Making the Band: Covering the Top Forty After Forty

Have you ever wondered what happened to Robby, Mike, and Johnny; the original members of Hair Of The Dog? Their band played around town and you thought it was cool to know them especially when they might be famous someday. Well you might still know them but they aren't famous they're your plumber, mechanic, and your child's teacher. A full time job, a mortgage, a car loan, and a family happened to them. They may still dabble in music but they no longer dream of being Bon Jovi.

Riding the tidal wave of nostalgia created by old friends reconnecting on websites like Facebook some of those bands are reforming. Maybe they'll play at the next reunion but they'll have to brush up on their Motley Ratt Poison and Great W hite Lion Snake first. John Bellotti is the lead guitarist for recently formed Stiff Cricket based in Coventry RI. The band consists of John's brother David on drums, former band mate Steve Perry (not the guy from Journey) on bass, and a new singer Ray Gauvin.

Q: What was the main reason you wanted to get a band together at this point in your life?

A: Being an artist, I need some kind of creative outlet. Whether it's painting or music, I need to keep that part of me alive. Right now it's music. I'm a big music fan and love great rock guitar, going to concerts and of course, playing guitar so I spend my creative time playing in a band. I find it relaxing and enjoyable to get everyone together, learn something new, and then perform it live. When it's no longer fun it's time to stop and do something else creative.

Q: Are the obstacles to playing together the same now as when you were teenagers?

A: No. Before it was schoolwork, transportation, not being old enough to get in certain clubs, and other social activities. Obstacles now are things like work, family obligations, and stamina. It wasn't too bad staying up late moving equipment around years ago, now that's a lot harder to do; it was never fun before, but it was easier.

Q: How do you find and secure bookings? Do you think there is some "age discrimination" involved when the venues know how old you are?

A: Maybe there is, but we haven't seen it yet. We haven't been going to every venue trying to get gigs. At this point in our life, finding a few local places for a once a month booking is great. To play out two or three weekends a month fits our schedules. We don't want to travel a long distance for a gig when we can play at a local venue and make it easier, not only for us but also for the people we invite. By staying with a few select venues, we can bring more business to them, and get the loyal repeat bookings. We have only been looking at venues where we fit instead of venues with a much younger crowd. We play a hard rock style of music we like and don't play other styles just to get in a certain venue. Maybe we can mellow out and lower the volume to get into other places someday but for now we play rock.

Q: Is there a desire to do your own music at some point or are you happy to be a reputable cover band?

A: I have done original music in the past, and I still have that desire. I'm sure it will happen again at some point but this band is just for covers. I would love to make original music for my own enjoyment, but I'm not looking for venues to perform it in. I don't see us making originals for a while but who knows!

Q: While some rock bands have members in their 50's or 60's there seems to be no slowing them down. Their new music appeals to a younger crowd who then discover their older music, which still draws in the people who grew up listening to it. There is no loss of box office for these acts due to the mixing of generations. Do you think a rock cover band of 40, 50, or even 60 somethings doing a mix of old and new hits will have the same crowd appeal?

A: I think so. Even though I listen to a lot of classic bands like Rush, Zeppelin and Pink Floyd, I love good new music - and I'm sure most music lovers do too. We have a rule that the covers we choose to do are classic or current hits. We all have our wish lists of obscure tunes we want perform but we don't go there - that would take away from what we set out to do. The other morning on my way to work I heard four songs in a row on the radio that we play, so I know we are staying with what we intended to do.

Q: What has been the best thing about getting a band together again?

A: Getting a good reaction from the crowd, seeing people getting into how it sounds, and hearing that they enjoyed the show. That really keeps the fuel going!