by rick grant rickgrant01@comcast.net
My trip to Fionn MacCools last Friday night was to revisit Something Distant, a band that I encountered a year ago at Lynch’s. At that time, I was impressed that the band played catchy original songs in the modern rock genre at venues that usually book cover bands. Now, the band is tighter and much more polished. Today, the group’s focus is working hard in the studio to finish their anticipated album.
More significantly, SD is breaking the tradition that only cover bands can play the so-called commercial venues like Fionn MacCools. In this respect, SD is a breakthrough group that is forging a new path in Jax’s bars and Irish pubs. Moreover, this means that SD’s original material is hit-quality, which bar audiences like. Sure, the band plays some covers and takes requests, which endears them to bar patrons.
Something Distant was formed by Jeff Congo, who was fronting a popular band in Boston called Last Week’s Lies. Then he relocated to Jacksonville in 2004, because he heard our town was becoming a musical capitol, loaded with stellar musicians. In 2005, the band launched successful showcase gigs at Freebird Live and The Landing during the Super Bowl XXIX. Milestones continued when the band opened for the Dave Matthews Tribute Band at Freebird Live. Afterwards, Jeff Congo, on lead vocals, revamped the lineup with John Palmer on bass, Wes Arvin, who replaced Tony Scozzaro on lead guitar, and Jon Kretzer on drums. Tony and Jeff still perform an acoustic duo around the Beaches.
In addition to a full gig schedule, SD has been in the recording in the studio with Lu Rubino producing their full length CD to be released this fall. Meanwhile, the band continues to win loyal fans and is promoting its three song EP.
The group’s melodic fusion of eclectic styles, from jazz, alt-rock, funk, R&B, blues, and postmodern folk, easily crosses over age groups from teens to sixtysomethings.
Of course, there is room in our local music scene for all sub-genres of rock, from screaming angst to cover bands. The fact that SD has broken-through the cover band barrier and is able to play mostly original songs means that the bar audiences are younger and more willing to listen to a band’s originals. However, if the band’s original songs are poorly conceived, and not as good as the cover material they play, then people will get bored with the band’s originals and tune out.
I find it interesting that SD has played the showcase rooms like Jack Rabbits and the Freebird Live with great success. But they made the decision to work regularly in the bar scene and that meant they make a few compromises by playing some cover material.
The bottom line for original bands aspiring to reach the big time is to play commercial gigs as much as possible. It makes logical business sense and keeps the band tight. My advice is: Do the showcases and album release gigs, then go out and play in the bars. It’s a great testing ground for new material. Now, the local bars attract eclectic, hip patrons who dig original bands.
|
EU Critic’s Choice Awards
