So, since not everybody could make it today, how many people are in this band?
Jackie: There’s four. I’m the lead singer and guitarist.
Josh: And I sing and play lead guitar also.
Jackie: And then we have a drummer (Ruben Burgos) and bass player (Brian Steele). It’s just your basic setup, like the Beatles! (laughs)

What genre of music would you put yourself in?
Jackie: Post rock

What other bands are in the post-rock genre?
Jackie: Well there’s Toe, they’re a post rock band, and Josh knows some others.
Josh: There’s also Enemies and Rooftops.

Are there any post-rock bands that have had any mainstream success?
Josh: I think the most popular band that is usually associated with the post-rock genre is Explosions in the Sky.
Jackie: Sigur Ros is more popular too, but they are a little bit different.

Did y’all hear Amy Winehouse is dead?
Jackie: Yeah I was like, what the heck?!
Josh: I wasn’t really surprised.
Jackie: Me either, she was always singing about not going to rehab.

So I know in the past you had trouble deciding on a band name. How did you come up with Andreza?
Josh: It was totally random; we found the name on a cardboard box in our practice space, which was my studio apartment at the time. We all jokingly suggested it as a band name so we decided to use it when we played our next show, and it stuck.

Does it actually mean anything?
Josh: Well I think it’s actually a Brazilian girl’s name, but I don’t know the exact origin of it; South American girls named Andreza keep adding us on facebook. The box was actually a shoe box from a Brazilian company, and Andreza was the style of the shoe.
Jackie: And the South American girls that added us will write on our wall, but it’s in another language so we can’t understand what they’re saying! (laughs)

If you could name a band that has the most influence on your music, what would it be?
Jackie: I think for all of us it would be different. It used to be that Paramore was one of my main influences, but now I would say it was Hillsong United.
Josh: Probably Rooftops and Toe. We don’t really sound like them, but it affects our writing style.

From left: Jackie French, Ruben Burgos, Josh Dutton and Brian Steele

So how is the relationship between the band members? Do you guys ever run into any conflicts?
Jackie: Sometimes it’s hard for us to communicate when we are playing a song, because I have a musical background and I can read music and the rest of the band members can’t, so when I try to explain something in musical terminology they don’t know what I’m talking about. When Ruben talks about drums using drum lingo the rest of us don’t know what he’s talking about, and when we talk to Ruben about guitars he gets confused too.
Josh: It’s definitely hard to communicate in any group atmosphere because everybody’s perspective is different and everybody is in a different place, so it is hard to get it all together sometimes. But usually just playing is the best way to communicate, just having everybody play their parts is the best way to work it out, until someone doesn’t like what somebody else is playing and it’s hard for that person to explain what their doing.
Jackie: Its a little bit cold-sounding but sometimes I like to think of it as a creative work atmosphere, like Pixar studios or something. I think their office is awesome! That’s how I think of Andreza, and it would be nice to eventually make money off of it you know, because it could be that fun creative atmosphere.

Okay so this question sounds kind of cliché, but does the band have any sort of ritual they do before they go on?
Jackie: We always seem to watch a funny youtube video together before we play to release the tension, at least that’s what I do! I tend to get more nervous than then guys, I think because I am a perfectionist.

Alright, so thanks for letting me interview you guys!
Jackie: No problem! It was fun!

If you want more info or to listen to their music Andreza has a facebook (facebook.com/Andreza) and a myspace page (myspace.com/andrezaband). You can also check them out on my reverbnation page.

This post is also cross posted at hsvmusicleakage.blogspot.com.

And for all things Mummy you can go to their homepage www.herecomethemummies.com, or their facebook or myspace page. And for those reverbnation users, I have most of their music posted on my page for those who want a little preview. I was actually hoping to purchase some Mummy swag before the concert, including a red t-shirt with the words “Everyone Loves a Sexy Mummy” emblazoned on the front. That statement is definitely true for me, but I have to wonder about the rest of the population: DOES everyone love a sexy mummy?

I think in Huntsville the answer is yes.

This post is also cross posted at hsvmusicleakage.blogspot.com.

You can peep the pics on the Facebook Page.

