The LightFighters have travelled the hard road to musical glory. Founded in in the Central Coast of California in 2010, this tight knit group have made their humble living churning out a blend of swaggering rock and roll with supersonic soul-drenched blues for audiences all over the good ole’
U.S. of A. The band provides a constant assault of fiery electric guitars, blistering drums, grooving bass, and howling vocals; reminiscent of past blues masters coupled with echoes of raw youthful rebellion.
Jon Griffin’s songwriting, channelling the spirits of his Southern roots, conjures up images of jumpin’ juke joints, swinging dance floors, and free-wheeling summer nights. It is this simplicity that defines the sound of Robbie Bohn (lead guitar and vocals), Brad Burchell (drums and vocals), Manny Castro (bass), and Jon Griffin (guitar, keys, vocals, and harmonica). To say they are a mere “do it yourself” band would be a radical understatement. They write, record, produce, and manage themselves and their music.
Starting out with the most humble of beginnings, the band cut their teeth playing backyard bbq’s, dive bars, honkey tonks, and local pizzerias. Many shows and performances thereafter, the hard work began to pay off. Local radio stations and industry hot-shots began to take notice. They landed their first big break playing in front of a large audience at the Bayfront Blues Festival in Duluth, Minnesota. Soon the word was out, and Robbie Krieger of The Doors invited them to perform with him at the famous Whisky a Go-Go, honoring the legendary group during "The Day of The Doors" celebration in Los Angeles.
Receiving high praise from critics for their “explosive performance”, the band further gained national notoriety on the heels of a surprise show and reuniting of another legendary rock band, Guns and Roses. The group was booked to perform with GnR drummer Stephen Adler on April Fools' in Los Angeles. After much speculation about Guns and Roses joining Adler there that night, The LightFighters “tore down the house” and were recognized by Los Angeles music publication platforms such as KROQ, Ultimate Classic Rock, Screaming Guitars, KRTH, and SleazeRoxx. The band continued to work with notable rock and roll and blues greats such as Leon Russell, John Mayall, Charlie Musselwhite, Otis Clay, Ana Popovic, Tommy Castro, Blue Oyster Cult, Chris Isaak, Greg Kihn, RATT, Los Lobos, Y&T, Blues Traveler, and The Pointer Sisters.
This is not the story of fame and fortune, or awards and accolades. This is an American “workin' man blues” story. This is failure and loss, perseverance and redemption. A true story of outworking the competition, a thousand “no’s” for every “yes”, late nights, early mornings, and paying homage to the pantheon of troubadours that have travelled the same long and winding road.