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It's easy to digress. Unavoidable when interviewing five creative musicians. Instantly, everyone becomes a Professional Interrupter. Reminds me of that "this is your brain on drugs" egg commercial from the '80s.
Both seriously inspired and ridiculous, something's sizzling in the Suddenly Monday frying pan. But I'm not comparing their sound to the '80s cocaine brand. Actually, they come across as smart, positive and high on music, rather than pale powder.
Don Peteroy (lead guitar) explains it best: "We are the ambassadors of ADD disorder."
True. First, we discuss Bengals mug shots.
Then a friendly argument about band attire involving chicken suits and Rod Stewart covers. Singer Greg Benjamin considers a mohawk. Moving on to the CD, Best If Used By, produced by Joe Brinkman. It will be out in February. Now to the band name. "It's two-fold," Benjamin says. "There's the obvious meaning ... weekend's over. Also ... my Dad died on a Monday."
This December, in the cramped parlour of Newport's Southgate House, listeners tuned in, but not because of fancy pants or stage-diving; enthusiasm was aimed at songs. The sound held a Jam band quality, but not your stereotypical 23-minute-long hippie tune resulting in a collective crowd yawn. Instead, the energetic Funk/Jazz arrangements were complex and tight. Two-for-one deal.
Surprised people gripped drinks, forgetting to drink. Vocals didn't steer every emotion. Instead, venturing into a quiet clarity, words became another instrument. Benjamin's steady tone held a welcome mature, masculine energy, straying far from the melancholy, sensitive-ponytail-man sound.
Suddenly Monday began in 2003 with Peteroy and Benjamin at the band's heart. Today, they're the only two left from the original lineup. Back then, Peteroy played with Ladder 2600, and Benjamin did the acoustic duo thing with guitarist Mark Ramey.
From Cincinnati, Benjamin's father was a traveling Gospel singer who shared the stage with legends Nat King Cole and Sam Cooke. As a child, Benjamin sang along to Queen but didn't hit the stage until 2002. Benjamin's influences include Jack Johnson, Corey Glover (of Living Colour) and Ben Harper.
"I want to be a superstar," he says. "Or just have one professionally produced CD. Or both — CD and superstar."
With a thick New York accent, Peteroy wears black-rimmed glasses and a too-big, street-smart leather jacket. Outgoing and witty, Peteroy's music background began with getting his ass whooped.
"I got my butt kicked regularly by football players," he says. "Figured the only way to get a girlfriend was to get a guitar."
In New York, he played with Ryan Flynn and A Pineapple Named Ed, but now he states: "Phish. All I listen to."
Peteroy (on bass then), Benjamin and Ramey practiced with producer Brinkman (keys) and Justin Webb (drums). Then Peteroy moved back to New York, and for two years the band wrote and recorded songs long distance. Recently, Peteroy returned, switching to guitar.
Chris Clements replaced Brinkman on keys, but other than his Grateful Dead cover band, Clements' story remains a mystery.
"Chris will probably be here for the interview tomorrow night," Peteroy explains. "That's just how he is."
Only 20, new bassist Dan Cremons wears sandals in winter, and it appears that he just "rolled out" of somewhere. Starting classical guitar at 8 and bass at 18, he says, "Bass wasn't a huge transition. I always played guitar with my fingers." Influenced by acoustic artists like Matt Wertz, he plays rhythm effortlessly. Also, this guy can really sing.
From Middletown, Dan Howard, the new drummer, is a laid-back Dave Matthews fan, and he doesn't make bones about his band résumé.
"Basically, I was a drummer whore," Howard says. "Just floated around." Howard brings the Jazz jam influence.
Benjamin says, "Every song has a positive message. We wrote one song about someone on death row. Might seem morbid, but the message is about living life while you can."
"There's a spiritual thing here too ... about fighting to become a better person," Peteroy adds.
Sharp minds here, but there's also a subtle spirituality, a hope, an essence of "more" tucked inside these tunes. Some good eggs, sunny side up.
SUDDENLY MONDAY (myspace.com/suddenlymonday) plays the Poison Room on Feb. 6.