Shade Tree Awards
Whistle Stop 2011

Chicken
1. Porkin
2. The Basting Barristers
3. 5D Smokers
4. Banyon Swamp Road Kill Cookers
5. Rock Hounds
6. Rocket Smoke
7. Team Hogweister
8. Big Piggin
9. Scott Copeland
10. Bonnie Blue BBQ

Ribs
1. Heavy P BBQ Team
2. Brown Chicken Brown Cow
3. Smokin Ashes
4. 5D Smokers
5. The Basting Barristers
6. Slow n Low
7. Big Piggin
8. New Market BBQ
9. STAGs BBQ
10. Booz Allen Hamilton

Overall
1. The Basting Barristers
2. 5D Smokers
3. Brown Chicken Brown Cow
4. Heavy P BBQ Team
5. Big Piggin
6. STAGs BBQ
7. Slow n Low
8. Smokin Ashes
9. Hide Ya Pigs Hide Ya Wife
10. JT’s Smokeshack

I spoke with Scott and J recently about their history and what’s in the future for this cool band which I have been following for years:

How did you guys get the idea to start an 80’s band?
The idea came when Joe and I were at Auburn. We would go out to watch the big party bands that were popular at the time and most of them would always have a few 80’s tunes in their show. When we moved back from Auburn, I wanted to start an all 80’s band in the same vein as the bands we saw in college. Joe wanted to start an original band that would play the heavier alternative stuff at that time. I followed Joe’s suggestions and Blackeyed Susan basically began as an alt-rock band. We wrote about 11 or 12 songs and played them out, but no one really responded the way we’d hoped. So we decided to try my idea and add a set of 80’s cover songs and that really took off. We ended up switching the whole band over to an 80’s band.

As crazy as that seems we were really just trying to find our niche.
– Scott O’Hanian

Seems like a ballsy thing to do at the time. I can’t imagine someone starting a 2000’s band today.
Scott – (laughs) Yes, that would be very strange. Someday that’s going to happen but I don’t know where or when. At the time there were no local bands playing 80’s music at all. And really there were only a couple of circuit bands that were playing some of that material. But, that’s the music I grew up with and I thought we would get a good response from it. Our originals were heavy alternative, so it was a complete shift when we threw in the 80’s material. We started off with just a few songs and after people really responded positively to them, we added an entire set of 80’s music. It was a very interesting show. We would be an original band the first set and an 80’s band the second set. As crazy as that seems we were really just trying to find our niche.
.
You often refer to the music you play as “cheesy”. Is this intentional?
J – When people reflect on 80’s music now, I think most of them would acknowledge that there is an element of camp. The 80’s were all about excess, especially the music. And we have always been aware of that. We bring a tongue-in-cheek approach to the music we play. We realize we are playing some of the most self-indulgent music from that decade. So, we try to inject our sense of humor into it. Calling it cheesy is just our way of staying connected to that aspect. The objective is fun. Our shows are not about dazzling musicianship or showboating. We’re just having fun.

What was the original lineup for BES and where did you guys get your start?
Scott – The original lineup was a continuation of my previous three piece band,10 ‘til 10, which included Joe Mayer and David Potter. The three of us had played together in high school but broke up when I left for college. After college, we reformed the band and added Neil Harris because, once again, Joe wanted to do all original music. Neil was our lead singer and main lyric writer while Joe wrote most of the music. That was the very first line up. Neil gets credit for naming the band and getting us our first gig at the Velvet Underground.

What year was that?
Scott – It was probably 1993 or 1994. We continued to play the Velvet Underground, and soon after, Butch gave us a shot at the Benchwarmer. We were hoping to just land a gig at The Benchwarmer, but Butch liked the idea of an 80′s band and he booked us for every Wednesday night. We soon decided we needed to find a keyboard player to round out the 80’s lineup. About the time that search started, David Potter told us he needed to step down due to family obligations. We eventually added Grant Davis on keyboard and Paul Kettering on drums. Our growing popularity seemed to skyrocket when Grant and Paul came on board. Our schedule went crazy and we had to turn gigs down at that point. That lineup stuck around for a long time and we all had a great time and enjoyed a lot of success.

