Static: The Entertainment Specialists

By Cassondra Guilbeau
The Times of SWLA

Static

All too often, cover bands are given the stigma of being unoriginal or not quite as talented as other bands. And usually, that stigma is given by other “original” bands.

Southwest Louisiana has plenty of musical acts that are dispelling that stigma, and leading the charge is Static. The Lake Area favorite is celebrating 10 years on the scene this year, and was voted favorite band by the readers of The Times of Southwest Louisiana.

Several band members have come and gone over the past decade. But Static today, still has its two original core members, Alastair White, bass and vocals, and Jamie McCabe, guitar and vocals. The rest of the band includes Jonathan Johnson, lead vocals and guitar; Garrett “Possum” Judice, accordion and vocals; and Jacob “Lil Jackob” Robles, drums.

For the last ten years, Static has “been there and back.” In their early days, the band had the notion that they would “make it” in the music business. They had their share of that type of success. In 2004, the band peaked.

“Static was ultra legitimate. I have the income tax records to show we played over 200 shows,” White said.

Jonathan Johnson, lead vocals, guitar

During that time, the band had a staff, merchandise…and problems. “I’ve paid for this franchise three times,” White said. According to Johnson, different members left at different times, with White and McCabe buying the other original members out each time. “At one point it seemed like we had different members at every gig,” Judice noted.

But, time heals old wounds and current band members get along well with former band members. Many of them play together on other projects. “There are many avenues and offshoots of the Static story,” Johnson said.

Well, simply put, that is the history of Static, but there is much more to the story. “This era of the band, to me, is defining,” White said. The guys have a very realistic and appreciative view of Static. They no longer have that notion to make it big in the music industry.

“In my opinion, there are two types of bands out there. There are people who are trying to make it in music, and more power to them. But, there is also a market for, and something to be said for, those weekend warriors who go to work every day and then on weekends they are playing your Mardi Gras ball or your wedding,” Johnson said. “They show up at your event, and you have a really good time because, man, that band was good.”

This attitude is exactly why Static has been voted best band. When you book Static, you know you are going to have a good time. They are self-described “entertainment specialists.” And they want to give a shout out to their “compatriots” like Soul Vacation and the Kadillacs, who focus on bringing a good time to the area.

Alastair White, bass and vocals

“This is a customer-service industry,” Johnson said. And they know their industry well. As a “cover band,” and this is a title they wear proudly, they have a wide array of not just songs, but musical genres in their repertoire. You want an 80s rock band? Call Static. You want a hard rock band? Call Static. You want a Cajun band? Call Static. You want punk or country? You get the point.

So, beyond having an extensive playlist of your favorites across all genres, what is so unique and creative about Static? Glad you asked. Static created a sound that is all its own. It's a sound that blends these genres. A sound they call Zydecore. They describe the sound as “a progressive mixture of Cajun and rock that thrills audiences and fills the dance floor all night long.” Imagine metal guitar juxtaposed with an accordion.

“We are Zydecore man,” White joked. But Johnson added, “In our mind, it fits.”

The guys brought their sound to the recording studio in the past. Of course, in the earlier days of the group, the idea was to sell as many albums as possible and get their music out to the world. They have a different approach these days. They want to have fun, make the music they love and hope other people enjoy it.

Jamie McCabe, guitar and vocals

It helps that members of Static have their own recording studio. They can record their music on their own and in their own way. “Recording is grueling. It’s not easy,” Johnson said. “When you are in a studio, you are in a stale environment, and you are not amped up at all.”

But, what makes it easier is the experience they bring to the table. “You learn a little bit each time,” Judice said. The accordion player recorded his first cd when he was just 13. He then recorded his next cd when he was 14 at Lake Charles Music. So, the guy knows a thing or two. As a matter of fact, other band members compared acquiring “Possum” to the Black Eyed Peas bringing in Fergie. “Static is extremely lucky to have acquired his services,” White said.

Static has recently recorded another album. They are currently putting those finishing touches on it. “You want to put something out there, and say ‘this is something we created,’” Johnson said. “The idea that we are doing all of this stuff so we can create something new and make a buck off of it, that is not what we are about.”

The fact is, the guys don’t make their living from their music, and that isn’t what they want. Judice is a student at McNeese and all of the other band members have careers that they don’t see as an avenue to the music. The music is just something they want to do.

“Ultimately, this is about enjoyment,” Johnson said. “Everyone likes to make a little cash, so to say it’s totally not about the money is naive.”

Garrett “Possum” Judice, accordion and vocals
Well, if it is about the enjoyment, Static is having a blast. They have built a brand in this market and are booked consistently in the Lake Area. Even if you haven’t actually heard Static play before, you may know them by reputation. They built a foundation on professionalism.

But, they also pride themselves on knowing their audience. Their gigs usually consist of multiple sets. During the first set, if the crowd isn’t “feeling it” they can look ahead and make changes to fit the crowd. This is something that bands that strictly play original music can’t do.

“Sometimes there is a struggle between what the audience wants and what the band can provide so that both are having a good time,” Johnson said. This seems to be a problem Static has solved to perfection.

This isn’t to say you won’t hear original songs when you go to a Static show. They are pretty good at reading the crowd to know when to break out the original music. “Sometimes when they get it, they stay on the dance floor and dance because they have to,” White said.

Jacob “Lil Jackob” Robles, drums

The creative pursuits and originality of this band isn’t confined to the musical stage or the studio. They are currently working with White’s cousin to develop a comic book featuring aliens (the little green men kind) based on members of the band. Just like the musicians themselves, the aliens each do their own thing by day, but at night they come together for a common purpose. Their purpose is to introduce this new form of music—Zydecore—to the world.

