item1
Percy Gray by Zach Tate Cisco Photo by Zach Tate Ezra Charles by Zach Tate Myrna Sanders by Zach Tate
cdbaby2a
myspacemusicblck
youtubewhite
facebook
Cisco Photo by Zach Tate
L-R: Matt Mejia, Mike Mejia,
CSMDP Photo by Zach Tate
Cisco Photo by Zach Tate
Ezra Charles by Zach Tate
Ezra Charles by Zach Tate
Myrna Sanders by Zach Tate
myrna672
myrna7jj72
Percy Gray by Zach Tate
percy272

It’s been said that tattooing a lover’s name on your body is not a good idea. Unless that lover is a bass guitar. And even then you run the risk of permanently marking your body with an image you may grow out of. Unless you’re Percy Gray and you plan to play the bass until the day you die.

“It will never be over,” says Gray, bass player for the Houston-based R&B and funk band, Fidelity Maxx.

In addition to his uniquely shaped bass guitar tattoo (Gray credits an MTV video featuring Def Leppard’s bass player for influencing his choice of a Gibson Explorer/Futura style bass) Percy also has the band’s initials “FM” on his left shoulder.

Named after Fidelity Street in Galena Park in Houston where the band rehearsed for many years, Fidelity Maxx have been playing together for over 2 decades. Four core members have been the backbone of the group (formerly known as The Action Band) with several other players dropping in and out of the band.

Arriving in 1983 from his native, St. Louis, Percy Gray credits Houston with giving him a career in music.

“If I hadn’t come to Houston I don’t know what I’d be doing. My first gig was in Houston, Texas. Before that I had only auditioned and played Gong Shows in St. Louis... and I got gonged several times."

Percy initially wanted to move to Los Angeles but lost a coin toss with the band’s keyboard player and ended up coming to Houston.

Although Percy Gray is a dedicated funk and R&B player he admits his earliest influences were mostly rock & rollers like Elvis, Elton John, Edgar Winter, Deep Purple and Kiss bass player, Gene Simmons.

“I was in love with that song “Frankenstein”.” (Edgar Winter Group)

Later, in his teen years, it was legendary funk bassist, Bootsy Collins, Prince, and a song by Con Funk Shun providing the inspiration Percy needed to pick up a bass.

“Ever since I saw Bootsy in 1976... that just changed my life... I didn’t know how I was going to go about it but I knew I had to be a bass player. Then, in 1979, I heard a song by Con Funk Shun called, “Got To Be Enough”. The bass player was just unbelievable - I knew I had to learn that song.”

Once longing for rock stardom, at 50 years old, Percy has remodeled his definition of success.

“Doing what you love to do and being happy with it... The big rock star thing is a beautiful thing. I wanted it for years but now just being with my band, no controversy, people like us... I’ve never stopped doing what I like to do - that’s success to me.”

Included in Fidelity Maxx’s long run together have been many years of gigging in Galveston.

“Oh my God, that’s a party city! We’ve played there for so many years, so many parties; Mardi Gras, Christmas, private parties, the women are beautiful - the whole atmosphere. For a while we had more gigs in Galveston than we did in Houston. I love it out there.”

Percy Gray puts on an inspired show with Fidelity Maxx, and though he insists the group has no real leader, and is more like a family, it’s apparent that Percy’s passion for playing and vibrant stage presence is a driving force in the band’s ability to thrive as long as they have.

“I was always a quiet, shy person as a kid. On stage I can express myself in ways I can’t when off stage. The music talks for me so... it’s a beautiful thing.”

Check out FidelityMaxx.com for concert listings in Galveston and Houston. See the video interview and a live performance by Percy Gray CLICK HERE

Myrna Sanders could be described as a “cosmic pearl”. Despite associations with Janis Joplin, through her tribute act, Kosmic Pearl, Myrna Sanders comes by her down to earth (dare we say ‘hippie’?) attitude toward life honestly, in fact, frequently distancing herself from the 60’s music icon even when drawing parallels might make her seem more like the woman she admires so much.

