I was talking with a friend of mine, enjoying a concoction at Fardowners, when I noticed a band had started playing.  When they started their first set, I was deep into my conversation.  However, I slowly found myself drifting away from the conversation toward the beats of the music I heard in the background.  There were only two people who watched the entire show, and I was one of those people.  I was impressed with their willingness to play with the same intensity for only two people that you would see performed at a concert for hundreds!  It was a special night for me.  I felt as if I was receiving a private performance!  They even granted song requests until the very last song!  Their rocking energy, a diverse sound integration, and a natural easement within their instrumentation left me mystified. This "natural ease," is a result from their cohesive understanding as a three-piece unit that produces a very polished result.  It is harder to play in a trio because flaws seem more visible.  There are not as many instruments or sounds to mask potential mistakes.  However, Sun Dried Opossum really excelled in their ability to feed off one another and play together in harmony, which establishes their position as one of the most magnetic trios I've seen in the Charlottesville area!

The band members are Steve Sutton (lead vocals, electric guitarist), Brian "Boogie" Thomas (bass), and Torrey Patterson (drums).  From the interview, I learned that they have actually been playing in this area for almost twenty years!  After watching them, I can imagine Sun Dried Opossum as a basement-bred band that has since transformed into a commanding entity.  When I watched Steve's finger placement upon the chords of his guitar, his fingers were calculated and just plain mean.  "Mean" is indeed the theme for how well each member of Sun Dried Opossum performs.  In terms of categorizing a band, they are noticeably distinctive from other rock bands.  They are neither flashy nor flamboyant, but musicians who are concentrated solely on their skill level and a desire to produce exceptionally tight music.  A staple observation I have been pondering for weeks now is the dissimilarity between the style of music that come from Steve Sutton's Fender Big Apple Strat and the style of his vocal renditions.  While Steve Sutton's meticulousness upon his guitar is the epitome of edgy rock and roll, his vocals are accented with a slight alternative feel.  It's like seeing how opposite elements attract; yet, seeing how different elements mesh together brilliantly.  His voice resonates with rustic emotion that echoes awesome!  In regards to his instrumentation, when he stretches his fingers around the neck of his guitar, forcing the sound he wants in the manner in which he wants, it is apparent that he possesses a striking gift for the electric guitar.  His energy shines forth when he bends his entire body to the electric movements of the guitar, eventually bending the energy of the guitar itself, producing electric paradise.  I felt the reverberations rise from beneath the floors that gave everyone a surge of power. 

The bassist, Brian "Boogie," Thomas is a consistent rock that is focused and powerful, yet relaxed and confident.  As he plays with his shoes off, he makes it seem effortless.  As I have seen him play several times now, it is apparent that he possesses a natural talent for the bass.  It is not a simple thing to keep up the groove and maintain it for the duration of the song.  However, Boogie performs this task well.  I have seen him talk and play at the same time, while never getting off track.  It seems that the human ear gravitates towards the bass and how it bumps the rhythm along, tempting you to become a part of the beat and taunting you to dance.  It is something you feel.  If you are lucky enough to hear a good bassist, then there are no interruptions or inconsistencies within the rhythm's groove, and I have never detected any of that watching Boogie play.  Boogie's personality also seems perfectly suited for the bass.  He is mellow and contained on stage, in complete control.  As his fingers take swing across the chords, the sounds that result are sounds that mimic something dark and sinister.  This is crucial for a rock band like Sun Dried Opossum.  Boogie holds the down the beat quite effortlessly, and I am always impressed how he continues to surprise me with a string of steadfast accuracy. 

Torrey Patterson, the drummer, also maintains the beat and rhythm giftedly.  He remains focused with intensity and dedication throughout the entire performance that it appears that nothing could break his concentration.  However, when you see him crack a smile it is such an exhilarating feeling to see the joy, release, and satisfaction on his face.  His emotion comes through upon drum beats and the sounds that drive you to start dancing and loosening up, like the bass.  He rolls along the drums surface with grace and simplicity, as if his hands and the drumsticks were skating on ice.  At one point in the show, Patterson's hands were bouncing on the drums like a hot heartbeat.  His direction within the song structure was deliberate; yet, unforeseen, as if we were all in for a wild, rollercoaster ride.  It crossed my mind throughout the evening how his style might have originated.  He possesses a blues/funk influence that requires flexibility, pointed timing, and the ability to keep moving straightforward until the finale of the song.  I also noticed how Patterson has the ability to adjust the speed of the beat quite well.  The song would be going at a high, rocking speed but then in one swift change, the song would drop down slower, changing the song from powerful rock and roll feel to a psychedelic, blues beat.  The entire song being cohesively complex, yet groovy and natural, as well. 

Sun Dried Opossum is definitely one to add to your list of bands to see in the area.  Their energy is rad, the instrumental paths they take are complex, yet still fluid, and the music is slightly heavier rock and roll that energizes you.  They were very courteous to interview, and I really enjoyed discussing music with them.  For anyone who craves listening to groovy rock and roll, it would be well worth your time to see these local guys.  Also, look for The Brian Patrick Band to see Steve Sutton on the pedal steel and Earl Knox, in which he plays the bass. Brian "Boogie" Thomas is also in The Brian Patrick Band as well as Book Of Job, in which Torrey Patterson plays drums.  These bands really showcase the many skills that Steve, "Boogie," and Torrey possess. 

