| BIOS Who are these people - and why are they throwing rubber chickens ? | |
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The FBnCC members are...
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Al Smyth Vocals, Guitar
Cary Dachtyl Drums Steve Perakis Bass Fred Gablick Sax, Flute
Photo by George Anderson |
The FBnCC is proud to have the following elite
specialists helping out the fighting force...
Coalition Reservists
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Historical figures that stand tall in the world encyclopedia of Free Beer n Chicken:
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Al Smyth - National Steel Guitar, Electric Guitar, Vocals |
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Al is a native ex-long haired hippie hillbilly from the foothills of upstate NY and has been playin' music in bands and what not (picture shown is a 'what not') for the past 15 years. Over the past few years he has been building on songwriting skills and blues chops in Columbus with his band Free Beer n Chicken Coalition. "Al Smyth of the Free Beer 'n' Chicken Coalition caught my ear with his trio's version of thumpin' juke-joint, sit-down guitar-playing blues 'n' boogie. Quite the colorful character, and very funky, too."
"Hello. My name is Inigo Montoya. You perform the same blues as everybody else (including playing behind your head). Prepare to die." |
| The latest release (June 13th, 2007) | |
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Featuring
Recorded at
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Produced by Al Smyth with Eric French, Brian Lucey, Cary Dachtyl |
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Al's First Solo Album Available now at all FBnCC gigs
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You can also hear Al guest star on some other CD releases that are available ... check 'em out
"Free" by Mike McMann (featuring Al's hit Captin' Captin'©1998 al smyth)
Mike and Al formed the acoustic duo "Tropical Hot Dogs". This is a CD that Mike asked Al to record Al's song Captin' Captin' on. That's Al on vocals and acoustic and Mike on electric. Click Here to Hear Captin' Captin' ©1998 al smyth
Jason met Al locally at the Thirsty Ear, and although moved out of the Columbus area - all the way to Cincinnati - when it came time to add slide guitar to some of his originals he knew just who he had to ask. Of course Ry Cooder wouldn't do it - so he asked Al instead.
Want more buzz on Al ? See what the critics are saying ....
Click Hear to Hear a sample of Al playin' Slide
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Fred Gablick - Sax, Flute |
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Fred is a gun-for-hire sax slinger who runs with all the big boys in the Columbus area. His resume includes ....just to name a few (phew!!!!) After Mack Marshall's "accident" (think Tony Soprano... no I'm just kidding...). Fred was nice enough to step in and provide a wicked amount of professional chops that makes us smile and groove !!! "...When he starts to blow, you'd better buckle your seat belt. Whether gently swinging or honkin' a riff, Fred's distinctive and soulful playing gives the band plenty of steam. " - The Silky Ray Band
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Cary Dachtyl is currently President of the Ohio Chapter of the Percussive Arts Society and percussion instructor and director of the Kenyon College Percussion Ensemble. In addition to playing timpani with the Cathedral Brass, Cary plays drums with LDB3, jazz vibraphone and runs a digital recording studio in Columbus, Ohio.
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Steve Perakis - Bass, Vocals |
© 2006 www.dustyblues.com |
Steve is the go to guy on bass in Columbus. His projects include Honk Wail & Moan (9+ member jazz combo and 6 member swing combo), Sean Carney Band, Tommy Smith Quartet and QED Jazz. Steve also leads a Soul Jazz combo and a Latin Jazz combo and is involved with several sophisticated groups and projects, as well as teaching, and studio work. He gained a big "oh, yea that guy - wow" in the blues circles when he as member of Sean Carney's group won the 2007 Blues Challenge. |
And then ya have coalition fighters like...
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Adam Sheets - Harmonica |
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Adam is a native of Meigs County Ohio where everything is 2 hours away. He hails from a musical family who for the most part form the Mudfork Blues Band - which Adam is a member of. He has played bars, festivals, and shows across various parts of Ohio (and other parts of America as far south as Florida.) |
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Oh Yeah - the FBnCC has a guy who Juggles and his name is Dan. More importantly, and no thanks to Great White, HE EATS FIRE !!!! OH YEAH BABY !!! Dan is a native of Michigan (land of Ted Nugent) and has performed in a professional capacity (a juggler for hire) for many years - from Medieval festivals to parties (both child and Adult) and the FBnCC is proud to present him whenever possible. |
| not actual picture of Dan (but a life-like example of his skill !!) |
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Bruce Burton - Bass, Vocals |
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Bruce has been a working blues and rock musician for many years, starting out in Marion, Ohio in the 1970s. He was the original bass player for the Bobby Floyd Trio (with Bob Breithaupt) and played in various rock/jazz/R&B bands 70s. In the 80s he left Ohio and moved in to the college music scene with early alternative, metal and rock bands in Tennessee and North Carolina. Burton moved to Florida in the early 1990s, forming the funky six-piece group Night Train as well as playing with Joe Walsh and Dickey Betts. He returned to Ohio in the fall of 2001 and formed the blues/rock combo MetroGnomes, based at the Stage Coach BBQ joint in South Bloomfield. Bruce comes back to the FBnCC with the talent and stage presence that is guaranteed to bring a smile to your ears. |
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Sherri Williams was the hardest working woman in Columbus. When she was not giving 110% to being a journalist for the Columbus Dispatch she is traveling or performing various community service, or something - and then between all that she found time to add he soulful vocals to some of FBnCC's biggest hits (Thorn in My Side, Mixed Drink, KEEF, On the Drink, White Lightning...).
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Billy Cory - B ass |
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Bill was directed our way as a sub by our man Steve Perakis If Steve recommends you then that's a notch in yer gun belt. Bill did jazz studies at OSU and plays in several Columbus bands including Gipson & Fitz. Check out www.myspace.com/billyc75 |
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Joe learned to play the skins at an early age. He lays down a greasy and powerful blues groove with a twist of funk, jazz, and rock. He found his home in blues after studying artists from the 1930s through the present and has had the pleasure of opening for and meeting some of the legends ("Knock 'em dead" said Honeyboy Edwards). Through a small forest of birch, aluminum, and rubber chickens Joe can be heard at all FBnCC gigs.
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