“My life was quite different from Janis’s growing up. It’s amazing; she had a very normal childhood. She had a sister and brother and they were a real family. They went to church on Sundays… I was a lot different. I’m an only child. My grandmother and father raised me. I spent a lot of time listening to music. Led Zeppelin and the Beatles were big influences.”

While working on one music career is challenging enough for most musicians Myrna Sanders seems to be handling two without any difficulty. Sanders says the “universe tells her what to do” when asked how she decides whose career to work on: her original music as Myrna Sanders or Kosmic Pearl’s. Unlike some tribute artists, who seem to resent where fate has taken them, feeling robbed of their identity possibly, Myrna has nothing but appreciation for the opportunity to be both a tribute artist and an original music artist.

“A lot of things are starting to come to fruition now. Sometimes I have to stop and pinch myself and say ‘wow this is cool’. I feel like I’ve been handed a special gift. It’s worth it to see the look on people’s faces when they come to a show and they feel like they’re really seeing Janis. It’s good to be me sometimes too. I enjoy both. No conflict.”

It’s possible that Myrna Sanders feels this way because her own music is really good. Her debut CD, Riches To Rags is full of smooth, pop hooks in the ballpark of Sheryl Crow. Surprisingly, there isn’t much resemblance to Janis Joplin musically; although she say’s her next album will be much more blues influenced.

“A lot of the things I’m writing now are more bluesy. Having to learn all her songs, (Janis Joplin) that’s really starting to come across in the way I sing. With my music, people have always compared me to Sheryl Crow. She’s like my current day idol. I love her - I couldn’t be more thrilled.”

Myrna created the Kosmic Pearl band after writing Riches To Rags in 2003 so the transformation to a more blues-based, original sound seems logical while her lyric writing seems to be consistent, frequently writing about personal relationships with an every-woman accessibility. A new song from her next CD (due out in 2011) titled, Trying To Be My Man, is a clever ode to love struck guys falling for the woman on the stage, be her Janis or Myrna. Married for 10 years, Myrna tells the story and sings the song with a subtle sense of humor and a humble touch of compassion for her lonely admirers.

“In this business you always have guys hitting on you – or if you’re a guy, chicks… Sometimes I have chicks hit on me… If they saw me walk into a bar they probably wouldn’t give me two looks but they see you on stage and it’s, ‘oh, I have to have her’. I just had to write a song about it.”

 

Differences in musical styles and generations aside, Myrna Sanders and Janis Joplin were both born and raised in Texas and have early blues music influences. Myrna’s came from Janis herself but she has since grown to love the genre and reached back into history.

“Janis introduced me to the blues but now I really enjoy listening to Howlin’ Wolf and Muddy Waters. These are the artists that Janis and the Beatles and Led Zeppelin listened to. I figured I should listen to some of the same music they listened to growing up.”

Catch Kosmic Pearl at The Old Quarter, Dec 3rd in Galveston or look for Myrna Sanders solo gigs around the area – whoever you see - you won’t be disappointed. Visit www.myrnasanders.com. Watch the video interview and see performances by Myrna Sanders (and Kosmic Pearl)...
CLICK HERE

The expectations that come with an intriguing band name can be high – you have to earn it to own it. Few get it right and create music as good, or at least as interesting, as their name. In this respect, Come See My Dead Person delivers.

Formed in Texas City 4 years ago by Mike and Matt Mejia to play death metal, CSMDP evolved into what they describe as “folk, rock, bluegrass, gypsy, jazz, polka, punk, country, Latin, soul fusion”.

CSMDP is a band of 6-8 musical brothers, and occasionally, one sister. While actual blood relations exist (there are a few) it is the collective will to write and perform unique and inspiring music that binds these musicians.

Although the songs begin with ideas and lyrics primarily from the Mejia brothers there is no mistaking that CSMDP has a leadership life-force of it’s own – the conductor of this orchestra may just be the ghost of said dead person…

CSMDP seems to be learning as they go, with excellent results. To attempt an eclectic blend of sounds without becoming a sonic train wreck or undisciplined group of noisemakers is another rare quality that makes CSMDP a band worth listening to.

“It’s hard to hear 8 people live at once, and know that every piece is correct. When we went to record we learned a lot about who was doing what and what sounded good,” Mike Mejia said.

