| The Rob Hornfeck Enterprise |
| Band Biography Arriving in 2001, The Rob Hornfeck Enterprise (RHE) has gone beyond its five-year mission to explore strange new grooves and seek out new riffs and melodies, boldly going where no band has gone before. Sightings have been reported along the east coast of the United States, particularly in the Washington DC metropolitan area. All reports describe a man-like creature claiming to be "The Captain" armed with only a guitar that emits sonic blasts that cover all human emotions. The creature possesses no supernatural powers, but has been seen donning a cape and trying to defy gravity. After encountering Captain Hornfeck and his conspirators, witnesses recall unwittingly nodding thier head with the band's rhythmic pulse, and leaving the scene with a warm, fuzzy feeling. The Music Combinining his funk background with his compositional training, Rob's music has been described as what would happen if "Frank Zappa went Phishing with Prince"; phat grooves combined with superb musicianship, with a major element of fun. While the band primarily focuses on original music they have also been known to cover some very cool tunes such as... Fool in the Rain (Led Zep) Pretzel Logic (Steely Dan) Summer in the City (Lovin' Spoonful) SWLABR (Cream) Good Lovin' (Grateful Dead) Wind Cries Mary (Jimi Hendrix) Little Wing (Jimi Hendrix) Fire (Jimi Hendrix) Hey Joe (Jimi Hendrix) Rain & Snow (Grateful Dead) Bertha (Grateful Dead) Take Me to the River (Talking Heads / Al Greene) Midnight Rider (Allman Bros) After Midnight (Eric Clapton) Yakety Axe (Chet Atkins) Summer Breeze (Seals & Crofft) Here Comes the Sun (Beatles) Come Together (Beatles) Comfortably Numb (Pink Floyd) One Way Out (Allman Bros) Use Me (Bill Withers) Fly Like an Eagle (Steve Miller) Isn't it a Pity (George Harrison) Deal (Grateful Dead) Sample in a Jar (Phish) West LA Fadeaway (Grateful Dead) Band Highlights 2001-"The Rob Album" is released. This CD consists of songs that Rob wrote while his former band Babyfat was on hiatus, along with songs that his Babyfat bandmates thought were too weird. In the fall of 2001, RHE made its debut performance at the 3rd annual Wilderness Jam in Gore, VA in front of 500 people. 2002-RHE is asked back to the Wilderness Jam, this time playing at night in front of over 1,000 people, sharing the stage with the late Vince Welnick of the Grateful Dead. They played shows at new clubs in North Carolina and Maryland. 2003-"How Do I Know You" CD is released. The band continued to play shows in Northern VA. 2005-"Live at the Lizard" CD, an unplugged live performance is released. NBC's "Today Show" plays "Hot Bacon" during a cooking segment on "new recipes with bacon". Rob quickly spends his first double-digit royalty check. RHE was asked back to play the Wilderness Jam, and shared the stage with The Grateful Dead's Vince Welnick. 2006- "This is Exactly What I Planned" CD is released. The band plays Richmond, VA for the first time. Rob's entire catalogue of music becomes available internationally through Itunes, Amazon, and all major online outlets. At the 2006 Wilderness Jam, RHE opened for the Grateful Dead's Tom Constanten. 2007-In the fall, Rob returns to the Wilderness Jam stage, this time playing with Babyfat, Tribal Mind, and RHE for a total of 6 hours of playing time. At the W-Jam, The Rob Hornfeck Enterprise got to open for the Jefferson Starship!! 2008-"Reggie" CD is released. The band begins playing in North Carolina again on a regular basis. Rob plays the Wilderness Jam once again with THREE bands! RHE got to open for New Riders of the Purple Sage. 2009-RHE's sound is enhanced by bringing on keyboardist Thomas Mirus. In Springfield VA, RHE is the opening band for Egypt's (90's east coast funk-rock band) reunion show. 2010-"Fork or Bench" CD is released. Opens for legendary bassist Tony Levin and his "Stickmen" band. Plays the Saturday night spot at the WildernessSoundQuiltJam music festival in Gore, VA. Opens for guitar bada$$ Pat Travers. 2011-New venues in the Outer Banks, NC. New venues in Blacksburg, VA. RHE gets asked to headline the Newport Fest in Blacksburg, VA. The band celebrates its 10-year anniversary by headlining the Wilderness Jam in September. 2012- Rob has a baby girl on April Fools Day! RHE returns to Blacksburgtakes the Friday Night spot at Catawba Fest (formerly Newport Fest) Band Members Current Lineup: Rob Hornfeck-Guitar, Vocals Dan Mudge-Guitar (2001-current) Rich DeJong-Drums/Percussion (Summer 2009-current) John David Coppola (aka JohnDC)-Bass (2003-current) or Rafe Ruggiero-Bass (summer 2010-present) Thomas Mirus-Keyboard (summer 2009-present) Michael Beale-Percussion (2010-present) Previous Members: Dave Previ-Drums (2001-2002) Joey McDaniel-Drums (2002-2004) John Patton-Drums (2001-fill in at the band's first show) Tom White-Percussion (2001-2002) Tony Moreno-Bass (2004-one show as a sub) Brandon Witt-Drums (2004-2005) Orin Panning-Bass (2001-2002) Ben Peters-Drums (Spring 2009-2010) Nate Panning-Drums (early 2005-spring 2009) John Nugent-Bass (late 2005 to 2010) Russell Lucas-Drums (Winter 2009-spring 2010) Martin McDonald (sitting in on guitar early 2011) |