ROCKTOBER: GABLE

GABLE

01. *What's the name of your band? What's the origin of that name? Have you changed the band's name before? 

The name of the band is "GABLE". My last name. I named the band after what I was doing in the studio at the time. I was playing all the instruments and writing and record, engineering and producing all my own originals and thought, being the lead singer and one of the lead guitar players it only seemed fitting. I think most people these days tend to remember or acknowledge or associate with the voice of a band more than anyone else even if the other players are there own caracters. This band has it's own caracters, it reminded me of old kiss. You got the monster with the long hair and ominous look, a great voice and cool stage presence on bass with Blaine Peters. Then you have the drummer with his care free attitude, raspy voice and old school back beat feel, along with his own nickname in Steven "Rowdy" Foutty or "SRF". Or the slick, laid back "Joe Cool", heart felt blues rock Playing of Chris Keefe, who also has his own alias in "C.K.". My very own C.C. DeVille if you will, and then theres me. I believe that much like Kiss, Kid Rock, Prince, Meatloaf and all the over the top Theatrical type bands, I just want to bring people a bigger than life show, that will stick in the memories. Now sometimes that comes in the form of bad press or criticism. That isn't always a good or bad thing but, if people are talking about you, then they remember your name and wanna see whats next. Good or Bad. But there still coming to the shows. 

02. *What genre of music do you consider your work to be? Who are your major influences? 

Well, theres two sides of GABLE, the studio side with several full length disc in several different genres of music and theres the live side that tends to bend more toward cover songs in several styles and genres. Both have my philosophy of music. I like so many style from Classic rock, Classical and Jazz to Hip Hop, Rap, Metal, Thrash, and good old rock-n-roll. Anyone who can write a good song or a catchy song or a song that can pull your heartout rather it be from great lyrics or touching music, those are my influences. Kid rock, Kiss, Judas Priest, Ruch , Led Zepplin, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Bad Company, Dream Thearter, N.W.A., Eazy E, Tone Loc, Beastie Boys, Rage Agianst The Machine, Nickelback, Meatloaf, Prince, Metallica, and I could just keep going. I love music and I love good song writer and great performers.  

03. *How long have you all known each other? How did you meet? *When did you form your band? What inspired you to make music together? 

Well, thats another long story. We all have a common factor in Vicious Wishes. Our first bands back when we were kids. Blaine was the very first bass player for Vicious Wishes back in the late 80's and very early 90's. The band was started by local frontman John Adams at the time going under the name John Russell. In late 91 early 92 the band broke up and I was the very first replacement guitarist. Vicious would go on to have over 7 different guitartists in its run and Chris Keefe would be one of them but when I left Vicious in 94, My first solo band would include Steve Foutty. After 95, I lost touch with all of these guys except for Chris Keefe. We became friends when he was dating the sister of my would be wife, and never played in a band together until GABLE. We would have great stoner sessions jamming for years and years but never played in a band.I stopped playing live music in 2000 and in late 2005 early 2006  he was jamming with a mutal friend Mike G. and told me to get my ass out of the house and get back into a band. We started a jam band at the time named RANDOM with a few other mutual friend until it came to a crashing end. Mike G. and I started the first Live version of GABLE with just the two of us, Mike G. as a guitar player and me as a guitar player and lead vocalist. I recorded in my studio, me playing all the bass, drums and keyboards with a few of my backing vocals and went out playing covers and originals with C.D. backing music and us playing guitar and me singing. The joke was that it sounded AMAZING. Chris Keefe caught us doing our Karaoke band act and was impressed and joined us with an urging to find live players for bass and drums. He was still intouch with Blaine and We happen to run into Steve Foutty right at the same time and it was Fate. Mike G. ultimately left the band for his own personal reasons and the band went on as a 4 piece and is the version of GABLE we have today. 

04. *What can you tell me about your instruments? (i.e., Are you subject to brand loyalty or will you play with whatever's available? What made you choose the instruments you have now? Was it cost or was it a style/model/brand/color preference? 

Chris Keefe plays a couple rigs, both have the strengths. When he is full on, he has a 5150 half stack amp with a pedal board he created that I am not allowed to divulge what is on this board but when I say it looks like it could be in Star Trek, Well that should tell you. Then there's his slimed down version which is a Marshal 2x12 with a select few of the pedals from his board. He has a signature Nuno Bettoncourt N4 Serise that is signed by Nuno himself, a couple of N2 serises, a Gibson Les Paul and a few others axes to go with the name brand monsters. His tone is what Rock-n-Roll should be. Over the top, Overwhelming and all balls. I play Ibanez mostly. A fake Lez Paul, Fender Acoustic, so I guess I will play whatever. My tone is less than crazy but solid and great under what Chris has and Good for my leads. 

05. *Where have you performed? What are your favorite and least favorite venues? 

We started out in Northern Maryland. Mainly in Harford Co., but have extend into Cecial Co, Baltimore Co. and Baltimore City. Bars mostly, The Main Street Tower, Longshots, Dicks Halfway Inn but have played in bigger clubs like Looney's 

06. *Which songs do you perform most frequently? Do you have a set play list? 

Live we cover everything from Bad Company, Skynyrd and Zepplin to Nickelback, Kid Rock and Green Day. Theres not much we won't cover.We do a great version of Come Sail Away that most people just don't expect to hear.  

07. *Who writes your songs? What are the main themes or topics for most of your songs? Do you think these topics will change over time? 

