The impossible-to-catagorize band called The Philosophers has
been working on their first CD
“A Message from Philo” for a year and it’s finally done. Next up
is a CD Release Party scheduled for 5 p.m. Friday, Nov. 21 at the
Grange Hall on Fourth Street.
The impossible-to-catagorize band called The Philosophers has been working on their first CD “A Message from Philo” for a year and it’s finally done. Next up is a CD Release Party scheduled for 5 p.m. Friday, Nov. 21 at the Grange Hall on Fourth Street.
Some tracks were recorded by Gary West at Hillview Studio in Morgan Hill. But when money ran out, the band pushed back the release date several times and recorded the last four tracks themselves: mixed, mastered and produced the whole CD.
The four-year-old Philosophers, composed of seven friends – James Myrick, lead vocalist, Mike Wood on lead guitar, Ian Webb on drums, Cody Moore on bass, Mark Anthony Medeiros on trombone and rhythm guitar, Russell Whittenbrook on trumpet and Jaime Haga on saxophone – have called their music everything from “heroic happy music” to “Orchestrated ska-punk.”
All are either current or former Live Oak High School students. Whittenbrook is an Emerald Regime alumnus (trumpet section leader) and Haga is still part of their saxophone section. Wood is a former guitarist for the Live Oak Jazz Band and for two years, Medeiros was a member of the popular local funk band Juz-Cuz. Webb, Myrick and Moore have all played in school bands and other garage bands around town.
And the Philosophers definitely have been a garage band, struggling to keep focused. Most practices are a small party. In the past year, though, the group has been working hard to make something of themselves.
With lyrics that sometimes don’t make sense, (like “Ectoplasm stole my wallet! Ectoplasm stole all my wallet juice!) the themes that show through often spring from a need for excitement and a reluctance to grow up.
“We’re all very conscious that we are getting older,” said Medeiros. “We know that these are probably the best years of our lives. So our philosophy is kind of to do everything we can, just cram ourselves with great experiences, and have a great time with our friends.”
That’s the kind of energy that comes across in their music. James Myrick writes complex, orchestrated songs based on punk and ska rhythms that he liked as a kid.
“I always try to write a lot of melodies in my songs. There’ll be, like, three melodies going on at once, overlapping and countering each other. It’s a lot different than regular punk music. That also makes it really hard to play,” said Myrick.
Most people would agree that The Philosophers usually play pretty sloppily, explained because they are putting on too much of a show. Confetti canons, guest appearances by Mr. Potato Head, swordfights and other theatrics are common. At any given time there will be a Philosopher gyrating on the floor, another one playing in the crowd and a couple dancing together.
“You absolutely just can’t stand still at a Philosopher show,” said Tina Hope, a long time fan who also sings in her own band Hurray for Me.
The Band has been playing locally at the Gaslighter clubs, all Live Oak Battle of the Bands since 2001, other small clubs in the San Jose area and lots of parties. Last year they performed at a Live Oak Interact Club benefit concert, meant to raise funds to send to an orphanage in Bolivia.
Meanwhile, the release party will have free refreshments and lots of surprises, including guest appearances by many local bands who have played with The Philosophers. Guests can bring any T-shirt or article of clothing and have it printed with the Philosophers logo for free.
“Our friends are important. When I’m playing I play for them,” said Ian Webb.
Downloadable music is available at www.thephilosophers.net
The Philosophers CD Release Party, 5 p.m. Friday, Nov. 21, at the Grange Hall, 40 E. Fourth Street, Morgan Hill.
