Cheekface & Apes of the State in Grand Rapids

Cheekface is an American indie-rock trio formed in Los Angeles in 2017 by singer and guitarist Greg Katz, bassist Amanda Tannen and drummer Mark Edwards. The band pairs wiry post-punk and power-pop arrangements with talk-sung, densely worded lyrics. Its catalogue includes the debut album Therapy Island, Emphatically No. and songs such as “Dry Heat/Nice Town,” “Listen to Your Heart. No.” and “We Need a Bigger Dumpster.” Cheekface performs as a guitar-bass-drums band, and Greg Katz and Amanda Tannen trade and combine vocals during the set. The trio has mounted headline club tours across the United States and has also played its own shows in the United Kingdom.

Apes of the State is an American folk-punk band formed in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, in 2015 and led by singer-songwriter April Hartman. The group pairs acoustic instruments with punk songwriting and is known for the albums This City Isn’t Big Enough, Pipe Dream and They Can’t Kill Us All, as well as songs including “Plate Glass Apology” and “Bill Collectors Theme Song.” Apes of the State have toured through DIY spaces, all-ages rooms and small clubs across the United States, later taking the band’s live set to Europe. They have also returned to Lancaster County for the recurring Apes of the State & Friends Holiday Spectacular.