How to go
WHO: Days of Future Passed, with Flashback
WHERE: Bolts Sports Café, 910 S. Main St., Englewood
WHEN: 9 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 28
COST: $5
MORE INFO: (937) 836-6634
ARTIST INFO: www.mbtribute.com
Layne Loxley harbored dreams of starting a Moody Blues tribute band, but he wasn’t sure how to make it a reality. That changed earlier this year when he discussed the concept with co-worker Mike Brush, who plays drums and just happens to be a huge fan of the legendary British rock band.
“I didn’t know if it would be commercially viable, or if we could even play it,” Loxley said. “For all I knew, it could turn into something we just messed around with at home but didn’t play live. Then I talked to Mike, who is a Moody Blues fanatic, and it started to come together.”
Brush has seen the band 17 times, making him a perfect partner for this endeavor.
“I started listening to the Moody Blues when I was 8 or 9,” Brush said. “I have no clue why I picked them. I wasn’t influenced by anybody around me. I’m still a big fan.”
Loxley (keyboards, vocals) and Brush (drums) sat inside Pacchia on a recent Saturday afternoon with Jeanne Harman (flute, guitar, keyboards, vocals) and Sam Lambros (guitar, vocals). Days of Future Passed perform at Bolts in Englewood on Saturday, Nov. 28. The musicians shared their thoughts on their newly-formed tribute band. Bassist Randy Gaines wasn’t present.
Loxley: "We do songs from every studio album they've done, except for 'Strange Times' and the pre-Justin Heywood album, 'The Magnificent Moodies,' but we've mainly been focusing on that period from '67 to '72."
Brush: "Our song list represents the Moody Blues over the decades. The band changed and our set reflects that. We do the whole acid thing and then move into the danceable '80s stuff."
Lambros: "The music is so positive it's like you're bathed in the positive energy. It takes away all your worries and that's what their music is all about. I like the lyrics and how the music makes you feel."
Loxley: "Their music isn't too esoteric. It really strikes at the heart. It's simple, but with a lot of layers. We do some solos, but that's not the main aspect of the band. It's more about the melody."
Harman: "Even the melody takes a journey with their songs. There are a lot of rhythm changes and mood changes. It's pretty complex. I love playing this music because it really is like a melodic journey. I'm like a kid in a candy store."
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