage With:
-NeverTheLess
-Lennex
-Stay At Heart
-The Divine Soldiers
-Words Burning Scarlet
-The Crossing Guards
-Tuesday Cried
-Reality Awakened
-Cheyne Stokes
-Trademark Mistake
-The Unveiling
-Day Method
-Relative To Normal
-Wherever Home Begins
-The Chasing After
In The Studio…
…their work is equally impressive. With the upcoming release of their debut album, "Once
Upon Ten Hours Ago," Two Sticks and a Stone is as cunning, sweet, and savage as ever. The 11
song, 40 minute album will be released on iTunes in September. Two Sticks and a Stone’s first
track opens the CD with monotony in which unidentifiable chatter is accompanied by colorless piano. Exploding with tinges of southern rock, the second track, “My Heart Follows After My
Eyes,” explores the importance of maintaining a pure-thought life. “Rescue in a Whisper” asks an
interesting question: Can you hear God in your loud music? And if you can’t, why are you
listening?
The CD concludes as the members bring to life a touching illustration of Lamentations 3:22-23, “His compassions fail not. They are new every morning.”
Honesty and diversity are where Two Sticks and a Stone finds their strength.
“Obviously, bands that embark on
national tours or sell hundreds of thousands
of CDs know what they are doing, and so I say
this with all due respect: I cannot fully
appreciate music that is one‐sided. Why do
some bands have quality music but belowpar
lyrics? Why do some bands bring the
adrenaline so high that no emotional contact
is made with the audience? Why do some
bands only have one tone, whether it be soft
or heavy, instead of a multi‐faceted sound?”
asks the bass‐player Daniel Griffith. “We
don’t claim to have all of this “music making”
stuff together,” explains percussionist Nick
Strahsburg, “but we do approach the music
making process with admiration and
curiosity.”
It’s done them well so far.
Once Upon Ten Hours Ago Discography:
1. Intro
2. My Heart Followed After My Eyes
3. The King Who Saves
4. Is It Too Late To Save Me?
5. Where I Belong
6. 20:1
7. Facing The Giants In The Dark
8. Losing My Leaves
9. Rescue In A Whisper
10. Quarantine Him, Now!
11. A Day’s Events In Pictures
What They Represent…
Established in 2001, Two Sticks and a Stone held their first concert in the family basement.
(The average age of the members in the group was 10.) Audiences across Ohio, though, wouldn't
have guessed Two Sticks and a Stone had such humble beginnings. Their thought-provoking lyrics, the upward spiral of musicianship, and overall maturity as a band has exponentially
improved since the “rubber drum pad and acoustic guitar” days.
The name: Two Sticks and a Stone, represents salvation: something so complex, is so simple. All the earthly ingredients needed for salvation is: Two Sticks (the cross) and a Stone (the stone that rolled away). It is a concept that transcends language and culture; it meets people right where they. “We could spend hours upon hours explaining the complex theology behind Christ’s atonement for our sins. Instead, we wanted to present salvation in such a fashion in which there was no red tape or extravagant fanfare involved,” says Joe Griffith.
Their lyrics do not incorrectly fabricate
overly optimistic settings, though. Two Sticks
and a Stone calls it as it is. Joe Griffith, sums it
up best when he said, “There is undeniably a
huge problem with the human race. We want to
present that problem, but unlike other bands,
we also want to present the solution.” And what
a problem they present. In one song, the vocals
mourn, “I smile to hide what’s underneath. I am
a masquerade composed of a stone heart and
white teeth.” In another, they scream, "[We are
all] dreaming of being with someone who loves
us, someone who cars…we’re missing our
chance!"
Although vulnerability and hurt defines Two Sticks and a Stone's unique sound, the message does not end there. "There are two sides to the same coin," percussionist Nick Strahsburg explains. "Yes, the human race is a mess, but there is also a Savior." Daniel Griffith expounds. "Beautiful depression," he says, "is the knowledge that you are dead, but Christ is alive. It is a unmanageable strange feeling."
"Our songs are not about the latest scoop on celebrities or driving fast in your BMW. There is meaning to our songs," guitarist Ben Strahsburg says. "Real meaning that is not limited to the medium of music and we truly feel called to proclaim that truth wherever we go.”
From The Band…
We can perform in nearly any setting (indoor or outdoor) and if necessary, can provide all
equipment needed to run a show. Due to differing demand, we have three different shows:
1. Regular, “rock/alternative” based set
2. Worship set
3. Acoustic set
Please let us know which set would best suite your venue. Due to distance, time, and dates,
all payment is decided on a case-by-case basis. If possible, please let us know about show
possibilities a few weeks in advance.
For all booking inquiries, please contact Joe Griffith at:
joe@griffithholdings.com
www.MySpace.com/TwoSticksandAStone
www.TwoSticksandaStone.com
3251 Frantz Rd.
Medina, OH 44256
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