by The Bourbon Cowboy

Currently Nameless. The name conjures up a comical image; a group of people with a quirky sense of humor who couldn’t decide what to name their band. This young and talented quintet from Burlington, Vermont does indeed have a ripe and ready sense of humor which they proudly exhibit during their live shows through songs like "Funky Elephant", "Wombat Stomp", "Barrel of Pickles Song" and "Sex in Molasses". But don’t mistake namelessness for lack of creativity or you will miss out on the most energetic and creative new band to spring from the musical spawning ground of Burlington in a decade. Despite their sense of humor, this band is serious about their music!

Guitarists Josh Keller and Dave Simpson, along with bassist John Treybal first played together during the fall of 1994. Vocalist and harmonica player Sean Daley joined them shortly thereafter. They played with several different drummers and under several different names until current drummer Daemmon Hughes came aboard in the fall of 1995 to complete the lineup. The band deftly combines elements of blues and rock ‘n’ roll with a touch of funk. Daley has a very distinctive voice, very soulful and at times nearly guttural, incorporating a variety of screams and vocal inflections to punctuate the music, reminiscent of Joe Cocker.

Currently Nameless’ songs are well-crafted and adroitly arranged. The versatile Daley writes most of the lyrics and will occasionally lend a third guitar to a song. Guitarists Keller and Simpson collaborate to produce energetic licks and artful chord progressions, unifying the band through periods of tension and release while laid-back bassist Treybal and the Berklee-trained Hughes drive the groove with a unmistakably danceable rhythm. But the true beauty of Currently Nameless is their ability to transform their material, especially through their quirky humor, such as when Daley turns Gospel singer in the middle of the band’s zany "Barrel of Pickles Song" and delivers a sermon to "The Brotherhood and Sisterhood of the Pickle" which would do a Southern Baptist preacher, or the Mothers of Invention, proud.

The band’s name came about when they were trying to get a gig at Club Toast in Burlington. Keller took a demo tape to the club, and since they hadn’t decided on a name yet he wrote "currently nameless" on the label. By the time the actual show came around they were still nameless, so the name (or lack thereof) stuck! "Besides," says drummer Hughes; "a band's name can directly affect how people classify a band's musical style. Currently Nameless represents our attempt to thwart this behavior as much as possible. Music is a universal language which shouldn't be hampered by artificial divisions."

Currently Nameless has toured up and down the East Coast and also did a tour of the Virgin Islands in the summer of 1997. After doing the Virgins the band went on a six-month hiatus only to regroup last summer and return to playing the northeast circuit, as soulful and energetic as ever. To date Currently Nameless has released a four-song cassette in early 1996 and an EP CD in 1997. In March they returned to the studio to record material for a new CD. They will also have a track on an upcoming compilation CD of local Burlington music, which is being produced by WWPV, the St. Michael's College radio station, and they are slated to be playing the CD release party in April.

Currently Nameless encourages taping at their shows, as well as dancing, smiling and laughing. The band’s friendly soundman, Eric Lussier, tapes nearly every show and gladly spins copies upon request. The band’s next appearances will be:

4/17 Ganza, Laurinburg, NC

4/23 Trinity College, Burlington, VT

4/25 University of Vermont, Burlington, VT

4/28 Higher Ground, Burlington, VT

5/1 Vermont Pub and Brewery, Burlington, VT

5/21 7 Barrel Brewery, West Lebanon, NH

For more information on tour dates and to hear samples of a few Nameless songs visit the Currently Nameless website http://www.value.addr.com/currentlynameless.

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