So J, When did you and Donnie enter the line up?
J – I met Blackeyed Susan in 2002, after Grant had left the band. They were gigging as a trio and a mutual friend introduced me to them at an outdoor show they were doing over Big Spring Jam weekend. By the end of the night I wound up singing a song with the band. After the gig, Scott asked if I played keyboards and when I told him that I did we exchanged numbers. Eventually Paul retired from the band, as his commute from Birmingham was becoming a real obstacle for him. Scott called in February of 2003 asking if I’d be interested in playing with a newly revamped BES. I believe at the same time, Joe had previously played with Donnie in a band called Stroud and recommended him to Scott. Our first official rehearsal was amazing. Great chemistry and assembling the material together was very natural. We quickly learned 40+ songs and did our first show in May of 2003.

When Joe passed away, did you consider quitting?
Scott – Yes, we really didn’t know what to do. For me, I had played with Joe my entire life. Every band I had ever played in was Joe, myself, and one or two other guys. Joe and I were always the constant. In fact, I credit Joe for being the musician I am today because it was Joe that always kept me focused on music and the band when I would get distracted with other interests. When Joe died, there was a big emptiness for me. I’m sure everyone else in the band felt that way also. It truly felt like we had lost our brother.
J – You have to remember that before any of us were aware that Joe was missing, we were setting up our gear for a show at Sammy T’s Music Hall. We had to do sound check without him and several of us called Joe hoping he was just running late. As the hours passed without a word from him, we found ourselves at the venue trying to decide what to do. Realizing that we’d be leaving Sammy’s without a band on practically no notice, we decided to make some calls to a few guitarists in the area hoping they’d be willing to cover for Joe. When everyone arrived, we managed to cobble together a full show by rotating players throughout the evening. Over the next few weeks, we had a number of other shows we were obligated to honor and Craig Smoot was gracious enough to step in to help us out.
Though doing those shows without Joe was stressful and difficult for everyone, they were really the impetus for the band carrying on. As fate would have it, about a month after Joe disappeared we found ourselves back at Sammy T’s and that was the day the authorities found Joe. It was heart wrenching. We were so conflicted about the timing of everything and distraught by the news we had just received. Should we do the show in Joe’s honor or would it be in poor taste? News crews were filing into Sammy’s as we were sound checking and through our interviews with reporters we realized we were actually answering our own question. We would give anything to go back in time and undo that whole tragedy, but in hindsight, doing that show was a fitting tribute to Joe. The outpouring of emotion that night gave us all a renewed sense of purpose and I’m convinced that if we had just canceled all of those shows when Joe first went missing, Blackeyed Susan would have ceased to exist.

How instrumental was Craig Smoot in stepping in during that phase?
J – He enabled the band to continue and in many ways, evolve. Craig was not only a talented guitarist, but also a very capable singer. When Craig came into the band it really enabled us to do some things we had previously thought impossible. That really inspired us to re-imagine the course we were on and to take some risks.
Scott – I agree. The three of us have the ability to lock on to three part harmonies with ease. I had never experienced that before and it really took the band to a new level. It was a great feeling to finally play those vocally demanding songs I had always wanted to play.

Jeff Goebel is now in the current lineup. Can you tell us about him?
J – There was an influx of opportunities for the band at a time when Craig had prior commitments. With his blessings, we started searching for a guitarist who could cover some of those dates. I just happened to see Crush performing at a local club and was completely impressed with their guitarist, Jeff. I mentioned him to Scott and after a few weeks of talking with Jeff, he agreed to help us out. He was a real trooper and learned a lot of songs prior to our first show with him. Fast-forward two and a half years and here we are! Losing a key member is always difficult to overcome, but Jeff rose to the challenge and Blackeyed Susan continues on. We are the band that won’t die. (laughs)

You guys play big packed out houses at the clubs in Huntsville. I just read recently that you are going to play a family friendly gig at Bridge Street. Can you tell us about that?
Scott – The committee for Bridge Street’s Concerts in the Courtyard was kind enough to ask us to perform and we will be there on Tuesday, May 24th. I really enjoy playing those types of shows. They are obviously a little different for us, but it gives us a chance to meet and interact with people that would not normally see us play.

When people come to see you guys play they consistently have a great time. Blackeyed Susan always puts on a fun show and rocks the house.
J – We just have a good time and we’ve been fortunate that it translates to the audience. There isn’t a science or formula on how to reach an audience and keep them in the moment. It has to be natural and mutual. It just happens. But, I guess we connect because we have fun and there’s no pretense on our stage. We’re just four very happy guys on that stage and maybe that’s infectious. We have fun, they have fun, and together we have one big party.

