Beller, Keneally to Join Forces for May 2010 U.S. Northeast Shows
They're both the same band (from left): Musallam, Travers, Keneally, Peters and Beller.
|
Bassist, composer and SWR endorser Bryan Beller (Steve Vai, Dethklok) is shifting his usual role from sideman to bandleader by taking his own band on the road for the first time on five dates in the U.S. Northeast in early May. Beller's band will be opening for his longtime musical compatriot and mentor, multi-instrumentalist/composer (and former Frank Zappa guitarist) Mike Keneally, but, in a unique twist, both bands will be sharing members for what's being billed as the "They're Both the Same Band" tour.
"Mike and I are close friends as well as musical partners," Beller said. "And we share good friends as well. We thought, 'Why not just keep it simple, keep it among friends, and go rock the Northeast with the same five guys?'"
Besides Keneally and Beller, "those guys" are drummer Joe Travers (Zappa Plays Zappa), and guitarists Rick Musallam (Ben Taylor, Byrd York) and Griff Peters (Billie Myers, Anika Paris).
Beller's band will be touring in support of his critically acclaimed second album, Thanks in Advance , described by Bass Player magazine as “a bona fide entry for bass album of the year.” Keneally is set to launch his first full-band tour in nearly five years in support of his latest release, Scambot 1.
As always, Beller will tour with his SWR rig to get the great tone and seismic power he needs to fuel both bands.
"My own gig and Keneally's gig both aren't quite as aggressive as Steve Vai and Dethklok, so I'll only use eight 10s instead of 16," Beller said, laughing. "I'll just use an SM-900 and two Goliath 4x10s. It's clean and super-punchy, just like it's always been, and the rig reacts to effects very well when I want to get a little dirt or wetness in there. It'll be interesting enough doing my own tour for the first time, so it'll be nice to have a comfort factor in having the tone I've used and loved for 20 years along with me."
"They're Both the Same Band" tour dates, cities and venues are:
| 5.4 |
Philadelphia |
World Cafe Live |
| 5.5 |
New Haven, Conn. |
Lilly's Pad at Toad's Place |
| 5.7 |
Boston |
Regattabar Jazz Club, Charles Hotel |
| 5.8 |
New York |
Highline Ballroom |
| 5.9 |
Baltimore |
Orion Sound Studios |
Visit Bryan Beller online at www.bryanbeller.com; visit Mike Keneally online at www.keneally.com.
|
