A 65-year-old retired schoolteacher seems like unlikely company among the young band members who make up the Andy Shaw Band, but Jim Shaw fits right into this family band.
“(Playing with my family) has been, overall, a positive experience,” said Chris Shaw, the band’s drummer and backup vocalist and Andy Shaw’s brother. “We are able to communicate very well and work out any musical problems.”
The Andy Shaw Band is made up of Andy, who sings lead and plays guitar, Chris and their father Jim, who plays keyboard. The other band members are lead guitarist Theo Perry and bass player Matt Paetsch. The band will play at at 10 p.m. Thursday at Jackie O’s Pub & Brewery, 24 W. Union St.
The brothers agreed that they have a special bond when it comes to singing together that can only be explained by family ties.
“Having a musician brother is like having a second self,” Chris said. “You know where he is going to go.”
The band is a mix of several genres, including rock, pop and reggae, Andy said. They tend to switch up styles between songs and try and make it all blend.
That was one of the main goals for their now-year-old album, Own Resolve — to showcase the band’s variety.
“It’s a good mix of all the styles we have,” Andy said. “You get a taste of all the genres mixed together.”
The band has been on tour off and on since the album was released. They recently expanded their reach from the Midwest with a two-weeklong tour in Florida starting in September.
Andy said the band has also been getting good airtime on the radio, especially from college radio stations. That has opened new doors for the band that were not possible years ago, such as the Florida tour, he added.
Social media has also opened new doors for the band. The Andy Shaw Band has recorded a series of videos called the Ohio Sessions that feature the members just walking around playing music.
Andy said the band members didn’t know what they were going to do when they started filming, so they just started walking around. Oddly enough, an ice-cream truck came by, so Perry had to grab a treat.
“We’re all about that,” Andy said. “Goofing off and having a good time.”
wh092010@ohiou.edu
IF YOU GO:
What: Andy Shaw Band
When: 10 p.m. Thursday
Where: Jackie O’s Pub & Brewery, 24 W. Union St.
Admission: Cover
