What is one of the things Vic Ferrari band and the Stringbenders have in common? Russ Reiser.
Russ was born on February 25, 1956 in New Holstein, Wisconsin to Marge and LeRoy Reiser.
When Russ was young he loved to listen to the music on TV, especially the themes to “Batman”, “Wild, Wild West” and “Get Smart” television series. When talking about his history with music, Russ said, “When the Beatles hit, I wanted to play guitar.”
During the 80’s Russ played with a popular band in Florida called Truc of America. Now, he sings and plays his guitar solo using a midi recorder for his back-up instruments. In November, 1995 a booking agent asked Russ if he could do some weeknight gigs in Appleton, WI. “ I had jammed with Dave Steffen and we played well together, so I asked him if he was interested.” Russ went on to say, “We started out just the two of us and then added Craig (Neuser) and Ron (Kalista). I named it the ‘Stringbenders’.” Russ also plays guitar and sings vocals with the Vic Ferrari band. They do some original music, but mostly covers.
In 2004, Russ released his second cd, “Square Pegs, Round Holes”. It is classic style rock and all of Russ’s original music. “ I played all the guitars, bass and some of the keyboards. All lead vocals and most of the harmony vocals. I used three excellent drummers. My goal with this cd was to express the different emotions and points of view I have and share them with others.”
To this day Russ still likes to listen to the Beatles. In his song ,“Leave It Behind”, you can hear the influence they have on his music. You can find his cd on http://www.cdbaby.com/.
Along with being a great song writer and guitarist, Russ also gives guitar and voice lessons.
To find where to go hear this awesome musician check out: www.russreiser.com (The Russ Reiser Acoustic Show), www.davesteffenband.com/stringbenders.htm. , www.vicferrari.com and find Russ on face book.
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Featured Band Member: Dave Steffen
“ I was born March 4, 1951. A poor black child. You know Steve Martin…’The Jerk’?” That is how Dave Steffen started our interview. Along being a talented guitarist and song writer he has a great sense of humor.
We almost didn’t have this talented musician. If it wasn’t for some deep soul searching at an early age, he would of given up trying to learn to play the guitar. Dave was ten years old when he started lessons.
Looking back, Dave commented,” When I took lessons that first week, I couldn’t believe how hard it was. I could not believe even at ten years old how easy they (the bands) made it look on TV. I could not believe how hard it was to get my fingers to those notes. I got so frustrated that I took my book and threw it around for awhile. I had to make up my mind. I had to gear down and do this. I was bound and determine even at that age to do it. So I went and I practiced like hell.”
Later that week when Dave went to his next lesson they were astounded at what they heard. The instructor was going to tell Dave’s parents that their son just didn’t have it.
Dave went on to say, ”So I basically worked my butt off until my fingers were bleeding, to get that down. To get to that point. So I learned then that it was possible. But, the guitar was much harder than it looks. You have to tell your fingers to do things that they never had to do before.”
Dave has put that same determination to all areas of his music. Playing guitar and singing wasn’t enough. He had to write his own songs. His first hit song was at the tender age of seventeen.
Dave has played in the past with Love Society and Sunblind Lion. Today, Dave plays with the Dave Steffen band with Craig Neuser , bass and vocalist, and Spencer Panosh on the drums. Dave also plays with the Stringbenders with Russ Reiser on guitar and vocals, Ron Kalista on drums and vocals and Craig Neuser on bass and vocals.
When you go see Dave perform you will not only notice his skillful guitar playing and his beautiful song lyrics, you will catch a glimpse of his humor.
We almost didn’t have this talented musician. If it wasn’t for some deep soul searching at an early age, he would of given up trying to learn to play the guitar. Dave was ten years old when he started lessons.
Looking back, Dave commented,” When I took lessons that first week, I couldn’t believe how hard it was. I could not believe even at ten years old how easy they (the bands) made it look on TV. I could not believe how hard it was to get my fingers to those notes. I got so frustrated that I took my book and threw it around for awhile. I had to make up my mind. I had to gear down and do this. I was bound and determine even at that age to do it. So I went and I practiced like hell.”
Later that week when Dave went to his next lesson they were astounded at what they heard. The instructor was going to tell Dave’s parents that their son just didn’t have it.
Dave went on to say, ”So I basically worked my butt off until my fingers were bleeding, to get that down. To get to that point. So I learned then that it was possible. But, the guitar was much harder than it looks. You have to tell your fingers to do things that they never had to do before.”
