The Realistics

New Year, new band, new M.O. for me. I hate bands. They are a young person’s trip. “Hey, c’mon, let’s get a band together. I gotta bass player who knows a drummer, and my mate Kevin can write the lyrics for us! We can rehearse in the scout hall…” Being in a band can be like living AND working within a Mormon marriage. 4 to 6 people, each with their own special skills/needs & agendas, all fighting for equal time. When one is young, inexperienced & foolish, this stuff doesn’t matter as much, you’re all learning & growing up together; but as an older muso, over 40, the prospect of ‘getting a combo together’ to go out and play my stuff was extremely daunting. Luckily, I’ve been blessed this time. I don’t know if experience is playing a part, but I have assembled a cool & rockin’ band quite painlessly. Cousin Ronnie, my main man, is the solid rock on bass. We have worked together for years, most notably in our Tex-Mex/R’n'B band ‘The Conrays.’ Ronnie was first on board, and we did my CD launches together and continued rehearsing the rest of the CD and newer stuff. (Ultimately, Ronnie also came up with the band name-’The Realistics.’) While casting around for a drummer, Mr. Zoltan Almady came under our radar, and we all hit it off famously and got right into rehearsal mode quickly. Zol is a treat, and came to us with many years of playing under his belt, fitting in and contributing seamlessly. Keyboard players are always hard to find, and good ones even more of a scarcity. If they are any good, they tend to be playing in 3 different bands at once, while holding down lucrative piano bar gigs at the Hyatt. Steve Scott, our Joanna Man, has not had much band experience, but plays great keys and has been a welcome find for us, adding great tones and licks to the band. Rehearsals have been a lot of fun, each of us trying hard to represent my songs and create something new simultaneously. The few gigs we have played have been dynamite showcases, hitting the spot very well and garnering only positive feedback. This weekend, we are doing our first full pub support slot, opening up for mates “Little Green Bag” @ their CD Launch @ Rubys Lounge, here in Belgrave.

Stay tuned as the story of ‘Phil Smith & The Realistics’ unfolds…