JamAntics is one of those local bands that continuously shows up in our “This Week” section. One night they’re at the Barley House, next night they’re at the Green Martini. We wanted to learn more this staple to the Concord music scene (yes, there is a Concord music scene – you just have to know where to look). The men who make up jamAntics – Freeland Hubbard, Eric Reingold, Lucas Gallo, Jordan Tirrell-Wysocki and Masceo (yes, much like Madonna, Masceo has no last name. Or maybe he has no first name?) – agreed to play along.
Basics first – where’s everyone from and what are your roles in the band?:
Freeland (Concord) on lead guitar and vocals, Eric (Concord) on bass, vocals and beatbox, Lucas (Concord) on rhythm guitar and vocals. Jordan (Canterbury) on fiddle and vocals and Masceo (Pullman, Wash.) on drums, vocals and kazoo.
How did it all get started?
Jordan: Most of us were working on different projects musically until one glorious day last March when fate brought us together and JamAntics was born. The rest is history.
Lucas: Psychic magnet.
How would you describe the band’s sound?
Lucas: It combines elements of rock, funk, pop and jam, with a touch of class. We like to call it, “Tasty licks, high energy.”
Do you have day jobs or are you fulltime musicians?
Jordan: We’re working toward fulltime music, but some of us are still working day jobs to make ends meet while we keep our fingers crossed for fame and fortune!
Do women find you more attractive because you’re in a band?
Jordan: Well yes, for some strange reason they seem to, but our girlfriends and wives tend to keep them at a safe distance, so it’s hard to say for sure.
Freeland: Yes.
Lucas: I’ll have to let that one simmer for awhile.
Eric: No more than usual.
Are there perks to being in a band? Like do you get free pretzels at venues?
Jordan: A significant portion of our diet is made up of “gig food,” which is great! And we always get the best parking spots, but that’s only because we have to load a bunch of heavy equipment out of our cars, so maybe that doesn’t count.
Lucas: Yes, lots of pretzels, but no dipping sauce.
What’s your favorite place to play in Concord?
Masceo: Since Concord is our hometown, everywhere we play is really fun.
Jordan: We have a blast playing at several different venues in the area, but one that always sticks out is Bicentennial Square The shows we do there are for free, so it’s a good reminder that the main reason we do this is for the love of the music. Plus, it’s cool to see little kids dancing and enjoying the tunes, which doesn’t happen too often at bar gigs. And it’s outdoors, so when the weather is nice, it’s pretty hard to beat.
Lucas: All the venues – The Barley House, The Green Martini, Penuche’s and Bicentennial Square – all have their own vibe so it’s fun to play any of them. Friends and fans that come are really supportive and fun, so that makes it fun to play anywhere.
If your band hit it big, what would you do with all that fame and money?
Freeland: I would take care of my family and my beautiful daughter, Luna.
Eric: I would put on a music festival and probably have a room full of musical instruments.
Jordan: Let’s take it one step at a time! Right now we’d be happy if we could buy the occasional round for friends without worrying that we’d come up short on our rent!
Masceo: I would be in my own video game.
Where can people listen to your songs and find more information on your band?
Lucas: They can visit jamantics.com or as they can find us on any of the social networking sites (Facebook, Myspace and Twitter).
Upcoming schedule for the Concord-area:
– Oct. 24: Playing for 350.org on the State House lawn from 9 to 11 a.m.
– Oct. 30: Halloween Howl at Bicentennial Square from 5 to 7 p.m.
– Oct. 31: JamAntics Halloween Extravaganza at Alan’s of Boscawen, 33 N. Main St, Boscawen, at 9 p.m.
– Nov. 7: Penuche's Ale House, 6 Pleasant St., at 9:30 p.m.
– Nov. 13: Live Fall Sampler CD release party at the Barley House, 132 n. Main St., 9:30 p.m.
