Trespassengers

The cool, smooth, alt-country, Americana rock of Trespassengers was a nice counterpoint to the passion of opening act Grantham Road.

Even without fiddler Ned Berry, the Trespassengers were a well-oiled machine, tight and polished.

With vocalist/guitarist Sam Weight leading the way, he and his mates -- guitarist Todd Slater, bassist Mike Francisco and drummer Brian Lang -- were stoics compared to Grantham Road.

While Trespassengers can rock, they are a controlled and disciplined band that seemed to have an explosion simmering below the surface.

Their faster-paced tunes would build to an almost jam-band like pitch, and then end on a wonderful note.

They even inspired quite a few folks to get up and dance, adding a festive atmosphere to a show that ended before prime-time television even began.

Gullifty's "Thursday After Work" is a great idea, and with bands like the Trespassengers and Grantham Road playing, they are sure to get some new patrons.

BY BARRY FOX
Of The Patriot-News

- Harrisburg Patriot-News

Looking to put on a family-friendly show, the Trespassengers and friends organized a free show at the Whitaker's Sunoco Performance Theater last Saturday. This was my first time attending a show at this venue and I was pretty impressed with the decor and acoustics of the theater.

If we could only get some more musical acts in there, then we'd be talking!

The mood was festive as the crowd - and I mean crowd, this was the most packed house I've seen for any local musical act in Harrisburg - was allowed to claim their seats. My fiance and I snagged front row seats that placed us about 15 feet from the stage.

The band strode on stage casually and took their spots with their instruments. There was some good-natured banter about not being able to see the crowd and then they started playing.

It was a treat to be able to see the band play full electric, after seeing them play acoustically this past year at Scott's. They are a really talented, strong group of musicians who really did justice to their late bassist, Mike Francisco, to whom the show was dedicated.

The original duo, Sam Weight and Todd Slater, spent some of the show playing acoustic guitars, showing the foundation from which this band grew. However, the best part of the performance was when the band played in full-force.

Overall, it was a great show; although, they didn't play long enough. I think they only had the stage for an allotted amount of time, but they did get to my favorite, 'Talk About What.' - Harrisburg Patriot News

If you're looking for a down to earth, approachable band, you don't have to look much past your front door. The Trespassengers are hometown boys that have worked together to produce a fresh, sing-along sound. They drift between the older, folksy sound of Neil Young and the easygoing side of Better than Ezra.

Ned Berry's fiddle work in "Who's Next" makes the track reminiscent of some of Dave Matthew's Band's older material. It's has a folksy feel but doesn't jump off the deep-end into country. Their track "What I Missed" has the well-packaged feel of local favorites, The Jellybricks. Their best track so far is "Talk About What." It's the perfect summer tune - you can sing it, dance to it, and it's going to stick with you long after you have heard it.

Despite the tragic loss of their bassist Michael Francisco, they are continuing on in his memory with shows in the midstate and Baltimore areas.

A couple weeks ago, I had the opportunity to pose some questions to the Trespassengers singer and primary songwriter Sam Weight.

What do you like about playing in Central PA?

"The best thing about Central PA, oddly enough, is the absence of an over indulgent music scene. Since it's not a mega-metropolis the crowds are generally just out to have a good time. The mood is usually low key, and this lack of "hype" tends to attract a genuine crowd that wants to hear good music. We know local bands from places like New York City have trouble getting anyone to notice them since they are constantly competing with successful bands from around the world. Here we don't have that kind of pressure - except when Dave Matthews is in town."

What is your favorite venue?

"Appalachian Brewing Company, by leaps and bounds. Good food, great beer and since there is almost always some sort of function going on... the bands enjoy a built in crowd that might not typically go to shows. Great for exposure. ABC is a great place - although, we've played a lot of outdoor events and we've always really enjoyed those settings as well, especially the shows put on by American Fallout Records, they are always a great time."

What are your influences?

"Many and diverse. Each of the members have their own sources they draw from. Mine would be The Who, Springsteen, Neil Young...stuff like that. Counting Crows too, but don't tell the rest of the band."

What tracks are playing on your IPod or CD player recently?