So, if you ever hear someone say that cover bands aren’t original, take them to a Static show. They won’t see little green men take the stage, but they are likely to have a blast and quickly agree with the readers of The Times.

Crooks Carnival: Got Alligator? Never a Dull Moment

By Nancy Correro
The Times of SWLA




There are a lot of bands trying to be heard and make it to the big time. The three main ingredients that separate those bands from one another are talent, dedication, and luck. Crooks Carnival has for certain talent and dedication. Now, they just need a little lady luck.
Crooks Carnival is: Cody Royer—lead singer, vox/rythym guitar, Justin Crain—lead guitar, Mike Alexander—drums, and Jay Moody—bass.

I sat down to chat with Royer, Crain, and Alexander (Moody couldn’t be there—he was recording at the time) about their plans for the band and how a trip to Houston, and a recently deceased alligator, gave them inspiration for two of their latest songs.

These are some of the hardest working guys in music around here. They have a three hour show of cover tunes and now, they are going to be hitting us with their original music as well.

Justin Crain, Lead Guitar

“The object of this band wasn’t to be a cover band, and we wanted to play, but we hadn’t been on the stage in a while so we thought, let’s get a three hour cover show together before we start to write. That whole first six to eight months we were learning those songs we kept holding off on writing. We thought we should get our three hour show down and then start filtering some covers in. Most of the good gigs around here, they want cover bands. And nobody around here that’s original has a three hour show. That’s why they’re all playing with three and four bands a night and it’s always just us all night,” Crain said.

The band did exactly as they had promised themselves and they started writing songs.
The bands style of writing is to bring ideas to the table, primarily the writing team of Crain and Royer, and see where it takes them as a whole band.

“It’s a little bit of everything. Me and Crain come from two different styles of music writing and music backgrounds so sometimes we’ll get together and we’ll both sit down and start working on some guitar parts and we’ll start feeding off of each other and Mike and everybody,” Royer said.
“Most of the time a riff or lyrics will come from me or from Cody and then we all get together and see if everybody agrees on it,” Crain said.

Two of those songs, Whiskey Well and Dixie Trick were written on a recent trip to Houston. It seems there were some interesting moments during the trip.

“Our birthdays are real close together and so we decided the following weekend that just me and Crain would go to Houston and meet some friends. We stayed downtown in Houston and we were waiting to go out and we wrote Dixie Trick in the garage of a downtown apartment just sitting outside right in front of the interstate with our alligator in the back of the truck,” Royer said.

“We picked up an alligator on the way,” Crain said, laughing.

I asked if this alligator was alive. As an interviewer, I was imagining all sorts of scenarios.
“No, it was dead,” said both Crain and Royer at the same time, laughing. “It stunk,” added Crain.

They explained how a dead alligator ended up in their truck, and with this explanation, I am certain there is more to the story.

Cody Royer, Lead Singer & Rythym Guitar

“Well there was a traffic jam and we got out and people watched us get out and get the jumper cables and we tried to jump start the alligator. That’s what happens when we go places,” Royer said.

A band that plays hard together, works hard together. Crooks Carnival has only been together for a year. In that year, they have created a powerhouse, hard rock band with a unique sound and style.
“We’re just happy to be where we are at, you know. We’ve been together almost a year. We’ve worked our butts off to get where we are,” Royer said.

Crain and Royer ran into each other at a Candlebox concert. They both went to Sam Houston High School in Moss Bluff, but didn’t hang out together. Royer gave Crain a call after being reacquainted at the concert.

“We got a bunch of people together—everybody we knew that could play music so we could have a full band, just to see what everybody was doing. We did that the first day, [Crain] heard me sing and then we formed the band right there, I mean we kind of picked out the group from people that were there at the moment so we could get started. We stayed together. We slowly filtered people out that were just helping and moved people in that wanted to be permanent that we felt like were on the same page that we were,” Royer said.

As with many bands, members come and go for a variety of reasons. Recently, Crooks Carnival had to replace their drummer. Crain was working sound at Isle of Capri when her heard Mike Alexander playing drums with another band. He knew Alexander was the drummer they needed. So Crain approached Alexander about the opportunity.

“I’ve been on the road from 90 to about 2004 I was touring across the country. I was playing with Mike Zito, David St. Romain and I started playing with Laurel. Well, I’m a rock player and these guys play all the rock stuff I like to play and I said [to Laurel] hey look, I’m going to go do this,” Alexander said. Alexander has been with the band for about two months now.
There is a consensus amongst bands and other artistic acts in Lake Charles that there needs to be more community support.

“It’s hard to make a living in Lake Charles as a band. That’s why I stayed on the road for so long. People in the Mid West go out to see a band and it’s nothing against Lake Charles or anything, but people going to OB’s are not going there to see the band. There is not a music venue where people go and watch music. When I first started out, if you played Monday you played the whole week until Saturday and this is that one club. Then you tear down and go to the next club. I did that for ten years easily,” Alexander said.

“But it’s not even like that now. There are still places where you can play during the week, but it’s in major cities, you know, St. Louis, Chicago, and Minneapolis.”

Crain and Royer were quick to respond to Alexander’s assessment of the difficult times and struggles a band can experience in a smaller market.

“That would be great to have that kind of scene,” Crain said.

“There is a lot of potential in Lake Charles; it’s just got to happen,” Royer said.

Crain went on to say that they had been meeting with others in the community of Lake Charles and they would all like to see an entertainment “subgroup” stem off of the Downtown Development Committee.

