Inside the Minds of Free Henry!

Photo and article by Erica Eichlekraut

When I first moved back to Buffalo in 2008, I was anxious to re-learn the creative ‘scene’ here. I visited local galleries, went to festivals and shows, and found a favorite hidden gem at WBFO’s Wednesday Night Concert Series. During my first visit, I was introduced to a band named Free Henry!, comprised of a group of twenty-something guys who clearly loved their music as they smiled while they played, often closing their eyes, getting lost in their sound. It was the perfect blend of shake-your-head rock and tap-your-toes jazz, and in a different venue, most certainly a move-your-hips kind of groove.

While they played, I couldn’t help but to notice a small stuffed creature placed at the front of the stage. The creature, which I now know to be a muskrat named Henry, was one of those oddities lingering in the basement that served as their original practice pad when the band first formed a few years ago. Henry was always around when they played, and naturally became the band’s mascot. He’s a funny little animal that has transformed into a serious symbol of their music and the intangible feeling of freedom that is passed along to the fans at their shows, hence the name Free Henry! While I am excited to I write this article, I do feel it necessary to point out that the exclamation point that appears at the end of Free Henry! is actually part of the band name. They wanted a name that expressed the energy that exists in their music, and felt as though the “!” added that perfectly. exists in their music, and felt as though the “!”  added that perfectly.

     Free Henry! is now one of the fastest up-and-coming bands in the Western New York area. They were recently named "Best Original Rock Act" at the Buffalo Music Awards two years in a row, and "Best Rock Act", "Best Original Music Act", "Best Band Name", and "Best Male Vocalist" at the Artvoice Best Of Buffalo Music Awards. A relatively new band, they have already shared the stage with some powerful players, including Blues Traveler, Foreigner, The Guess Who, Soulive, Rusted Root, Blind Melon, Badfinger, Better Than Ezra, We The Kings and Lou Gramm. They have played Thursday in the Square and Artpark and have even headlined shows in New York City.
     So who is behind Free Henry!? The band is fronted by lead singer, Bob Buckley and backed by guitarist Alex Foote, bassist Derek Presti and drummer Pat Mannella. All members are equally vital in the band’s growth and success, sharing responsibilities on and off stage, including song-writing, marketing, social networking and even taking out the trash and doing the dishes.

     Yup, that’s right. In addition to being best friends and band members, all four of the guys are roommates as well.  When asked how they dealt with creating, playing and living together, Presti said “It’s never a problem because we get along so well and have our own things going too. The Henry! house is a location where we can live and create and make music together.”

     Their debut album, Summers on Neptune, was released in early 2009 and has already been followed by Get Up and Feel the Flow, featuring live performances from some of their 2010 shows. The band now prepares for the release of their next album, Ethereal Gust due out Spring 2011.

     The band’s tagline is "Influence & Accent Your Senses" and their music is a blend of many sounds, especially reminiscent of U2, The Beatles and Dave Matthews Band. Foote explains that they prefer not to pinpoint their style, “It should and always will be evolving with no real objective in mind in regards to how we want to sound.  The music and songwriting just slowly shapes itself over time with new, mature ideas that come out of our life experiences.  I think what sets us apart from other bands is that we have a diverse collection of individual influences that pulls the bands sound in eclectic angles and each one of us are open to everyone's creative ideas.”

     FH! acknowledges that their music has changed and grown over the past few years. Buckley says, “I think the sound has ripened nicely, into something that can potentially carry us around the world… Generally speaking I think we've opened up ourselves to new fan demographics which is both important and fun because… it's lending itself to producing more music outside our box. What's next for FH! is making 2011 a year of travel and expansion. Hitting the road with our upcoming album, Ethereal Gust, under our belts will make this year the next step we have been looking for.”                                                    

     They have performed all over WNY, but they say that their favorite Buffalo spot is Mr. Goodbar on Elmwood, hands down. They play there every few months and always have a packed house, filled with energetic fans grooving along with the band. So far, the best show they have ever played was opening for Foreigner last year at Artpark's Summer Concert Series. 

     They had the chance to play for over 20,000 people in one of the most impressive venues in the area. They were asked back and will now be a headlining act at Artpark this year, Foote says, “It will be the most special show we have done up to date because it will be by our rules this time!”

     Being in Buffalo has played an essential role in the band’s success, including “the overwhelming vibe of community throughout the people/artists/creative beings that inhabit this great city,” says Buckley. “Everybody in the scene shares the same outlook, there is a lot of sharing of ideas going on and active support by artists, for artists. I genuinely feel as if we all want each other to succeed in our dreams here.” A powerful sentiment followed through with real action; Presti and Foote co-founded and co-host a monthly Writers/Artists/Musicians event aptly called WAM which Buckley & Mannella often make guest appearances at, performing unique acoustic acts. WAM unites and celebrates local talent, further bringing the creative community together.

     So, how could you not love a band comprised of down-to-earth musicians that love their music, their city and their fans? Not to mention, one that makes you get off your feet, free your mind and just groove? Check them out to see what I mean; I’m sure you will most certainly fall for Free Henry! too. Go to www.freehenryband.com for more info, tour schedule, videos and even a free download.!