And A Good Time Was Had By All

Friday night was the 1st Annual Sand Volleyball tournament to benefit Jesus House, and it was a lot of fun.  There were some seriously competitive volleyball being played, but most of all, the teams enjoyed themselves.  It was a free event to come and watch, and I'm sure next year, there will be at least double the amount of people participating, but it worked out well for a first outing.  

For the band, it was truly an honor to get to play some music and meet some of the coolest people on earth and to learn more about the issue of homelessness.  For example, for each and every homeless person/family (excluding the chronically transient), there is a church, mosque, or synagogue.  In other words, if each church brought in a homeless person/family and provided them with transportation, work, and shelter, homelessness as we know it we cease to exist.  

It would be something our children would read about in textbooks.  

It's tough to maintain neutrality as a band where deeply political or religious endeavors are concerned.  Our guitar player used to the be afternoon drive guy on Supertalk 930, WKY, so he is steeped in political hooplah.  There just so many people in our community who are struggling - not just musicians either.  When there is a chance to come together as a community to help the least among us, THAT is when the mettle of a band is tested,

It was a true honor to be a part of the event and we look forward to next year!

Signal 8

New Head Nurse for Signal 8

Being in a band is a lot of fun, but it's a lot of work as well.  More often than not, people tend to forget the hours of rehearsal that go into putting on a three or four hour show.  For the musician, it's a blessing to be able to do so and it's also a great feeling when things just seem to come together.   It has happened with us at Signal 8 more than we deserve, but we're thankful.  Not only have we been given a great opportunity to entertain for an event that is absolutely amazing - the 1st Annual Jesus House Sand Volleyball Tournament up at Lighthouse Fitness.  It's a great non-profit and kudos to Lighthouse Fitness for donating their space.

We have a huge development in the madness that is YOUR Signal 8 Band.  A young lady by the name of Casey Renea Sherwood has graced us with her presence and is now tackling the vocal duties along with our dynamic drummer, Dean- and making sure that the rest of the Signal 8 band members get their medication on time.  Casey comes from a Country background, but has always wanted to mix it up a bit with rock and country and whatever else we decide to play.  She's a trooper, that's for sure, and we're damned glad to have her as a part of the Signal 8 team!  

And by the way, your Signal 8 Band is working on some new merch for you all and you are flat out going to love it.  

Stay rockin' and stay with us.

1st Annual Jesus House Sand Volleyball Tournament

Sand volleyball has been around for a very long time, but until it became an Olympic sport, there was little hype and it wasn't a household word.  Today, sand volleyball is enjoyed by countless people across the country as an excellent form of exercise as well as a great way to gather friends, family, and colleagues together.

This time, the gathering is for a great cause - October 2, and 3 - Lighthouse Fitness 3333 W. Hefner Road.

Jesus House in Oklahoma City is one of those unique facilities where needs are met, comfort is given, and love is handed out freely - without making the participants "dance for their dinner."  Jesus House meets the needs of people who are hungry, homeless, addicted, and even those dealing with mental illness.  In the 1980s, public mental institutions were virtually shut down and forced to release patients because there was no longer a place for them.  While it may have save the government a few pennies, it costs our culture a whole lot more by having some folks out on the street who should be under the care of a mental health professional.  

What in the heck does any of that have to do with Signal 8 Band?  Well, we are honored and blessed to be on the scene Friday, October 2nd at 7pm or so to entertain, to play some music, and support a very worthy cause and of course, check out some fun volleyball.  This is kid-friendly environment, our drummer is a professional magician as well and will be having a few surprises in store for the kids!  We've already had people asking us if it is a tournament for homeless.  

No.

Teams are set up to participate and if you want to get a 4-person team together, simply hit the Jesus House website and let them know.  MORE INFORMATION HERE.

Y'all need to come.  We promise it will be a wonderful event!

Attitude Over Technical Proficiency

If you're like us, you've gone to see one of your favorite musicians perform and though they were technically spot-on during the show, there was a feeling that the performer was just not "into it."  For example, while in the Navy, our guitar player (Butch) drove from Seattle to Portland to see Bob Dylan open for the Grateful Dead.  It was a long drive during the summer months and this was at a time when they hadn't thought much about radar detectors - instead, his shipmate rode with a pair of binoculars, searching for law enforcement.

It was hilarious.

Bob Dylan opened the show before a packed stadium - Autzen Stadium at the University of Oregon.  Dylan didn't acknowledge the audience at all and just played three of four songs and walked off stage.  They had paid handsomely for those tickets and they really wanted to see a full show from Dylan.  Now, Dylan was technically perfect, his pitch perfect, his accompaniment was great.  But Dylan just wasn't "feeling it."

The Dead were awesome, of course.

Local bands can have that same problem.  One of our band mates went to a show put on by an Oklahoma Outlaw Metal band.  They were incredible to watch, their sound was beyond anything you'd expect from a local club, but during breaks and sometimes while playing, the guitar player just looked and acted like an aloof dick.  Sure, he was amazingly talented but he was an ass and the crowd noticed it and their applause wasn't quite what it could or should have been as a result, and then, the bar owner didn't make as much money as she should have that night.

Conversely, seeing a band that is talented, but who are funny, outgoing, friendly, and getting into the whole atmosphere is what people really want to see.  Audiences want recognizable, good songs, but they also want to feel as though they are part of the overall experience.

And that is a good thing.  The happier the audience, the more they will spend on drinks.  The more they spend, the happier the club owner.

Let's go make some noise together and not be asses about it.


Signal 8 Band

reverbnation.com/signal8band
facebook.com/signal8band

Email for booking info:  signal8band@yahoo.com

Rockin' the Box Music Festival

Well, your Signal 8 crew is honored and privileged to have the opportunity to perform with some of Oklahoma's most talented musicians and incredible bands at the Rockin' the Box Music Festival July 24-26.  The line up for each day is phenomenal, and if you're smart, you'll get your tickets now before it is sold out.  One of Ron's favorite bands is headlining Saturday night - Left To Die.

Here are the performance times:

Friday, July 24th, 2015 

Another Round (Headliner) 9:30 - 10:15pm
Sweeper 8:30-9:15pm
Happy Tuesday 7:30-8:15pm
Soul Torrent 6:30-7:15pm
Area Of Effect 5:30-6:15pm

Saturday, July 25th, 2015 

Left To Die (HEADLINER) 9:45 - 10:30pm
Chaotic Resemblance 8:45-9:30pm
Sign Of Lies 7:45-8:30pm
Evolution NOW 6:45-7:30
Switchbach 5:45-6:30pm
Signal 8 4:45-5:30pm That's US!
Machine In The Mountain 3:45-4:30pm
Killer Strut 2:45-3:30pm
Thunderhorse 2:00-2:30pm
No Light No Life 1:15-1:45pm
Firewolf 12:30-1:00pm
Everfade 11:45am-12:15pm
The Big Kid Show 11:00am-11:30am

Sunday, July 26th, 2015 

(HEADLINER) The Plums 9:45-10:30pm
Theory Driven 8:45-9:30pm
Six Gun Onslaught 7:45-8:30pm
Buxshot 6:45-7:30pm
Burning Icarus 5:45-6:30pm
Southern Lush 4:45-5:30pm
Arise & Devour 3:45-4:30pm
Chasing Jenny 2:45-3:30pm
Autumn On Javine 2:00-2:30pm
No Love For Aphrodite 1:15-1:45pm
Outside The Shadows 12:30-1:00pm
Brought By Fire 11:45-12:15pm
Dead As Yesterday 11:00-11:30am