Nightlife / Stephanie Depasquale

Rocking out on Vicodin

By Stephanie De Pasquale | Sunday, September 07, 2008 | () comments

Jeffery Loder, right, gets into the music during Head Held High’s set on Saturday at the Redstone Room in Davenport. Loder gave a high energy performance even though he had abdominal surgery four days before the show. (CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)

Jeffrey Loder, the lead singer and guitar player for Head Held High, underwent abdominal surgery July 30, but that didn’t stop him from rocking out at the Redstone Room on Saturday night, a mere three days later.

Loder worked the stage during every singing break and kept bending over and shaking his shoulder-length hair throughout the performance.

Afterward, Loder said he felt fine, thanks to Vicodin, and that he had not broken any stitches, so he was OK.

Loder, along with Kyle Jecklin on bass and Chris Archer on drums, gave an energetic, high-quality performance. The vocals were spot on and in good balance with the rest of the instruments. The band also kept the crowd of about 50 people engaged throughout the show with its original music as well as with Loder and Jecklin’s between-songs banter.

The music is rock, but in the vein of the alternative music I was obsessed with for a few awkward junior high years in the late ‘90s. To hear Head Held High’s music and songs off their album, “Moments That Make Us,” go to myspace.com/headheldhighmusic or headheldhigh.net.

The group’s next performance will be on the main stage during River Roots Live at 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 22.

Stephanie De Pasquale can be contacted at (563) 333-2639 or sdepasquale@qctimes.com.