“I think that is in the works. They’ve talked to people, some of the city officials about it. We are just trying to make things happen,” Crain said.

Crooks Carnival is making things happen. This is not a band that sits around waiting for work to come to them. They are active in the community and they are dedicated to their success as a band. October is a busy month for Crooks Carnival.

“We’ve got a deal that we are a part of on November 6th at McNeese State University. There will be a Showcase of different types of music. There will be some R&B acts, some singer/songwriter acts—a broad spectrum of acts. We are also doing a benefit at the civic center October 24th for The Art on Wheels Bike Show. We’ll be playing Halloween at OB’s, it’s huge,” Crain said.
“They’ll be having a costume contest there and we’ll be judging that. It’s going to be a big night, a big party,” Royer said.

If you like hard rock, you need to go check Crooks Carnival out. Their covers range from Guns n Roses to Motley Crue to Candlebox and many others. Most importantly, you will be hearing some original tunes in between the familiar songs. Check out their new tunes on the bands myspace page at: www.myspace.com/crookscarnival. You can book the band through their myspace page as well.

Fresh Nectar: ‘Fresh and Nectar-Like as Possible’

By Nancy Correro
The Times of SWLA

Fresh Nectar playing at Luna

Dave Evans and Ryan Bunch are the founding members of Fresh Nectar. I was invited to Stellar Beans, Dave’s new coffee house that Ryan runs for him, to chat with the guys about their band. I found them closing up shop for the day and we sat down on Stellar’s comfortable furniture to chat.

Fresh Nectar got started serendipitously. “Back in ‘99 I owned Dave’s Pub. It was a music venue here in town. I closed it up and started playing acoustic shows over at Pepe’s Place which was University Pub and Deli. I was playing over there and that’s where I met Ryan,” Evans said.
“We used to do four hour cover shows of Dave Mathews. He [Evans] would do a solo song while I ran to the bathroom and visa versa. The first time we started playing was when Dave asked me to sit in with him and John Guidroz. I showed up and John didn’t make it there that night and it was just Dave. So I sat in with him that night and ever since then we’ve been playing,” said Bunch.

Fresh Nectar has a unique blend of sounds. If you could think of the essence of the vocals in Pearl Jam, the guitars of Wilco, Blind Melon, Dave Matthews Band, and then throw in some Radiohead and a pinch of Tool—you’ll find Fresh Nectar.

“It’s really hard when people ask you, ‘hey, what type or style of music do you guys play?’ For me it’s real difficult to facilitate it into a category because we as a band like really heavy music and really light music. We like classical music, this kind, this kind, this kind, so it’s difficult to label it. Mostly it’s closely related to alternative— kind of an acoustic alternative. I guess you could say sort of like Dave Mathews band but it’s not as busy as the Dave Mathews Band. It’s a little bit more Pearl Jamish with acoustic,” Evans said.

When asked what inspired them to write their ballads The Gift and Rescue Dave said, “Love. Love and passion and real life. Usually, what will happen is I’ll have a basic idea for a song. I try to match the sound of the music to the subject matter. Matters of the heart are somewhat easy to write about. It’s the stuff you feel, see and have been through.”

“It’s totally identifiable,” Bunch said.

On the bands myspace page, they have two instrumentals. I asked them what made them choose to make Build and Bluehill Billygrass into instrumentals.

“There is a recorded version of Bluehill Billygrass that has lyrics. We recorded it without words because the words were not in place yet. Build was written that way with the intention of it having words but the line in it is so fast moving that nothing has really come to me,” Evans said.
“To me it [Build] stood on its own,” said Bunch.

“It’s pretty much taken on its own life. Build is usually the last song we play either that or it’s always connected to Bull. Bull was our first tune that I wrote that I asked Ryan to check out. And playing the acoustic guitar in drop D is really cool. It’s a very warm, comfortable sounding tone,” Evans said.

When talking with Evans and Bunch you begin to see how they are able to work with each other so well. Their respect for each other shows when talking about their song Chief. In the song Chief, there is a call and response between the lead guitar (Ryan) and the lead vocal (Dave).

“We’ve developed a kinship between us where our communication lines are completely and totally open. The boundary is I am a self taught guitar player. I enjoy writing stories and putting lines together and figuring out harmonies. I got with the right guy because he likes writing melodies and he has such an extensive knowledge. He’s kind of like my dictionary where as I’m kind of like his work horse. I’m a basic chord structure guy and he’s the virtuoso.”
“Whatever,” says Bunch.

“And he’s extremely humble,” says Evans.
Dave Evans of Fresh Nectar
Dave Evans is the owner and operator of Luna Bar & Grill. He has just opened Stellar Beans Coffee House. He had a band before he and Bunch started playing together.

Ryan Bunch had his own band as well before the two guys met and started playing together. He has a degree in classical performance.

“In classical music you don’t have lyrics that drive the music like pop music you have melody. So I like music with a defined melody—something that can stand on its own” Bunch said.

The band practices weekly and they play once a month at Luna Bar & Grill.

“I do it so I don’t go insane, really for me it’s the break from all the other things I have going on and I can just get things out. It’s therapeutic. Makes me feel better. It’s like medicine,” Evans said.

They recently added two members—keyboard player, Scotty Doland. “We added him back in June. He’s one of our dual purpose guys. He’s playing keyboard and percussion, and back-up vocals,” Evans said.

Debo, the saxophone player for Ashes of Babylon has joined up with them whenever he’s available. “He’s an unofficial member I guess you would call him,” Evans said.

This year they are going to try and get on with Contraband days and a couple other festivals where they are able to spread their wings a little bit more.

