Team
Clad in their matching uniforms, Team is a band without equal. Team's studio efforts and concerts ("games", as referred to by fans) are comprised around the principle of performing to the best of their cumulative abilities, which are quite substantial. Drummer Nick Lombardi, Number 1 on the Team, is a tastefully refined jazz/funk connoisseur with the ability to channel John Bonham-style pounding at the drop of a hat. Number 2, Andrew Beaton (bass), is an accomplished a cappella bass-singer with a background in power-pop and independent music, filling Team's low-end with a minimal driving thudding to move the crowd. C. Dave Sahl is Number 3 on the Team and the guitar player. The most consistent play-drafter, Sahl takes his influences from acts such as Nine Inch Nails, Nirvana, Phish, Faith No More, Dream Theater, Yes, Rush, the Disco Biscuits and Frank Zappa to infuse Team's play with an angsty-aggression edge to his thoughtful and virtusosic metal-shredding. Sahl uses loops and effects to round out the dynamic possibilities of his Team. Combining the power of the Pittsburg Steelers Steel Curtain defense, the grace of the European NHL All-Stars, and the dedication to perfection of the New York Yankees, Team's music is exhilarating and rarely predictable.
Have you performed live in front of an audience? Any special memories?
Team rehearses in an old barn in New Boston, NH when not touring the Boston, MA vicinity. Team's studio efforts cannot contain the sheer immensity of the songs in a live context. Team's concerts invoke audience participation, as the band considers every fan and naysayer present as equal contributor to the events of their games.
Your musical influences
Team enjoys guitar solos that don't noodle aimlessly (unlike most jam bands), flaunt riff after showboaty riff (like most metal bands) and have a beginning, a middle, and an end (Phish, Rush, Frank Zappa). Team likes drumming with a touch of mastery without showing off (Tony Williams, Mahivishnu), with some thick funk (Meters, Adam Deitch) and some sex appeal (Barry White, the Black Birds, soul). Team likes bass with a little pop (Weezer, Letters to Cleo), a little rock (the Vines) and a little soul (James Brown, Isaac Hayes). Team's songwriting influences unite angst (NIN, Nirvana), rock (Meat Puppets), humor (They Might Be Giants) and progressive rock (Yes, Rush).
