Practicing at an apartment in Riverpark Towers, The Wife and Kids' music carries loudly through the surrounding area, yet no neighbors have stopped by to complain. Instead, the band jokes about the neighbors' reactions.
We know the girls who live below us
and they will either say 'You guys sounded good this week ' or 'What happened yesterday?' They judge us by the noise that comes into their apartment
said Chad Kean, drummer and Ohio University sophomore.
The band formed two years ago when OU alumnus TeeArr Snyder and senior Coert Wotruba, the former bass and lead guitarist, decided to merge with senior Adam Caudill's acoustic band. After a few shows, the band dropped the acoustic music for a funk-rock sound, which is drum- and bass-driven, to turn it up and rock out
Caudill said.
The band soon added Kean on drums and recently junior Mike Reynolds on bass when Wotruba left for Germany.
Since finalizing the band's current line-up, The Wife and Kids has made a collaborative effort in creating its music and lyrics.
The band merges its incredibly conflicting music styles of rock, grunge and noise bands to set themselves apart from other Athens bands. Each member writes their own songs, even for parts they do not play.
Even though the band modifies and perfects the songs, it admits that sometimes mistakes can create a better sound for the band. At the band's last show, Kean's bass-drum pedal temporarily broke during its song Cigarettes and Shooters. Realizing that the song sounded better with a later drum intro, the band completely re-wrote the song, mimicking its accidental performance.
While the band remains busy writing new material, The Wife and Kids is looking to add a lead singer over winter break to take over the main vocals that Caudill and Snyder currently sing. While both singers are comfortable singing, they want to find someone with an incredible rock voice, Caudill said. Those interested are encouraged to contact the band.
This weekend, The Wife and Kids will be using its love for music to help others. The band's two upcoming shows will raise money for local organizations, which include the Federal Hocking High School yearbook and the Athens Food Pantry.
We don't need the money. We just want to help out
especially for the holidays
Snyder said.
The band hopes to give back to a community that has supported its music, he said.
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Amber James
