Formed in 2012, Empty Arms is a Twin Cities based harmony-infused rock trio dedicated to keeping the audience on its feet.  Mixing high-energy danceable rockers with solid grooves, the audience is taken on a different thrill ride with each set.  Two and three part harmonies and rotation of lead vocals underscore the stand-out sound.  The band plays nightclubs, bar events, corporate events, parties, fund-raisers, outdoor festivals, block parties, and weddings.

Empty Arms plays a unique blend of upbeat classic rock and newer rock covers from artists including:

  • Aerosmith

  • Bill Idol, Big Head Todd and the Monsters

  • David Bowie, Black Keys

  • Cage the Elephant, Cake, Collective Soul

  • The Eagles, ELO, Eric Clapton

  • Golden Earring

  • Jet, Jimi Hendrix, John Mayer, Jonny Lang, Journey

  • Kaleo, The Knack

  • Led Zeppelin, Lenny Kravitz, Lynyrd Skynyrd

  • Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats

  • The Police

  • Queen

  • Radiohead, Royal Blood

  • Stevie Ray Vaughan, Stone Temple Pilots, Stray Cats

  • Weezer, Wings

  • ZZ Top

  • and more

 

About the members:

  • Roger Groening spent 20 years in Florida and Georgia before coming to the Twin Cities in 2001. He was inspired to play guitar by seeing Steve Ray Vaughan live in Atlanta in 1990. Learning that Texas blues style has been the foundation of his playing which injects fullness to the band’s sound. His southern-influenced vocals nicely complement the songs in each set. He sings leads and harmony.

 

  • Mark A. Miller Jr. has played in a variety of bands as a drummer, vocalist, guitarist, bassist, and brass player. As a percussionist, he has played orchestral to jazz, blues to metal, and latin to rockabilly. Mark injects these diverse influences into his drumming with skill and soul. He also sings leads and harmony for the band.

 

  • Corey Benson has been roaming around the upper mid-west since the early 90's, playing originals and covers in various bands over the years, playing everything from roots rock, alt country, modern pop covers and electric blues. His feelings about music are that while less is often more, there are times when more is less, less often turns out to be less, and sometimes, more will certainly end up being more. Expect more philosophical inspirations like this from the lower end of the stage as time goes on!