As a band they all have the same goal and it’s not to get signed and it’s not to go on tour. It’s so they can write songs.

“However, it would be great,” says Bunch.

“Oh, sure, oh if somebody got our album and was like God I’ve got to put this out, here’s a million, we would be like I need you to run the restaurant, I’m out. That’s how it would be don’t get me wrong, but that is not what we are after,” Evans says.

Right now, they are trying to accumulate their music. They are close to having 20 songs. Once they get to 25, they’ll probably stop and record all 25.

“We will have enough for two albums. For us it’s the product that we put out,” Evans said.
Fresh Nectar has one of those names that could mean so many things. So, I had to ask. Dave said he came up with the name.

He has an old friend that he first started playing music with. He was very enlightened and read a lot and always talked about “the Nectar of Ambrosia—the fruit of the gods.” Dave did some catering and called his catering service Nectar of Ambrosia Catering.

“Well, nobody knew what I was talking about. They would always ask, ‘what is ambrosia,’ and I would think to myself, I am not going to explain this to everybody... Mainly it’s fresh goodness. It has many meanings on many levels,” Evans said.

Fresh Nectar is Dave Evans, lead vocals and guitar, Ryan Bunch lead guitar and vocals, Edward LeBlanc, bass and vocals, Scotty Doland keyboard, percussion, and vocals. Fresh Nectar will be losing John Floyd on drums because he is moving to California. “We already have two or three people interested,” said Evans.

I asked both guys what their favorite Fresh Nectar song was. After considering for several moments Ryan Bunch said, “It would probably be a toss up between The Gift and Build.”

“The Gift and C-4,” Evans said. “I love C-4. I wrote C-4 at a point where I was about to break.

My levee had a crack in it. It’s basically about primal scream therapy. When I came up with it I saw myself running out into a field and just screaming, just letting it all out.”

Evans' father passed away October 11, 1997 and his daughter was born October 10, 1997. His mother took Polaroid’s of his daughter in one hospital and took them to show Evans' father in another hospital.

“Dad looked at them and he put them on his chest and it was all good. And a couple hours later he passed away. So that has always been with me. You can have your greatest moments and your lowest moments at basically the same time,” Evans said. He realized he needed to let some of this out and it came out in the song C-4.

“The C-4 thing is we wrote it with a capo on the 5th fret. The first chord of the song is C. So, C-4, but it came out as explosions or dynamite—C-4. It made this huge circle.

I love writing conceptual things like that,” Evans said.

One of the passions of the band is in keeping the Art and Culture of downtown Lake Charles alive. Part of that is Dave Evans hanging local art up in his Luna Restaurant and Stellar Beans and supporting local bands. You can see the art all over the walls when you enter and you can hear the bands when you go to Luna and eat or hang out. But more than that, the band wants it to be community and city driven. They want everyone to come out and enjoy the rich talent this city has.

“Arts and Culture falls by the wayside here. When people come into my place and wonder who created the art on the walls and I tell them its local art. They can’t believe it. Or when they hear a song by a local band and they can’t believe they’re from here—I think, what are we idiots? Are we cavemen? We have talented enough people here. There should be just as many people in the community to recognize it,” Evans said.

“Seventy-five percent of the people here don’t get out to support local bands,” Bunch said.
“I wouldn’t be doing the whole Luna thing over there if I wasn’t trying to stimulate the music scene. But I’ll bring in these totally great bands from all over the place and people will listen and say, oh, they’re okay. And I’ll think, are you out of your mind? Do you hear what those guys are up there doing? Then you find out they weren’t even paying attention,” Evans said.

Bunch and Evans joked around with each other at the end of the interview and they explained how important the band was as an outlet for them.

“Well, we do a whole lot of discussing things, drawing pictures while we are playing trying to come up with different ideas, fresh and Nectar-like as possible.”

Fresh Nectar can be heard at Luna Bar & Grill (337) 494-5862, 719 Ryan St., and also on their myspace page: www.myspace.com/lunabarandgrill. Don’t forget to check out Stellar Beans, 319 Broad St., (337) 564-5739.

Ashes of Babylon: Headed For The Big Time And The Big State of Texas

By Cassondra Guilbeau
The Times of SWLA

Ashes of Babylon @ L'Aburge du Lac

When you first lay eyes on Ashes of Babylon, if you do a double take, well you’re not the first and you won’t be the last. For seven white guys playing reggae music with such authenticity, the shocked reaction is a compliment.

The undeniable leader of AOB is Corey Saucier, 24, who is responsible for uniting the group’s unique sound. The Sulphur native relocated to St. Croix in the U.S. Virgin Islands just after his junior year in high school when his father was transferred there.

Of course, it was pretty much a culture shock for the teenager, who was a musician, but was not a fan of reggae music at the time. He soon found that he would have little choice in the matter.

“It’s pretty much all you listen to, it’s all they have on the radio there,” Saucier said. He remembers the first reggae song he heard on the radio—a dancehall song with lots of sirens and sound effects. “I thought I would hate it, but I ended up loving it.”

While he was in St. Croix, he met schoolmate Jeremy Crenshaw and his brother Jacob who were from Zachary, La. The three started playing music together and continued playing when they moved to Georgia after high school.

Then came the twist of fate. On Easter of 2006, Saucier’s parent’s house burned down. It was after that incident that Saucier decided he needed to make a change. After living away from Southwest Louisiana for about five years, he returned, and quickly looked up some old friends.

He hooked up with his cousin Beau Guidry, 28, and their friends and fellow musicians Sam Chapman, 22; Max Sprigg, 22; Eric Daigle, 28; and Dan Robertson, 28. Jacob Crenshaw, 28, also joined the group. Saucier was ready to start playing and recording right away, and even had songs written before the group came together.

