One Thing I've Always Wondered About The Band....

Post by **Big Spoon** » Thu Apr 19, 2007 6:34 am

TBITB is definitely a huge part of what Al does. But they are mostly second to Al. We all know about them and think they're great, but the more occasional fan and outsiders to Al probably don't even know that Al has a band. So I've often wondered how Steve, Bermuda, Rubén, and Jim feel about it. I'm sure that they're fine it, or they would have quit by now. There are other instances of this, like with Bruce Springsteen for example. Has anyone else ever thought about this, or is it just me?

Thu Apr 19, 2007 6:38 am

I've thought of that too. I was wondering about how many neutral fans (Meaning not as hardcore as we are) even thought that Al has a band that he has been with for practically his whole career. As for those who know them, they might just say, "Hey look, its Weird Al's guitarist!" and they'll probably ask what its like to work with Al. I've felt bad because of that, though they're in the ALbum booklets and are mentioned, how much do the neutral fans actually know about them?

Post by **Well, Well, Well** » Thu Apr 19, 2007 6:45 am

I've thought about it, but never thought much of it.

Thu Apr 19, 2007 6:47 am

I really wondering about it last night because I went to a SAG screening and I saw someone who looked just like Jim. Too bad it wasn't. It got me thinking about it though.

Post by **KnottyEmily** » Thu Apr 19, 2007 6:58 am

I remember at the Canberra SOL show, Steve walked on stage, then minutes later came out and sat in the audience. He sat there for a while before Evan and I went to say 'hi'...We were trying to work out how nobody had noticed him, but I guess most people would have thought he was a roadie if they'd seen him on the stage, or just a regular guy if they weren't paying any attention.

It has to be good that they are able to just walk around without being hassled. I know a few people mentioned that they saw TBITB before the Aus shows, just walking around outside. Al's got less chance of being able to do that, especially if he was walking around in a Hawaiian shirt.

Thu Apr 19, 2007 7:20 am

Steve IS a regular guy, even though he's an amazing musician and has appeared on a whole heck of a lot of stages, records and videos. All TBITB have other musical projects besides their work with Al, and I think it's safe to say that they probably all wish their other work got more attention. Heaven knows it DESERVES more attention. I remember how pleased Jim looked when I first stopped him to ask for an autograph, and pulled out a copy of Coconut Hat.

edit: this was my palindrome post! #7227!

I think I'll dedicate this post to.... Bob.

Post by **Grom** » Thu Apr 19, 2007 7:30 am

At the Canberra show, I was trying to work out whether it was Steve for a while, before Emily and Evan started talking to him. There's a guy who is either a roadie or works at the Canberra Theatre, and looks amazingly like Steve, so at first I was thinking it could've been him.

I wish they could get more attention, and I think most of the fans here do give their other work that attention. Around these parts, it seems like Al is a way to expand one's musical taste into genres they wouldn't normally explore (Hawaiian, African-inspired music, Latin Jazz, for example).

Post by **Bruce the Duck** » Thu Apr 19, 2007 12:58 pm

I would think it would be the perfect deal for them. They get to be celebrities, but they still get to live like a normal person. They can go to the store and not be bombared by fans asking for autographs. They don't have to worry about being featured negatively in a magazine or on the E! network. But at the same time, they get all the fans fawning over them and adoring them at the concerts, and in that setting, they're treated like the rock stars they are. It's like they get the best of both worlds.

BUT, having said that, I have always wished that they'd be included on the album covers and maybe even in the artist name, like "Weird Al Yankovic and the _____________."

Post by **Kevbo1987** » Thu Apr 19, 2007 2:27 pm

I'm sure there are times when they wish they were in the background a little less, but I'm sure they're very happy with what they do. Like Jeremy said, it's probably kind of nice not getting recognized every time they go somewhere, yet they also have a lot of fans.

Post by **uwvark** » Thu Apr 19, 2007 4:46 pm

I know they exist. I know they've been there pretty much the whole time. I know their names. Since I've been here I've learned additional info on them including their solo projects and stuff. Because I know them in this context I would be more inclined to listening and purchasing said solo material. But I have to say, in the end, I am in this because of AL. His wit is on my level, his songs are the reason I have taken the approach to life that I have. I am unsure of what direction my 'uniqueness' would have taken me without him or where they would have ended up without him. But of course any friend of my friend is also my friend. Get it?