ION INDIE MAGAZINE March 2015, Volume 10 | Page 33

Photo credit: Sherry Burns Byrd

By Kiki Plesha
Boasting an edgy sound that promises music that far surpasses the mainstream of today’s Rock music, NC
Hard Rock band A COURSE OF ACTION has long set the standard for quality musicianship and are wellknown for their “tight” performances, coupled with an electric stage presence. ACOA is a powerful foursome
that brings many years of musicianship and a genuine love of music for the sake of music. They are known
for commercial edgy, radio-friendly, Hard Rock music that promises to break the cycle of “new” Rock styles
and refocuses listeners on solid Rock music, with clear influences of ALICE IN CHAINS, TOOL, SEVENDUST-and current influences such as ALTER BRIDGE and CHEVELLE.
Hailing from North Carolina, South Carolina and Florida, the group brings many years of musicianship and
a genuine love of music for the sake of music. Coupled with a strong DIY work ethic, the band stands poised
for great things. Lead guitarist, JONATHAN BYRD, played on the national scene in a MERCURY RECORDS act
known as COPPERHEAD in the early 1990’s, but when that band met their demise, he and founding member,
TONY HAWKINS, formed HYBRID in 2000. They recruited for 3 years to find the right singer to solidify their
vision for HYBRID, and they found that reality in JOHN CULBERSON, a South Carolina native who also had
regional success in TRUE TO ONE. After a few lineup changes, the band found their stride when they added
Florida native JT SILVESTRI on drums and WES JOHNSON on bass guitar.
The band has been making huge strides month after month since then. They were honored with an AFE Tour
for the troops in 2008 and 2012 brought some label interest, but nothing that was the right fit. 2013 held
the first SXSW showcase for the band, and 2014 brought a performance at ROCKLAHOMA and the main
stage at Sturgis, as well as several national opener slots. They are again set to appear at Rocklahoma this