Checkerboard Jive
Checkerboard Jive(CBJ) is a Ska/Punk influenced band from St. Clair Shores MI.
Tell me about your history? How did you get where you are now?
Checkerboard Jive, commonly known as CBJ was Born on April 14, 2005 in the suburbs of Detroit. After nearly a year of work CBJ preformed their first show April 30th 2006, a battle of the bands which CBJ took the prize of 325$. This was the first indication that CBJ had found a musically tight and energetic sound through strict emphasis on musical structure. The money that was won provided enough to fund their first EP, it was released Thursday June 8th 2006. CBJ also has shown a strong belief in energetic performances always interacting with the crowd, this is what seems to set them apart from other bands, and after every show CBJs fan base always seems to increase. CBJ currently has six members, Tom the guitar player/singer, Ken the bass player, Andrew the drummer/singer, Mark the saxophone player, Shawn the trumpet player, and Mitchell the trombone player. Another strong point of CBJ is, as a group they are always focused on the object that is music and as friends they are all having a great time hanging out. First starting out as a saying, the song Its Thursday, Its Skaday became the anthem to which CBJ is all about, playing music and having a good time doing it. CBJ always is working on new projects and new obstacles to make them a better band.
Have you performed live in front of an audience? Any special memories?
We do play live, all over the place and we love it.
Your musical influences
Less Than Jake, Suicide Machines, Catch 22, StreetLight Manifesto, Pennywise, Bad Religion, Voodoo Glow Skulls, Mustard Plug, St. Thomas Boys Academy, Anti-Flag, The Casulties, Nsync, and Journey.
What equipment do you use?
Ken the bass player uses Ampeg amps with homemade Carvin Speakers, 2 Fender bass guitars(one 1979, one 2003).
Tom the guitar player/singer uses Fender and Marshall amps, Boss distortian petal, Gibson, Fender and Musicman guitars.
Andrew the drummer/signer uses a Tama drumset with various Sabin and Ziljin symbols.
Mark the Saxophone player uses a Soul Tenor Saxophone.
Mitchell the Trombonist uses a Yamaha Trombone.
Anything else?
Currently our web page is under way, but for now we use a Myspace page.
MySpace URL: http://www.myspace.com/checkerboardjive
CBJ's Purevolume
and for CBJ pictures of their past shows
http://community.webshots.com/user/Checkerboard_Jive
