Ryan Koehler started playing the upright bass in school orchestra when he was in the third grade.
But he initially wanted to try the saxophone.
"The orchestra teacher at the time – Mrs. Stote – in a thick German accent insisted I play the bass because she needed a bass player," Koehler said. "I ended up going to school for music and was classically trained on double bass."
Koehler moved to Myrtle Beach 10 years ago from the New York City area.
"Like a lot of people, you come to a point where you need some changes and I found my way down here," he said, adding that a couple of friends already moved to the area and he would come down to visit before making his move.
He moved away from music for a time, but found a path back to it – this time with the electric bass. Last September, he joined forces with a new band called Chasing Rachel.
According to Koehler, vocalist Rae Porter (Rachel) and guitarist Greg Hines met each other at a local jam session.
"They got to talking, and really wanted to start a project that was not the same repertoire that you come across just about every night in town at one place or another." he said. "We really try to do something a little different."
That material includes everything from Patsy Cline to Radiohead to Led Zeppelin and much more, including an interesting take on Credence Clearwater Revival.
"We try to do a little bit of a different twist – like Foo Fighters’ version of 'Born on the Bayou.' It’s a little bit more rock ‘n’ roll like they are – and we and we try to base our version on that," Koehler said.
Chasing Rachel hit the ground running, and has performed up and down the Grand Strand at spots like the Inlet Sports Bar, The Islander in Pawleys Island, Star Tavern in Little River and more – including a recent show in Holden Beach for the Days at the Docks Festival.
The band has discussed the possibility of original music.
"Right now, we’re really starting to get ourselves out gigging. Personally, I’d love to do original stuff, and I think our vocalist would as well," Koehler said.
For scheduling purposes, Koehler said the band is currently working with two drummers, Alan Addington and Bob DeFeo.
You can catch Chasing Rachel at Javelina Texas Bar & Grill in Murrells Inlet on May 16 at 8 p.m. Outside of Georgetown County, the band is set to perform at the Star Tavern in Little River on May 15 at 7 p.m.
CELEBRATE AMERICAN CRAFT BEER WEEK IN MURRELLS INLET
Attention beer lovers: May 12-18 is American Craft Beer Week – a celebration that honors small and independent craft breweries across the country.
On May 16, head out to Southern Hops Brewing Company in Murrells Inlet for a behind-the-scenes peek at the brewing process while learning all about the brewery’s craft beer offerings.
Of course, just learning about brewing is only half the fun. Paying $20 gets you not only the tour, but two flights and appetizers as well. According to its website, Southern Hops Brewing Company focuses on local products to brew their handcrafted beer as well as their culinary offerings – promoting local bands and providing a laid back and friendly atmosphere. For more information, visit www.southernhops.com.
KAYAKING THE WACCAMAW
Bring your kayak (and paddle, lifejacket and whistle) to Peachtree Landing in Socastee on May 16 and join staff from North Inlet- Winyah Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve for a morning of exploration along the Waccamaw River. Along the way, there will be discussions about native plants and animals and more from this valuable ecosystem.
The event runs from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. It’s free to attend, but registration is required and you must be 18 and older to participate. According to its website, "the reserve is one of 29 Estuarine Research Reserves around the coastal United States dedicated to conservation, research, education and stewardship in America’s estuaries." For more information, go to www.northinlet.sc.edu.
GET YOUR MOTOR RUNNING
Now in its 86th year, Myrtle Beach Bike Week, also known as the Spring Rally, is a major event on the Grand Strand. Bikers near and far converge for 10 days of fellowship, camaraderie and a rip-roaring good time.
In Georgetown County, the epicenter for much of the revelry is the stalwart Suck Bang Blow, or SBB, in Murrells Inlet.
With an outdoor stage featuring an endless roster of acts like Jackyl, Saliva, Jasmine Cain, Julio & the Saltines, Cowboy Kid Rock, The Piedmont Boys and many more, this is only the tip of the iceberg. With 17 bars, a burnout pit, "cruise the loop" rides and vendors of all stripes – this year’s rally will not disappoint. Bike Week runs through May 18. For more info, visit www.suckbangblow.com.
Ryan Koehler started playing the upright bass in school orchestra when he was in the third grade.