I write all the songs, the guys aren't opposed to writing or adding to what I do but not much into writing there own parts. Chris Keefe does a fair amount of his own writing but doesn't care to bring it into the band. Probably because the band name is GABLE and he wants his own material under his own name. But he has some great material and I hope he moves on with it and lets people hear it. Mostly I write about what I know. The rock tunes or just juvinile jams are about SEX, DRUGS, AND PUSSY. The more heart felt stuff is what's happened to me in my life. Everything from Heartache and love, to death and loss. I think as always, if you hit a vain with whatever your theme is, it's a song that will stand the test of time. From a Ballad to a gutter rock tune. 

08. *Could you briefly describe the music-making process 

Unfortunatly there's nothing Brief about the music making process. From the base writing to the outline recordings. To the final perfomance tracks, to the final mix to the mastering. The writing and recording process is long and daughnting. But so rewarding that it's better than any feeling I could descibe in words. To see someone moved or rocked by something you have created is undescribable. 

09. *What are your rehearsals generally like? Do you have a set time each week in which you practice or are rehearsals more spontaneous? 

We as a live band don't really have practice anymore. Once or twice a year we get together and learn some new tunes or just jam with nobody there, Just for us. We work out new songs from time to time live and it's hit or miss. Not to many train wrecks but it has happened. We have a few sets that we can mix or match from but the best songs will always be the best songs and you wanna perform them everytime. As far as writing, I may play a part in the studio 100 times before I am happy or before it is played right and some times it's the first try. Always different. 

10. *How has your music evolved since you first began playing music together? 

Well agian there is two sides here. The origianl material I write and record and the Live version of GABLE that I play with. As a writer I think of it like a wave. Sometimes I need to write mind-less fun, pure Rock-n-Roll songs, talking about nothing but the things I love. St. Paulies Girl, Yager-bombs, 420, Jim Beam, Capt. Morgan, Capt Crunch, Capn Fandracstic and anything else that tickles my funny bone, but then there is the more indepth side. The lost loves, the Heartbreak the stuff that make people who they are. I need my pain, My pain makes me who I am. Live is the same. You want boobs bouncing and asses shaking but you wanna grab an emotion from time to time as well. Live there needs to be more fun than downer ballads but theres still needs to be a guy grabbing his girl for a slow dance or two durning the night. 

11. *What was your biggest challenged as a band? Have you been able to overcome that challenge? if so how? 

Just staying current. Staying in the minds and memories of every fan, friend and family memeber we know. Staying unperdictable. It's even harder when your 37 years old but there is a little Axle Rose in me where I just seem to get drunk or stoned and go off the rails. It doesn't happen to often but enough to make a name as a partying, drinking, crazy mother fucker. And I don't have a problem with it. It is who I am so fuck it. Like me or don't. I am stll gonna do what I do, I am still gonna get paid for what I do and I am gonna have a grand fuckin time doin what I do. And to me, That been the heart and soul of good music and Rock-n-Roll since it's birth. Make it your own. 

12. *What advice do you have for inspiring musicians out there? 

Stay true to what you want. But be aware of what people want also. There is a fine line. If your just a writer, then write what you want, but if your playing for people than play what you and they want to hear. It's important. 

13. *How can fans gain access to your music? Website? cds?  

www.myspace.com/gablemusic You can checkout our schedule, you can listen to origianls, and you can hear great covers from GABLE live. E-mail me directly for C.D.'s if you like what you hear. I have several full length original C.D's as well as several full length Cover C.D.'s. Whatever your taste is we have something for you. 

14.  *Anyone you would like to thank for emotional or financial support? 

Well my wife Dawn, who has put up with every stressed out over indulgent moment that I have ever gone thru. She has been there for the whole ride. Chris & Tammy Gable as the other side of GABLE. Tammy has been booking our gigs and making us contacts for years and Chris is the official 5th member of GABLE. He gets up on stage with me for a few songs a night to help me out and make it a family affair. My mother, who doesn't miss a show. Chris Keefes parents who support in many ways including amazing photos. And then there's a list that will take to many lines for this interview. But we love everyone of you who have made and still make GABLE tits today! 

15. *Anything else you would like to add? 

Babs I wanna thank you for having us on your new Blog. I have been a longtime fan of your work as a AVS, and am so excited to be apart of your genesis into an amazing writer. We wish you the very best and will keep you in our favorites from now on. Keep the faith and carry the tourch of Rock-n-Roll into the next generation. Love you Babs. Peace, GABLE

Now, I may be partial to these wonderful gentlemen because they are like family, and I give kudos to my husband because if it were not for him, I would have no idea of how great they actually are. With a super laid back attitude and a fan base that is like a huge GABLE family you really can't go wrong. I did a write up on the first ever GABLEFEST via www.liveyoungdiefastmn.blogspot.com Which really showed how genuine and real this band is. Not only is the music phenomenal but from a 1-10 on an overall scale they totally ring in at an 11. I am a full supporter of all the bands that I post on here, but I may push these guys a little bit more, and honestly, if you are looking for a really good time, you need to get to one of their shows asap. For example, the first time I attended their show, I had one of the best times of my life. It was my first time meeting my husbands "brother" and his family as well as going to a Gable show. With my nerves going haywire (believe it or not Im very shy) I couldn't have asked for a better result. A couple of bowls, shots of jager, and I believe a mixture of tequila was in there too. I totally lost myself in the music. I let my guard down, and made some life long friends. (I actually was "that girl" that night) BUT If their is one thing I really like to emphasize on in the environment of a show. A lot of times you are uncomfortable or very cautious of who you meet. I promise you at a Gable show, you will feel like a part of their family in no time. THIS IS A BIG DEAL PEOPLE! From this interview it is obvious that this is a real dream, they take it extremely serious, but they aren't assholes about it. Which I think just knocked them up to a 12 on that scale. So I will end this in simple terms; The music is great: The fans are even better: They deserve your attention.