The Recipe for Success

Take one part electric lead guitar, add five parts acoustic/electric guitar (season in with various tone, style & form to taste), add large helping of drum and rhythm (be sure to add a stand-up bass at this point), allow to simmer. Let cool slightly, then stir in a large dose of keyboard, a pinch of steel guitar, a dash of accordion (yes, I said ACCORDION), a dash of alternative percussion, say perhaps a triangle and shaker. Shake well, allow to come to a boil. Add equal parts Phil Potts, Jon Ross, Damian Miller, Dan Smith, Matt Kelley, Matt Sturm, and Chris Dodds, mix thoroughly, through in some incredible vocals and harmonies and blend. Allow to come to second boil, and what do you have — ah, the recipe for a truly entertaining band, called The Legendary Trainhoppers.

Last evening I attended my third performance of The Legendary Trainhoppers at the locally famous Midwest Original Music Showcase, hosted by Columbia Street West every Tuesday evening here in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Leading off the two-band show was The Legendary Trainhoppers recently returned from California where they had just cut their first CD, "Ramble On" which is due to be released February 3, 2005. Last evening the crowd was offered a four-song sampler and a tee-shirt (already a hot item) for a low price of $10.

I'm sure local readers will immediately recognize that the members of this band, are members of several other local bands, for example The Matt Sturm Band, the Brown Bottle Band, and Definitely Gary. But if you haven’t heard the result of their combined efforts, you are in for a rare treat.
The band says their songs are about "bloodlines and wagers, girls and guns, disappointment and friendship." And that they are indeed — the songs they have written weave stories for the listener, set to music and a danceable beat. Although original in content, the songs have a feel to them that makes you think you've always known them. Rock/Country in flavor, but with influences of other genre evident — it can't help but be so, given the wide background of the individual band members, the music is stirring and toe-tapping fun. At the Showcase last night, the crowd ranged widely in age, there were those content to sit and tap their toes, and there were more up dancing, who never sat down.

This band is truly something for everyone, and more than just a 'musical group' they are entertainers. The only thing I found missing last night, and it was no fault of either the band or the venue, is that on the small stage available to them, the audience was not treated to the band members routinely changing instruments and moving around the stage to alternate positions. In my past experiences with the group, this is always a crowd pleaser. It's hard to remember who started out playing which guitar, who was on bass, and geez, wasn't that guy drumming a minute ago? And now he (Jon Ross) is playing a right-handed guitar, upside down and backwards…try figuring out how to finger a C7 chord that way and you'll blow your mind. Personally, I'd be doing my best to hit a few barre chords on target. Then lets just talk about the excellent vocals from Chris Dodds, Matt Sturm, and Dan Smith,— well, appropriate superlatives escape me at the moment, but the band effortlessly passes the lead back and forth, and it is quite evident that not only are they skilled, practiced and professional, they are having the absolute time of their lives up there on stage. This band simply seems to have everything in place.

I enjoy the tune "Ramble On" which highlights the harmonies between the band members, and "Alcohol" just cracks me up every time I hear it. "Cannonball" cannot fail to get your feet moving, even if you're trying to sit still and listen, you're going to look down and see the foot tapping of its own volition. "I'm Not Waiting" is definitely Matt Sturm, through and through. I look forward to hearing and obtaining my copy of the final release, although the live performance is certainly going to be hard to beat.

A trip to the band’s website at trainhoppers.net will give you much more detail about the origins of the band, the story behind the name, and other information that I don't have room for here. While there, you will be treated to a well-done site, with photographs of the band (looking every bit their name) — and information on where they will be playing so you can catch their next show. You can also visit the band on their myspace site, at www.myspace.com/thelegendarytrainhoppers. Based on what I have seen already, and the talent in this band, I expect great things in the very near future.

February 3, 2005 will be their CD Release, and this event will be held at the Indiana Hotel Lobby. There will be two shows, 6:45 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. Trust me, they're going to need two shows — to adequately provide for their already burgeoning fan base. $10 will cover admission and your copy of the CD. If my past experience with the band is any indicator, this is one CD Release party that is going to be done up right. ###

Byline: Cathy T. Serrano, is a staff writer for fortwaynemusic.com, local area attorney and musician, and is a member of the Native American Journalists Association