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November 3, 2012

Pink Floyd tribute band gives new life to timeless albums

By Aaron Ploof For The Herald Bulletin

ANDERSON, Ind. — Few things are as beautiful as being drawn into the mesmerizing world of soulful expression through the efforts of devoted musicians.

On Nov. 10, fans of the British psychedelic rock band Pink Floyd will be given the chance to embark on a journey into the heart of the band’s classic album, “Wish You Were Here.” Complete with lighting, smoke effects, and all other fantastical trappings, the members of Pink Droyd will lovingly recreate the quintessential Pink Floyd concert at Paramount Theatre, 1124 Meridian Plaza. The concert begins at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 day of show.

Each one of the band members has a long personal history with the British group; Pink Floyd digs deep into their childhood roots.

Keyboardist Daniel Fisher fell in love with the melodic waves of “Dark Side of the Moon’s” “On The Run” during a walk through the woods as an 11 year-old.

“I heard the music playing, and just had to find out where it was coming from ... I tracked it down, and it became the soundtrack of my life.”

Mike Lennon, guitarist, was “kicked off his feet” in college while listening to an LP of “The Wall,” and Kevin Quandt, lead singer and guitarist, grew up surrounded by the band’s music. His older brother was a fan, but it wasn’t until he heard an actual tribute band that he decided to dedicate his life to following his artistic vision.

They met while working for Sweetwater Sound Inc., and ever since, they’ve been a tight bunch, traveling through different areas of the country to express their boundless enthusiasm for Floyd’s timeless charm. The performance is more than a replication to them; it’s a thrilling adventure in which they are privileged to bring their own interpretations to the stage.

As Quandt explained, “The tribute bands that really thrive on music ... they actually want to give an accurate portrayal of something that means something to them.  ... (We) don’t just get into the costume because the audience wants to be part of it, but because we want to get into the vibe.”

“It’s a tremendous commitment,” Lennon said. “For me, the (most thrilling) moment is [the one] where I’m listening to Pink Floyd, with the lights and the fog and the audience. There’s nothing else like it; it’s the right level of fullness.”

What brought each member to admire and cherish the highly acclaimed band differs, but all acknowledge the spirit of beauty and wisdom that rings true in each piece. A common thread that unites all of the artists is their appreciation for the way the group deliberately plans its works.

“It’s amazing to me what they can do with the spaces between the music,” Quandt said. “How they can make what seems to be air in the song and make it so full. They do it with a very delicately placed sympathizer, by holding out guitar notes ... Every sound effect, (every) lyric is beautifully placed.”  “I don’t think Pink Floyd just throws guitar in there,” Lennon added. “When (they) put guitar in there, it’s [always] to take it to another area of the song.”

They all agree that something has been lost from the days of Pink Floyd. While once albums were theme and concept driven, today the popularity of any individual band is based primarily on market value. Their vow is to uphold the power of Pink Floyd through their performance and they plan to deliver on that promise Saturday night. Although the group takes its show seriously, above all, the band members hope that the audience will enjoy themselves and see the effort they’ve given to their work.

“We want to get across how serious we take this,” Fisher said. “We have people who say, ‘Oh my god, if I knew it was like this, I would have told my friends.’ This is one of those sensory assault shows that sounds like it, and looks like it, and feels like it. We just want people to have a good time!"

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