A few months ago we began receiving emails from a new band on our site from the San Francisco Bay area named Ten Ton Chicken. A steady stream of emails continued, advertising Festival performances as well as larger club venues. I reviewed Ten Ton Chicken in April of 2001 and was instantly a fan of the (American) West Coast's penultimate jam band.

Ten Ton's explosive quintet is made up from a musically and geographically diverse group.  Their witty personalities coupled with monster chops, creates a dynamic that is energizing, mesmerizing and humorous. Ten Ton Chicken's current band members are:

Gary Morrell - Electric Guitar and Vocals; Tom Fejes - Bass Guitar and Vocals; Rich DiBenedetto - Drums and Percussion; Nick Peck - Keyboards and Vocals; Jamison Reed - Sax, Percussion, and Vocals

Ten Ton Chicken has released one official CD under thier previous incarnation as well as dozens of live recordings from their growing live fan base. With TTC's current member lineup, they have just began recording their debut studio cut.

I was able to have a dual ICQ chat with Nick on one line and Gary and Jamison on the other. TTCs music samples at MP3.com and TyeDye.com give you a great example of their energy and creative improvisation skills.

<HotBands> How did you get your start with TTC? All of you seem to have come from different parts of the country.

<Gary> Oh man, that's a big question. I guess a little history is in order. TTC was formed in 1998. Nick (keys), Rich (drums), and I, Gary (guitar), started the band with a different bass player. Jamison (sax) and Tom (bass) joined in December 2000. So, we've been together for almost a year. In fact, we just played our 100th show.

<HotBands> I knew you were working on your first release under this incarnation, but wasn't De Cocksdorp your first studio release? Or was that a live cut too? Also, are people recording your shows live like they do with Phish and (formerly) the Grateful Dead? You seem along that line of a band, which is why I ask.

<Gary> Studio release, well funny you should say that. We just began work on our first studio album last night. Hope to have it out by the spring.

<Nick> Well, De Cocksdorp was recorded in the studio. But it was recorded in the prior incarnation of the band. We began gigging and working on new material so much that finishing the project fell by the wayside. By the time we finished mixing it, the new band was well under way, and we felt that this release didn't really portray us accurately any more. As a result, we finished it, but have not pushed it.

<Gary> De Cocksdorp was a very, very limited release. There are 10 copies in existence. It doesn't represent us as we are now. To answer your other question, yes, numerous folks show and tape our shows, which is very cool. We also tape most of our shows and upload the best shows to mp3.tyedye.com.

<Nick> As you know, you can record anything you want, but if it doesn't hit the distribution channels, it is a non-entity. But we finished it just to complete the work we set out to do. As far as taping goes, there is a loyal group of tapers that go out and record a number of the jam bands around our area. We have some tapers that come to every show they can, and record. The material gets out into the world, which is great with us! Gary will tell you how he met Rich. I met Gary some 15 years ago, when his progressive rock band Now had just moved to California. I was playing in another progressive rock band at the time as well, and we were astounded to fine others interested in this type of music. We have worked together in many forms over the years, and spent 3 years working on a progressive rock album named "Under the Big Tree".

<HotBands> Who would you say are your musical influences? How did all of you meet?

<Gary> Musical influences: Wow, lots in common, lots different. Our drummer, Rich is a metal head, he loves Rush, Sabbath, Judas Priest. Jamison (sax) is a big Yes head and world music lover. Tom (bass) digs old Meters, James Brown, Steely Dan, and funk. Nick (keys) loves jazz, Beatles. Gary (guitar) King Crimson, Phish, Dead, Syd Barret. Rich and Gary played together in high school. Gary Met Nick while playing in progressive rock bands in the early nineties. We met Tom by playing a double bill gig with his band Sticky's Backyard. Jamison met Nick while studying music at S.F. State in 1990.

