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The Honeyrods are not a band content to stand still.
Not only is this the literal truth -- their live performances are characterized by tremendous stage energy - but it is true in the metaphorical sense as well. "This band is always evolving and changing into really cool things," proudly states the group's 22-year-old vocalist, Gordon Cabaniss. Though today the group cites bands like U2, Guns 'N' Roses, and Pavement as influences, when the Honeyrods first got started "we got labeled as a funky, groove-oriented rock band," Cabaniss says. "I used to be a big fan of P-Funk, Stevie Wonder, Isaac Hayes, that sort of thing."
Indeed there are still some traces of funk on a few cuts off the band's self-titled full-length debut, released earlier this year on Capricorn Records. The Honeyrods has been surprisingly successful for the young five-man group, which only three years ago was playing frat parties in their home town of Nashville, TN. Today the album's first single, "Love Bee," is receiving airplay on over a hundred radio stations nationwide and was recently featured on the MTV program "MTV Oddville."
The Honeyrods were formed in Nashville in 1994 by five college students who met through the city's thriving music scene. Cabaniss, a native of Austin, TX, met guitarist Matt Clemmons, originally from Muscle Shoals, AL, while the two were attending Lipscomb University, a small, religious liberal arts college. "It's this tiny, insignificant hell school," Cabaniss laughs. The two friends later hooked up with Tennessee natives Chris Hunter (rhythm guitar), Jeremy Brashears (bass), and Michael Dale (drums), who were attending various universities in Nashville. The eager new quintet, who took their name from a folk term for sunflowers, began playing as much as possible, at countless parties and local clubs; Cabaniss confides that in the early days there was "minimal songwriting, maximum live energy." That quickly changed as the group evolved from fresh-faced fun-rockers to well-honed musicians with a variety of sounds, improving their songwriting almost dailyand constantly refining their sound, factors which still characterize this upwardly-mobile group. "We're not afraid to use what a song needs," says Cabaniss, a devoted Gibson player, about the band's unprecedented use of keyboards on The Honeyrods. "We're real open-minded when it comes to recording different sounds."
As the group progressed from a party band to a capable and respected fixture on the Nashville music scene, they self-released two EPs along the way, 1995's The Honeyrods and 1996's Cha Cha Cha. "'Love Bee' was actually on our first EP, but it sounded really different. Some songs just don't go away," Cabaniss chuckles. It was at the sold-out release party for Cha Cha Cha that the Honeyrods were discovered by Capricorn Records honcho G. Scott Walden, who quickly signed the band based on their strong live show and relentless self-promotion. "That's what record companies like to see," Cabaniss advises unsigned groups.
With such a promising band signed to a major label directly out of college, one can't help but wonder if Cabaniss or the other members feel undue pressure to succeed in what is often a fickle business. "Not at all," he flatly states. "I don't feel a lot of pressure. We're here because we want to be here. We're a community. It's not the Gordon show with five guys backing me up. We're all in this together."
The Honeyrods have been on tour for much of August and September, playing with top-name acts such as Meredith Brooks and Veruca Salt, and would "love to tour Europe sometime soon." "I would love to tour with Oasis, or maybe Radiohead. They're amazing. I'm a big fan of British bands, it would be cool to tour with one," Cabaniss enthuses. With the resounding success of The Honeyrods Cabaniss and the rest have a lot to look forward to. "God, I can't wait to do another record. It's so exciting to play with my four best friends, and at the same time, a great band."