About the band:
It’s always encouraging to find a local band that you can tell loves playing music for an audience’s enjoyment as much as they like playing music for themselves. You know what I mean? The Verbs must be aware of that balance; I could easily see that the first time I saw them. Everyone in the room was dancing and singing along to song after song. Then they busted into “Victoria” by the Kinks and it was over. Great show. In case you don’t know, the Verbs play some of the tightest, catchiest classic rock in town—with some of the most impressive guitar solos I’ve heard in a long time. Songs such as “Radio” hit hard, stay for dinner, and show no signs of leaving once you hear them. And their slow songs, such as “Waltzing on Monday”, are actually good, thank God. There’s nothing worse than listening to an aggressive band try to force an awkward waltz into their set. But the Verbs can do whatever they want.
About the show:
Who: The Verbs, The North Decade and The Nova Heat
Where: The Outland Ballroom
When: Saturday, January 10, 10 p.m.
Interview:
The last time I interviewed Ryan Spilken about a show, he was clearly half-asleep and he started talking about the Rocky movies when were supposed to be talking about his band. He barely remembered talking to me the next day. I didn't want to embarrass him again, so we decided to conduct this interview on a Tuesday afternoon.
Will there be a new Verbs CD in 2009?
Ryan Spilken: Yes. We're recording now at the Close Far Studio with Jonathan James in the producer’s chair. We haven't set a release date or anything, but work has commenced
I know you weren't an original member. Was it hard getting into the band?
RS: Surprisingly, no. I ran into Mike Moody (Verbs lead singer) on a golf course and told him I heard about his lack of a bass player and that I would like to try out for the gig.
How many other bands are you in?
RS: One-and-a-half. ilijah is my other main group and the North Decade is just myself and Mike Evans of ilijah. I call the North Decade a half-band because it's really just the testing ground for new material and a few of my songs that neither of the full bands I'm in play. The North Decade also plays a lot of covers.
What's the difference in writing a song for the Verbs and writing song for the North Decade and ilijah?
RS: Well, the different bands have two very distinct sounds. The Verbs tend to be earthy, ilijah ethereal. I don't start a song thinking of which band will play it, I just write and sort it out later.
What's your favorite thing about playing music with The Verbs?
RS: Mike and Josh write really good songs. I mean really, really good tunes. I sing lines from their songs to myself all the time.
What are your general thoughts on the local music scene?
RS: Right now things are looking really good. There are some fun venues, great bands and plenty of places to record. There also seems to be an emerging audience for good music that is showing up and supporting the scene. I went to see Sweetwater Abilene the other night and the place was packed with people and they were all right up on the stage dancing and singing along. I also think that thefourfour.com is really awesome, and a huge asset. The range of styles that they're covering is just huge. The festival they put on was so much fun, all three bands I'm in played it and it went off without a hitch.
Do you see any room for improvement?
RS: We need all-ages shows again. Currently, I can think of only two venues that hold all-ages shows and it's really sad. The younger folks in 417 land would love some of the shows that go on in other places that they can't get into.
You've been gigging for a few years. What's the worst thing that ever happened at a show?
RS: I did a solo acoustic set and had a very intoxicated woman "sing" along with me through the entire set. By "sing" I mean "scream". She was so loud I heard her over my own guitar in the stage monitors and she was freaking everyone at the club out. I played a cover of Joanna Newsom's "The Book Of Right On" and she sang "Your Momma Don't Dance and Your Daddy Don't Rock and Roll" right along with me. That was hilariously awful.
Who would you rather hang out with: Ringo Starr or Paul McCartney and why?
RS: Well, it would have to be Paul. Ringo seems to be really cool and laid back and funny and all, but Paul wrote "Martha My Dear" which is on my desert island mix-tape for sure. But I'd probably bust his chops about the second half of "Band On The Run."
Who's the most underrated band in Springfield?
RS: Southern Hills, a group of very cool young folks that writes some serious jams. The song "Lemongrass"? Totally sweet. I'm listening to a rough mix of it right now. Also, the Nova Heat are going to put out a long awaited record this year. It's going to be hot.
I totally agree. They’re a great band. What's your favorite local music venue?
RS: I love playing The Outland. Nobody screams at me there.
What was your favorite album of 2008?
RS: Nationally, Lil' Wayne's Tha Carter III. Locally: ilijah's Climate EP.
One last question. What was your favorite thing about this interview?
RS: I would have to say that retelling the screaming lady story makes it funnier every time. It's one of those things that has become an in-joke amongst some of my friends and other musicians.
