Bethany Tomkins: A perfect Plan
One thing I've often wondered to myself is what the band's influences are. Collaboratively they mentioned names like CCR, Rolling Stones, Big Brother & The Holding Company, and even early Black Sabbath. Add to that a unanimous appreciation for "old" country - Hank Williams Sr., Johnny Cash - and the few good "new" country singer-songwriters, like Lyle Lovett and Dwight Yoakam. I was told that Jolley speaks for the whole band when he says, "New country is just over-produced radio fodder. It sucks ass." Woods added, "The best feature of good music - rock, country, whatever - is honesty."
This kind of straight-forward approach seems to drive Plan A, with regard to the lyric composition and music writing as well.
It also completely correlates with the answer to my question, "why is the band called Plan A?" Woods filled me in with a succinct explanation: "It's about getting back to the point of it all.. playing rock and doing it right." Each member brings experience to the table that many other bands would kill for: Keeble, formerly of The Moonshine Cherries, said his musical background began at an early age, and continued as he toured with his family, a group of gospel musicians. Brewer grew up listening to a variety of music, and played as a jazz drummer for years before joining Plan A. Jolley previously played guitar for Knoxville band Immortal Chorus, and in addition to guitar on "Caught Up In the Fray," he contributed piano, too. Woods has been playing solo around town for over a decade, refining his sound and working up more original material over time. Woods and Myers were previously members of the band Magpie Suite, a group well-known and well-loved by many (particularly folks who hung out at West Knox's hottest patio bar of days gone by, The Spot).
Rounding out my meeting with the fellas, we discussed terms like "mainstream" and "commercial radio." I was glad, as a fan, to learn that their emotions on those subjects are as mixed as my own. We all agreed that "mainstream" translates to reaching as many people as possible, which in itself isn't really such a negative thing as it's made out to be. "Commercial Radio," on the other hand, is near-worthless in my own opinion; Jolley and Woods seemed to share the view that "everything commercial radio stands for is sucking the soul out of music," as Jolley put it. "It's a catch-22, though, because how do you get to [be heard by a large audience] otherwise?" countered Woods. Excellent question, the answer to which I'd be curious to find out from various record labels and other media outlets, if they've got one.
Holidaysburg will be opening for Matt Woods' Plan A this Friday, May 11th at The Corner Lounge (842 N. Central) for the "Caught Up In the Fray" CD release party. Doors open at 9pm, show starts around 11pm. You can pick up your own copy of the disc there, or at either Disc Exchange location.