Lyrically, the band’s 5 song EP (available free on their website - they call it a “demo”) hovers around a theme close to their name. In many cases, bands writing about death find themselves in a literal, lyrical death trap. While trying to demonstrate depth, lyricists frequently end up in a shallow grave, sounding silly or melodramatic. The impact of growing up in Texas City, a refinery town with a surreal skyline of factories and toxic flames, is not lost on Matt Meija’s writing.

“There are always chemical blooms going over the whole damn town.... If you stay sad about it, if you don’t make a joke about it, it’ll drive you nuts. Gravedigger’s humor - whatever you want to call it.”

While the band is reaching a wider audience since their death metal days, they can’t help but be enthusiastic about inserting metal (and just about every other genre of music) back into their music. With a variety of early influences including Frank Zappa, King Crimson, Tom Waits, Buena Vista Social Club, Eazy E, Cannibal Corpse, Pantera, Phish (the list goes on) the band admits, without conceit, they’re fans of CSMDP as much as they’re participants.

“We’re also the audience for Come See My Dead Person. There are points in time where I wish I could experience this from the audiences perspective,” said lead guitarist, Roy Martinez.

Death may be a theme with CSMDP but the punk energy, violins, banjos and mandolins over Latin and country rhythms, along with some catchy vocal melodies, make this band’s music more like a celebratory soundtrack to Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) than anything sad or morbid.

Mike and Matt recently moved to Galveston, CSMDP’s new home base, and claim a spiritual connectedness to the city.

“Galveston has a nostalgic feel to it. It looks like… a hundred years ago you’d find someone sitting on the sidewalk with an acoustic guitar playing you some good music,” co-lead vocalist, Mike said.

Look for CSMDP at various venues around Galveston and Houston or check www.CSMDP.com for complete concert listings.

CSMDP are:
Mike Mejia - acoustic/electric guitar; vocals
Matt Mejia - electric/acoustic guitar; vocals
Dave Thomas - violins
Martin Johanson - mandolin
Ray Herod - bass
Brian Green - banjo; accordion
Roy Martinez - electric guitars; backing vocals
Sean Martinez - drums; engineering
Jodi Martinez – vocals

Watch the video interview and see a live performance by CSMDP CLICK HERE

Few have experienced the Texas music scene first-hand over the last six decades like piano player, singer, composer, producer and inventor (the Helpinstill Piano Pickup), Ezra Charles Helpinstill. From his first band with Johnny and Edgar Winter in Beaumont in the late 1950’s to recently accompanying Texas legend, Lyle Lovett, at Lyle‘s church, Ezra Charles has had an up-close and personal experience with many of the best musicians in Texas. Not to mention some of the biggest national and international names in blues, country and rock & roll.

Ezra Charles’ songs are laced with lyrical references to the artists and places that helped shape his sound. As a boy, Charles attended many country and western shows with his father, including one show that featured a relatively unknown Elvis Presley. While Elvis made his impression on the youngster from Beaumont, it was a televised concert featuring a group from Great Britain, that really inspired a desire to play music.

“My life changed when The Beatles showed up on the Ed Sullivan Show. From that moment on, everyone wanted to be The Beatles. I lived that lifestyle during the late 60’s and it was great.”

Beatles’ harmonies captured Ezra’s attention first but to this day he credits the horn driven soul sounds originating from the Beaumont/Louisiana area for a more recognizable influence within his own music.

“There’s this, what you’d call, blue-eyed soul tradition, that comes out of that region and that’s a big part of the sound of my band and my music.”

After his brief stint in Johnny and the Jammers with Johnny and Edgar Winter, Charles moved to Houston to go to college and formed a band called Thursday’s Children, recording Air Conditioned Man (on Texas Monthly’s list of top 20 Texas Garage Band songs you have to hear before you die).

It was during this time that the Rice engineering student started working to develop an invention that would change live music performance for piano players the world over.

The Helpinstill Piano Pickup - a device that enables piano sound to be amplified without the need for microphones was thrust into the music industry in 1972 after Elton John purchased the first one.

Until that time, pianos were simply not heard over guitars and other amplified instruments, or if they were, it was through a system of microphones that produced unreliable, uneven sound with extraneous noise bleeding in from other instruments on the stage. Charles used early prototypes in his own performances with bands.

