OCCD 2023 Mini Series Recap: The Heavy Hitters Exclusive Interview

Last Updated 6/29/2023

The Heavy Hitters took the stage Saturday June 10th, 2023 at the annual Old Central City Days festival. This WV band began as a group of college students with a passion for Hip Hop, Funk, and Jazz and now has played in eight different states, opened for notable groups and musicians such as Color Me Badd, and is working its way to the top. Check out the exclusive interview with The Heavy Hitters below and click here to discover their funky tunes.

Q. Who are the members of the band and what are their roles?

So we have Jon.solo (from Charleston, WV) who is our singer and frontman. He’s the face of the group, lyricist, rapper, crooner, and hypeman all wrapped into one person. Then we have his brother Fo’Bills (from Charleston, WV), who is our bassist, and he’s also walking into a songwriting role. Next we have Stro da Rocka (from Charleston, WV) who is new to the group but has been a force to be reckoned with on the drums. Stro hypes us up backstage, on stage, and after the show the man's energy never slows down. He’s also pretty much the band's reverend who keeps us spiritually covered as well as locking in the groove on the drums. Our Next person is Figg or Figg.Inc (from Beckley, WV). He is a guitarist and one of the best ones in the State. He’s songwriting, arranging, and adding the outside of funk influence that we all need when we get stuck in a rut. He’s also in the National Guard serving our country through that and laying down the rhythmic funk guitar or shredding a solo. Last, but certainly not least, is Pharaokeys (from Montgomery, WV), the leader and keyboardist of the band. He helps with songwriting and arranging but also handles the bookings and tries to push the band in the correct direction.

Q. How did you meet?

So most of these involve Pharaokeys. He’s Like the Nick Fury of the group and we were the avengers. There was a band way before this line up and each member came in at the right time, when they were needed most. Jon.Solo and Pharaokeys were in Marshall together as Music student Jon.Solo was a Classical Vocalist and Pharaokeys a Jazz Pianist, They played a gig as a fake band but seeing how well things were going they started doing the Band for real. Jon.Solo started writing lyrics and Pharaokeys put the music to them. Next member of this lineup would be Figg who was walking from a Math class back to the dorms while the Band was playing on campus. He asked to sit in and Jon.Solo and Pharaokeys looked at each other and Gave him a chance. He shredded then after a couple weeks he joined the band full time. Fo'Bills would be the next member to join, we had a bassist before but it wasn't working out so that bassist and the band parted ways. Fo'Bills was a saxophonist but was with the band all the time. Pharaokeys asked Fo'Bills if he would fill in on the bass and He and Jon.Solo taught him as much as they could on how to play the bass for the shows they had lined up. Stro da Rocka and Pharaokeys met during an evening church service where Pharaokeys needed a drummer he came highly recommended. Then an important gig was coming up but the drummer at the time was on the road with his job so we asked Tony to fill in. After the First Set the rest of the members were convinced that Tony would be the best drummer for our group and the rest is history.

Q. What inspired the band?

The Band was formed because we were music students looking for stuff to do but we loved Hip Hop, Funk, and Jazz. New groups like Robert Glasper and Snarky Puppy were huge influences, while Drake, Childish Gambino and Anderson Paak were artist each member was listening too without the influence of the others.

Q. Where have you played?

We have played WV, NC, OH, PA, NY, NJ, KY, and TN and have on the books to play in Maryland and Virginia coming up in the fall more out of town dates will be coming soon as well. We've also opened up for Color Me Badd, Dru Hill, Thumpdaddy, and Landau Eugene Murphy Jr and some members have played with Lady D, Holly Forbes, Quiet and other notable groups.

Q. Why is it important for local bands to play at local events?

It is very important for local bands and original local bands to play local events. The only way to improve your local scene is to bring the best to every show no matter how small. Pharaokeys said that taking this show was important because it was in our backyard. These are the people who help us get to the regional status of bands and we need to make sure they get an amazing show whenever we can. The other important aspect of the local stage is to inspire the next great band or musician.

Q. What is your favorite thing about Old Central City Days? Answered by Pharaokeys:

The favorite thing about Old Central City Days is everything. It's awesome to see all the people out. To hear the music coming from the street as people are visiting shops they are usually just driving passed. The addition of the Fish of WV Tank and the Butterfly Enclosure were unique and seeing the vendors who were selling their wares. My family bought all kinds of things out of the Wild Ramp which is like the Central Hub and is very underrated.

Q. What is something special about Huntington?

Something special about Huntington is its drive to be creative. There are people all over the city just bringing their creative minds together and making moves. Not just music and film but in every aspect. Being a musician we have met a lot of different people, circus folk, artists, writers, painters, politicians and even wrestlers and the thing about the city is if you look hard enough you can find what you love and be a part of it in every aspect. Most of the time people look at the negative side of things but when you really take the time to look at the city or type up what's special you realize that the good will always outweigh the bad. We are a prime example of what can come from creative minds just getting together and letting that creativity flow.

Q. What is your advice to other groups who want to start their own band?

The most important thing to remember is to be yourself. Make music for you and share it with people. Don’t make music for people to like you, do it with people you like - it makes playing shows and traveling much easier. Don't do it for the money, there’s not a lot to make.

Join us on this mini blog series as we recap Old Central City Days! Follow along and provide feedback about what you want to see at next year’s Old Central City Day Event! We will be starting off this series with a general recap and then get into all the fun that happened over the awesome weekend. Share your story with us and be apart of this fun mini series!