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Guitarist/songwriter to move from Akron in August. He hopes to jump-start new CD
By Malcolm X Abram
Beacon Journal popular music writer
Published on Thursday, Jul 03, 2008
Earlier this year, singer-songwriter Ryan Humbert left the safe confines and steady fan base of Akron/Kent to seek his fortunes in Nashville. Pretty soon, Humbert will have another Akron transplant in town to reminisce about Swenson's Galley Boys.
Singer/songwriter/guitarist/Akronite Pat Sweany, who has spent the last decade or so making records and touring heavily with his trio, is packing up his axes, his girlfriend and his life and moving to Music City.
Sweany is one of the few artists in town who hasn't been in several bands at the same time. He has been steadfastly honing his mix of early rock 'n' roll, blues and old-school rhythm and blues in various residencies at area bars, including Monday nights at the Matinee in Highland Square in Akron and on the road.
Sweany says the move isn't about becoming the next country star. It's simply a matter of pragmatism.
''When my band quit on me five days before a tour, it was like, man, this is getting old,'' he said shortly before he and current drummer Brad Porter of Arkansas began their set (the trio is rounded out by bassist Taylor Belling of Akron) at the Matinee on Monday.
By his count, Sweany's trio has contained 27 different members over the last 10 years.
''[That's] 10 less than [fictional metal band] Spinal Tap in a third of the time,'' he said, laughing.
Sweany, a self-described ''megalomaniac'' who writes his songs solo, realizes that finding musicians dedicated to playing someone else's music every night can be daunting.
''It takes money and satisfaction to keep a band together, especially when the music you're playing is not yours. It's just hard to find a supply of talented, dedicated guys who don't mind being on the road for months for a couple hundred dollars,'' he said.
In Nashville, he shouldn't have that problem, as one can't spit on a street corner without moistening a talented songwriter/singer/''geetar''-picker looking for a steady gig.
But Sweany says he has a good feeling about the members of his current group, whom he describes as ''young, strong and talented,'' even though they aren't following him to Nashville.
For Sweany, Nashville is attractive as a central touring/music industry location that is reasonably close to East Coast cities and big Midwest towns such as Chicago. A move to the West Coast would mean constantly having to cross big (mostly empty) states to get to Midwest/East Coast gigs and, with the cost of gas steadily rising, that would mean making less money.
Sweany said he made the decision a few months ago after talking to Eddie Angel, guitarist for mask-wearing instrumental rock group Los Straitjackets. He said he thought long and hard before he made his decision, but he came to the same conclusion that sent Ryan Humbert down South.
''I've done all I can do here. I mean, I can't work any harder and I'm not getting any younger,'' the 34-year-old said. ''If I thought I could do it from here, I would. I've certainly tried, I think I've proven that. I believe that where you choose to live is a big part of who you are.
''I don't want to say there are positives to industrial blight, but I do like the fact that I don't have to stand in line for everything and pay $10 to park for 10 minutes. It's safe, the cost of living is reasonable and obviously my family and friends are all here.''
As for what effect living and working in and out of Music City may have on his music, Sweany says being in the country music capitol of the world won't change what he does.
''I think I've carved out my niche. I have a good idea of who I am and what I do. If I thought doing something else would be profitable, I would have tried it already,'' he said, chuckling and taking a swig from his Newcastle brown ale.
''You won't see me go . . . there and start picking out country tunes or playing Margaritaville and hosting open mic nights at crappy bars. I would rather starve.''
Sweany already has a deposit down on a two-bedroom house in East Nashville, with a mid-August move-in date.
He hopes that the move will help jump-start his next record.
Until then, he'll tour this summer, do some spot dates and continue his Monday night residencies at the Matinee and Tuesday nights at the Zephyr in Kent. He is also contemplating one last big party/''musical throwdown'' in early August.
Taking the stage on Monday, Sweany and Porter, playing only brushes and a snare, proceeded to get the Matinee crowd's toes tapping with Sweany's rock-solid rhythmic guitar playing classic tunes by Bobby Blue Bland, Fats Domino and others and — per the job description of any good bar band— trying to facilitate a good time.
''Get drunk, fall down, spend money like it's on fire!'' he shouted.
Malcolm X Abram can be reached at mabram@thebeaconjournal.com or 330-996-3758.
Earlier this year, singer-songwriter Ryan Humbert left the safe confines and steady fan base of Akron/Kent to seek his fortunes in Nashville. Pretty soon, Humbert will have another Akron transplant in town to reminisce about Swenson's Galley Boys.
Get the full article here.
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