FULL CORD

Biography

Full Cord is a bluegrass band from West Michigan, particularly associated with Grand Haven, Michigan, USA, that formed around 2012 as a serendipitous meeting between guitarist Eric Langejans and bassist Todd Kirchner while camping at the Charlotte Bluegrass Festival. The band evolved from this 'total fluke' encounter, with Langejans and Kirchner building a core that blended traditional bluegrass with jazz, western swing, rock n' roll, and newgrass elements, maintaining a banjo-less sound at times while occasionally incorporating banjo players. Members bring decades of experience: Kirchner started on bass in his early teens with family bluegrass sessions, Langejans is known as 'Fast Eric' for his rapid guitar riffs and multi-instrumental skills including mandolin and fiddle, while later additions like mandolinist Brian Oberlin and fiddler Grant Flick elevated their sound with international acclaim and award-winning pedigrees.[1][2][5]

The band's career gained momentum with albums like Choreomania (2019), which won WYCE’s Jammie award for Best New Album by a New Band and featured originals from Oberlin, Langejans, and Flick; Hindsight (2021), focused on pandemic-era originals; Chop (2018); and their Nashville-recorded debut Cambium (2023) on Dark Shadow Recording, which charted into 2024 and earned praise from Billy Strings. They earned the “Momentum Award Band of the Year” and have performed at festivals like North Cascades Bluegrass Festival, Charlotte Bluegrass Festival, and others, delivering high-energy shows with contemporary sensibilities rooted in deep bluegrass tradition.[2][3][4][5]

Full Cord's musical style emphasizes fresh, original material alongside covers, sparking seasoned fans with innovative takes on classics, as noted by Oberlin. Their legacy includes building a regional following in Michigan over 14 years, fostering collaborations with top players, and contributing to the newgrass evolution through skilled instrumentation and songwriting that transports listeners to jam sessions.[1][2][9]

Fun Facts

• The band formed by total fluke when Eric Langejans camped next to Todd Kirchner at the 2012 Charlotte Bluegrass Festival, leading to their 14-year run.
• Billy Strings enthusiastically endorsed their 2023 album Cambium, saying it made him want to 'grab my axe, drive up North... and jam till tomorrow morning.'
• Nicknamed guitarist Eric Langejans 'Fast Eric' for his lightning-fast riffs; he's a multi-instrumentalist who steps in on mandolin and fiddle.
• Choreomania (2019) won WYCE’s Jammie award for Best New Album by a New Band and features influences from Bob Wills to The Carter Family.

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

• Family (Kirchner) - Todd Kirchner grew up picking bluegrass with his dad and brothers, receiving his first upright bass from his dad (Early family bluegrass sessions) [Early teens, pre-2012]
• Frank Vignola, Mike Marshall, Julian Lage, Darol Anger - Grant Flick has appeared on stage with these notable musicians (Various performances) [2010s]

Key Collaborators

• Brian Oberlin - Mandolin / Vocals, core member; internationally acclaimed player and educator who joined after moving back to West Michigan (Albums including Cambium (4 songs composed), Choreomania; bands like Grasshoppah, The Journeymen) [2018-present]
• Grant Flick - Fiddle, core member; fiddle maestro adding originals and leads (Choreomania (originals), Road To Tavistock instrumental; projects Westbound Situation, Warren & Flick) [Recent years, post-2018]
• Todd Kirchner - Bass, co-founder; provides sturdy foundation with rock and bluegrass experience (All albums; prior bands) [2012-present]
• Eric Langejans - Guitar / Vocals, co-founder; lead singer and flatpicker known as 'Fast Eric' (All albums including Choreomania originals; prior bands Down Home, Woodpile) [2012-present]
• Ricky Mier / Rick Meir - Banjo, frequent addition for rich tone; ripping banjo praised by Billy Strings (Cambium (original Logan's Farewell)) [Recent, 2023+]
• Lloyd Douglas - Banjo picker extraordinaire (Live performances) [Recent]
• Luke Gitchel - Banjo fill-in; wrote songs for band (Gainesville Rain, broken-hearted bluegrass tune) [2010s-2020s]
• Billy Strings - Praised the band and album in liner notes (Cambium endorsement) [2023-2024]
• John McEuen - Langejans performed on stage with Nitty Gritty Dirt Band member (Live performance) [Recent]

External Links

• Spotify