Photos and writing courtesy of AskAsheville Music Correspondent Robert Forte.
The Get Right Band sat down with AskAsheville.com to talk about their origin story, what the band would define as success and their upcoming show at The ISIS Music Hall this Thursday August 20th alongside Silas Durocher’s ensemble string side project, Love Struck Suckers.
Patton and Lexington Avenues will never be confused with the glitz and glamour of Hollywood & Vine nor will Asheville’s own Get Right Band.
When I met up with this band of brothers at Tod’s Tasties this past week, Silas Durocher (front-man/guitar), Jesse Gentry (bass) and JC Mears (drums) appeared as though each was more likely to begin a ten-hour shift at the local eatery we had convened at versus having just stumbled out of bed following a night of drunken rock star excess and debauchery.
The Get Right Band was birthed from the death of Soulgrass Rebellion, a band originally formed by Durocher with Asheville-based musician Oso Rey.
Soulgrass Rebellion’s sound according to Durocher was a fusion of Americana, Rock and Reggae influences.
Christopher Chappell Pyle, who these days plays with local swamp gospel outfit David Earl and the Plowshares, eventually was brought in to play drums and before long bassist Jesse Gentry was added to the mix thus creating Soulgrass Rebellion’s final lineup.
Following the dissolution of Soulgrass Rebellion Durocher, Gentry and Chappell Pyle went on to form The Get Right Band.
Much like Rey’s departure from Soulgrass Rebellion, Chappell Pyle eventually chose to leave The Get Right Band to spend more time with his family.
Word quickly circulated throughout the Asheville music community that the Get Right Band was seeking a new drummer. As it turned out, the very same evening that Chappell Pyle informed the band of his imminent departure, Mears was brought into the fold.
Gentry explained, “JC poked his head into 5 Walnut that same night and asked if we were looking for a new drummer, so that was immediate serendipity.”
“Thank god JC chose to join our band.”
“He’s the best drummer in Asheville and definitely the best drummer for us.”
The Get Right Band released their five-song debut EP, “Shake” late in 2013 with Chappell Pyle manning the drums for the recording.
Chappell Pyle can also be heard playing percussion on the band’s first full length crowd funded LP, Bass Treble Angel Devil, that was released last Fall; however this time around, Mears can be found behind the drum kit.
The title of their latest LP suggested that maybe the album was conceptual in nature but this wasn’t the case at all.
“We picked the songs and their order with the title of the record actually coming last,” said Gentry.
The songs all kind of have a flow of dark, light, good and evil themes, so the title came about kind of organically.”
I would strongly caution not to judge a book by its cover as it pertains to The Get Right Band.
The musicians that comprise this group may not be painted sleeve-to-sleeve in tattoos, drive Harleys and prioritize boozing over band practice but that doesn’t mean they can’t and won’t rock your world at one of their high energy, ass-shaking performances.
The reality is The Get Right Band are well known for their live shows where at any given time you’ll find the audience crowding the stage to groove, dance and jive along in jubilant unison with the band.
Speaking about the band’s concerts Durocher said, “When you come to see us live you’ll hear really different versions of the music because we don’t stick to the record, we try to keep growing and developing our songs.”
As my interview with the band rolled on it began to dawn on me that these three individuals may be the most cordial and polite unit ever assembled under any rock and roll band’s moniker.
In an effort to crack this perceived wall of pleasantry I asked the band to describe the worst experience they’ve ever had in the music industry to date.
I was hoping to hear tales of unscrupulous promoters, crocked venue owners and other sordid anecdotes regarding the underbelly of the music world.
To my dismay, but frankly not to my surprise, the most abhorrent thing that’s ever happened to the band was apparently an event that could have been ripped from the screenplay for the movie Spinal Tap.
Gentry initially responded, “I’m way too positive to answer that question.”
Durocher stepped in, however, and went on to describe an incident where they had opened for a tribute band and decided to do a song by the act the tribute band was associated with during their set.
“They were really upset, actually had words with us after the show and as it turned out they were really offended for some reason,” explained Durocher.
“We thought we were paying them a compliment.”
Every band trying to make a living off of their music today would likely have different opinions as to what the word success means to them.
I was curious to hear what the Get Right Band’s feelings were on this topic as the theme of the struggling musician is a common one amongst the throngs of younger musicians and bands that call Asheville their home these days.
“Success to me would be to continuing to discuss the goals we want to achieve, the places we want to get to and setting a timeline to achieve those types of things,” commented Mears.
“There are levels of success and right now more so than ever we have so much fun playing together and that’s the most basic and necessary level of success,” added Durocher.
“Obviously we would like to hit a point where we are all financially comfortable but defining success to me has a lot to do with connecting the music with music lovers and the people who are passionate about it.”
This upcoming Thursday, August 20th, The Get Right Band will be performing at the ISIS Music Hall alongside one of Durocher’s side projects, the ensemble string outfit, Love Struck Suckers.
According their webpage, Love Struck Suckers, “weave powerful melodies and poignant words to paint a picture of the lives we stumble through, the pain we stumble over and the beauty we stumble upon.”
Based on that description alone it would seem that Love Struck Suckers’ music might be quite different in theme, tonality and performance than that of the more upbeat and generally positive Get Right Band.
“In 2011 I had a difficult break up, I started writing material about it and I wanted it to be expressed in a less rock and roll kind of way”, explained Durocher.
“It’s emotionally raw and more exposed than anything I’ve ever done with The Get Right Band and I feel as though the music is something that’s fresh, unique and moving.”
On the formation of Love Struck Suckers as a band Durocher said, “I had been wanting to work with the Opal String Quartet for a while, so I eventually was able to talk with them and got a violin, a viola and cello on board.”
The Get Right Band may be the most overwhelmingly positive, sublimely talented and dynamic rock ‘n’ roll band originating from Asheville today.
Any fan of live music should take the time to attend their concert with Love Struck Suckers this Thursday August 20th at the Isis Music Hall and Restaurant in West Asheville.
If you don’t walk away from this show feeling connected to the band and their music, while possessing a near paralyzing sense of positive energy as you dance your way out the venue, I’ll refund your money personally. *
*restrictions may apply
The Get Right Band plus the Love Struck Suckers
Thursday August 20, 2015 8:30 PM
ISIS Music Hall & Restaurant
735 Haywood Road, Asheville
(828) 575-2737
