Over the 9 years that Burst of Silence was together, we grew as musicians and friends. We spent many miles and countless hours in close quarters (4 guys in a van for a week or two can lead to a unique scent). We used to joke that each band on the road had their own scent and no two were alike. We had a lot of laughs, a few fights (after all… siblings, even musical ones, tend to get on one another’s nerves at one time or another), a few tears, met many people, made many friends, played with many bands, had numerous adventures, and a lifetime of memories – I cherish all of them (well maybe not the Burst of Silence scent). As I sat down to write this, finding one or two things to write about seemed like a daunting task. Opening for Hootie and the Blowfish? Spending a week in the studio with John Alagia?, Fly fishing with Scott and Jen?, Rehearsing and recording in the basement?, Rob’s tidiness and tendency to refold a Taco Bell paper napkin after eating? Playing shows in Boston, Cleveland, Tampa, New Jersey, etc.? Playing with bands like Naked Blue and the Soul Engines? The countless pranks we pulled on one another? Writing songs? Rob’s black Strat? I could never narrow it down to under a hundred stories – so I thought I would just start at the beginning.
I was working at Gordon Miller Music where Rob, Max Mueller, and Ted Thompson were frequent customers. One early summer day Max and Rob came into the store to ask if I would consider joining their band - Legacy. They had a couple of gigs lined up and their bass player was leaving. I said that I would at least fill in for them for a bit and asked when they would like me to audition. Max said there was no need for an audition but I mentioned that they’d never even heard me play. Max relented and set up a time for me to come over to Rob’s and jam with them.
I remember that summer day very well. I pulled up at Rob’s house to find them set-up in the garage with a PA system in the driveway. They introduced me to everyone and we played a few cover songs and chatted a bit. It was all very casual and fun. Max and Rob mentioned that they had written a couple songs and their desire to write more. I walked towards the soundboard in the driveway as they began to play them. The first song they performed was I Don’t Mind. I thought to myself… hmmm that’s catchy. The next song was Give. Rob started singing the first verse and I was mesmerized - of the song but also Rob's voice. I think I may have even turned to Ted at the soundboard and said – you guys wrote this? Afterwards we hung out and chatted some more. Max asked if I’d like to join the band and I said that I would at least fill in with them for a while. This vagueness on my part was due to the age differences between the guys and me. I didn’t know if they were serious or not, would they break up and the end of summer, etc. so tried to be non-committal but internally I just knew there was “something” there. Rob’s voice, Max’s guitar playing, and Jeff’s drumming were a great mix and I left very excited to be a part of it. I guess I became the longest temporary bass player in history (LOL) and from that very beginning, my friendship with Rob (and admiration of him) was cemented.
He was a very close friend and like a brother to me. His sense of humor and laugh will stay with me forever along with his voice. Singing backup to him, along with recording his vocal on numerous recordings, I am still in awe of that tenor voice. His talent as a song writer has continued to be an inspiration to me. Even after we parted ways and our lives pulled us in different circles, anytime we chatted (which was much too infrequent then I think either of us wanted or intended it to be) I was back there – in that driveway and it feels like summer.