“People would come up to me at gigs and say ‘you’re the best piano player we’ve ever heard’. That’s because I was the only piano player they ever HEARD.”

Humble as he may be, Ezra Charles earned his way onto stages with Texas Blues legend Lightnin’ Hopkins, Leon Russell and many others, not just by being heard, but by being good.

Growing up as Charles Helpinstill, the name Ezra was taken on in the 70’s because of a need to differentiate the artist, Ezra Charles, from the technician, Charles Helpinstill.

“I realized I needed a stage name and if I dropped off Helpinstill I’d sound more like someone who played the blues. I had to do it because Helpinstill became too well known in the music business. I felt I was being stereotyped as a technician, an innovator – I wanted to be more a part of the artistic side.”

Ezra Charles is writing a book detailing his many years in the music business, from his multiple perspectives. A historian by nature, with a passion for Texas music, the book is a labor of love.

“I’ve lived six lifetimes with what I’ve experienced.”

With a driving boogie woogie blues sound, Ezra Charles and his ever-changing five piece band put on an energized show that carries over to his 6 CDs of mostly original music.

Ezra Charles can be seen at T-Bone Tom’s in Kemah through the summer months in 2011 and is a regular at many Galveston clubs. Check www.EzraCharles.com for listings. Visit www.helpinstill.com for more information on Helpinstill Piano Pickups.

Watch the video interview and see a live performance by Ezra Charles CLICK HERE

Fred Eaglsmith by Zach Tate
July 2010 - Zak Perry

“Making a living playing music is what it’s all about for me.”

Zak Perry shows a little wear and tear from the hard knocks of the music business, and the daily grind to keep food on the table, but when it comes to playing rock & roll, he’s all smiles.

Having been through a few record deals, and even a few more cities, attempting to simply do what he loves to do (perform with The Zak Perry Band) Perry, reserves the right to be a little jaded yet he remains unassuming and down to earth.

Raised in St. Louis, Missouri, Zak Perry has lead a rock & roll storybook life, full of bumps and grinds that have taken him to New York, Memphis, Atlanta, Austin, and, recently, to Galveston. Residing in each city for varying lengths of time, Perry works some of the finer details of his personal life into his Southern Rock sound. The move to Galveston from Austin was spontanious and inspired by a need for a fresh start.

“I felt like I needed to get my head together and I figured, what better place than an island in the Gulf Of Mexico. For the first 6 weeks I lived here I sat on my porch and boiled shrimp and played Margaritaville! I like it here. It’s a small town and there’s a beach. It’s easy goin’... it’s Jimmy Bufffett!”

Writing songs since the age of 14, one of Perry’s first was titled, “Jesus Is Calling”.

“My mom and Dad didn’t believe I wrote it and they sent me to my room for lying... They came around eventually and became my biggest fans.”

Jesus and the Lord have been working their way into Zak Perry songs ever since. “When The Lord Comes Stompin’” is a fine example in the tradition of many Southern Rock songs referencing a higher power. Though not a person of strict religious affiliation, Perry is spiritual and has an appreciation for getting through life’s experiences in whatever way suits an individual.

“However a person can find that real truth and happiness. Whatever it takes. Walking in the woods or going to a sermon in a church... Whatever floats yer boat.”

As is his way, Zak Perry follows a deeper observation with an affable “don’t take life too seriously” approach. A good combination of humor and wisdom that is present in his lyrics as well.

Zak’s other full time job is raising his 13 year old son, River. Perry is concerned about being an attentive father, as was evident during our interview, taking a phone call from River to answer a question about what to order from the menu at the Oliver Garden restaurant. Though not as simple as ordering from a menu, Perry’s advice on life to his son isn’t much more complicated.

“I tell him, the right thing to do and the hard thing to do are usually the same thing.”

Despite a tough exterior, and a gravel-rich voice, Perry isn’t shy about revealing his sensitive side. The ballad, “Keep Things Simple”, a song to be released on Zak Perry Band’s first CD with Electro Glide Records (a compilation from Zak’s six previously recorded CD’s), tells a story of sunsets and heartbreaks from Perry’s years growing up in Missouri, to the death of his parents.

