TVH

TVH is an American Melodic Hard Rock band featuring electric cello, dual guitar leads, and two basses.  The TVH sound is characterized by layered strings and heartfelt vocal harmonies

TVH began as a big dream and a small acoustic duo in Fort Smith, AR in the Fall of 2010. In 2012, when Jake Gibson, a rock drummer hailing from Dallas, TX, joined forces with Alli Chastain (Lead Vocals/Electric Cello) and Instigator Jon (Lead Guitar/Backing Vocals), the project grew from duo to band, from local to regional, and by 2013 had established a strong regional presence in the mid-south United States.  

In 2014, the band continued to grow and break into new territory, beginning with a trip to the East Coast in March. While in New York, The Violet Hour performed on The Real Radio Show in Long Island alongside a legend, Mark “The Animal” Mendoza of classic hair metal band Twisted Sister. After the band's performance, Mendoza said, “Forget about ‘Black Oak Arkansas.’ They need to change the name of Fort Smith to ‘The Violet Hour, Arkansas.’ These guys are the real deal!”

In 2015, TVH kept the southern highways hot, traveling from Arkansas to Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, and Missouri. Guitarist, Tye Tanic, joined the band, bringing a healthy dose of tasty melodic harmonies with him. 

In 2016, TVH returned to the East Coast on "Insomniac Tour," a cross-promotion with drummer, Jake’s, weekly show, Wired Insomnia Podcast. 

In 2017, Indiana native, John The Barber, became The Violet Hour's full time bass player.  TVH visited 14 states and covered over 14,000 miles, touring the Midwest and Southeast United States on "Southland Tour" with the band Makeshift, and "Wild Violet West Tour" to California and back.  The band changed their residency to Dallas for the summer, focusing on growing in the area.  The band could be seen performing at Six Flags Over Texas on the Gotham City stage during the summer months and again in the fall for Fright Fest.  Also in 2017, TVH headlined the 17th annual Blackwater Fest at Blackwater Recording Studios in Cabot, AR. 

In 2018, TVH began writing and recording an EP that is currently in progres.  Colton aka "The Storm" joined the band as Bass #2.  The first single from the upcoming EP, "Chasing a Dream," was released in May.  The song received the award for Best Single of 2018 from Wigwam Radio's Online Music Awards. 

Presently in 2019, TVH is steadily working toward the release of the new EP.  Follow the band on social media for news and updates.

Alli's "wicked pipes" are TVH's secret weapon. As the founding member of the band, Alli is the driving force behind TVH. Among her musical credentials, Alli was classically trained on the cello, an All-Region and All-State cellist, and she also plays guitar, piano, and many other instruments.

Alli began performing at the age of 5, and ventured into songwriting at the age of 12. She rallied her first band - an all girl rock band - at the age of 16. Her past projects include BitterSweet (2003-2006) and Untold Story (2006-2008). Alli consecutively received the Screamie Award for Arkansas Female Rock Vocalist of the year in 2012 and 2013.

When asked about her favorite memories, Alli cites singing a duet with Jim Dandy of Black Oak Arkansas. Alli also recalls, "When we had the opportunity to open for Black Star Riders aka Thin Lizzy, Marco Mendoza approached me as I walked off the stage and told me I have great pipes! What a huge compliment, coming from someone who has literally heard people sing all over the world. He definitely put a smile on my face."

Instigator Jon is the lead guitarist for TVH.  The Instigator began his music career playing the saxophone in jazz and gospel bands and a funk fusion duo.  He picked up the bass guitar for a family band project and eventually followed in his father's footsteps playing the guitar.

Jon's dad was a great jazz guitarist, and Jon remembers him with every evening "run of the scales."  "I hope to honor his memory by melting faces!" says Jon.  Along with the rest of TVH, the Instigator has had the pleasure of warming up the stage for many national and international acts including Black Star Riders (aka Thin Lizzy), Alien Ant Farm, Texas Hippie Coalition, Saving Abel, Pop Evil, and more.

Jon's favorite memory from a show was when Damon Johnson of Black Star Riders aka Thin Lizzy approached him after TVH's set.  "He let me know I was doing a great job of creating a full sound as the band's only guitarist at the time. That was the greatest compliment I've ever received!"

Jake "Moose"Gibson, a rock drummer hailing from Dallas, TX, has been playing drums his entire life, from the time he was old enough to grip sticks. As a small child, Jake began studying his heroes, including Vinnie Paul, Jon Bonham, Tommy Lee, and Bill Ward.  He drummed on couch cushions, pots and pans, and anything he could arrange into a makeshift drum kit.

Jake's former projects include Reckless N’ Dangerment (rock band) 2004-2005, Sons of Osiris (rock band) 2006, Epic Chaos (rock band) 2007-2008, and Brandon White & The Essentials (singer/songwriter/rock) (2010-2011).  Jake has played a Mapex kit for more than two decades and is continuously pleased by the quality, sound, endurance, and appearance of his kit.

Jake has had the honor of sharing the stage with national and international artists Pop Evil, Mindset Evolution, Black Lodge, Calabrese, Saving Abel, Mark Mendoza (Twisted Sister), John DeServio (Black Label Society), Black Oak Arkansas, Black Star Riders (aka Thin Lizzy), Alien Ant Farm, Texas Hippie Coalition, and Doll Skin.

Tye Tanic, guitarist for TVH, was born in Muskogee, OK.  He loves classical and metal music, and he plays any instrument with strings, especially violin, guitar, and bass. When Tye first started playing the guitar as a young teenager, he spent his summers learning to play entire albums from start to finish, including one of his personal favorites, the Metallica "Master of Puppets" album.

When Tye first met his current band mates from TVH in 2012, he was playing lead guitar for a local metal band called Masking Vanity.  In 2015, TVH decided it was time to add another guitarist to the band.  Tye Tanic was excited to become part of the TVH "bamily" and joined the journey.