THE BREWERS

Sunday, April 27, 2008 The Brewers mix styles in effort to pleaseBy Chris SwindleJONESBORO — With a love for classic rock and folk, five Jonesboro musicians are sharing their enthusiasm for music with Northeast Arkansas.The Brewers — lead guitarist-vocalist Bobby Flye, bassist Mike Cobb, guitarist-vocalist Philip Jackson, guitarist-vocalist Mike Tuseth and drummer Tommy Harris — mix acoustic and electric sounds to create a style band members think most people will enjoy.“I think, or I hope, that every song will sound a little different than the one before. But I am willing to try any style as long as we like it.”The Brewers started out about five years ago with Kenny Brewer, Cobb and Jackson playing acoustic sets in their spare time. Later Jim Gramling began playing drums, and Matt Pierce joined on guitar.“We played a couple of downtown Jonesboro events but dropped the project after those gigs,” Flye said. “We reformed later when Tommy Harris moved back to Jonesboro from California.”More recently, Tuseth joined the group to form the current lineup.“We started out with more of an alternative, garage rock feel,” Jackson said. “With the recent addition of Mike Tuseth, we’ve embraced an Americana format that has diversified our sound.”Though each member has his own favorite performers, the group as a whole is influenced by artists such as the Beatles, the Byrds, the Allman Brothers Band, Buck Owens, Elvis Costello, Bob Dylan, Gordon Lightfoot and R.E.M.Jackson said the band’s style of music has not only been going over well with the middle-aged crowd, who grew up listening to the bands that influenced The Brewers, but it has also received some good responses from a younger audience.“I’ve noticed that younger people have a renewed appreciation for a more classic sound,” Jackson said.The Brewers cover a number of other musicians’ work including “Rock ’N’ Roll Star” by the Byrds, “For Your Love” by the Yardbirds, “A Day In the Life” by the Beatles, “Tired of Waiting for You” by the Kinks and “Lay Lady Lay” by Dylan.All of the band members have been playing music for decades and have performed in other groups. Thanks to that musical experience and some exciting personalities, the band has no trouble engaging the audience at live shows.“We have a great time. We joke a lot with the crowd,” Flye said. “And sometimes we play a song that maybe we all know but have never played before.”Jackson said the band strives to have an original sound, but some songs may sound similar to other artists.“I think our originals have some kinship to R.E.M., but that’s not by design,” Jackson said.Tuseth said the band plays “music for the heart and head.”Cobb expressed happiness with the group’s ability to change and said the band is gravitating towards roots Americana with a splash of folk, country and alternative expression.“We have been referred to as a musician’s musician type of band, that being we play the kind of music musicians appreciate,” Cobb said.Having performed locally at events such as Rocking on the Ridge and at venues like El Matador, Caffe Buono, The Brickhouse and Sidelines Bar and Grill, The Brewers have shared the stage with other local groups such as Plain Meanness and Starroy.Flye said the band is currently recording, but he’s unsure of when the group will have a CD finished. For those interested, the group suggests music lovers check out its MySpace page at www.myspace.com/ thebrewersband.When asked why he plays music, Jackson gave a good representation of the whole band.“Music brings balance to me,” Jackson said. “We are all required to be many things in this life and play many roles. We too often neglect and treat as unimportant the constructive pursuit of leisure. My quality of life is greatly enhanced by playing music and associating with friends and family who enjoy the same.“Art is important, and music is my art.”[email protected] Mike Tuseth wows the crowd at Cafe' Buono in his "Day-Glow" flip-flops.