But, his fellow musicians, all from Sulphur except Crenshaw, had limited exposure to reggae, and would need to develop the same appreciation for it that Saucier had.

“That music was too slow for me to listen to at the time,” Chapman , whose musical background includes Sulphur High School band and the McNeese Jazz Ensemble, was playing punk and ska music at the time.

The band’s early recordings helped to sway opinions. “I really didn’t like reggae music, but when I heard what he (Saucier) recorded, it made me like it,” Chapman said. “Corey plays some people’s songs better than they do.”

Under Saucier’s direction, AOB developed a genuine sound that is very unique in this area. Just two days after coming together as a band, they played their first live show. And their live performances became the foundation for their success. They traveled around the state, building a fan base. Many of their fans were being introduced to reggae for the first time.

“Most people, when they think of reggae, they think of Bob Marley, like reggae and Bob Marley are interchangeable,” Saucier said. “But there is so much other stuff out there. It’s good stuff, thought-provoking stuff.”

Ashes of Babylon are proud that they have opened up south Louisiana to a different genre of music. They sought to expand their audience with the recording of “Revolutionary Roots,” their first album.

They recorded a CD themselves in bass player Daigle’s bedroom. But the result sounds far from homemade. They created a professional-quality piece that captured the band’s live show vibe. And they are proud to say their sales just went international. “Someone from Canada bought our CD on iTunes,” Saucier laughed.

To say that their fans are important to them would be putting it mildly. Chapman and Saucier recount negative experiences they have had when meeting musicians they admired. Regardless of the level of success they achieve, they are determined to never let their fans have that experience.

“I would rather somebody think our music isn’t great than think I am not a good person,” Saucier said.

That sort of reputation is a priority for AOB. In addition to recording their album themselves, they book their own shows and handle their own business. So, they are very aware of the impression they are leaving. And, anything short of professional is unacceptable.

“We played Chelsey’s in Baton Rouge and the management complimented us on our professionalism,” Saucier said.

They also put the same care and attention into their live shows. The goal is simple…they want the audience to have a good time. “We like to get a big crowd and get people dancing,” Saucier said. “That’s where the gratification is.” Chapman added that it is a disappointment when an artist doesn’t care about the live show.

Being a musician is about more than creating a sound in a studio. When you are playing live, there are no special effects to hide behind. These serious musicians are determined that what you hear on their CD is what you hear when they play live. They see a successful future including being on the road more, playing live music. They also have an appreciation for the “grassroots fans.”

“I don’t care if people are burning our CDs,” Saucier said.

While Saucier introduced the concept of creating a reggae band in Southwest Louisiana to the group, the sound that they have developed is a collaborative effort. Everyone comes together in the writing process under the band’s songwriting motto, “create and elaborate.” They have written together as a group and written independently and brought their concepts back to the group to perfect. “Everyone is open,” Chapman said.

Everyone is open to doing what is best for the band as well. So, when Robertson’s wife got into graduate school at Texas State, Ashes of Babylon had a band meeting. They decided they all believed in the future of the band and should all move to San Marcos, Texas, to continue the dream. And, that is what they are doing this summer. The move also includes girlfriends and fiancés, which demonstrates just how strong the fabric of this band is.

Even though they are going to take their time getting settled in and meeting people before they record their next album, they have plenty of material written. And you can hear their new songs when you catch a live AOB show. They plan to travel back to Southwest Louisiana every few months to play. But they will be focusing their shows in Texas, gaining exposure in bigger markets.

“Austin is the live music capital,” Chapman said. “There will be professional people there like bookers and promoters we wouldn’t be exposed to if we weren’t there.”

Ashes of Babylon realizes the future is wide open and their potential is unlimited. That is why they find the move, with an opportunity to play bigger shows in bigger venues is so exciting. Until now, their biggest performance was a New Orleans Hornets pregame show. But now, they already have their eye on a specific prize.

“We applied to South by Southwest (music festival in Austin) and didn’t get it,” Saucier said. “We applied this year and we were put on stand-by. Next year, they need to just put us in the damn show already.”

To get your own taste of Ashes of Babylon, check them out at www.myspace.com/theashesofbabylon.

Sunrise Kills

By Cassondra Guilbeau
The Times of SWLA

Listen to a sample of Sunrise Kill's tunes at www.tinyurl.com/SunriseKills

The phrase Band of Brothers may conjure up visions of military units. But, spending just a few minutes with Sunrise Kills, and you realize the phrase isn’t just a play on words—it is a fitting description of this up-and-coming group.

Sunrise Kills is a gifted group whose respect and admiration for each other is as strong as the love that they have for the music. The strength of their relationship, their bond, comes out in every note they play.

Aaron Johnson, 24, Sean Kennon, 18, and Jon Norman, 24, have always been the heart of Sunrise Kills. Johnson and Norman went to high school together. Lake Charles native Johnson met Kennon when he was a kid.

“I dated his aunt and babysat him and his little brother,” Johnson said. The two bonded over a mutual interest in music.

Kennon, a Dequincy native, played drums in his church band. Johnson started playing guitar with him in the church band. At the same time, Walter, a Grand Lake native, was learning to play bass.

“We would all get together and just start jamming,” Johnson said.

The jam sessions turned into a full-blown band about three years ago. The group originally had another lead singer and a keyboard player, but when they left, the true core of the band remained intact. That is when they adopted the name Sunrise Kills and Johnson stepped up to the role of lead singer. Later, Norman’s cousin Matt Hungerford, 22 of Dequincy, would join the group.

