Norwood Basement Band
The first stint of this band formed in the late 80's and played into the early 90's. We recorded two albums. The genre then was blues/rock/jazz fusion, featuring keyboards, drums, electric guitars and a dash of piano. Back then we had 5 members total: two drummers, two guitarists and one keyboardist/pianist. I have kept the name for an updated version. Right now, there are two members, myself (guitars) and my son (drummer, sound engineer).
Tell me about your history? How did you get where you are now?
Above, in the Intro.
Have you performed live in front of an audience? Any special memories?
The old band played live at a couple of private parties. The current band has played live among family and friends.
Your musical influences
Pink Floyd, Rush, Steely Dan, Yes, Led Zeppelin, Emerson, Lake and Palmer, Lots of 70's classical rock bands, too many to mention.
Now:
Alonso Mudarra, Alex Lifeson, Geddy Lee, Neil Peart, Jimmie Rodgers, Roy Orbison, Beatles, Tame Impala, ZZ Top, Maurice Ravel, Gordon Lightfoot, Sergei Rachmaninoff, Grateful Dead, Carlos Barbosa-Lima, Andrew York, LAGQ, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Yo Yo Ma, Hannah Sun, Gustav Holst, Porcupine Tree, John Williams, George Benson, Dead Can Dance, Robert Johnson, Ted Nash, Winton Marsalis, Zakk Wylde, Stephen Foster, Miles Davis, Sonic Youth, Howlin' Wolf, Wes Montgomery.
Folk music artists: Dylan, Seeger, Guthrie, Taylor, Denver, Crosby Stills Nash & Young and more.
Country Music : Taylor Swift, Johnny Cash, Diamond Rio, Willie Nelson, Merle Haggard and more.
Other Acoustic Flavors: KT Tunstall, Eagles, Grass Roots, Seals & Crofts, Seals & Seals, Leo Kottke, Jerry Garcia, David Grisman, George Harrison, Little Feat, Spirit, Warren Zevon, Dave Knopfler, Steven Stills.
Two decent books books by rock musicians:
Andy Summers (former guitarist for Police, wrote "One Train Later")
Neil Peart (percussionist for Rush, wrote "Traveling Music")
Lastly, my son, the drummer, who is the inspiration for my restart of songwriting.
What equipment do you use?
Tama drums, Zildjan cymbals, two (identical) Carlo Robelli acoustic guitars, Washburn acoustic electric, Squier Strat, Dean electric guitar, Korg DW8000 digital waveform synthesizer, Fender amp, Hartke amp, Magix Audio Studio - Generation 6, SoundBlaster X-fi, 6-channel mixer, 8-channel mixer w/ CD writable, direct box, violin, upright piano, Casio keyboard.
Anything else?
We never take things too seriously. Music is meant to be enjoyed, and shared. Profits are due to those who work hard at it. Sometimes pouring everything (one's heart) into music can be detrimental to health. Artists have to eat sometimes, to remain alive and continue to create.
