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Then we tell the kids that it's good versus evil, that country and God are more important than people. We say it so much that it's almost believable. Fear we'll leave nobody behind. |
--Tight
Stockholm Syndrome |
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Dave Schools :: Rehearsal :: Berlin, GER |
As the days roll toward May 7, the date of the band's first show, the songs continue to get tighter. Considering each song has only been played a handful of times it's easy to understand why they improve with each rendition. And just as the songs need time to develop and take shape, so do the dynamics of the band. While each member has a strong voice it is clearly Jerry and Dave's band. These two have collaborated for years, first Jerry letting Dave and a young Widespread Panic open for his band Little Women in Colorado, then the better-known situation of Jerry sitting in with Panic every so often. Dave also produced Jerry's Conscious Contact album and the two are pretty much old friends. With the Stockholm Syndrome Schools is the musical director and whether he's driving with his bass or calling shots in discussion, everyone listens. Jerry is the emotion, the lay-it-on-the-line front man. Not having complete control (as he does in the Jackmormons) is proving to be a bit trying for him, but it may also be the difference in perhaps finally taking him to the next level.
Eric McFadden
05.08.04 : Malhauz : Plauen, GER |
With Dave in charge musically and Jerry acting as the soul, Eric McFadden is the insanely smoking lead guitarist who not only kills it on the guitar and mandolin, but possesses that ever-elusive rock star stage persona. Having worked with Dave on Slang, and sitting in with Jerry on several occasions, Eric has been in the fold for some time, sharing both personal and musical relations with Dave and Jerry. With long dreads dropping in his face, echoes of Hendrix screaming from his axe, and a manner that screams Big Time, McFadden is more than essential to the equation.
Wally Ingram on drums has proven to be quite a surprise to yours truly. While the name and some of his projects are familiar, I was definitely not aware of this man's immense talent (not to mention his easygoing good times attitude). On drums he can do anything. He can bang what Schools referred to as the "bombastic" drumming on "The Jacob Ladder," paint the dub nuances of "Sack Full Of Hearts," and hold down any beat in between.
Then we have Danny Dziuk on keys. Danny has been friends with Jerry for a few years, dating back before the release of their wonderful double album, Oil. Danny is incredibly talented, but a bit restrained and perhaps not as excited about rock 'n' roll as the remainder of the band. Danny has been playing music all his life, and did the rock thing for 20 years, and although he's more than capable of doing it, he tells me (over a marvelous Indian meal after rehearsal one night) that what he really enjoys doing at the moment is a "Tom Waits spoken word" type thing, with a German writer/poet friend reading over his keyboard work. If Danny continues to come out of his shell, be a bit more aggressive and assume certain angles, the band's sound would be a bit healthier, but these are things that get worked out in rehearsals, and for all intents and purposes that's what this European tour is, a real-time rehearsal. It was either rent a studio and learn the material in the confines of a single room in the U.S. or take the circus on the road and learn as you go. Besides, respectful European audiences have fewer expectations than the salivating American fans. This tour is a band on the fly, learning as they go, rehearsing live in front an audience every night, performing without a net.
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| Wally Ingram :: Danny Dziuk :: Rehearsal Space :: Berlin, GER |
The first semi-public appearance of the Stockholm Syndrome came on May 5th at the Radio Berlin Brandenburg station. Hosted by one of the biggest DJs in Germany, the band's one-hour slot has been played and replayed, garnering quite a few comments in the days that would follow. Starting things off, Jerry explained, "This song is called 'Tight' and it's the first time we've ever played, so we'll see how it goes." And with that Jerry grabbed his acoustic guitar and led the band through their first official notes. After a strong rendition of the wonderfully emotional new song, "White Dirt," Jerry explained, "This next one's kind of a political song as well. Where you act as an empire and not ask to do things, simply do them. This is sort of from the perspective of if George Bush was writing rock songs. This is called 'Empire One'." When taken in this context the message is clear... and quite frightening as the lyrics go; "Ask me if I'm lying, hell ya I'm lying, I'm a liar baby that's what liars do. Back on the preemptive, back on the offensive you're either with me or against me, better choose." After some more conversation and a few tracks off the new album, the band left with warm regards, eagerly awaiting their first gig in front of an audience.
Preparing For Acoustic Radio Show
Rehearsal :: Berlin, GER |
Driving back from the radio spot we stop at a fine Italian restaurant where we are joined by Turkey's biggest rock star. As we eat heaps of food and drink what seems like vats of grappa, discussions loosen and hopes of what's to come emerge. Back at the hotel, the late night drinking continues. Schools turns to Jerry and says, "This band has the potential to do anything." As I went to bed that morning Dave's words continued to play in my head, mixing with the echo of countless hours of practice. And as I think back over the extensive rehearsals I'm shocked by the amount of energy that fills the room, humming from band members, bouncing from instruments and off walls. Add to this tangible vibration the prospect of a packed club full of dancing fans and screaming kids, and who knows what major league madness might emerge. The future is uncertain, but School's prophetic words resound in my mind.
After another day of intense rehearsals, heated discussions ranging from stage set up to song dynamics, and some heavy drinking, it's finally happening--the first Stockholm Syndrome show in front of an audience. On May 7 nerves were tense and anticipation was boiling over. Sound check was stressful for everyone, perhaps most noticeably for Jerry as his amp wasn't working properly, leading to some running around and fine-tuning. Such things are to be expected when a band plays their first gig ever.
Wally Ingram by Nate Cake
05.07.04 :: Quasimodo Berlin, GER |
The scene for the first show is Berlin's Quasimodo, a small club that holds a few hundred people at most, and on this night no more than 150 heads piled in to witness the bands official debut. The first song to go down in the books is "Tight." Ironing out the parts and smoothing out the sound, the band moved along nicely, continuing with "Counter Clock World," and "Empire One." Now I often tend to rate my musical experiences based on "goose bumps" and "fist pumps." The first instance of goose bumps came during "Empire One." Standing in the German club and thinking of the local news headlines the words that emanate from Jerry seem to cut a little deeper and irritate a little more. Bottom line is the world now looks down on America because we embody the scathing message found in this song.
The remainder of the band's first set brought the ominous and very well written "Oil," which was worked up by Jerry and Danny years ago, along with the emotional "White Dirt," the single "Couldn't Get It Right" (which has received very favorable airplay in Germany), and a smoking version of Jerry's "Ray Of Heaven." All in all a very impressive first-ever set. Most bands would die to play like this after a few years, let along a few rehearsals, but this is no ordinary band and they seem to have their sights set on big things.
The second set featured "American Fork," and was highlighted by Jerry's Chagall-influenced "The Jacob Ladder." Also of note was Danny's back-end keyboard section on the jazzy "Purple Hearts," the uplifting island vibe of "Bouncing Very Well" (both off Holy Happy Hour), and the raging "Shinning Path" (which provoked the first fist pump), followed by the Jerry Joseph staple, "Light Is Like Water." While the music was pretty damn impressive the first show of the band's first tour ever hinged on the energy. To actually be playing these songs live and interacting with one another on stage created a plethora of it, and though there were spots that needed work the evening was a huge success. Jerry topped off the show by thanking the crowd and explaining, "We couldn't have picked a better place to start a band." And with that the champagne was uncorked and the celebration began. The Stockholm Syndrome has been born... and the beast is loose in Europe.
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