Beyond The Grey

Beyond The Grey, the Kansas City hard rock band, was founded in 2015. This year, they will be opening for Blind Melon on May 10 at Voodoo Lounge, alongside The Stacys and Jimmy Peck!

Their band bio states:

“Beyond The Grey is a force to be reckoned with in the hard rock scene, delivering powerful music since 2015. With a lineup of seasoned musicians, their music combines intense rhythmic guitar riffs, pounding bass and drums, soulful lyrics, and an electrifying energy that resonates with fans of rock and roll everywhere. Hailing from Kansas City, Beyond The Grey is known for their melodic, heartfelt writing style which is able to connect with a wide audience touching on topics having to do with everything from mental illness and dementia to bullying and Veteran support. Their diverse background and individual musical influences have allowed them to craft a sound that’s all their own while keeping the spirit of American Hard Rock alive and thriving.”

The current lineup is: David Lingenfelter on vocals, Jim McNeill on bass, Scott David Cameron on guitar, and Eric Nissen on drums. The band is also currently looking for a second guitarist. 

Jumping off the diving board, I checked out their singles from 2024 to get an idea for their music. . .

“Fragments” was the first song of Beyond the Grey’s that I heard. Released in January of 2024, it served as a great introduction: the song oozes 90s hard rock goodness. 

Their follow-up single “Eternal Night,” released in March 2024, shares similar emotions of despair and wonder. The lyrics are mystic and detail the beauty of nature amidst a purely rock-n-roll setting. The chorus is catchy from the first listen! Ending with a sizzling guitar solo, “Eternal Night” continues building energy.

May 2024’s “Hearts of Gold” opens with a darker energy. The hard rock drive seems to be a signature sound for the band, and this song is another instant-catchy track. Despite the title, the lyrics tell a story of backstabbing betrayal. 

“One Eye Open” from July 2024 kicks off with another energetic start. The groove is very Alice In Chains-esque (I love Alice In Chains!). This song is full of threats: lyrics that warn the person he is addressing; but there is another threat - the threat that you will find hauntingly catchy grooves, high energy, and hypnotic vocals with this band!

“Unconditional” is the band’s most recent single (so far ;) ). Released in August 2024, the track features Cassandra Carson of Paralandra. This song is the band’s heaviest out of the singles from last year. As catchy as “Fragments,” this song is probably my favorite of theirs that I have heard, listening to the spell that Lingenfelter and Carson weave together with their dual vocals.