Name-dropping The Explorer's Club
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If you know The Explorer's Club, then you're probably more pop-savvy than I am. I don't seem to know what's new these days, unless I'm hearing about it from you guys, and yet here is a band I actually know something about. However, it's not because I'm in tune with what the kids are listening to these days. Heavens, no! Let me take you back, 17 years or so . . .
In the fall of 1991 I was 17, and a freshman at Charleston Southern University. This was my introduction to college life as well as the city of Charleston (where I live now, so that one obviously took). I went to CSU because I was then a trumpet player (I wouldn't pick up the bass for another two years or so), and at CSU there was a school-related musical outfit that needed a trumpet player. I spent the next four years touring around South Carolina (with occasional jaunts outside the state) with that group, and had a lot of fun in the process. Made some life-long friends in the process.
But that's not the point. The point is the group was run by the then assistant-to-the-president (of the school) Rick Brewer. Best darn piano player I ever met, by the way. Again, not the point. Rick had a son named Jason Brewer, who was then around 12. Jason was a 12 at the time, and over the next four years I got to watch him grow up a bit. After college, I moved back to Columbia, and then finally back to Charleston. Jason was then a student at CSU, was getting to be a pretty good guitar player, and I still ran into him from time to time. Played with him a bit, too, at various things. He was always playing with some group or other, was into a lot of things. Gave me updates here and there. I got married (Rick Brewer officiated the wedding. Again, not the point).
Some years later, I heard about Jason's new band The Explorer's Club. Had their music on national TV shows. Got signed. Things are moving for them, and I couldn't be happier for him.
If you don't know their music, picture The Beach Boys. Check out the video. Jason's the slightly heftier guy with glasses, rocking the falsetto.
Comments (14)
always fun seeing a friend in a band, this was a great song to listen to before getting ready for school tomorrow
Glad you liked it! The cool thing he's talked about us playing a show or two with them. I don't think the sounds of the bands would fit, but still would be cool.
I did NOT think I would like them when the long hair started the vocals. But I hung in there, and I actually enjoyed the tune. A lot!
I was (am) a huge Beach Boy fan, so good on these guys. About time.
Good post!
I've never really gotten in the Beach Boys, honestly, but I do recognize the great harmonies they could make. Glad you hung in there on this!
I'm with capndad - thought I'd hate it but after sticking with it I found I liked it. Sure does have that Brian Wilson feel. Funny how we become pre-disposed visually and our eyes tell our brains "you're not gonna like this", go figure :-)
Wow, those are some guys with a serious Brian Wilson fixation! Which is to say, my kinda guys. If they hit those harmonies live then I really want to see them. Good song too. That's great to see a guy you've known all through his life achieve a cool music success. Thanks for sharing.
I, like captndad, had to give it a second....their look sure doesn't match their sound...fer sure.
But I am glad I did....I hope they get some success...thanks for bringing them to the MOS Groon.
That's kinda cool..I could have lived without the intro, but the Spector/Wilson-esque parts are fun.
Hey Annie, Who is the Greatest American Band? I'm dying of suspense already.
Glad you guys are giving them a chance! Like I said above, it's not quite my cup of tea all around, but the vocals are pretty nice, and it is nice to see someone I know doing something like this and succeeding at it.
total Beach Boys vibe. it is nice to see someone you know doing it. someday that'll be you up there ... in a YouTube vid. ;p so no trumpet playing for you these days?
Hey, you must be a fortune-teller--I already am in a youtube vid!!
No, I haven't picked my trumpet up in about ten years or so. Kind of a shame, I guess, but the bass quickly took over my instrumental priorities.
Good stuff here!
Only semi-well-known musician I know is this guy:
He grew up across the street from a friend of mine. She always referred to him as "makeout boy" because his favorite intimate spot was smack in the middle of his lawn. He's talented, but I can't seem to get over the pretty-boy swagger that he's had since high school.
Now we've demonstrated here how one can get rid of visual predispositions. Any cure for backstory predispositions?
Um, hypnosis?
Haha. I don't think even that will cure it!