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"Okay. Thanks." 5
minutes later, the vocalist thanked the still sparse crowd for
showing up early, and introduced the first song, "Giant". The jazzy,
hypnotic number established the mood for the rest of the set. The
lyrics to each song were poetic, insightful, and brutally honest.
Each musician performed brilliantly: making statements, reacting to
the others, speaking often in unison. Every moment was a delicately
constructed conversation in progress.
The vocalist kept the mood between songs lighthearted, referring to
the 12-minute epic forthcoming as "our new radio single". As the
show ended, he graciously thanked everyone for listening, and
indeed, everyone was listening. Each member of the crowd was a
participant, contemplating the musical language, the roars and
whispers. They were an audience to a lecture, but also judges,
voicing their approval to each song. This was indeed a performance
that shed new light on the phrase "the art of conversation". For
indeed, every musician has something to say. From the moment they
become the focus, the topic of everyone's attention, the
Atlanta-based artisans Cobweb Strange prove themselves to be quite
the articulate ensemble.
The history of Cobweb Strange is a self-explanatory example of the
development of their communication skills. In 1995, bassist/vocalist
Wade Summerlin and drummer Derik Rhinehart discovered guitarist
Jonathon Burke through an audition, and formed the original
incarnation of Cobweb Strange. Within a year the trio had released
the full-length album "The Temptation of Successive Hours". When
Burke departed for college, Derik's brother Keith Rhinehart assumed
Burke's duties and the group set out on tour, culminating in a
performance for Ron Jeremy and two dozen of his closest friends in
the adult film industry, as well as several thousand ticket-holding
attendees. Prog rock must have been a welcome break from that cheesy
porn funk.
The second assemblage of Cobweb Strange cut the album "Sounds From
the Gathering" in 1998; however, numerous side projects disassembled
the members, and the band's prospects for the future looked bleak.
Suddenly, like a divine sign from the "Musicians Wanted"
classifieds, drummer Soumen Talukder called Summerlin, inquiring if
he was interested in starting a band. Summerlin and Talukder hired a
guitarist and set out on tour as a newly revived Cobweb Strange.
After the tour, Summerlin and Talukder again became involved with
other groups. Whereas previous side projects had proven detrimental
to Cobweb, this time they would prove to be a blessing. While
cutting an album in the group Electric Poem, keyboardist Brandi
Byrum and guitarist Holly Williams expressed interest in Cobweb
Strange and soon joined as full-time members. The current
incarnation of Cobweb Strange was born, and quickly began producing
all-new material unlike anything yet created under the "Cobweb"
name. "Derik
was a very positive, motivational force during his time in the
band", recalls Summerlin. "He was very instrumental in expanding
Cobweb Strange's musical ideas. Since his departure, writing has
become a self-motivational process. However, it's much easier having
this group of musicians to work with. Whereas members (mainly
guitarists) were interchangeable before, this group feels and plays
more like an interdependent unit. This Cobweb Strange feels like a
band."
This band clearly performs like one, as proven on their new release,
"A Breath of October", for which the group is lining up tour dates
in the new year. The music is unique and captivating, a great step
forward from the previous incarnations. The sound is mellowing at
some points, furious at others, and can swiftly recede into mystical
and ominous. Summerlin's bass provides melodic yet punctuating
foundations. Byrum's keyboard patterns can be melodically
tantalizing or tangibly atmospheric, whichever may be necessary.
Whether murmuring subtly complementary chords are pounding out a
crunchy rock riff, William's guitar work is always perfectly
orchestrated and endlessly tasteful. Talukder steers each song from
whispers to roars while navigating mindbending subdivisions and
supplying vertigo-inducing fills. Each member contributes
appropriately and effectively, creating sonic compositions that are
inescapable and fascinating.
"Our goal is to create albums that are enjoyable from beginning to
end, and to write songs that people can relate to," says Summerlin.
"We're trying to create music that incites something within the
listener. We want to touch something people have always intuitively
felt, but never been able to express in words.
"We try to create a sound that may not necessarily be like on the
first listening, but offers something new that people gradually come
to enjoy. "
One particular innovation Cobweb Strange has achieved is the
contributions of Brandi and Holly, fillings rather atypical
positions as females within the progressive rock genre, which has
been historical devoid of women. Ask them about what draws the to
prog rock, though, and you will find that the genre's appeal is the
same for both sexes.