Dave has put that same determination to all areas of his music. Playing guitar and singing wasn’t enough. He had to write his own songs. His first hit song was at the tender age of seventeen.
Dave has played in the past with Love Society and Sunblind Lion. Today, Dave plays with the Dave Steffen band with Craig Neuser , bass and vocalist, and Spencer Panosh on the drums. Dave also plays with the Stringbenders with Russ Reiser on guitar and vocals, Ron Kalista on drums and vocals and Craig Neuser on bass and vocals.
When you go see Dave perform you will not only notice his skillful guitar playing and his beautiful song lyrics, you will catch a glimpse of his humor.
Sunday, January 16, 2011
Featured bar: Cold Shot
Who would think a little hole-in -the-wall bar would be a great place to listen to live bands? The Cold Shot, located at 633B W. Wisconsin Ave. , Appleton.; corner of Richmond and Wisconsin; is just the place to go.
Run by Sherry and Dave Galow, it is a quiet place to go for good conversation and drink specials. Even on nights that bands play you can enjoy yourself without worrying about it being overly crowded. Hopefully this blog will get more customers into this quaint bar.
Every Tuesday evening the Hair Band, consisting of Bobby Evans on guitar and vocals and Dave Galow on drums, invite guest musicians to join them. This past Tuesday they had Jon Wheelock from Blues Talk. From Kaukauna, Jon plays bass and sings. Along with being a great musician Jon is a talented song writer.
Bobby Evans enjoys jamming’ with other musicians. Bobby told me,” The Hair Band has hosted fellow musicians: Jeff Johnson, Mojo Perry, Dave Steffen, Curt Calder, Scotty Meyer, Jon Wheelock, Greg Koch, Doug Kroening, and Donnie Pick.( I apologize, if I missed anyone.)”
When I asked Sherry Galow, why they supported live music, she commented, ”I really haven’t thought about it.” After a few seconds she added, “There is a lot of young talent and so many types of music out there. If we don’t have them play here, no one is going to know about them.”
Even though times are tough and paying for the bands are hard, Dave and Sherry continue to hire them without charging a cover charge. “If we can’t afford to pay the Hair Band, Dave will go without his cut.” says Sherry. “That is how much we enjoy having them here.”
Besides the Hair Band on Tuesdays, the Cold Shot has karaoke on Wednesdays nights and The Hott Saxxx Ensemble every Thursday night. Up coming guests with the Hair Band include Scotty Meyer on January 18 and Donnie Pick on the 25th. Clovis Mann is also performing on Friday, January 21.
You can find the Cold Shot on Facebook. Come check out this little hole-in-the-wall bar and help support live music.
Sunday, January 9, 2011
Welcome
Support Live Music
In this world of technology, where you can listen to music anywhere and at anytime, seeing a live performance is a dying art form. We can download any type of music we want at a touch of a button. We live in a world of instant gratification. Are we really enjoying the full benefits that musicians can give us?I don’t believe we do. In the last couple of years I have gotten back into listening to live bands. I don’t consider myself a groupie…like back in the day, before hubby and kids…but I really enjoy watching musicians sing and play their instruments. Wisconsin has some real talented musicians and after watching them perform and witnessing their interactions to the audience, I began to wonder, “Why do they call it, ‘playing the guitar’?” When you watch these guys’ fingers, it is far from playing. The skill that goes into it doesn’t come from just picking up the guitar. It takes hours, no, it takes years to make the strings sing their notes. When you first start playing you get blisters on your fingers and if you can get past that they turn to calluses. Those with true love of playing keep practicing and can make their guitars truly sing.
Then you have guitarists like Dave Steffen, who can play with his teeth and not miss a beat and Bobby Evans who uses a small beer bottle as a slide on his guitar. They take their musical talents to new heights.
What do musicians get in return for sharing their talents with us? Yes, they do get a paycheck, but like the rest of us that does a job well done, they need positive feedback. For performers it’s as simple as an applause and in my opinion I don’t believe they get enough.
I encourage everyone, if even just once a month, to go see a local band perform. Look forward to the anticipation of seeing them. Watch them closely and see the skill they put into their music. Don’t forget to applaud and during break or after the evening is over go up to them and let them know they are appreciated. I bet you will reconsider the merits of instant gratification and realize that it has its drawbacks.
Join me next week and I will give a review of a band and an insider tidbit about one of its members.
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