Con•ta•gious - [kuh n-tey-juh s] noun - Established October 2003 based out of Asheville North Carolina!! Ultimate Tribute Band to all things Rock!! ...
Press
The Barn Presents Jackyl and Contagious
Local Support For JACKYL!!!
Day Of Rock Fest!
The Grey Eagle - Presents - Day of Rock Fest II.... August 17th and 18th 2024.. Contagious sets the stage for Citizen Kane
Contagious Live at The Orange Peel with Pinkish Floyd
Contagious Headlines The Orange Peel. May 24th 2024
The Grey Eagle
The Grey Eagle Presents Andy Wood with Special Quests Contagious.
Confusion
Confusion, Contagions, and Captivation
Posted on October 21, 2013 by Lorna Hollifield
I was irritated Friday night. I hadn’t been feeling the best, had just blown a detox I vowed to finish, and didn’t feel like going out. However, I’d promised a good musician friend of mine I’d come see his band play at Wild Wing. Really, I’d been wanting to go hear him again so I could sing his praises from the rooftops. He’s quite talented, and Asheville will never stop seeing him celebrated in writing as far as I’m concerned. However, this is not about him, but about the band that was setting up when I got there.
I’d called ahead to make sure I’d get a table nice and close to the stage. I brought my husband and a couple friends along, ordered my rum and diet coke (as if the diet would somehow off-set the amount of damage I was about to do). I started scanning the room for my friend, but didn’t see him. Instead I spotted a guitar player I didn’t recognize suiting up on a stage I felt didn’t belong to him. I had a bad feeling, and decided to inquire.
I marched all 5 feet of myself up to the stage, knowing full well what an obnoxiously sassy mood I was in and asked, “Umm– where’s Justin Burrell?”
“Who?” He countered in a tone so nice I was forced to reexamine mine.
“I’m a writer and I’m supposed to see my friend’s band tonight.”
“Oh, well, we’re the band Contagious. I know Justin, and this is normally his spot, but the schedule got changed. It’s my birthday. I’m sorry. Let me know if there’s anything I can do for you.”
I smiled and exchanged some sort of pleasantries, secretly livid my plan was suddenly changed. I’m a bit “type A” and I could feel the anger sharks swimming…I started praying it wouldn’t be a screamer band who thought they were legitimate rock ‘n roll. I didn’t realize until later how judgmental I was quickly becoming.
I went back to my table, deciding to give them the benefit of the doubt. The lead singer walked out. I liked the way he was dressed, noticing immediately his resemblance to Chris Daughtry. However this guy was sporting a snap hat, and a little less stockiness than the Daughtry. He looked the part, but I needed to check the pipes.
The man I had first accosted and learned is Chad Robinson started to run his hands across the strings while I’m secretly begging from the inside for him to make that guitar speak to me. I noticed immediately how his face changed when he began to play, and he wasn’t gonna just smack at it. This instrument was about to become his wife, and he knew how to play her. I recognized the tune, and he was doing it justice.
Contagious began their rendition of The Black Crows, Hard to Handle. The music was good, and it was time for the vocalist to make his mark. He came in powerfully, and I noticed my head start to move a little bit. I couldn’t wait for the chorus. It would be the tell-all. If he could bring the grit, maybe even growl a little bit in true Chris Robinson (not to be confused with Chad) fashion I’d be sold. Then here it came…
“hey little thing let me light your candle, ’cause mama I’m sure hard to handle now, yes I am.”
I literally had to wipe the dirt off of me. Marc Stump had made a believer out of me, and left me scoffing at myself for being so put off earlier. Like he sang in the first line of the song, he’d proven to be “the man on the scene.”
Contagious went on to play covers from the last few decades, enticing everyone from baby boozers to baby boomers to hit the dance floor. I may have even obliged myself at one point…
I learned a couple things this past Friday night. First of all, I shouldn’t make snap judgments no matter how inconvenienced I feel, and second of all, it’s Wild Wing in Asheville. They know what they’re doing. There will always be a great band, playing great covers and originals alike, ready to get people off their seats. That’s probably why when I look around I see different ages, different backgrounds, and different styles mingling together. They are dancing on the same floor to the same beat, blonde hair or blue hair, and it’s what Asheville is all about.
I got my feel of rock n’ roll, dancing, and good time with good friends. Thank you, Contagious. It turns out, you made my night, and a whole lot of others too. You represent our fine city the way it’s meant to be: a little old, a little new, and of course, with a little bit of dirt on it.
To learn more about contagious visit http://www.contagious90s.com
Posted by: Lorna Hollifield
Posted in asheville blog, asheville music, asheville networking, asheville news, asheville nightlife, asheville social media, do me, downtown asheville, drink me, eat me, entertain me, music me Tagged asheville, ashevillenc, cover bands, culture, entertainment, music, tourism, travel, wild wing cafe
Contagious Hickory Rock Festival 10/21/23__Vox Music Media
(external link)
Contagious, the second band to perform at the Hickory Rock Fest, is an 80s and 90s rock tribute band based in Asheville. Their lead singer possesses a powerful voice that not only excels in rock but can also cover country genres, as demonstrated by their impressive renditions of Jason Aldean's "She's Country" and The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band's "Fishin in the Dark"! The band consists of highly talented musicians who deliver a remarkable sound. Their performance at the festival was electrifying, capturing the essence of the iconic rock and roll era. Contagious left the audience in awe with their captivating stage presence and their ability to flawlessly recreate the nostalgic sounds of the past.
Trapt with Contagious
Jan/26th/2023 Contagious Opens For Trapt @ T-Birds Mars Hill NC
Rocking to raise money
Matt Dymond NEWS@MCDOWELLNEWS.COM
Bold Life Magazine page 48 Got You Covered
Going more for the modern rock and dance party vibe, Contagious has been working the scene from Rutherfordton to Asheville to Knoxville for the last five years or so. Citing influences such as Creed, Nickelback and Puddle of Mudd, these guys are into rocking out the 93.3 The Planet crowd, taking most of their setlist from music less than a decade old. I love bands like this (used to be in one a few years ago) because they're a nice counterpoint to the bands like Sweet Crude who focus more on the classics. On that same note, the only drawback to focusing on the newer stuff is that the crowds can tend to be younger, and some bar owners want to make sure they'll be getting a crowd legal enough to drink. In a move not always seen with cover bands, Contagious has just released their first EP, entitled My Time Now. A little Alice and Chains meets Seether vibe is what I initially felt upon hearing a few of the tracks. With a new CD under their belt, what appears to be a Jagermeister endorsement (can I join your band?) and an obvious passion for heavy rock, I think these guys will continue to draw big crowds and make new fans. Check them out at their two Asheville performances this month — Holland's Grille on the 12th and Wild Wing Café on the 20th.
Written By Brent Fleury January 29th 2010
80's_ 90's_ Today's Rock - Jelly Roll, Black Crows, Brian Adams, CandleBox, STP, GreenDay, BonJovi, Fallout Boy, Nickelback, Hinder, Buck Cherry, Alice In Chains, The Offspring, Metallica, 3 Doors Down, Shinedown, Theory of a Deadman, Steppen Wolfe,