Zak Perry posseses a rock & roll bravado common to guys fronting rock bands but he is more humble than most. It’s this quality, and an unwaivering dedication to making a living in a difficult business, that have helped him endure in music both artistically and commercially.

Look for The Zak Perry Band appearing in Galveston and surrounding areas this summer. Go to www.ZakPerry.com for complete concert listings and to hear music samples.

Zak Perry by Zach Tate
zakperry44web
Zak Perry
August 2010 - The Mighty

The Mighty Orq was born just around the time Mork from Ork (Robin Williams in the 1979 sitcom Mork & Mindy) was busy magically emptying drinking glasses with his fingers. (Apparently, this made for very funny television in the late 70’s). Orq from Earth has been busy magically drawing blues music out of his guitars since he was eighteen and beginning his career playing with the Houston based blues group, the Tony Vega Band.

The Mighty Orq is not The Mighty Orq’s real name. His given name is Josh, so he says, though his surname remains a closely guarded secret, unless you have Caller ID.

As the story goes, a stoned schoolmate came up with ‘Orq’ and, a few years later, Tony Vega added ‘Mighty’. No doubt, acknowledging Orq’s massive talent for guitar playing. Not to be out done, Orq’s fashion sense runs a close second for it’s very own ‘mightiness’.

Wearing an outfit better suited to an Eastern European vacuum cleaner salesman on acid, along with oversized Jackie Onassis sunglasses, when asked about his creative wardrobe assemblage, Orq’s comment seemed reserved and thoughtful with a touch of dry wit, much like his personality.

“I used to be a lot bigger. I lost 100 pounds and needed a new wardrobe. As a performer you sort of have to exaggerate certain aspects of your appearance to engage the audience, at least a little bit, to get their attention.”

Born in Houston, Texas 31 years ago, Orq, has been touring around the southern U.S. (as The Mighty Orq) for nearly 8 years. At the time of this interview the band was heading to Europe to play a few dates, adding to their growing following. Maintaining an independent band, Orq, is well acquainted with multi-tasking and the daily grind to keep the band working.

“Occasionally there’s a hangover involved... We’re a do-it-yourself type of group. A typical day usually involves administration type stuff like calling clubs, booking agents, mailing posters, emailing people... yadda, yadda, yadda... band stuff... and then go play at night.”

Although Orq is the front man and CEO of the group, he gives much credit to his drummer Matt Johnson and bassist/keyboardist, Westside Johnny Bryant, for keeping the machine running. Orq admitted having a record label behind them would make things easier financially but alluded to enjoying more creative control remaining independent.

“I’m kind of a control freak. I like to feel confident in knowing what we’re doing and how we’re presented.”

When it comes to songwriting Orq is more willing to let go of the reins and allow for the collaborative process to flourish.

“It varies from song to song. We’ll come up with parts and arrange it there (in the studio) or write lyrics as a group. We don't have a set routine.”

Blues might be one category to describe The Mighty Orq’s sound, but it’s certainly not the only one. Like most music artists, Orq, despises categorizing his music and is reluctant to give it a name but eventually manages to utter, “blues rock”.

“Man, I hate the term blues rock. Stevie Ray Vaughan was one of my biggest influences and I’m a huge fan. To be lumped into that category isn’t always the best... (Orq is careful not to be insulting) professional maneuver. Im very much a blues guy deep down in my heart, it sort of comes out when I play. Whatever the song may be it s going to be a little bluesy. We tend to rock a little more. ZZ Top meets AC/DC. There’s the blues element but also the good time rock& roll.”

Orq’s desire to rock & roll may be at the forefront of his band efforts but his ability to perform traditional solo acoustic slide blues guitar is transcendent. The voice of an old soul from the Delta with the hands of a seasoned player.

“I saw this guy named Harlem Slim. I said, ‘Man, I really enjoy your music.’ He asked me to buy a CD and when I didn’t have the money he walked away. I asked him if he gave lessons... He taught me to play that style with the acoustic.

