Part I: The Start, The Music, The Band.
As summer's end fast approaches I've begun to think a lot about the one thing that has consumed the better part of the last 10 years of my life: Dave Matthews Band. While most people make fun of me for my choice in music (and lifestyle) it's something I would never trade. Yes it could seem extreme and as some put it "obsessive" but if they could experience what I experience when I listen to the band then they'd understand. If they had something that they cared about as much as I do they would understand what this band means to me. I think it's a good thing to have something in your life that you can care so much about, it helps keep you sane.
I started listening to the band on a very regular basis when I was in high school thanks to my mother and now stepfather who are also big fans. I blame them for the obsession. I listened to Before These Crowded Streets for the first time a few years before and instantly fell in love with the rhythms, the lyrics, the percussion, the bass, the violin, the voice, everything. I know everyone will say how a song moves them and effects them deep inside their soul and others will laugh, but until you've heard that one song, you won't know what I'm talking about. When going through the BCTS album "Crush" began to play. From the opening bass lines, my heart melted. It's the perfect song, all of the elements put together are perfect. Nothing should be changed, it's the perfect love song. It's the pure love you have when you've met the perfect person to match your soul.
There were a lot of things I didn't believe in until I started listening to DMB. The songs that Dave Matthews (and other members who co-write songs as well) can be related to almost any mood you're in. Whether you're angry at the world, just happy to be alive, trying to live life to the fullest, enjoying time with friends, wanting to be different, confused, in love, or you just have no idea what's going on, there is always a song you can listen to. Lyrically they could be one of the most brilliant bands in history, while they may not write songs like the Beatles but what they do is so unique to them, that no matter who you are, you know "it's DMB". So many people who claim they don't like the music (which is more than okay) have never truly given it a chance. I've turned people on the music unintentionally and before they know it, they're addicted just like me.
I'm not a fan who wants all of their friends around them to be just as obsessed but there is one thing that always gets me. People who say the band sucks just because they don't like the music personally but they don't credit the members of the band for their musical talent. Even if you don't like their music, you have to appreciate and understand the level of talent in the band. While they may have not changed music like Led Zeppelin or Nirvana did with their styles of music, they did change the way other musicians and fans approach, listen and write music. They have a very unique style that only they can pull off. Leroi Moore, may he rest peacefully in heaven with other music greats, was as strong presence in the band that you can't help but just close your eyes and float away while listening to his solos on "#41" or "Bartender". Stefan Lessard, the bass guitarist, and youngest member of the band is oftern overlooked but as a 16 year old he obviously caught the attention of Dave Matthews for that's when he dropped out of school and joined the band. The thumping bass notes at the beginning of "crush" or his electric jam on "anyone seen the bridge" or the every famous fist pump during the "woo" on "warehouse" just make you want to dance. Boyd Tinsley, for 20 years has made the violin seem like the coolest instrument, even when he's moving around so much on the stage that you can barely see his face. The plucking at the beginning of "two step" or the phenomenal solo in "Lie in our Graves" gets everyone in the crowd excited.
While I love all the members of the band there are 2 who stand above. Carter Beauford, percussion extraordinaire and Dave Matthews, lyrical genius. Carter, the oldest member in the band now that Roi has passed away, still jams like he did 20 years ago. Not only does he play the standard drum set, but it includes any other percussion instrument that he needs. His 60 piece drum set would make any beginning, intermediate or advanced drummer drool, but the best part is that he makes it look easy. His movements are so fluid and smooth it's just mind blowing that he's 50 and doing what some 20-something year olds could never do. I often think that drummers in other bands watch and listen to him and just bow their heads because they will never be able to do what he does. His jam intros for songs like "you never know" and "say goodbye" make any fans jaw drop, but for me the song that makes my jaw drop all the way to the floor would have to be "Halloween". Such a brilliantly angry song and then to hear the pounding of the drums throughout the song and during his solo by the end you already feel better.
And finally the man who's name IS the band, Dave Matthews. Many people say it's arrogant to name the band after yourself, but as the co-founding member and lead singer it just sounds right. Many fans if you ask them who their favorite member is, it's not Dave himself (most will say Carter, his smile is irresistible). What Matthews has done lyrically, can put him up there with some of the greatest lyricists of all time. He has written everything from love songs ("Crash", "Crush") to living life to the fullest songs ("Pig", "Lie in our Graves", "Tripping Billies") to songs about death ("Shotgun", "You Never Know") to songs about god knows what ("Rhyme and Reason") and no matter what, there is always a song you can listen to. He may not be the best guitarist of all time but his style and the rhythms that he composes other musicians can't do it like he does. He even has songs that he can't play and sing at the same time because the guitar part alone is too difficult. His stage presence has drawn so many people into the music alone and without him center stage it wouldn't be the same band for most people. Some can't stand his voice but to me it's so soothing (even during the angriest of songs) with the hint of raspiness, no one could sing these songs the way he does.
tomorrow... Part II: The Concerts, The People, The Memories
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