"Prog rock is a very interesting style of music. It's much more
challenging that other genres", comments Byrum. The uniqueness of
her position is not particularly relevant to her. "There's less of a
focus on the female aspect and more on the musician aspect. It
becomes less of an issue, and there's not as much focus on the
image."
Live, Cobweb Strange transcends being a mere concert; the band puts
on a show. The members interact with each other, not letting the
complexity of their playing confine them to one spot. The band is
highly emotive, expressing how the music moves them and channeling
it to the audience. Props and stage dressing create a setting for
the event, rather than just being an "on, spectacle and flash, off"
act. Matching wardrobe gives the group an image of cohesiveness and
mysterious sexuality (despite Brandi's previous comment, unless
someone else dresses her and she has some terrible neck condition
which prevents her from eeeever looking down . . .)
With new material primed for performance, Cobweb Strange is looking
forward to every chance they can get to play live, despite some
inherent difficulties. "The Atlanta music scene is a difficult place
to flourish because there are so many bands and venues, but only so
many concertgoers. They have to pick and choose what show they want
to spend their money on", according to Summerlin. "With the massive
amount of competition, the progressive scene can get lost in the
mix. Fortunately, the musicians and fans are extremely devoted to
what they do and like."
Fortunately, the Atlanta progressive music scene and its devotees
are taking measures to increase the art form's presence in town.
Last summer's Rogue Music Festival, which Cobweb Strange headlined,
showcased a select group of Atlanta's most talented progressive
groups. Negotiations are underway to make Rogue Fest an annual
event, with rotating acts each year. Additionally, the ARIA (Art
Rock in Atlanta) Mailing List keeps fans informed on happenings all
around town, thanks to the efforts of listmaster Alan Green.
Information of Cobweb Strange, the Rogue Music Festival, or the ARIA
Mailing List are available online at their respective links:
www.cobwebstrange.com
www.roguemusicfest.com
With a solidified membership, a new album, and more vitality for
songwriting and performing than ever before, what lies ahead for
Cobweb Strange. Whatever it may be, it will surely have people
talking. The
Mind of an Art Rocker: A Concept Questionnaire
1) What is the most unique word ever used as a song lyric?
Wade: "Queezinart" from Weird Al's "Gonna Buy Me a Condo"
Brandi: "Alabaster" from The Police's "Wrapped Around Your Finger"
2) What Muppet would you most like to see explode?
Brandi: Snuffaluffagus
Wade: Michael Jackson.
3) What body part will Michael Jackson donate to the Hard Rock
Café?
Brandi: His nose.
Wade: His soul.
4) We've suffered through 'cock rock', 'hair metal',
'booty-dancing', etc. What body part will constitute the next
musical craze?
Brandi: Unibrow rock
Wade: Cerebral psychedelia
5) Name your dream piece of equipment.
Brandi: I'm a keyboardist, so my choice is based on technology,
which is always being updated and improved. So therefore, my choice
would always be changing
Wade: Youthful idealism (and it can't be bought).
6) What album title/song title/band name sounds most
pornographic?
Brandi: "Business as Unusual" by "Men at Work" or "Sounds From the
Gathering" (self-promo!)
Wade: "Luscious Jackson" or "Mr. Bungle"
Special bonus response from friend: Josh: "Boys for Pele" by
Tori Amos
7) Is the Hokey Pokey really what it's all about?
Wade: No, it's not even part of what it's all about.
(At this point Brandi stared off contemplatively into space.)
8) Name one instrument that will never be on a Cobweb Strange CD.
Wade: Well, I wouldn't say never, but I can't really see us using a
kazoo.
Brandi: The Hokey Pokey . . . . . .!?!
9) Name your all-time favorite scene from any movie.
Wade: It's totally subject to change, but my favorite movie trailer
is the trailer for "Buffalo 66".
Brandi: (continues to stare blankly, thinking. . . . )
10) Name the greatest concept album ever, and explain your
choice.
Wade: Pink Floyd's "Dark Side of the Moon" is probably my favorite
concept album because it combines awesome music with awesome lyrics.
Plus, there for a while it was the 5th biggest selling concept album
of all time. The 4 ahead weren't concept albums. That pretty much
makes this album the official best concept album by sales.
Interestingly, though, Michael Jackson's Thriller was the number one
biggest selling album of all time for a while, if it's not still.
That's interesting if you want to keep the "Michael Jackson" theme
of this interview going.
Brandi: Was the Hokey Pokey a concept album?
Special bonus response from friend: Josh: Fuck the Hokey
Pokey! Can we just watch the damn movie!?!
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