But he said he initially wanted to play the saxophone.
“The orchestra teacher at the time – Mrs. Stote – in a thick German accent insisted I play the bass because she needed a bass player,” Koehler said. “I ended up going to school for music and was classically trained on double bass.”
Koehler moved to Myrtle Beach ten years ago from the New York City area.
“Like a lot of people, you come to a point where you need some changes, and I found my way down here,” he said, adding that a couple of friends already moved to the area and he would come down to visit before making his move.
He said he moved away from music for a time, but found his way back to it – this time with the electric bass. Last September, he joined forces with a new band called Chasing Rachel.
According to Koehler, vocalist Rae Porter (Rachel) and guitarist Greg Hines met each other at a local jam session.
“They got to talking, and really wanted to start a project that was not the same repertoire that you come across just about every night in town at one place or another. We really try to do something a little different,” he said.
That material includes everything from Patsy Cline to Radiohead to Led Zeppelin and much more, including an interesting take on Credence Clearwater Revival.
“We try to do a little bit of a different twist – like Foo Fighters’ version of “Born on the Bayou.” It’s a little bit more rock ‘n’ roll like they are – and we and we try to base our version on that,” Koehler said.
Chasing Rachel hit the ground running, and has performed up and down the Grand Strand at spots like the Inlet Sports Bar, The Islander in Pawleys Island, Star Tavern in Little River and more – including a recent show in Holden Beach for the Days at the Docks Festival.
The band has discussed the possibility of eventual original music.
“Right now, we’re really starting to get ourselves out gigging. Personally, I’d love to do original stuff, and I think our vocalist would as well,” Koehler said.
For scheduling purposes, Koehler said the band is currently working with two drummers, Alan Addington and Bob DeFeo.
You can catch Chasing Rachel at Javelina Texas Bar & Grill in Murrells Inlet on May 16 at 8 p.m. Outside of Georgetown County, the band is set to perform at the Star Tavern in Little River on May 15 at 7 p.m.
For complete details about the band, Google “Chasing Rachel Myrtle Beach.”
CELEBRATE AMERICAN CRAFT BEER WEEK IN MURRELLS INLET
Attention beer lovers: May 12 – May 18 is American Craft Beer Week – a celebration that honors small and independent craft breweries across the country.
On May 16, head out to Southern Hops Brewing Company in Murrells Inlett for a behind-the-scenes peek at the brewing process while learning all about the brewery’s craft beer offerings.
Of course, just learning about brewing is only half the fun. $20 gets you not only the tour, but two flights and appetizers as well. According to its website, Southern Hops Brewing Company focuses on local products to brew their handcrafted beer as well as their culinary offerings – promoting local bands and providing a laid back and friendly atmosphere. For more information, visit www.southernhops.com.
KAYAKING THE WACCAMAW
Bring your kayak (and paddle, lifejacket and whistle) to Peachtree Landing in Socastee on May 16 and join staff from North Inlet- Winyah Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve for a morning of exploration along the Waccamaw River. Along the way, there will be discussions about native plants and animals and more from this valuable ecosystem.
The event runs from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. It’s free to attend, but registration is required and you must be 18 and older to participate. According to its website, “the reserve is one of 29 Estuarine Research Reserves around the coastal United States dedicated to conservation, research, education and stewardship in America’s estuaries.” For more information, go to www.northinlet.sc.edu.
GET YOUR MOTOR RUNNING
Now in its 86th year, Myrtle Beach Bike Week, also known as the Spring Rally, is a major event on the Grand Strand. Bikers near and far converge for ten days of fellowship, camaraderie and a rip-roaring good time.
In Georgetown County, the epicenter for much of the revelry is the stalwart Suck Bang Blow, or SBB, in Murrells Inlet.
With an outdoor stage featuring an endless roster of acts like Jackyl, Saliva, Jasmine Cain, Julio & the Saltines, Cowboy Kid Rock, The Piedmont Boys and many more, this is only the tip of the iceberg. With 17 bars, a burnout pit, “cruise the loop” rides and vendors of all stripes – this year’s Spring Rally will not disappoint. Bike Week runs through May 18. For more info, visit www.suckbangblow.com.