Kennon and Norman say they had to encourage Johnson to take the microphone as lead singer, but they knew he had what it takes.

“Once he did it, I was really proud of him,” Norman said.
And Johnson admits it wasn’t a natural fit for him. “It took a lot for me to open up,” he said. “I’ve come a long way. I was a shy guy.” While he says since he has to focus on singing, he can’t do as much on his guitar during the show, he does now feel comfortable as the front man of the group. “It’s where my heart is at.”

Sunrise Kills describes its sound as pop/hard rock that is just catchy enough not to push people away. “Some songs have some hard break downs, but nobody dies or anything, so it’s all good,” Johnson said with a laugh.

It’s an interesting musical genre for this group, when you learn about their musical roots. Kennon’s grandfather, a Pentecostal preacher, was a bluegrass musician and his father is a drummer. Johnson’s father has played in Cajun and zydeco bands. Norman grew up watching his older brother perform in rock bands. They all agree that music is in their blood.

Speaking of family connections, the guys feel like they are as tight as family. Kennon is definitely the “little brother” of the group. “He likes to do his own thing his own way,” Johnson said. “But that is not necessarily a bad thing sometimes.”

Johnson is the “peacemaker” of the group. This is especially important when they start fighting, as brothers tend to do. Hungerford is the “bodyguard” of the group. “He is very protective of us, very protective of the group. He keeps the bond tight,” Walter said.

And what about Norman? How do his band mates describe him? “Jon brings the fun,” Johnson said. Norman even has a tattoo called “the fun rocket” to prove it. This is just one of eight tattoos Norman has. Johnson and Hungerford also sport their fair share of ink. Kennon wears a lip ring. So, the guys definitely look the part of the hardcore rock star.

But looks can be deceiving. The boys have manners that would make any mother proud. They also count their parents among their biggest fans. “Sean’s mom is our biggest supporter,” Johnson said.

The majority of the band’s practice time has been spent in Kennon’s parent’s living room. And apparently, they gladly welcomed the opportunity to support their son’s dream. Kennon, being a bit younger than the other members of the group, had to have special permission to play many of the band’s gigs. But, as long as he was with “his brothers” Kennon’s parents didn’t have a problem with it.

“We always brought him back in one piece,” Johnson joked.

Sunrise Kills has played mostly local gigs at this point. They have hit some spots in north Louisiana, Southeast Texas and have traveled as far as Montgomery, Texas. “We have a younger following, so we try to play all-age venues,” Norman said.

Even though their touring schedule hasn’t been expansive, the band has been able to develop quite a following. “A lot of people know us through myspace,” Johnson said. “You can catch random people’s ears that way.”

One recent offer the band received was a direct result of their myspace page. They were offered a promotional deal from a record label. The band would have a song on a CD with other artists, but would have to tour extensively as part of the deal. While the opportunity was good, they just didn’t think it was right for them.

Recently, Sunrise Kills has found itself at an interesting crossroads. The members all have jobs or go to school and all are in relationships. They all know that this is…this is the real deal. They want music to be their career. But, when do you make the leap?

“We are still trying to figure out what road to go down,” Norman said.

The guys admit that working without a net is a scary thought, but one they are willing to face. They have been working to lay a foundation of stability, so their musical career won’t leave them broke. But, they are ready for the day that they can “get out of the heat” of their daily jobs and get on the road as fulltime musicians.

Recently, the band spent four days in Baton Rouge at Little House Productions recording facility recording their first EP. Their first time in a real recording studio, this was a big step for the band. A step that not only brought them closer together as friends, but made them all better musicians. “We know how we are supposed to sound now,” Johnson said.

The songs are all original Sunrise Kills creations. The guys come together to write their songs. Like many bands, they all bring ideas to the table, each introducing pieces of music to the group to see how it can be developed. Johnson, as the lead singer, writes the lyrics. But, they know each other so well, they agree the lyrics he writes defines them all.

The CD will be released in the coming months. The guys can’t wait just to get their hands on the finished product. “We are going to take a bath in it,” Norman joked. The project was a true labor of love for Norman. He oversaw the marketing end of the project, including the cover art for the CD, which was created by his girlfriend. “I’ve always been a big procrastinator, but the band has kept me from procrastinating,” Norman said.

With the album ready to drop, the band will plan more touring, and feel ready to make the big leap into their musical career. They have been preparing for it for some time. Their band is a business and they know they have to treat it that way, which can sometimes mean separating their personal relationships from the equation.

“We have band talks and address things as a group,” Norman said. “It’s the key to staying together.”

As this “band of brothers” gets ready to embark on their dream, they remain grounded in where they came from and who they really are. “We always pray before going on stage,” Kennon said. “We notice a difference when we skip a prayer, it just feels different.”

Ladies & Gentlemen: The Research Turtles!

By Cassondra Guilbeau
The Times of SWLA






Research Turtles is a curiosity that goes beyond its name—a group of artists that take their craft seriously while maintaining a healthy sense of humor about work, themselves and life in general. Over the course of a 90 minute interview, the band members laughed almost as much as they talked.

The group—which consists of lead singer Jud Norman, lead guitarist Logan Fontenot, guitarist Joe Norman, and drummer Blake Thibodeaux—started out life as two separate bands, with two separate agendas. Jud Norman, 24, and Thibodeaux, 25, played together as part of the cover band The Flame Throwers, while Jud’s brother, Joe, 19, and Fontenot, 22, were in a band called Plaid Carpets.

About two years ago, when both bands lost members, the four came together, or “joined forces,” said Jud Norman, whose brother was on a camping trip and could not participate in the interview.