We have fun, they have fun, and together we have one big party.
– J. Richter

Upcoming Gigs
04/29 – LeeAnn’s
05/06 – The Station
05/20 – Humphrey’s
05/24 – The Courtyard @ Bridge Street

Links

http://www.blackeyedsusan.cc/

http://www.facebook.com/blackeyedsusan.band

Email
scott@blackeyedsusan.cc
j@blackeyedsusan.cc
jeff@blackeyedsusan.cc
donnie@blackeyedsusan.cc

Crossroads
4/16 Todd Snider, The Storyteller

LeAnn’s
4/12 Rudy Mockabee
4/13 Big 40
4/14 LaRose
4/15 PlaStation
4/16 Crush

John Nickel is the proprietor of Nickel Cigar Box Guitars located in the Lowe Mill Arts and Entertainment Complex, 2211 Seminole Drive Huntsville (http://www.lowemill.net). You can buy hand-crafted, one-of-a-kind guitars from John or attend a class where you learn to make your own. John played in a band for several years and then settled down, got married, and had kids. According to John that meant, “No more playing in clubs till 2am”. A few years ago he got his hands on a cigar box guitar and thought to himself, “I can make one of those” From there he started building them in his garage. He said he never intended to turn this into a business. But business was good and soon it was time to take his garage back and move his equipment and guitars to Lowe Mill.

“I’ve been playing guitar for 20 years and I know what a guitar is supposed to feel like. And that is what I want each of our cigar box guitars to play like.”
– John Nickel

Each of Nickel’s guitars is an original piece of art. He begins with a used cigar box and a piece of wood which will be become the neck and fretboard. Each guitar has a piezo pickup inside so it can be amplified. And every one prominently displays a buffalo nickel which has become the trademark of a NCBG guitar. From there many incorporate eclectic items such as wrenches and sink drains.

Nickel Cigar Box Guitars has begun a brand new program where people can sign up for clinics to build their own guitar in John’s shop under his supervision. The prices for these clinics start at $80 depending on the person’s woodworking skills. If you are thinking about doing this, I recommend you sign up now as it is doubtful the price will stay that low. Those signing up for the clinics will have to be mindful of the noise. John pointed out that Lowe Mill houses many local businesses. There is a yoga studio upstairs and artists next door. John wryly noted, “The last thing they want to hear when they are working on their masterpiece is a router and a Dremel running simultaneously”. Nickel Cigar Box Guitars has also been known to build a few basses. The basses are fretless two-string standup instruments that disassemble into two pieces. (Editor’s Note: You just may see me in one of those classes soon building one.) In addition to building cigar box guitars, NCBG also offers private lessons on how to play them. So, you could potentially build your own and then learn how to play it all at their shop in Lowe Mill. Regardless of whether you have played guitar for years or never picked one up, you might want to give cigar box guitars a try.

Nickel Cigar Box Contact Info:
• On facebook: http://www.facebook.com
• Email John Nickel at johncnickel@gmail.com or call 256-714-7124 after 6 pm.
• On YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/
Also check out Lowe Mill Arts and Entertainment:
• http://www.lowemill.net/
• On facebook: http://www.facebook.com

If you have a music related event, story, or band you would like Keith to cover, please email him at:
music@inhuntsville.com

**Update** I originally had this post by Keith Rose, it was actually written by our Rockstar Keith Southern

Humphrey’s
4/4 Open Mic – Ant and Andrew
4/5 Lacey Atchison
4/6 Love Child with Kozmic Mama
4/7 Yo Mama and The Big Fat Booty Band
4/8 Jonathan Sexton and The Big Chair Love Choir, acoustic
4/9 Pla Station

Crossroads
4/8 South Thug Committee – Skins & Needles – Lyrics Born
4/9 Perpetual Groove

LeAnn’s
4/5 Shawna P & Adam Tyler Brown
4/6 Sargent Peppers
4/7 Crush II
4/8 Full Circle
4/9 Gryphon Rocks

I managed to snap a couple of photos, and by couple I mean 200. Head over to the Facebook Page to take a peek. You know you wanna.

For those of you not in attendance, we have graciously posted photos from the event on our Facebook page.