The Mighty Orq is working with his bandmates on a new CD and can be seen at McGonigel’s Mucky Duck in Houston August 12th. More Houston/ Galveston area shows are scheduled through the remainder of 2010.

Checkout www.mightyorq.com for more information and to hear The Mighty Orq’s music.

Watch the video interview and see a live solo acoustic Orq performance CLICK HERE

Mighty Orq by Zach Tate
The Mighty Orq
orq22
Mighty Orq by Zach Tate

Pat Beadles wears many hats, though his favorite seems to be one of the old weathered cowboy hats he wears on stage as front man, and all round harmonica-playing dude, for the Houston based blues-rock band, Slide Effect.

As co-creator of Slide Effect with guitarist extrordinaire, Lynn Raggio, Pat stays busy running the band, and his recording studio, Pyramid Recording Studio, in Bacliff, Texas.

Other hats include: songwriter, manager (band and studio), engineer, producer, singer, and recently, guitar player.

“I get up in the morning, or rather, the afternoon and I get on the computer and start getting out where we’re playing, updating my Facebook page so people can see what we’re doing. Try to get our events posted on different magazine websites. I usually get out a couple of days a week to different clubs as well and talk to managers and bar owners.”

Pat and Lynn’s history in regional bands goes back a long way but currently Pat is most focused on getting out Slide Effect’s first CD, “Roadkill”. Several songs have already been recorded and while the sound so far is less bluesy than expected there are traces of Pat’s early influences coming through.

“I always liked ZZ Top, Stevie Ray Vaughan, and the Fabulous Thunderbirds, for harmonica. I thought Kim Wilson was probably one of the coolest players. They had that good rockabilly, swing type music that kind of brought me to where I am now. Harmonica fits in pretty good with all that kind of stuff.”

Pat began playing harmonica not long after high school and has been a dedicated student of the instrument ever since. While including J. Geils Band’s Magic Dick as one of his earliest harmonica influences, Jason Ricci is currently the harp player Pat credits with inspiring the use of effects pedals to create unique sounds.

“Jason Ricci is probably the hottest harmonica player out there right now and that’s where I’ve picked up using different pedals. Delay and tremolo, stuff like that. Trying to get, not that traditional sound but something more unique, something that not everybody’s heard . There’s a lot of harmonica players and you just need to find something different and see if it works for you.”

Live, Slide Effect manages to pull off the Texas roadhouse sound very well complete with alcohol-inspired hootin’, hollerin’ and table dancing (though not of the G-string variety). Pat can be seen from time to time, jumping up onto a table, the bar or even venturing out into the street, as was the case recently at The Spot on the Seawall, with his wireless harmonica system.

With “Roadkill” scheduled for a pre-Christmas release, the Bacliff, Texas native remains busy writing and recording as well as continuing to record other local groups at Pyramid.

As for the future, Pat hopes to be on tour next summer for a month or two at a time.

“There’s so much music on the Internet you may not be heard. A person could listen for months and not hear a tenth of what’s out there. You have to get your music out there live.”

Look for Pat Beadles and Lynn Raggio live as an acoustic duo or with their band Slide Effect in the Galveston/Houston area or find them at www.SlideEffectBand.com

Watch the video interview and see a live solo Pat Beadles performance CLICK HERE

September 2010 - Pat Beadles
Pat Beadles by Zach Tate
Pat Beadles
Pat Beadles by Zach Tate
November 2010 - Myrna Sanders
Myrna Sanders
Percy Gray
October 2010 - Percy Gray
December 2010 - Ezra Charles
Ezra Charles
January 2011 - Come See
Come See My Dead Person
February 2011 - Cisco -

Efficiency could be Francisco Andres Ruiz’s hidden agenda when it comes to playing music. The California born bass player likes to keep it simple, going by one name, Cisco, and often performing solo, using only a 4 string acoustic bass guitar and his smooth vocal stylings to get his musical point across.

Reluctant to call himself a singer-songwriter, Cisco brilliantly captures the essence of the art form, minus the usual accoutrements of a guitar or piano, preferring to think of himself as a humble student of music. Writing being as much an exercise in creation as it is discovery.