Of course, in their new life, the group is still two separate bands, but now they have one agenda—to ultimately play their own music.

“We played as the Flame Throwers for about a year, and Jud was writing his own music during that time,” Fontenot said. “Then, we started working them into our set and got good feedback.”

With the encouragement, Norman kept writing music and the band kept working on the songs. The guys knew this was the direction they wanted to take. They didn’t see a real future for themselves as a cover band, acknowledging that there is a stigma associated with being a cover band.

“It’s like you’re not good enough to do your own thing, it’s a safe road,” Fontenot said of what is often thought of cover bands.

But, like the Molly Ringwalds, the group has seen that being a cover band can bring its rewards. “You can make great money doing it,” Thibodeaux said. And they use their gigs as the Flame Throwers to subsidize their work as Research Turtles. The Flame Throwers is a side job for the struggling artists.

(Just in case you were wondering, The Flame Throwers have covered the Beatles, Wheezer, Metalica…whatever “drunk people like to listen to.” But their one rule, according to Jud, is to never play Sweet Home Alabama.)

The original stuff is a collective process that originates from Norman, who Fontenot calls the “hook master.” “I come in with two versus, a chorus and a bridge and we say, ‘how are we going to piece this together?’” They throw in their musical influences, which include many of the bands they cover as the Flame Throwers, like the Beatles and Wheezer in addition to Tom Petty and Led Zeppelin. Then they bring all of their own styles together to create the finished product.

The best songs come when you least expect it, according to Norman. When a moment of inspiration hits you, and 20 minutes later you have a great song. “Sometimes you write something real personal, but if you make it vague enough, people can look at it from different perspectives,” Norman said.

“That’s the great thing about Jud’s music,” Thibodeaux said.

Of course, not letting the moment get too serious, Jud added, “and I try to keep it about boys and girls, that seems to be what sells.”

The group, all from Lake Charles and graduates of St. Louis High School, sat down to talk one week after recording their first album at Dockside Studio in Maurice, La. With the slogan “Move in, Make Records,” which is what Research Turtles did. The studio is in a plantation home on a 12 acre riverfront estate and boasts a musical legacy that includes BB King and Bonnie Rait among others. (Of course, the guys were all too happy to talk about one of those “others,” Scarlett Johansson. After all, they may have sat in the same chair she did while they were there.)

Justin Tocket is the Nashville producer the band has worked with on the album. His resume is impressive as well. He has worked with Marc Broussard and
Sons of William. “We couldn’t have asked for anyone better to work with,” Fontenot said.

The album only took one week to record and there was plenty of stress involved. Being in a professional studio with a producer watching you play and asking you to “do it again” can be intimidating, but you have to get past it pretty quickly, according to Thibodeaux. It was especially important for him. As the drummer, he had to lay his tracks down, and get them right, first.

Fontenot had his wisdom teeth removed the week before the trip. So he was faced with the challenge of playing through the pain. And the stress was a lot to carry for songwriter, lead singer and self-proclaimed perfectionist Norman, but the experience was unforgettable and invaluable.

“It was the best worst week of my life,” Norman said.

The band is currently planning its album release party. As of press time, it is set for Aug. 14 and they are hoping to throw a huge party at Luna’s with Pensacola rock band The Gills.

“We feel like once the record comes out, people will see we are worth listening to and worth coming out to see,” said Fontenot.

The finished album has more of an edge and rock feel than even this typical pop band was expecting, and they are very excited about it. They think it will give them a new energy on stage.

Right now, the group is playing weekend gigs and making connections, trying to learn the ropes of planning an actual tour. Fontenot does the booking, but they are hoping to be picked up by a booking agent. But, they have their sites set on big things. In the fall, they will be playing all over the Gulf Coast, from Houston, to Pensacola. They are also hoping to play Summerfest in Milwaukee. In the immediate future, they will be playing Scout Bar in Beaumont on July 4 and Party by the Pool at L’auberge du lac on July 9.

Their fan base is building not only from their live shows but by their online followers as well. Research Turtles can be found on myspace (myspace.com/researchturtles), twitter (twitter.com/researchturtles) and facebook (facebook.com/researchturtles).

“They say that the best time to be a band is right now,” Norman said. “Getting your music out now is easier. There is so much music out there, people can find it on their own without relying on the radio.”

Someone from Argentina purchased the band’s EP through their myspace page, according to Norman. “And I don’t even have any relatives in Argentina,” he joked.

It’s just the beginning for Research Turtles as they add more gigs and plan for the big Aug. 14 album launch. They all agree it is a tough business to break into, but they just want to do the music they love and have the band be able to support itself. With bands like Research Turtles and Magnolia Sons coming out of Southwest Louisiana, Fontenot sees a bright musical future for the Lake Area that Research Turtles can spearhead. “The people of Lake Charles not only support live music, but they support so many different types of live music,” he said.

Oh, still curious about the name of the band? “Picking a band name is probably the hardest thing,” Norman said. While they won’t reveal directly where they got their name, they will say they are big fans of director Wes Anderson. So, now you have your homework. Check out Research Turtles and google films by Anderson to find the origin of the band’s name.

