I recently had the opportunity to sit down with Kansas City’s most promising new band, Thieves. Fresh to the scene, with just one live show on their resume, these guys are quickly stirring up a buzz.

Thieves formed just one year ago and is the brainchild of Ryan Hiser, Salar Rajabnik, Chet Kueffer, and recent member Wayne Zimmerman. What inevitably struck me as unique about this band is their intense dedication and overall mindset. Thieves didn’t develop as just a hobby, a lame attempt to get girls, or even merely as a creative outlet. Thieves was fashioned out of a “personal conviction,” not only to make incredible, intellectual, thought-provoking music, but also to be the best band in the world. One might misconstrue that way of thinking as being arrogant and supercilious, but Thieves will argue that, “different bands do things differently” and to them, “there really isn’t a good reason to not shoot for that.”

Both Hiser and Rajabnik lived in the Middle East for an extended period of time due to familial relocation. Rajabnik’s family moved to Iran for over a year and a half, and Hiser’s was transferred with the military to Saudi Arabia for 7 years. Both feel very blessed to have been raised in multi-cultural environments, and to have experienced such differing perspectives. In many ways being isolated from American pop-culture has added to their refreshing musical creativity.

Anyone who saw Thieves’ first and only show to this date, would affirm that the previously mentioned devotion is clearly evident in their live performance as well. The minute they took the stage it became utterly impossible to turn away. Hiser’s impassioned voice channeled deep emotion that saturated each song. The energy overflowed, the dance moves were electric, and the set was spot-on. Thieves sealed the deal with everyone in the room that night, and are continuing to generate buzz around Kansas City. Make sure to check them out at www.myspace.com/thieves. For booking information contact thievesbooking@gmail.com.

Have a listen to their song “Swan Song” below…

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Photograph by simply.savvy.photography