One local band will be performing in Los Angeles this month – an opportunity that they say doesn’t often happen to local, independent and original artists from Mississippi.
Storage 24 calls their style “Street Rock,” which is a blend of hard rock, hip hop, R&B with a lot of intensity. Each band member brings a different influence to the music – ranging from punk rock, outlaw country, older electronic dance music and more. However, the band says while they may be compared to other styles or other bands, they are entirely their own style with Street Rock.
Storage 24 is made up of Bob Rutherford on the drums, Karsten Hilton on guitar, Phred Harley with the vocals, Matt Phillips on bass, and Jayce Powell as manager and DJ. Powell said they are excited to have the opportunity to travel to LA and play at the iconic Whisky a Go Go on October 12.
“We are relishing the opportunity to play at such an iconic venue that so many of our band member’s inspirations have played,” Powell said. “It will be a feeling like no other to stand on the stage and play where so many bands have played that we look up to – plus it’s a great opportunity to play on the west coast.”
Powell was born in New Orleans and raised in Tensas Parish. Growing up, he heard all types of music genres, including gospel, old country, outlaw country, rock, punk rock, fun, disco, and early hip-hop. He moved to Mississippi in 1985 and has been married to his wife, Stephanie, for 15 years. He also has two children, Marcie and Clayton, who are in college. Powell co-owns Bicycle Revolution, Luckytown Skate Shop and Feedzone Cafe in Gluckstadt, co-owns Street Rock Productions LLC with his fellow bandmates, owns Dj Trix LLC, and serves as an alderman for the city of Gluckstadt. He joined the band this March as its newest member.
“I grew up on so many different types of music and different ones can elicit different feelings,” Powell said. “The first time I ever dj’ed in a club was the early 90s at Inez’s. I was so stressed out, but it got easier over time and I enjoy it to this day. With Storage 24, it is awesome to see the energy brought to the stage.”
The band’s guitarist, Hilton, started playing when he was in elementary school at the same time he was playing the violin. Growing up, he always loved music.
“If I was to trace back to when I started to love performing, I’d say it was when I was in fourth grade and played a solo violin piece on stage,” Hilton said. “I was able to tune the audience out and be in my own world while playing. I get the same feeling when I’m on stage today playing guitar.”
Hilton was born in Böblingen, Germany. His mother is German and his father is American. He has three kids, Kierstyn – who is married to Laquantius and they have two kids Lukas and Leona –, Connor and Kylie. Hilton’s day job is working in IT.
“My journey to this point and this band was a long journey, but it made me who I am today,” Hilton said. “So, it means a lot to be a part of the band. We are more than a band, we are brothers.”
Hilton said it is a big deal to him to be selected for Whiskey a Go Go because it has been his dream to play there.
“Words can’t really express what it means to have this opportunity,” Hilton said. “It’s a very surreal feeling that means a lot to step on a stage that iconic bands and performers have played on – such icons as David Bowie, Motley Crue, Aerosmith, and many more.”
Harley, the vocalist, said he loves the journey he is on with his boys in the band. He said he is the singer, song writer, and producer and has been doing music for many years.
“I have loved music since I was three or four years old,” Harley said. “This band means so much to me, and it means more to me that the guys chose to go on this road with me to share our dreams together! We have so much fun on stage together.”
Harley said it means a lot wherever they get the chance to play, but they are especially honored to be playing at the world famous Whiskey a Go Go.
The band’s drummer, Rutherford, said this performance could serve as a stepping stone for new opportunities. He has been playing the drums for about 30 years and, although he grew up in both New Orleans and Jackson, he didn’t start his musical journey until after he moved from New Orleans.
“Mainly, I do this for love, but performing is a chance to let all that hard work pay off,” Rutherford said. “Being in this band is a great chance to take my music to the next level.”
Phillips has been playing the bass guitar since he was a teen but in groups since 2009. He said he loves performing because it allows him to be at the center of attention.
“This is more than a band to me,” Phillips said. “I’ve been with this group for almost 10 years. It’s very much a part of me.”
Originally from Star, Mississippi, he now lives in Brandon where he owns a repair business that also serves as their rehearsal space in “the super secret batcave style band room.”
“My favorite part is when people in the crowd sing our lyrics back to us or seeing the looks on people’s faces who are seeing us for the first time,” Phillips said. “To me, the goal is simple. We want to keep pushing this music to new places and show new people our stage show.”
The band plays most of their shows locally at Martin’s and has a show coming up there on October 7th with another rock band, Love The Hate. Throughout the year, they have played in shows and festivals in Natchez, Biloxi, Ocean Springs, Pascagoula, Pensacola, Birmingham, Mobile, Nashville, Houston, and soon LA.
“Everyone has the same goal of putting out the best music, putting on shows that people won’t forget, and most of all enjoy life and give thanks to God for all the opportunities we have been blessed with,” Powell said. “I can’t wait to see what the rest of 2023 and all of 2024 will bring.”
The band is partnering with Northpark Mall on October 7th from 2 to 3 p.m. for a meet and greet at Center Court. The band will be there for pictures, autographs, merchandise and an acoustic set of three to four songs prior to traveling to LA for the big performance.
