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Mitch Blades | Steve Gengler | Scott Sorenson | Frank Long | Bruce Anttila van Hoover

Mitch Blades

Bass Guitar, Vocals, Band Manager

Mitch’s musical background spans nearly three decades. His first taste for music began with watching live bands from the back room of Rex’s Night Club, in Columbia Falls, MT during the late ‘60s. Throughout the ‘70s, Mitch jammed with several classmates in the Boise area, where he began honing his musical skills. Upon returning to Montana, Mitch formed Magnum, a premier rock band, that set the standard for live music. After rocking the community with Magnum the next three years, Mitch decided to take time off, at least for awhile. Years later, he was inspired by a close friend to get back on stage, leading to the inception of Borderline. This was a new beginning in music, and possibilities were unlimited. Upon meeting keyboardist/singer, Bruce Anttila van Hoover, they shared a common goal, to create a dynamic band that would put the rock show back into live performance. And from the passing of the A Street Band, they formed what is now, Playing in Traffic, featuring street-smart rockers, driven to success.

First concert:  RUSH 2112, Boise, ID during the mid ‘70s.

Influences:  Stanley Clark, because he changed the game on how bass was played, Geddy Lee, for his unbelievable wall of sound, and John Entwistle, due to his amazing “quick-and-dead” bass riffs.

Favorite bands:  REO Speedwagon, Pink Floyd, Boston and a variety of other legendary icons.      

Steve Gengler

Drums, Vocals

STEEVE CAN SING, STEEVE PLAYZ DRUMZ, STEEVE IS GOOD!!
GO STEEVE GO!!!

Steve Gengler got his start on the drums at age 11, when he started playing in school band. Steve quickly became 1st chair drummer & played in every band that the school offered, including, pep band, marching band, rally band & the COLUMBIANS Jazz band.

One highlight of his high school days was when the Columbia Falls High Pep Band was chosen to perform at half time for the state AA basketball finals in a sold out Billings Metra.

Steve has been a founding member of numerous bands over the years. These bands include........ BAD HABIT, The ROCKAHOLICS, The HABIT, RIFF RAFF, TEACHER'Z PET, TOAST& TWISTED LOGIC.

Over the years, Steve has opened for numerous touring bands, including 38 Special, The Headpins, Starship, & Brian Howe(former Bad Co. singer), numerous tribute bands & even jammed with Brian & his guitar player, Dean. He has also worked many concerts,running monitors, front of house, & lights, along with artist relations, staging & transport.
Steve also sings lead & back up vocals & has been the host drummer in numerous jam sessions all over the Northwest with a very wide range of musically diverse artists.

With Steve behind the drums, your dance floor is certain to be HOPPIN' !!!

Scott Sorenson

Rhythm/Lead Guitar, Vocals

Guitarist, singer and songwriter Scott Sorenson, comes from a line of intrepid rock bands beginning with the classic rock of Retro Active in Eugene, Oregon. Upon moving to the Flathead Valley in 2000, Scott performed in a variety of bands including Landslide, which rocked the greater Flathead Valley from Kalispell to Polson. Music has always been his obsession, and this led to the inception of SorenSongs, an acoustic duo performing classics of rock, folk and originals.

“Music is food for the soul and the reward is in giving back to others by performing with conviction,” said Scott.

Scott’s dynamic approach to guitar and vocals is integral to the fusion of Playing In Traffic, where you can always expect more than a hit and run.

His favorite singer/songwriter/performers are undeniably Sting and Billy Joel. Favorite bands of Scott range from hard rockers such as Motley Crue, Kiss and AC/DC, to the intelligent compositions of Rush, Moody Blues, Alan Parsons Project, TOTO, ELO and Clannad.  

“When it comes to guitar, I tip my hat to the virtuosity of Gary Moore, Steve Lukather, Angus Young, Eddie Van Halen, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Brian Setzer, Alex Lifeson and George Benson.”        

Frank Long

Lead/Rhythm Guitar

Lead and rhythm guitarist, Frank Long, had a passion for guitar at age 18. He grew up listening to hard rock icons such as AC/DC, Scorpions, Rush, Judas Priest, and Ozzy Osborne. Frank’s experience in the world of rock began as a stage had setting up shows. During this time, he also attended a variety of concerts where he was inspired by the genius of possibly the best guitar shredders in the world. These include Joe Santriani, Stevie Ray Vaugn, Zack Wylde, Angus Young and Patsy Cline. This led to a burning desire to rock. Influenced by the best and self-taught, Frank bought his first guitar for a song and by age 22, he was already committed to performing. Frank’s legacy in bands include Secion 8, 11AD, Tundra and Twisted Logic. He is now honored to play in Flathead Valley’s own, Playing in Traffic, and the shows will go on.

Bruce Anttila van Hoover

Lead Vocals, Keyboards

Bruce began his life of music taking organ and trumpet lessons at the age of six. His studies led him to a variety of instruments over the years including harp, piano, tuba and pipe organ. In high school Bruce was influenced by the keyboard-laden, Rush Signals album. He bought his first keyboard set and started practicing with friends. In 1990, Bruce joined his first rock band, Scarlet Rain - a Christian heavy metal band, and performed with them from 1990-1993. After a short break, Bruce joined an original & classic rock cover band called Shadow, where he played keyboards and back-up vocals in the Milwaukee area for several years. In college, Bruce's interest in music brought him into the realm of composition called "soundscaping" using found and created experimental instruments. In 1998, Bruce scored the soundtrack to an animated project that earned a Gold Medal in a student competition from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences in Los Angeles. Bruce is the front man for Playing in Traffic.