The Chuck Shaffer Picture Show Returns To Fredericksburg

The Chuck Shaffer Picture Show have toured the nation and played before tens of thousands of people, but tonight they will be in Fredericksburg at the 909 Saloon.

The heart of independent music throbs in this incredibly talented and driven trio. And the bass player, David Stiefel, bartends a few nights a week at Capital Ale House downtown. I bugged David over my vodka soda and salad while he ran back and forth behind the 80 foot bar to and from 60-plus fine ale taps.

The Chuck Shaffer Picture Show bio is available on their website at www.CSPSBand.com. I could tell you there is no Chuck in the band and what the story behind it is, but it’s on the website. I could tell you they have shared the stage with national acts like Papa Roach, Seether, The Sick Puppies, and others, but that is on their website.

The trio met at James Madison University and started jamming. David and Ryan met through jazz and brass, David playing trombone and Ryan playing trumpet. Cool. Cool. Their recorded tracks are also on their website, and it’s damn good modern rock and roll. You can hear the jazz influences in a few of the song structures, especially the instrumentals like "Mercury." The song has a fresh fusion-esque flavor to it that only independent bands would dare perform when competing in the “popular rock” market. Some would say it sounds a little like the band Tool, but it has a Chick Corea sound, too. I argue that prog rock is the modern electrified quartet, and this song goes there. It’s always a treat when rock bands play outside the lines of traditional song structure and show off the depths of their musical sensibilities.

But here is what you don’t know from the website: Lee’s son loves the song “Irresistible” and has to sing it every day on his way to school. A young musician recorded a ukulele cover of “A Room Called Hope.” There are fans that have been following this band for years, and show up randomly and know all the words to the songs, and CSPS is floored, humbled, and inspired by the support they receive.

If all the guys are as nice as David, (and that’s what the word on the streets is), then it is no wonder they have such dedicated fans. Their honest sweat for the music and the support they receive keeps them motivated and pushing boldly onward. Stiefel sums it up well, “I love our band. I love our music. I love playing. I love the music we make.”  And he adds, “There’s nothing like playing a new stage and hearing people love your music with you, or when they tell you how the music affected their lives.”

The Chuck Shaffer Picture Show will tear up 909 Saloon at 909 Caroline St. from 9-11  p.m. tonight only.

It has been two years since they have played in Fredericksburg, and it will be a treat to see them before they play in front of 30,000-plus people at Richmond’s Shamrock the Block Fest on Saturday. So don’t miss it. This kind of show is what keeps the scene growing. You music lovers out there, you musicians, you claimed supporters of the live scene, take this night in.