Band of the Week
Band of the Week
The Phosphenes
Band members: Teddy Sablon, guitar, vocals, witty banter. Warren Dietzel, mandolin, guitar, harmonica, vocals.
Band born: December ‘07
Type of music: Folk/Funk
Originals or covers: Yes. Seriously though, we have a large repertoire of original tunes and play a wide variety of obscure and semi-popular covers.
Sounds like: Paul Simon meets Bob Dylan meets Bob Marley, The Grateful Dead, and Steely Dan.
Songwriter’s muse: Hard times, good times, love, life, strange situations.
Influences: Teddy: Chuck Berry, Van Morrison, Steely Dan, The Grateful Dead, Johnny Cash, The Beach Boys, The Band, Moon Boot Lover, Michael Hedges, The Wooten Bros.
Warren: Wow, where to begin? Well, I listen to a lot of rural string band recordings from the early 20th century. Among recent bands, I would have to mention ThaMuseMeant, Big Smith and The Phil Lesh Quintet. Other than that, I listen to a lot of music that was made before I was born.
Accomplishments: Teddy: I’ve been the leading member of the band, Guta, which has been a successful touring band on the East Coast for 10 years. We’ve been featured in Billboard magazine. Relix magazine listed us as number one out of 10 in an article called “10 Best Kept Secrets.” We’ve played numerous music venues such as CBGB’s, Nectar’s, The State Theater in Fairfax, Va., and The Norva in Norfolk, Va. Warren: I performed in several bands in California, where I lived in San Francisco for nine years. While playing with River of Rust, we recorded two albums and did a coast-to-coast tour to NYC and back.
What kind of crowd do you draw: We tend to draw a fairly eclectic crowd of locals and travelers as well as some fellow musicians from the Fayetteville music scene. All in all, a decent lot.
When and where do you practice: We usually practice at Warren’s place in Greenland overlooking the scenic Butterfield Trail corridor.
Any albums: We just started working on a new concept album called “The Earth Spins Sideways.” We hope to have it out soon.
Total number of tattoos and piercings: None, I think.
Back stage ritual: Oh, I think it’s probably the usual ritual.
Funniest or strangest thing that ever happened during a performance: We probably can’t legally print the strangest or funniest thing, but we have seen some crazy stuff. One time Teddy had a lit cigarette flipped in his face by some lady after he wouldn’t let her sing a song. She had to be ejected from the place. Not to mention there’ve been some antics on stage as well.
Goals: We just want to be more popular than The Pope County Bootleggers. Just kidding guys.
New Projects: Teddy’s drummer from Guta is moving here in December, so plan on checking out some Guta shows right here in the ‘Ville soon. We have also been playing with Crazy Neighbor. We’re playing a bunch of shows around town these days, so keep on the lookout for that. We also just recorded an eight song demo which we hope to start promoting soon.
Dream act to open for: Warren: I dunno, I’d probably have to say Phil Lesh.
Teddy: Stevie Wonder
Last CD purchased: Teddy: Brad Paisley, “Time Well Wasted,” I think. Warren: Nathan Moore, “In His Own Worlds,” I think.
Most played song/s on your iPod?: Teddy: I don’t own an iPod. Warren: My iPod recently broke, but I think ThaMuseMeant probably got played the most, followed by, maybe, The Phil Lesh Quintet.
Upcoming shows and tours: Nothing on the platter at the moment, but we may be playing New Year’s Eve somewhere in Fayetteville.
Web site: Warren: myspace.com/endwarr
Crazy Neighbor: http://www.myspace.com/crazyneighborband
Guta: http://www.myspace.com/37920392
