by rick grant rickgrant01@comcast.net
Last Friday night, I crossed paths with these Gainesville cats at Freebird Live. The Chris McCarthy Band has fused many different genres into a package of melodic compositions that modulate time signatures and keys, but hits the listener in the diaphragm with grabby hooks. TCMB is fiercely modern but has links to all that is gone before in terms of its influences. More significantly, the group has cleverly melded these influences into a unique trademark .
The ensemble has remained in-tact for more years than the average modern rock band stays together, which is a tribute to its professionalism and assures the band is tight in any live playing situation. TCMB’s on-stage energy and ability to get audiences excited is its calling card. The band is touring to support its latest self produced CD titled The Next One which contains some memorable works, including Agree to Disagree, So Beautiful, and the title cut, which can be sampled on the band’s MySpace website ( www.myspace.com/thechrismccartyband ).
The stalwart Chris McCarthy Band has made the right moves to stand out and reach the next plateau. They are relentlessly touring throughout the Southeast and beyond. The lads put on a high energy show and has garnered a growing loyal fan base. The group’s Friday night Freebird show attracted an eclectic audience with many different age groups represented. This proves that quality songwriting and performance artistry appeals to everyone.
Frontman Chris is a charismatic performer. He projects confidence and connects with the crowd. Greg Riddle is an experienced lead guitarist with a large vocabulary of techniques and improvisational expertise. His playing is always in context with the band’s sound and he avoids self indulgent soloing, which is a tribute to his professionalism. Julius Tobin is one of the few percussionists who can really play his Latin instruments with stylish vigor. Phil McCarthy holds down a funky and mean bottom end and grooves with drummer Tim Mulberry.
With countless legions of bands out on the road all trying to get noticed, TCMB is gradually building up its name and music into a nationally recognized act. There is no substitute for touring and continually writing new material. For over twenty years, I’ve covered innumerable aspiring bands, but in a week I forget about them because they were not that remarkable. However, TCMB is different in that its superb musicianship and intelligently conceived songs leave a lasting impression in my mind. This shows me the band is dedicated to its craft and whatever happens, they will continue to do what they do. Once a group of musicians put in the years of hard work, there is no where else to go but up. So many musicians get discouraged that they didn’t make it to the top in a specified number or years. The players in TCMB have a positive attitude and know the realities of the business. That’s why this group will be around as a musical force long after many other bands have disappeared.
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