The American Wake 25thAnniversary
It has now been 25 years. Frank and Eric met for the first time at a mutual friends apartment to form a band that would become The American Wake. (It was December 1993, neither of us know the exact date). The 25thanniversary of the first gig is coming up this March. We’ve always considered March 17thour anniversary but recently found the flyer for our first gig. The 17thwas a weekday that year and our first gig was the Saturday after. So we are going to celebrate all month long, very convenient since we will be in Japan for St. Patrick’s Day.
Recently Tod made the statement, “well it’s Frank and Eric’s anniversary”. To which I replied, “it’s the anniversary of anyone who has had anything to do with The American Wake and keeping us going all these years”, especially the current band who has kept us together for the longest period, Robert, over 18 years, Tod 10 years and James 5 years.
For too much fun over 25 years we cannot thank enough, first of all, Robert, Tod and James.
We also cannot thank enough, Matt Maulding, Chris Hatt, Damien Murray, Kevin Dixon, Jason Toney, Kyle Dennison, Duncan McGrath, Chad Patchen, Alex Wesner, David Schumacher and Mike Coulter.
Each of these musicians made it possible to keep the band together by playing their hearts out which we’ve always considered more important than skill and precision. That’s not to say there haven’t been many moments of incredible musicianship that have blown us away.
We’ve also always held compatibility and camaraderie in the highest regard. We’ve been incredibly lucky when changes to the band have been made. For example, when Damien left, we knew a fan that has played drums in rockabilly and Irish bands and is a great guy. No auditions were necessary. Tod was in! The same happened when Chris left. James was a fan, great bass player, great guy and ready to jump in. Again, no auditions necessary! And everyone over the 25 years has been an awesome person to hang out with.
Reflecting back we find it amazing how we ever wrote songs, learned covers and recorded CD’s. We spent hours, days, months, years in studios drinking and laughing our asses off and somehow produced all of it, 7 CD's, two movie soundtracks and a couple of compilation recordings, not to mention all the gigs and a little bit of traveling. But it does make sense. For without the laughter and camaraderie none of it would’ve been possible.
We thank the wives and girlfriends of all of the above named. We know it’s been a sacrifice to have us out on Saturday nights especially as we get older with more responsibilities. Thank you for supporting us in what we love to do.
And we thank so much the fans and friends over the years for treating us local boys like rock stars. “fans that we call friends!” ~ This Night/Across The Water
CHEERS TO 25 YEARS!!!