You can find more information about the band, including when they are playing next, at Sundriedmusic.com.  Be sure to check out their latest CD Back Up.  As always, if you have any questions or comments for me, you can reach me at hbrown@magazine33.com.  I hope you enjoy the interview and please do not hesitate to return some feedback about the reviews, the bands, the venues or Magazine33.  Take care!

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33:  How would you describe your sound as a band/and or what does your music represent?

SDO:   We like to say that we're a power trio, makers of rock.  We represent rock music. It's still alive and small town local bands like us should keep writing and performing original music.

 

33:  What have you learned as a musician playing in Charlottesville?

SDO:  Not only in Charlottesville, but everywhere we play we see that there are tons of great musicians and music lovers that appreciate original music.

33:  Can you tell me why your band works well together? 

SDO:  All of us are pretty laid back.  We speak the same musical language, which makes it easier to mesh while performing.  Also, we have great senses of humor.

 

33:  How did you know you wanted to become a musician? 

SDO:  It's just something you know, something you feel. 

 

33:  What are the advantages and disadvantages of being a musician?  SDO:  It's healthy and fun to be creative. Also, we've met a lot of great people over the years and been to some cool places. When you're young, no mortgage, no wife or kids it's easy to stay out until 4am or not come home at all.  Now that we're older with full time jobs and families, it can be tough to coordinate time for rehearsals and gigs, but we still make it happen.

 

33:  How did the band start? 

SDO:  Here's the short history: SDO has been around since 1992.  Just friends wanting to make music and have fun.  In 1996, we had some member changes and picked up Torrey as our new drummer.  In 2006, we became trio and in 2008, Boogie joined us as our new bass player.

 

33: When rehearsing, how does everything eventually come to a point where you develop material that you would lead to a c.d.? 

SDO:  Usually we'll start with an idea, work at it until everyone's pleased and then play it live a handful of times.  If we've got something that we like it will probably end up on a recording.  Although, I can't tell you how many times I've (Steve) grown to dislike so many of the songs that I've written and nixed them from list, never to be played again. Ever.

 

33:  What instruments do you play, what exact model, and why?

SDO:  Steve -Guitar: Fender Big Apple Strat. I like it because it has humbuckers yet still sounds like a Strat. Amp: 1983 Marshall JCM 800.  I like it because it just oozes rock-n-roll.  I also use various pedals.  Boogie- Bass:78 Fender Precision, fat rich tone. Amp:  Ampeg SVT-AV, all tube bass deliciousness.  Torrey - Drums: 60's reissue Ludwigs, great rock drums.

 

33:  What are some musical influences that come through your music? 

SDO: I think mostly you'll hear classic rock influences like lots of riffs, guitar driven songs, thundering bass and badass drums.

 

33:  How hard is it for a musician to be original and not sound like anyone else; while, still taking other musical elements into account and applying those your music? 

SDO:  It's easy and it's hard.  We don't intentionally rip off other musicians, but we don't really say, "let's try not to sound like Band of Gypsies".

 

33:  Are there any times or any places when you play better? 

SDO:  When the crowd is paying attention and enjoying the show everything is good.

 

33:  What distinguishes this band from other bands in Charlottesville?  What do you bring to the table that is unique from other bands? 

SDO:  Well, I think it's easy to say that we've been around longer than a lot of local bands.  Torrey and I have been playing together for 14 years, since '96.  With that you get experience and maturity and the ability to pretty much read each other's mind when we're playing.

 

33:  How do you manage being musicians while having "bread and butter" jobs and being involved with other bands? 

SDO:  Each of us just has to manage our time wisely.  Also, we have very understanding wives!

 

33:  What do you think you convey to the crowd when you perform? 

SDO:  Hopefully, we convey good energy and good music.  Also, we like for people to know that we mostly play original music with the occasional cover song thrown in there for good measure.

 

33:  What are your goals for this band, whether it is short term or long term? 

SDO:  Several years ago we really made a push for SDO to become a little bigger than just a local band.  We hired a professional producer from L.A., recorded a great sounding record, played a lot of music throughout Virginia, North Carolina, Maryland, DC, Ohio and West Virginia.  We did a whole lot of promo stuff, we really gave it a shot.  Now we're just playing to have fun and to keep the SDO tradition of making good music alive.  I think we'll be around for years to come.  In 2012, the band Sun-Dried Opossum will have been around for 20 years.  Wow.

 

33:  Do you get nervous? 

SDO:  Sometimes, but just a little and not that often.  We're very comfortable being together on stage making noise.

 

33:  What would you say to someone who was thinking about becoming a musician? 

SDO:  Do it!  At least give it a shot.  It takes time and a lot of practice and can be very frustrating.  One of the things I love the most about being a musician is that when it comes to creating music, there are no rules.

 

By Author and Staff Coordinator: Helen Brown

Although originally from Marion Junction, Alabama, Helen has been living in Ivy, Virginia for the last three years, because she absolutely loves the Blue Ridge Mountains.  She attended Emory and Henry College, in Emory, Virginia, gaining a degree in Philosophy and Psychology.  Helen moved to Charlottesville on a whim because of the unique music scene, interest in the Food and Wine Industry, and the desire to incorporate music into her professional aspirations.  She is looking forward to listening to an array of eclectic music, observing the local talent, and meeting some interesting people, while working with the Magazine33 team!  See you around town...

 

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