Honda Celebration of Light

Viper Central

Rogue Stage, Sunset Beach
August 4 - 4.00pm 

At the forefront of a rising wave of new local talent in the bluegrass and old-time music genres, VIPER CENTRAL has managed to create an original niche in an otherwise traditional style and yet simultaneously appeal to audiences both young and old. Hailing from Vancouver, Canada, they approach their music with the sense of creativity and adventure found in the earliest bluegrass and old time recordings. While all members contribute original songs, the band won't hesitate to deliver their take on an ages-old mournful waltz or bring the house down with a barn-burning bluegrass standard.

Viper Central hit the mainstream in 2007 with the release of Whiskey Hollow Bound, a compilation featuring six Vancouver-based bluegrass and old time bands that was warmly received Canada-wide. In 2008 they released their debut album, The Devil Sure is Hard to Please. Blending instrumental prowess with innovative arrangements and creative vocal harmonies, the album showcased the diverse songwriting talents of every member in the band and quickly earned them a reputation as an act to follow in Canada's thriving roots music scene.

In 2009 after a successful tour of both Western Canada and Europe (France, Switzerland, Italy), the band went on to release Live at the Street Church, a response to requests for more of their popular gospel material. They have since participated in numerous festivals in the Pacific Northwest, including the San Francisco Bluegrass and Old-Time Festival.

In July of 2012 Viper Central will return to the U.K. for their 3rd consecutive month-long tour of England, Scotland, and Ireland. They are currently in the studio completing their long-awaited 3rd album of exclusively original material, which is set for release this spring.