The Rolling Stones. Aerosmith. ZZ Top. The Eagles.
These are all pretty old bands that are still out there getting it done today. But compared to the Nevers’ 2nd Regiment Band, they’re really just kids.
The Nevers’ Band, as it’s often called, has been around since the Civil War, which was a really long time ago. It’s one of the oldest musical organizations in New Hampshire and one of the oldest bands in the United States.
Okay, so maybe these aren’t the original members (but wouldn’t that be impressive?), but this is still the same band that was out there 150-plus years ago. And, in fact, in its entire history, the group has had only 13 conductors, so it really isn’t all that far removed from the original group when you think about it that way.
Why is all of this important?
Because this ensemble plays all over New Hampshire – particularly in and around Concord – and they just played their first show of the summer last week.
We happened to be sitting around Eagle Square when the band took to the performance space at the bottom of the amphitheater and started filling the square with pleasant, recognizable tunes. Since we’re big fans of live music, we decided to stick around for the show.
The first song was “The Star-Spangled Banner,” which they open every show with. It was a classy, spirited rendition that got the crowd on its feet and in the mood for music.
Next was a medley of music from movies, which the Nevers’ Band is pretty big on. We’re talking mostly original scores as opposed to soundtrack songs, but almost everything was recognizable, including the song from the end of Forrest Gump, the Jurassic Park theme, Beauty and the Beast, Jaws and a few others.
Next was the patriotic classic, “Americans We.” Since the group is instrumental and plays mostly instrumental songs, it’s hard to describe to you what the song is if you don’t recognize it by title, but just Google it and you’ll say, “Oh yeah, I know that one.”
Keeping the patriotic feel going, the band then played “The Liberty Bell,” which was executed with precision.
Then came a segment called “Powerhouse,” which was music from cartoons. This music was not a theme song – it was in-episode “mood music,” and it totally felt like being in the middle of a cat-and-mouse chase.
By now you’re probably thinking, “So how can I hear them myself?”
Well, the Nevers’ Band has a busy schedule this summer, with local shows at Kiwanis Riverfront Park (Everett Arena), Presidential Oaks, Memorial Field, the State House, Rolfe Park, Keach Park, and Presidential Oaks and the State House again. Most of the shows are Tuesday nights starting around 7.
The next two shows are Tuesday (the day Monitor subscribers get this paper) at Riverfront Park at 7 p.m. and June 27 at Presidential Oaks at 6:30.
For a full schedule, go to neversband.org/concerts.
