Hi-Res Photos:

Booking info:

Logan Thomas - 320-335-1834
[email protected]


for our Facebook page click HERE

Biography:

   China Rider is a band that brings the music of the Grateful Dead to a stage near you.  They create an experience that includes the excitement and exploration you would expect at an original Dead concert. 
   China Rider was first conceived by Logan Thomas in 2015 when he put together local musicians to take on the fun challenging project. They spent almost a year in the Bunkhouse practicing and perfecting their improvisational skills. Finally all the stars aligned and they were able to bring it to the stage in June of 2016 in downtown St. Cloud, MN.
   China Rider has been playing at venues all over Minnesota, from music festivals to concert venues.  Be sure to check out our Events page to see where China Rider will be playing next.
   Why the name China Rider? it comes from the name of a classic Grateful Dead live medley of songs "China Cat Sunflower" and "I Know You Rider", which is referred to among the Deadhead community as China Rider! And a cover band name was born :)
  

Just a few venues we've played around MN so far:

MN Zoo, Wild Nights, Apple Valley, MN
The Cabooze, Minneapolis, MN
The Turf Club, St. Paul, MN
Hook & Ladder Theater and Lounge, Built to Last Festivals, Minneapolis, MN
Nershfest Music & Arts Festival, Inbound Brewery, Minneapolis, MN
Red Carpet Nightclub Main Room, St. Cloud, MN
Mayslack's, Minneapolis, MN
Acadia Cafe, Minneapolis, MN
Excelsior Brewing Company, Excelsior, MN
Tuttle's, Hopkins, MN
Milk & Honey Ciders Summer Concert Series, St. Joseph, MN
Bald Man Brewery, Edina, MN
Day Block Brewery, Minneapolis, MN
Buzzstock Music Festival, near Avon, MN
Stoney's Bar and Grill, Rockville, MN
Inbound Brewery, Minneapolis, MN
Harriet Brewery, Minneapolis, MN
Castaway Club, Cushing, MN
Richmond City park, Richmond, MN
Pickled Loon, St. Cloud, MN
Friends Bar & Restaurant, Waite Park, MN *rip

Meet the Band

Logan Thomas
(Lead guitar & vocals)
As a founding member of China Rider, Logan's voice and guitar jams have been a key part in forming that signature sound you love.  His instrument playing is based on a long love of the great guitarists such as Jerry Garcia, Eric Clapton, and Trey Anastasio, just to name a few. 
Logan has been in many bands throughout the years: Bear Mt. Band, the Haggard Boys, Tore Down and now China Rider!
His idea of the perfect gig is taking the audience on an exciting journey to a new level of musical appreciation and to have a damn good time doing it!
Gear: Custom made Troy Post guitar, SMS Classic with JG mod, into Quilter Tone Block 202 poweramp, JBL K-120, Weber California, 2x12 Scarlet Fire Speaker Cabinet.
(pedals not in order) tube screamer, q-tron+, mxr micro amp, mxr phase 100, mxr distortion+, MXR analog delay deluxe, tc electronics tuner, Boss Super Overdrive, Line6 M5

Luke Ferkinhoff
(Rhythm guitar & vocals)
Luke has been involved in music and playing guitar since the age of 12. Growing up his listening to his Father's Vinyl he was influenced by Traffic, Jimmy Hendrix, Bob Dylan, the Allman Brothers band and later in life Phish. His former bands include The Halfway House Septet, Wookie Foot, Steel Blue (now the Honey Badgers) and Tore Down. He currently plays a Fender Deville Amp and a PRS. He is a founding member of China Rider and helps keeps the band grounded in his blues roots style of playing with a hint of country.

Robert Hubanks
(Bass Guitar, vocals)
Robert Hubanks (Bass & vocals) Originally from California, Robert played in the bay area jamband Grampa’s Chili (formerly Soup) in the 90s while taking is as many Dead and JGB shows as possible. He is strongly influenced by Phil Lesh, Mike Gordon, and his older brother’s vinyl collection of classic rock. He also plays with local JGB outfit Ragged but Right.
Gear: 6 string, Ibanez...5string Peavey Cirrus and a 5string Ibanez Portamento fretless bass through a Markbass 2x10 and 15” combo stack. Effects include Digitech BP100 digital processor, MXR Octaver, q-tron+, compressor and chorus.

Jim Caron
(Drums)
I started drumming on pots and pans when I was about 10 years old. It wasn’t until college that I first played in a band called Masons Children. From there on I’ve been in many bands playing a little bit of everything including folk, blues, country, rock, and jam bands. Some of the bands I’ve played in are Masons Children, The Midwest Harvesters, Clean Fill, The Wildebeats, The Auctioneers/Paddy Wagon, Goodnight Roxy, Southbound, and now China Rider. Thanks to everyone along the way. What a long strange trip it’s been.
Gear: Pearl Vision Birch 5 piece with Pearl Sensitone chrome snare, Zildjian Custom A cymbals withZildjian New Beat hats. Miscellaneous hardware.

James "JR" Spangler
(Keyboard, Vocals)
   His Mom’s joke was that he started playing the family piano at age 2 and she stopped telling him to be quiet at age 3. His love for music began at that early age and has continued throughout his life. His older brother was a bass player so bands were a part of his life from before his teens and it was from him that he was introduced to the Grateful Dead and has seen the band in its various forms since the late 1970’s. JR played throughout his 20’s in his home of Hawai’i with Alex Bell & the Phones and the Buck Stops, at various night clubs and cruises, and twice toured the Far East to entertain at US military bases. JR took a hiatus from playing in bands to raise children, but continued to play on his own and sitting in with several bands in San Diego and Hawai’i. Since moving to St. Cloud in 2002, he has sung with the Holy Spirit choir and performed individually at various events including Empty Bowls annual fundraising.
Gear: Nord Keyboard