“The Stars” Are “Aligned” For Local Band Magnolia Sons

By Cassondra Guilbeau
The Times of SWLA

Magnolia Sons Opens for Everclear, L'Auberge du Lac
Photo: Chris Brennan, ProllyStudios
http://www.myspace.com/prollystudios

The world of music could use more bands like Magnolia Sons. Not content to stay in their comfort zone, this foursome has broken through the boundaries of Southwest Louisiana and is conquering the music scene one gig—and one download—at a time. As their name would suggest, Magnolia Sons is Louisiana bred, but their music transcends what one might expect. Counting Matchbox Twenty among their biggest influences, the band has a rock foundation with an intimate touch that one usually feels with today’s country music. This is definitely a band that has steadied itself on its songwriting sensibilities. According to Will Ferguson, lead singer, guitar player and founding member, the band’s current recipe is definitely a mixture of the right people, with the right vision, coming together at the right time. “The stars aligned,” Ferguson said of the current crew—Austin Aguirre on drums, Darrell Miller on bass and Kevin Lambert on guitar and keyboard. Ferguson and Aguirre came together in 2005 and began developing their sound. Over the years, a few other members have “come and gone” but when Miller and Lambert came on board, the band was set.

Will Ferguson
Photo: Edward Leger
“This is the group that’s going to be the long haul,” Ferguson said of the group that has settled nicely into a vibe that seems to be working. All four members are from Southwest Louisiana. Since their early days, Magnolia Sons knew they couldn’t sit at home and wait for a music career to happen. So, they set out to make things happen. The band hit the road in 2006, playing an exhausting 200 shows all over the country. The schedule was grueling, but served to really tighten the band both off and on stage. “We know what each other is thinking,” Ferguson said. “We all get along well, they are my best friends.”

Kevin Lambert
Photo: The Times

After spending the majority of a year on stage, the band pulled back on its touring schedule to narrow the focus a bit. In 2008, they spent three weeks—10-hour days—in a studio recording their latest EP “Jails Everywhere.” Then in November, they hit the road again, this time traveling a route from Austin to the Carolinas playing shows on Wednesdays through Saturdays. And they don’t travel in some big, luxurious tour bus. This is old school, dues-paying touring. The guys take turns driving their van for hours at a time, pulling a trailer with their equipment. It’s this “do it yourself” mentality that makes this band special. As the group was coming together, if there was a hole to fill, one of the guys would step forward to fill it. Ferguson, a self-taught guitar player, became lead singer by default. “I never sang, never wanted to sing,” he confessed. But, it is a role that fits him well. Miller was originally a guitar player, but needed to pick up the bass, well, because someone had to do it. Aguirre became the glue for the musical sound by hitting the drums for hours at a time to make sure their musical timing was impeccable.

Darrell Miller
Photo: The Times

In today’s world of downloadable music, breaking into the industry isn’t as formulaic anymore. People don’t have to go out to a record store and buy music anymore. That, coupled with a poor economy, makes record labels a little less willing to invest in a new band. A strong work ethic keeps the guys going, but they are very aware of how tough it is to get that “big break.” “At times we look at it on paper and say ‘This is going to be really hard,’ ” Ferguson said. “Playing music is a rollercoaster ride I never thought I would deal with. There are high highs and low lows.” That break feels so close, yet so far. Major record labels have been in touch with the band, but just to check in with them. While they haven’t been signed yet, Magnolia Sons continues to focus on creating music and building a fan base through their touring schedule. “There’s always someone who hasn’t heard it,” Ferguson said of their music. And getting their sound out to the masses doesn’t just happen on stage. Magnolia Sons is a part of the digital music world. Their songs can be found on iTunes and Amazon.com. They can also be heard on their myspace page, myspace.com/magnoliasons. Of course, the guys are still being heard the old fashioned way as well. They are being played on radio stations in Louisiana, Alabama and Mississippi.

Austin Aguirre
Photo: The Times

They also have their first music video under their belt. This was an experience the band wasn’t completely sure it should have just yet, but it went for it anyway. Shot right here in Lake Charles and directed by Houston Jones III and Alex Wheeler, they decided it should be strictly a performance piece. Ultimately, they were happy with the final product, and it is a piece that is featured online (on the group’s myspace page and on youtube). Of course, waiting for that big break doesn’t always pay the bills. When they aren’t on the road playing gigs, the musicians are hard at work here in the Lake Area. The band’s front man teaches labs at McNeese and works part time at the Pathology Lab. A Biology major in college, Ferguson once weighed his options: medical school or music. MCAT scores that weren’t quite high enough for medical school made the decision for him—music it was. This direction is something his parents have grown to accept, according to Ferguson.

Perhaps it is his science background that inspires Ferguson’s analytical approach to his music career. He not only has big dreams and aspirations, he also has the step-by-step plan to make them happen. The singer describes Lake Charles as a great place with an amazing music scene, but he knows his band has to get into the markets where “music people” are and set the group’s touring schedule to make that happen.

Ferguson’s immediate plans are to continue touring through May, and then take a break from the road in June and July to write new songs before heading out on tour again in the fall. In early 2010, he hopes to be back in the studio to record the next Magnolia Sons EP.

Sons hangin' out at the Wood-n-Penny
Photo: Edward Leger
Ferguson writes most of the group’s lyrics. He comes to the band with the structure of the song, and places it in the hands of his fellow musicians to make it great. It is truly a collaborative effort that is built on mutual trust. It is their songwriting that Ferguson really hopes reaches the band’s audience. When someone sees Magnolia Sons in concert, he hopes they walk away saying, “Man, that band has some great songs. They are a great band, a solid band.” He also wants people to know that they aren’t just some garage band who plays together as a hobby. This is the real deal. “Not too many bands in this area are plugging away this hard,” he said. “We have no timeline; we are doing this as long as it feels right. And it still feels right.” Ferguson modestly invites audiences out to see the band live (their schedule can be found on their myspace page). “If you like rock music, come check us out, I think you’ll like it.”

Magnolia Sons: http://www.myspace.com/magnoliasons