SHOW PREVIEW: Kelen Heller at Sound Stage Music Hall

I first took notice of Kelen Heller a few years back when they secured an opening slot for Guns’N'Roses at The Bi-Lo Center in Greenville. That’s right, somehow Axl’s ego deflated just enough to allow a local band the chance to open up for them, I was shocked to say the least. So Immediately I started doing my research and discovered that the singer was none other than Ricky Schuler, the last singer for local Spartanburg legends Headsnap before disbanding (and of DropComix if I remember correctly).

Since their inception in 2009, Kelen Heller has wasted no time in gigging out and establishing a name for themselves. Since forming they’ve played with Rob Zombie, Crossfade, Mushroomhead, Ill Nino and many, many other national heavyweights. They’ve just released their new 3-song EP with the single “Redefine” garnering local radio play as well as a new horror-themed video which is embedded below. It looks like the band may be on the cusp of something, so now would be a good chance to check them out.

Also on the bill are Charlotte’s Dig Ur Grave, which put a metal-core spin on party-core or whatever the kids are calling it these days. Imagine an extremely amplified and Drop C version of Secret Lives and you’d be on the right track. Opening will be Forest City’s Sound It Out, who take all of the hardcore/metalcore/emocore/electronic elements and seemingly throw them all in a blender to surprisingly effective results.

The show is this Sunday at Sound Stage Music Hall in Boiling Springs at 7:30 PM and admission is $5.