Homegrown Goodness and I Ain't Talkin' Tomatoes: The Good Fear

I got to see the Fayetteville-based band, The Good Fear, rock it live a few weeks back. They are a crowd-drawing favorite around here and it's easy to see why. Spilling out onto floor the night I saw them, because the venue stage was a squeeze to fit this six-man band, in my opinion, just made the show all the better. It felt like I was packing into someone's garage back in high school to hear something good with good friends. My only complaint about their performance that night is that is was just too short.

"Dear Daniel" drew us all in for the "nah, nah, nah's" and just about half-way through at the three minute-mark, the fellas really start to rockin'. Fans just seemed to know "The Way You Were" was coming and when it was time to clap along, you bet that crowd knew what to do. If you have a chance, roll out for a live show. You'll be glad you did.

The original band started back in 2004 with Zach Holland (vocals, guitar, piano), Jason Rich (lap steel) and Tim Campbell (Drums). Holland said at one point during the band's beginning, they actually had five other members. Those members have since left and Todd Gill (vocals, guitar), Bryan Brown (bass) and Dustin Bartholomew (piano, guitar, backing vocals) joined up in 2006. Holland said of their new record, Dirty Lowdown Adventure, "... [they] got all of the old members to contribute to the new record though, so it's kind of like we have ten or twelve members."

Before this six came to be, many of the guys were touring with other bands such as, White Whale, Matt Suggs, Lucero, All American Rejects, New Amsterdams and Skirt. Holland said, "We decided that we weren't cut out for the road life, so we thought we'd make a fun little home-town band." And, we're so glad they did.

Best way to get to know The Good Fear? Ask about 'em:

Q: Describe your sound ...
A: I usually evade this question by saying we play melodic rock 'n roll. We have been called "southern rock," and I'm beginning to warm up to that description. At first I didn't like it because it implies Skynard or Allman Brothers ... good bands, but not bands we resemble much. I think people call us southern rock because we have a lap steel player, but it seems like people are opening up to the idea that southern rock can grow outside of its traditional boundaries. If we can borrow the grime and ghosts of southern rock and take it in our own direction, then we will gladly wear that moniker.

Q: Who are some of TGF's major influences when it comes to music?
A: Holland said, "We are all over the board. We have six members now and we don't all agree on music. The records always come out a little schizophrenic because of this. I used to worry about not having a uniform "sound" for people to latch on to, but we are what we are: a clash of lovers of indie rock, country music, classic rock, folk, dance and pop. Instead of trying to convince somebody to conform to what the other one wants, we just allow the different tastes to collide and see what happens. One band that we all agreed about liking was the Zombies. We were all into the Zombies when we formed the band, and I think it influenced us some. To try to name a few others: Procol Harum, Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers, Spoon, Wilco, Paul Simon. Pixies rule!

Q: What are some of TGF's favorite venues to play?
A: We still miss JR's, but Smoke & Barrel has done a good job of filling that void. That is our favorite place now. It's small and the people are in your face which is always better than playing a large room.

Q: What's your dream venue to play and where is it?
A: The Bowery Ballroom (NYC) is fun.

Q: What's TGF's favorite song to perform?
A: A song called "Heroes/Outsiders" from our first record. We close every show with it. Its one of those songs that everybody knows is coming, but it still leaves me completely exhausted after a show. I like to feel exhausted after a show. You feel like you did something. That song has a nice, intense energy that builds and releases throughout the song.

Q: What do you all do when you're not playing music together?
A: Eat a pizza.

Q: What's the last CD or download you purchased? Was it worth it/satisfied?
A: Not sure if I've ever downloaded an album. Last music I bought was a Bob Marley record, one of those old, non Tuff-Gong releases that seem like they were probably illegal but it has some great old songs. Last CD I bought was at a show. The Blue Hit, they were called ... really good folk band.

Q: Who does most of TGF songwriting, or is it a collaborative effort?
A: We have three principle songwriters: me, Jason, and Todd. Jason and Todd will write a song at home and bring it in virtually finished, and the rest of the band will dig into it and might completely change or it might come out pretty close to the original version. The rhythm section may go in the opposite direction of what was expected. Tim and Bryan work well together and they make efforts to do something interesting when the song allows. The best thing you can see happen in a songwriting session is to see the drummer and the bass player communicating with each other.

I (Holland) do most of the singing, so I have kind of adapted my approach to where I try not to have too much written ahead of time. I will have a part or two and let the band shape the rest. I write a lot of melodies on the spot. Sometimes Dustin will have a chord progression or part on the piano, and come into practice playing it. If the band catches on to it really quickly then I will just start making up melodies and shouting or mumbling words. About 10% of those become songs. We do a lot of joking around with improvised songs. Our practices often devolve into an attempt to play every genre we can name.

Q: If it was your last meal on earth (like you're on death row or somethin') and you could pick anything as your last meal, what would it be?
A: We'd eat a pizza.

The guys were nice enough to include a free MP3 of "Tools of Trade" for you all. Blogger, however, hates me and won't link it. If You'd like me to send it to you via email, I will kindly do just that. Contact me at wheresmymindmilton@gmail.com and I'll send it right on over. Special thanks to The Good Fear for making this an interactive Music Monday. Now go love on them and check 'em out.