<Nick> When we finished UBT, we were burned out of the studio and decided to focus on creating an improvisational band. Rich and Doc from Now came along, and TTC Mark 1 was born. When we decided to re-tool, I called Jamison Reed, an old yes fanatic friend from music school and asked him to audition. Tom Fejes came along through another band - we had noticed he was a stellar bass player, asked him to join, and it worked out. I guess that we have finally found a style of music that feels very honest and natural under our fingers, and yet appeals to folks! We try to combine musicianship and compositional sophistication with improvisation and butt-shaking groove, and it seems to work for us. The Internet is the greatest mechanism for allowing people to send a message without having huge marketing dollars. For example; the way we are communicating right now (ICQ)

<HotBands> You seem to have a huge following that blossomed rather quickly. How would you explain your success both touring and online? How has your association with TyeDye.com assisted you, and how are you tied in with them? (or is it 'tyed' in with them?)

<Gary> We seem to be growing via word of mouth, tape trading, and mp3s via the Internet. Yes, tyedye.com has been a great help for us. Also, we've played a lot of shows in a short time. And to that we owe a great deal of gratitude to our (6th) member, Kevin Doyle who tirelessly books and promotes the Chicken.

<HotBands> Is Kevin a member or just promoter?

<Gary> He is a member, per se. He doesn't play an instrument. He saw us practice in a basement about a year ago and has booked and been to every concert since (that moment).

<HotBands> I was wondering how many of you had formal musical training?

<Nick> Schooling - parenthetically, there are no dummies in this band. Tom has an electrical engineering degree from MIT, Gary has a degree in Geography, Rich is a COBOL programmer...Everyone has taken lessons at some point, which allows us to communicate quickly in musical jargon. Jam and I have formal backgrounds - I have a BA and MFA in music, I don't remember what Jam's (Jamison) credentials are specifically...

<HotBands> Nick, you mentioned music school...which one? How many of you are schooled musicians, and how many are self-taught?

<Nick> Speaking for myself, it was a combination of both. The formal education was very important, but it is the internal exploration and performing with others before and after my school days that really allowed me to grow as a musician. Jamison has a formal background, Tom Fejes studied music in school as a minor for years, Rich took drum lessons for years, I believe Gary is largely a self-taught guitarist.

<HotBands> You've done a lot of shows with the West Coast hemp movement. How did you fall into that? Are you guys owners or part owners of TyeDye.com?

<Gary> The hemp movement, well, seems that the Chicken is smoker friendly, as it were. The local S.F. hemp organizations continue to invite us out for different rallies and concerts. One of our fondest gigs was playing at a cannabis club in S.F. The patrons were very appreciative. Tyedye is owned by Gary and Nick. We use it as vehicle to promote our music as well as our compadres music. It is 100% free.

<HotBands> How do you see the direction of your band? What are your short/long term goals, plans for touring, release of your next CD, etc.

<Nick> Well, our strong suit is unquestionably in live performance. Recording is great, but there is a power that takes place in the moment that can't be easily captured in the studio. Having said that, it is critical to have clean studio recordings in order to allow more people to hear what we are about. Our primary focus will continue to be on performing and writing ever more material so we can play hours at a stretch on many nights without repeating material. Our current studio project, begun just last night, will be our focus through the winter so that we can expand our touring horizon next spring and summer. I'd love nothing more than to play Japan and Europe in the summer of 2002. And it isn't out of the question at all. It is a matter of getting the incredible logistics arranged, and making the funding happen so we can do it.

<Gary> Our goal is to get the debut album out and get out on the road. Truthfully, just playing live is what we live for. Getting an improvisation to a frenzied peak is what it's all about. We realize that there is no short cut to success. We are having fun playing. We just want to keep the momentum.

<Nick> The biggest challenge at this point is to generate enough money to maintain us while moving the Chicken to the next level. There is nothing we would like more than to travel around, touring the US constantly, but it is very, very difficult to make enough money doing that to sustain us.

<HotBands> As far as the online music scene is going, how do you see developments with Napster, MP3.com, etc? It seems to me that before MP3.com and Napster were bought out by the majors (record labels), they both provided more of a service that was geared toward helping unsigned artists.

