Background
SaltLick is a rock and blues band from Charlotte NC. The band performs original music and draws influences from bands like The Allman Brothers, The Black Crowes, and Gov’t Mule.
History
Drummer Andy Young founded SaltLick in the winter of 1994. Andy had the vocal ability to front his own band and began searching for talented musicians in the Charlotte NC area to back him. He handpicked a group of experienced musicians for this effort. Shawn Love on bass guitar, Brad Draper on guitar, and Steven Hoffman on drums.The band began with a four-piece lineup playing original southern rock and blues in the Charlotte NC area. Some early shows were played in 1995 at the Ritz, which was formerly the Capri movie theater on East Independence Blvd. At one of these gigs, Saltlick opened for Blackfoot in front of a packed house.
After a number of successful local gigs, SaltLick began playing additional shows across North and South Carolina. In 1996, guitar player Philip Snyder was added to bring the lineup to five members. A year later upon his departure, keyboard player Darren Craft stepped in.
SaltLick continued playing gigs throughout the region from 1995 through early 1999. Due to the decline of original music venues in the area, the band parted in 1999 and members pursued other interests. A core group continued rehearsing and writing new material in the recording studio.
Current Day
In late 2013 the band began discussing a possible reunion. A meet and greet was held in the fall and it rehearsals were planned. Rehearsals began in spring 2014 with a new batch of songs. Most of these songs were written during the 16-year hiatus.
Current Lineup
The original four SaltLick founders from 1995 are together again. Keyboard player Darren Craft (1996) was unable to rejoin due to other commitments. He was replaced by David Henderson and 2nd guitar player Trea Horton. Currently the band consists of 6 members.