“Writing works hand-in-hand with practicing, so whenever I’m practicing, I’m always writing something. I’ve always written with the bass. Just exploring what it’s limitations are, what it can and can’t do, finding a new twist on chordal stuff...”

Searching for new twists may be a direct result of one of Cisco’s strongest influences: Victor Wooten of Bela Fleck and The Flecktones. A virtuoso bass player, Wooten, gives a distinct voice to the bass, not often heard or allowed to flourish in band settings.

Other influences include songwriters and bands at distinctly opposite ends of the pop music spectrum, from Jaco Pastorius (Weather Report) to Anthrax to The Beatles. An eclectic mix of tastes might explain some of the medley arrangements of Cisco’s original songs and cover tunes when performing live.

“Doing covers preps you for understanding arrangements and how to write lyrics. Learning how to articulate the music I’m playing, whether its mine or someone else’s, in a way so that someone can say, ‘that’s entertaining’. It’s about going in and finding a new way to say it.”

Throw in Cisco’s unique, interpretive, jazzy vocal melodies and you have a one man sound that fills all the musical space needed to entertain a room full of amped-up coffee drinkers (like the ones found at Cisco’s frequent gigs at The Coffee Oasis in Seabrook).

As a tuba player (didn’t you always wonder what happened to the tuba player?) Cisco spent many years in his high school marching band but by 21 years of age found himself stationed in Germany with the US Army, occasionally experimenting with whatever instruments were available in the rec hall.

It was in Germany that Cisco first picked up the bass guitar on the request of a fellow soldier who had formed a rock band. Given his tuba playing background (a bass instrument) Cisco thought the transition from horn to stringed instrument would be fairly simple, and found his hunch to be correct.

After a few years playing in a cover band in Germany it was on to Houston where Cisco began a two year stint playing with local songwriter, Ken Valentino.

“I got a lot of on-the-job training playing with Ken. By watching him (and others) I got to learn about my own voice.”

Although there are clearly jazz influences in Cisco’s playing, his obvious respect for the masters keeps him sticking to what he knows best for the time being (another element of Cisco’s creative, yet modest demeanor).

“I listen to a lot of jazz. Miles Davis, Charlie Parker... I’m a rock guy from origin... I’ve been playing for 20 years but I still try to work with a metronome whenever I can... Playing with jazz cats - there's a intimidation factor.”

With regard to the Houston/Galveston music scene Cisco points out that not only is the area full of talent but also rich in community togetherness, as was evident after Hurricane Ike, and all the efforts the area musicians made to help and support one another.

“The music scene here is phenomenal. There’s tons and tons of great bands and great players. I don’t think the music scene in Texas gives this area enough credit.”

The future isn’t exactly clear for Cisco but like many creative people, with interests in more things than is probably good for meeting goals, he is earnest in his desire to release original music this year.

“I’d like to get one solid CD project done. I’ve done some things but missed the mark... I want to give it the nurturing that it deserves. In itself, making a CD is like playing music. You have to improvise along the way.”

Releasing a CD of original music is not an easy task by any stretch. Employing only a bass guitar and vocals to create said music is especially ambitious but doesn’t seem beyond Cisco’s ability or scope of vision.

“I’ve wanted to do a solo bass project and make everything flow from this particular instrument. I’ve got a lot of ideas rolled up and there sitting in the waiting line to just let the flood gates go. I want to get this thing done!“

For video, music and dates go to www.myspace.com/ciscononother or email Cisco direct at bass2large@yahoo.com

Cisco Photo by Zach Tate
Cisco Photo by Zach Tate
Cisco
billybwithfont

Billy Bourbon

Hamilton Loomis

Pee Wee Bowen

Hamilton Loomis by Zach Tate
Pee Wee Bowen by Zach Tate

Fred Eaglesmith

Dan Dearwater doesn’t like to admit it but a black cat crossed his path sometime around 1990. The cat, guitar player, Dave Barry, belonged to Janet Jackson’s group, and can still be seen on YouTube, shredding away Big 80’s style on the video for “Black Cat”, a Jackson hit from her Rhythm Nation album.

