Free Henry!, Western New York band making their mark. Stay tuned with Free Henry! and myself. So much more to come.

From WNY Papers.com

Free Henry! wins Hard Rock Café Battle of the Bands

Free Henry!

Fresh from taking Artpark's "Rock the Park" contest and a headlining slot at the venue this summer, Free Henry! was crowned winner of the Hard Rock Café Niagara Falls' Battle of the Bands on Thursday.

The band's video will be sent to the Hard Rock International corporate offices for final judging by a distinguished panel of judges. The top 10 bands from the participating North American cafes will be posted at HardRock.com on or around April 12 and the online voting portion will begin. The band with the most Internet votes will win a trip to Hard Rock Calling 2011 to perform along with international superstars Stevie Nicks, Rod Stewart and Bon Jovi.

Last year's Hard Rock Niagara Falls winners, More Than Me, went on to win the national contest and opened for Sir Paul McCartney. The café is looking for a repeat in 2011.

From Buffalo Spree and Erin Habes

By Erin Habes

Spree Style with Erin Habes: Free Henry! gets style

Free Henry!, a free-flowing rock n’ roll jam band, has recently burst onto the Buffalo scene. Their music has an eclectic mix of influences, from jazz and jam-heavy pop to rock. Each of the members—Bob Buckley, Alex Foote, Derek Presti, and Pat Mannella—are talented musicians, and their sound is powerful and full of life. Gigging regularly on the Buffalo circuit, the group is finalizing their much-anticipated second album, Ethereal Gust, which is due for release this fall.

Not too long ago I was asked to help define Free Henry!’s style identity as a band, giving them a fresh new look for their album cover. Considering their musical influences, I chose a look that captures their vibrant spirit, yet leaves room for each of the members to express their distinct personality.

I tapped Urban Treads, which has a nice balance of rock n’ roll meets trendy casual, carrying lines like Ben Sherman and French Connection. I also played around with some defining accessories to enhance their look, which included bold watches, striped scarves and fedora hats. To top it all off, I chose incredible eyewear from Visualeyes for lead singer Buckley. This pair of signature ic! berlin frames are a sure way to embrace your inner rock star.

The photo shoot took place on a cold winter night, but was warmed by friends who worked collaboratively to magnify Free Henry!’s style. The final outcome, you ask? An updated Free Henry! ready to take on the release of a great new album with a fresh sense of style.