Section 8

Section 8: A Sexy, Original, Memorable, Versatile and Inspiring Band’s-Band

Hard-pressed for a description, that’s the best line Section 8 has to offer about themselves. Most of their thoughts are centered on the music they create together. Throughout the years, Section 8 has experienced turns and shifts, ups and downs, and lineup changes. Riding in on the dawn of 2005 with a solid group of musicians, Section 8 has set their sights on what they love most: creating and playing original music that a fan as well as a musician can appreciate.

The journey began at the turn of the millennium in Sheboygan, WI, with guitarist Steve Bossler and a cavity gouged deep within his musical soul. He had been playing in a heavy metal band called Rusted Remains at the time, and yearned for something more.

“I wasn’t getting the fulfillment that I needed,” says Bossler. “Rusted Remains was just a fun, don’t-have-to-think-about-the-music-band, cause it was heavy and easy.”

Influenced by the likes of John Frusciante, Mike Einziger, Mr. Bungle and Dave Navarro, Bossler wanted to form a new group and let the music lead, though he wasn’t exactly sure what format the music would take.

Shortly after finding a drummer to play with, though he turned out to be temporary, Bossler met a bass player named Ryan Paff through a mutual friend.

“I knew [Steve] was looking for a bass player. Cuban introduced us,” says Paff. “After one afternoon jamming, Steve asked me, ‘so you wanna be in a band?’”

Paff wasted no time in accepting the invitation, and thus, the core of Section 8 was formed. From the start, Paff and Bossler found innovative ways to mesh their different playing styles, a task seemingly easy as many of their influences are the same.

“Steve and I started developing our own sound,” Paff says. “It was all about getting to know each other’s play, affecting each other’s play. I think we’ve matured musically from that point on.”

Influenced by Les Claypool, Trevor Dunn, Victor Wooten, Alice and Chains, and Tim Bob, Paff has an aggressive, progressive approach to playing the bass, but also knows when to hold back. Playing in Section 8 has been a pleasure, according to Paff.

“It’s the first time I got together with people who were competent with their instruments.”

Right along with the idea of musical competence, Paff thought of his good friend Joe Austreng who played djembe. Originally, Joe meant to fill in on only a few songs, but his role quickly morphed with the group’s desire for more percussion, and he found a place to fill in every song, and continues to do so.

“Joe’s style came out of compensating for our drummer at the time,” admitted Paff.

“I knew Ryan, and came to check it out,” says Austreng. “No one gave a sh**, so there I was. I only had one drum, so playing was kinda like finding where I was going to fit it.”

Since first joining Section 8, Joe has purchased a full conga set, bongos, chimes, and wood blocks to add to his djembe. Within the songs he finds a nice blend of percussion, fitting it in so it doesn’t disturb, rather accompanies the feel of the song.

Agreeing that there isn’t much of a conga scene, he pulls his inspiration from groups that make “music with time changes and unique rhythms. A lot of bands do that, but don’t get credit for it.” He listed Blind Melon, Yes, Santana, and Primus as a few of his influences.

This lineup held for two years. At that time, their drummer Troy was balancing the band and his aspirations to join the armed service. Uncomfortable with the looming uncertainties in the future, Paff, Bossler and Austreng began looking for a different drummer.

The three frequented an open jam at a local tavern, and it was there that Austreng ran into drummer Ryan Kolosovsky. After seeing him drum on stage, a friend who was out with Austreng pushed him to ask for Kolosovsky’s contact information. Austreng ran out after Kolosovsky left the bar, catching up with him on the street. He convinced Ryan to come to a practice. Kolosovsky had no issues getting a feel for the band.

“I knew that if I wasn’t asked to play or try out, I was going to steal their bass player,” laughs Kolosovsky. “Watching Ryan is what sold me. I’d never seen anything like that before.”

Paff thought highly of Kolosovsky’s style and ambition.

“He had drive, obviously, and he was a very good drummer and a cool person,” says Paff.

Not too much time passed before Section 8 let go of Troy. Having Kolosovsky as a drummer fueled their passion even more. Each band member saw more dedication and drive out of him than they could have expected.

“Ryan listened to our demos and learned our songs [before we first played together],” says Paff. “He even put stuff to some of our news songs at the first practice.”

“There’s an unspoken connection between (drummer) Ryan and I,” says Austreng, “and that’s kind of fatty.

Kolosovsky says that he had never played with an additi