MOUNT VERNON — When Sammy Dodge commits to an idea, watch out. The 21-year-old student decided last year to take some time off from Sarah Lawrence College in Bronxville, N.Y., to work on his music. He decided along the way that he and his younger brothers were going to form a band.
Not that they knew anything about it.
“They were easily convinced,” Sammy said.
Brothers Jack and Yo-yo (as he’s been called for years), both 19, took it in stride when Sammy informed them they’d be taking up the bass and drums, respectively. They began practicing in a house in the country their parents owned near Jelloway. Now, one year later, the band has progressed from baby steps to readying to strut across the stage during its Columbus debut Saturday night at the Newport.
The Newport is the premiere venue for new music in what has become the most creative music scene in Ohio. Although The Up All Nights, as the brothers named the band, have only played smaller venues on the local circuit, the song and performance samples on the band’s MySpace Web site caught the attention of the Newport.
Sammy attributes the breakthrough to the band’s energy.
“Most bands are willing to just stand there,” he said. “Maybe they think it’s stoic; I don’t know.”
“We never do a set list,” chimed in Jack, explaining that they prefer to decide on the fly what songs to perform, adjusting to the taste of the audience as they go.
Although they perform a few covers, most of the band’s material is original. At first, Sammy wrote most of the songs, but as his brothers got secure on their instruments, they began joining in the process, which typically takes place during the band’s daily rehearsals. More recently, Jack and Yo-Yo have started writing their own songs, too.
Does this competition amongt siblings ever lead to jealousy?
“That we’re brothers is never a negative thing,” Sammy said. “It’s like Hanson,” he added, laughing. “Well, maybe not.”
“A stairway to Hanson?” said Yo-yo with a deadpan face, reducing his brothers to giggles.
The playful chemistry the brothers have has allowed them to progress quickly in the last year. When they started, rehearsals were four hours long. One year along, they still play daily to keep in peak form.
Their musical influences are many, although they said some of their quickly growing base of fans have compared their sound to such varied bands as The Doors, AC/DC and The Rolling Stones. In conversation with the band, references came up to even more diverse influences, like Bob Dylan and T. Rex.
“We don’t try to have a sound,” Sammy said. “It’s about the songs.”
The MySpace page, which has helped spread the word quickly, was set up for the band by a computer-savvy friend.
“The music industry’s changed completely,” said Jack. “It’s all on the Internet now.”
The brothers grew up in Loudonville, where they were known by the surname Koppert, but taking on stage names is part of the business of rock and roll. Even their roadie, who joined them for the interview, styles himself Nathanimal Sander.
Sammy said the sense of surprise which can happen in a good performance is important, comparing it to the way looking at a great artwork can make one suddenly breathe differently. He said that The Up All Nights aims for that with every performance.
The band is looking forward to the live show Saturday night, and are hoping that their local fans (“the fellow sleepless,” as Sammy calls them) are able to make the trek to the Newport.
“Live is what it’s all about,” said Yo-yo.
“It’s the only fun part of the day,” Jack said.
Doors open at 7 p.m. Saturday evening at The Newport Music Hall, 1722 N. High St., Columbus. The Up All Nights will be taking the stage around 8 p.m. and play for about half an hour. Other bands playing Saturday night are November Rain, Zero Times Tardy, and Sturbridge :: Block Out The Sun.
What would the band like to say to any potential fans?
“We’re electric warriors and it’s an electric war,” Sammy said with a grin.
“Just make sure they like rock and roll,” said Yo-yo.