As fate would have it, for better or for worse, Dan’s group, Zentropy, sounds nothing like Janet Jackson. Nor does the band’s first single, “Little Monster”, out now for free downloading on their website. “Little Monster” sounds more like late 90’s college radio, reminiscent of the Dallas group, the Old 97’s… with horns and piano. Although Dearwater, like many bandleaders, avoids narrow descriptions when asked how he would describe Zentropy’s music.

“Rock, funk and jazz with a little New Orleans R&B thrown in there.”

Dan holds co-founder, Bill Rodney, responsible for the New Orleans spice. Bill plays the bass in Zentropy and, when he’s not doing that, spends time in Galveston Bay doing marine ecology work.

Zentropy, call themselves a “jam band” with original material but perform rock cover songs as well. Jamming aside, their latest release is a more structured, radio-friendly song with a catchy chorus and upbeat rhythm, coming in at a contained, 4 minutes and 35 seconds.

Born in New York City, but raised in a multitude of cities including Cincinnati, Chicago and Singapore, Dan Dearwater grew up playing clarinet and mentions Mozart and classical music providing an early training ground. Like most teenagers in America, Dan eventually found music in another genre weighing in on his musical tastes. And like many guitar players, Dearwater, is quite sure about his influences.

“Growing up, I was a huge Hendrix fan, a huge Rage Against The Machine fan. For guitar it was Trey Anastasio of Phish, Jimmy Page, Jimi Hendrix and Rage’s Tom Morello”.

Most guitar players, however, haven’t had a guitar custom built to reflect their influences. Recently, custom guitar manufacturers, 3 Line Guitars (based in Deer Park, Texas) handcrafted a guitar designed by Dearwater.

Describing the process of building the guitar, the type of wood used and the direct influences that motivated certain hardware and design choices, Dearwater is clearly excited to be holding his one month old “baby”.

“The scale of this guitar, and the wiring is like Jimmy Page’s guitar, with a couple of modifications… The semi-holllow body shape let’s me do some tricks with feedback which gets into the Hendrix and Trey Anastasio thing… and this kill switch let’s me cut the sound on and off like Tom Morello. They did everything from the ground up at 3 Line which was a really cool experience”

Wood from Africa, Brazil and Koa Wood from Hawaii were all used to manufacture Dan’s exquisite new six string guitar.

Although Zentroy put themselves in the improvisational musical ballpark of Phish or the Grateful Dead, Dearwater likes to think of what the band does as performance art.

“I guess if you’re a recording artist it’s fine (to do 3 minute pop songs) but I think what we get excited about doing is having a unique experience with our audience – and it could be different each time.”

Zentropy was meant to be a four piece but has grown to six pieces with some members, and occasional guests, rotating in and out, depending on shows.

“We found a great sax player recently… We’re open to bring people in to play.”

Zentropy’s desire to create unique, extended groove music is reflected in their name as well as in the musicians themselves.

“Zentropy is a combination of two words. The first is entropy – the universe’s tendency to disorder – chaos. The second is word is Zen – being one, being inclusive. Zentropy is when we reign in all that chaos into one idea.”

Zentropy are: Dave Bretz on Drums, Bill Rodney on Bass, Dan Dearwater on Guitar/Vocals, Alan Richards on Guitar & Vocals, Michael Teager on Sax, David Richards on Keyboards.

Zentropy perform periodically at Yaga’s and Float in Galveston and will be in Houston at the Last Concert Café March 26.

For more information on Zentropy (and to download their latest single, Little Monster) visit www.ZentropyBand.com

March 2011 - Dan Dearwater
dan1web
Dan Dearwater
dan4web
3 Line photo by Zach Tate

Dan's custom built 3 Line guitar.

Houston Music ZachTate.com
ztb33
POSTER
fozlogo1a
Zak Perry by Zach Tate
Mighty Orq by Zach Tate
Pat Beadles by Zach Tate
Cisco Photo by Zach Tate
Texas Music ZachTate.com

Articles and photos originally published in The Galveston Parrot. Scroll down to read about...

Zak Perry

The Mighty Orq

Pat Beadles

Cisco

CSMDP

Ezra Charles

Myrna Sanders

Percy Gray

Also from The Galveston Parrot...
Click Here to go to another page of articles and photos.

The new CD from the
EndOfTimeCover
iTunes72blck