"Iron and Wine - The Creek Drank the Cradle

Son Volt- Jet Pilot

Beck- Hell Yes

The Flaming Lips - It Overtakes Me

Pink Floyd - Obscured by Clouds (the whole album)

Eels - Climbing up to the Moon

The Raconteurs - Broken Boy Soldier

Death Cab for Cutie - Plans

Wilco - Yankee Hotel Foxtrot

Red Hot Chili Peppers - Stadium Arcadium."

Whose local shows do you like to attend?

"The Jellybricks, Case 150, Herbie, The Green Onions, Sara B, Jefferson Pepper, Milkshake Jones, Wayne Supergenius, Grantham Road, The Thrives, Spotus, and The Mint."

How long have you been together?

"Not exactly sure, I think 2003. We recently lost our dear friend and bass player Mike in a tragic car accident. So as the current line up, just a few months. Todd and I have been playing together since we met, maybe fifteen, sixteen years. I've been playing with Matt Miller our new bass player off and on for at least as many years. Choncho, (aka Brian) and Ned have been in the band for 3 years."

Is there anything else that you would like people to know about your band?

"The main thing I guess is how much we love music."

"None of us, except our fiddle player Ned, are super gifted musicians. But the band was founded on one essential premise, to play good original songs. We are not naive to think we can impress anyone with theatrics or showmanship. We are not going to rock your face off, or subdue you with classic cover tunes. We play for the simple love of song. Our stuff comes from the heart, and we're very proud of that." - Harrisburg Patriot News

Formed as an acoustic duo in 1998, the Trespassengers were originally conceived as a creative outlet for singer-songwriters Sam Weight and Todd Slater, who at the time were playing with other more rock-oriented bands. Their collaboration produced a wealth of material in the contemporary acoustic/alt-country genre, and after experimenting with different line-ups and instrumentation, the core of the current band was established in 2003, including Mike Francisco on bass, Ned Berry on fiddle, and Brian Lang on drums.

After Mike's tragic death in May 2006, Sam's former bandmate Matt Miller joined on bass and the Trespassengers have continued to hone their sound, beginning work on a new recording to be released in 2007.

Drawing on both classic influences such as The Who, Neil Young, The Band, and The Eagles, and modern ones such as Wilco, Son Volt, The Eels, My Morning Jacket, Camper Van Beethoven, and the Jayhawks, the Trespassengers have stayed true to their singer-songwriter format, combining elements of traditional Americana with modern sonic textures.

Younger audiences appreciate the combination of honest, introspective lyrics and a sound that is refreshing in contrast with much of today's alternative rock, and older audiences appreciate the Trespassengers novel take on the "classic rock" genre.

As described by the band, the Trespassengers play "Music that isn't brazen, or over the top in anyway. Just a few chords strung together that stick in your head, the kind you find yourself whistling days later."

Members:

Sam Weight- vocals and guitar
Todd Slater- guitar and vocals
Matt Miller- bass
Brian Lang- drums
Ned Berry- fiddle, mandolin
- Harrisburg Patriot News

The Trespassengers of Harrisburg have made it into the quarterfinals for the Our Stage song contest with two of their songs in the competition's top 10 for Country/Americana - 'Who's Next' and 'Talk About What.'

Our Stage is a community music site where artists upload their music and it is voted on by users. There are a variety of channels and artists to vote on throughout the site.

The pool of artists in their genre have been dwindled down to just 20 bands. Tomorrow, the quarterfinal voting ends.

If The Trespassengers win the quarterfinals, they move on to the semifinals where the top 10 go head to head against each other and then to the finals for the Grand Prize - a $5000 award. There are also prizes for channel winners.

Here's how you can help these local rockers win the competition:

Listen in to each of their tracks:

"Talk About What" by the Trespassengers

"Who's Next" by the Trespassengers

- Click the Judge button at the top of the page

- Click the "Register Now" button and sign up for an account (if you haven't already)

- Once your account is confirmed through a valid email address

- Click on the Country/Americana field in the Genre drop-down, and whenever you see their songs up against anybody else... vote for them!

Quarterfinals end September 27; Semifinals begin September 28; Finals begin September 30.
- Harrisburg Patriot News