Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, October 9, 1994 TAG: 9410100025
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-3 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: PETER S. WILLIS CORRESPONDENT
DATELINE: BLACKSBURG LENGTH: Medium
For band members Jen Gallagher, Art Mook, Jim Schaeffer, Doug Yeabower, Jim Cahoon and Stephanie Bonham the search has not been easy.
"We want to do what we want to do, and we hope everybody else likes it," Schaeffer said.
Schaeffer and the others are definitely doing what they want to do. Their style, a melodic blend described by Schaeffer and Yeabower as "Progress-o-Billy" or "Ed Sullivan rock 'n' roll," is unique to the Blacksburg musical scene.
The majority of Innocent Nixon's songs are originals written by Schaeffer, but the entire band combines 67 years of experience for the final musical arrangements.
Band members credit Elvis Costello, the Ramones and Buddy Holly as the major influences on their current style, but they do not want to be stereotyped.
"We're not looking for a specific style of music," Schaeffer said. "We hope the people will just listen to what we're doing."
While some local groups concentrate on cover songs, playing to the tastes of the college crowd, Innocent Nixon focuses on originals.
"A typical gig would be about 75 percent originals," Cahoon said.
That's probably limited the band's success. Many bars and fraternities seem to prefer bands who perform music from popular, accepted groups, Schaeffer said.
The band also has had its share of personnel problems with members coming and going over the last few years. The current line-up has been together for more than a year and Schaeffer is comfortable with the "good chemistry" among the members.
The chemistry seems to be working. The band has played a variety of clubs and fraternities throughout Blacksburg in recent months. A well-received performance at this summer's "Steppin' Out" also increased the band's notoriety. The next local show is scheduled for Thursday at South Main Cafe.
"We're gonna bottle up all our rock 'n' roll experience and release it at South Main Cafe," Schaeffer said.
Blacksburg will hear more of Innocent Nixon in the near future. They are currently featured with Richard Jesse Project, Radar Rose and other local bands on the compilation compact disc "Sampler One" from Flat Five Productions. Their own compact disc, "Relax and Enjoy: An Evening with Innocent Nixon," is scheduled for release later this month. Both discs will be available through the Record Exchange in Blacksburg.
The band hasn't given much thought to long-term prospects beyond a possible European tour in 1995, but music will always play a role in their lives.
"We can be scientists and engineers any time when we're older," Schaeffer said. "Playing isn't something I plan on putting down soon."
by CNB