<Gary> There are so many places on the net to find live music. The loss of Napster is a small bump in the road. They were just the most known site. I believe that the online music scene will continue to help new bands flourish. I could name a dozen sites to find free music.

<Nick>I thought Napster was terrific on so many levels. It allowed people access to hearing so much that they never would otherwise. It allowed for research, for sharing of musical ideas, for exploring the world's music from our desktops. It also leveled the playing field - it is just as easy to listen to Ten Ton Chicken as Phish or Mariah Carey on Napster. We support tyedye.com to allow as much music as possible to reach people who want to hear it!

<HotBands> I agree that it's incredibly difficult to support a tour. The bands that tour full time and are able to support themselves (i.e., wind up with more money when they get back than when they left) are bands that have a serious chance of making it with or without the 'system' that has dominated the music industry the past 50 years.

<Nick> Supporting a tour: Yes, I agree. To make it happen, you have to have enough name recognition to create a groundswell of support in the places you travel to. That takes some sort of marketing, which usually means yet more money.

<Gary> Luckily, for us, it's not really about the money. Whether we return from a tour with more money than we left, is somewhat immaterial. It's more about how many new fans we made and how many great shows we played. But, getting paid well to play is always great!

<HotBands> How has your market been outside of the Bay Area? Are you able to use the Internet much for promotions in Europe and Japan? What would you say is the strongest factor for TTC demand outside of your area?

<Gary> We are continually amazed when folks show up at gigs and say, "my brother is a huge Chicken fan in North Carolina." Or, "my friend gave me a couple of Chicken discs and I've been dying to see you guys live". The word is spreading. In fact, Relix Japan wants to bring us out Japan for a tour. We are planning on it after we get the album completed.

<Nick> Our market continues to expand through word of mouth. It is a truly grassroots situation, and we are delighted and touched that it is so. Our primary reach is through most of California, from San Luis Obispo in the south to Arcata in Humboldt County in the north. But we played in Missoula, MT, and were stunned at the turnout - the place was packed to the rafters.

<HotBands> I’ve listened to all of the songs that I could find between MP3.com and TyeDye.com. Your lyrics are humorous. How would you describe your inspiration for writing songs? Is it music based and you add lyrics, or is it lyric based and you add music? You remind me of Reduced Shakespeare Company

<Nick> I think that the word of mouth gets generated because our live shows are so full of energy and happiness. We seem like we are regular guys up there having a good time - because that is exactly the case. The music is full of bounce, full of energy, and appealing to listeners from all walks of life from the first time they hear it. I love seeing 60 year old men bopping to us, and it happens!

<HotBands> I like to get a different perspective on how you view success and what you might suggest to a reader that is in the infancy of their musical career. In your opinion, what are the most important things that brought you to the point of having a successful and happening band?

<Gary> Success to me is just enjoying music and playing it. Perseverance. As Jamison likes to say, "ninety percent of success is just showing up". Which is another way of saying, just hang in there.

<Nick>That is the easiest question in the world. Success is not about external trappings, not about what other people think, not about whether you make money at it or not. Success is about your internal personal relationship to your music. If you love what you do, if you feel that you are creating something that expresses something deep inside, that you are generating joy, then you are successful. Showing the music to others is an important step in your musical development - there comes a point when you want to step out and display your ideas - and then there can be years of examining, retooling, rethinking - but that is all the process. After 18 solid years of music, I can say with gratitude that I love it, breathe it, live it just as much at 36 as I did when I was 18 - maybe even more so. Follow your bliss!

<HotBands> To wrap this up, is there anything that you'd like to say to our readers about your band?

<Gary> Well, I'd like to say to anyone who's come out to a show, thanks so much. To those who haven't heard us yet, give us a listen. We'll probably be in your town sometime soon. To the tapers, thanks for spreading the word. You’re always welcome. To everyone (else), look for a Ten Ton Chicken CD soon.

<HotBands> Thanks for the interview!

<Gary> Cool. Thanks!