An award-winning quartet based in Roanoke/Blacksburg, Virginia, No Strings Attached actually features hundreds of strings playing music described as "eclectic, jazz on acoustic instruments and world beat." Much like Clark Kent appears ordinary for the most part, only to become Superman after visiting a convenient phone booth, No Strings is superficially a traditional string band focusing on instrumental arrangements, but they consistently stretch the boundaries of string music beyond traditional concepts. The Washington Post accurately described them as "one of the more adventurous string ensembles today." While their recordings feature traditional acoustic music, they also incorporate material by Dave Brubeck, Thelonious Monk, Sonny Rollins, the Chieftains, and Bill Spence, as well as their own originals. The eclectic brand of music they play and their exciting stage personae --think Cirque du Soleil and you're close-- has allowed them to open for such artists as Mary Wilson and the Supremes, Bela Fleck and the Flecktones, Nickel Creek, Doc Watson, Stephen Bennett, Tommy Emmanuel, the Dixie Chicks, Alison Krauss & Union Station, Turtle Island String Quartet, John Hartford, and John McCutcheon. They have played in European venues such as Cardiff Harbour Festival, (Wales), the Pontardarwe Festival (Wales), the Cork Dulcimer Festival (Ireland), Folk Club Zuriche (Switzerland) and in U.S. venues ranging from the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and CBS TV's Morning News program to major festivals such as the Walnut Valley Festival (Kansas) and the Pacific Rim International Music Festival in Los Angeles, California. They wrote and performed the theme song for the PRI radio show "World Cafe". On stage, they typically dance the tango with their instruments, parody old rock and roll bands, clog while playing old-time tunes, and sometimes use the slinky (yes, the old toy) as a percussion instrument. The band members don't cite strong folk music influences. Bassist Bob Thomas comes from the jazz, rock, and bluegrass worlds and is one of the vocalists in the group. He takes his role as "bassist" to heart, playing acoustic bass, bass clarinet, and bass saxophone, with the goal of "owning a bass instrument from every instrument family." Wes Chappell is the other vocalist and the multi-instrumentalist of the group. His background is rock and roll, but he plays in a variety of styles. Harmonica player Pete Hastings has become well known for his virtuosity on the chromatic and diatonic harmonicas, having studied under harmonica master Howard Levy for a number of years. Hastings also doubles as the group's guitarist. Randy Marchany, who plays the hammer dulcimer and keyboards, was trained as a classical pianist. So, given their varied backgrounds, perhaps the band's selection of material isn't all that unusual. This variety of styles is one of the cornerstones of their appeal. Some of the awards the band has received for its albums include nominations for the NAIRD INDIE awards for "Best Album - String Music Category" in 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1990 and 1992. Their 5th album, "Take 5" won the Indie award for Best Album in 1988.
Source: MusicHound Folk: The Essential Album Guide
Band Members
Pete Hastings, guitar, harmonica (1978-present)
Bob Thomas, bass, bass clarinet, bass saxophone (1984-present)
Wes Chappell, hammer dulcimer, mandolin, mandola, guitar, pennywhistle, percussion (1978-present)
Randy Marchany, hammer dulcimer, synthesizer, piano, percussion (1980-present)
Great pictures! Wow, I'd forgotten that Wes and Randy both play fiddle (along with everything else under the sun). btw, I was at a jam in Nashville, TN on Friday and spoke of y'all with a fellow HD'er. And we looove eclecticism. Peace to you all!
James Jones made a video of some of his dulcimers with custom soundholes. I don't know why mine isn't featured on there because I think my dragon soundhole is the greatest thing ever, but Wes's soundhole is in the video (the wave soundhole featured at 2:54 I believe). Check it out: http://video. google. com/videoplay?docid=4602874746131137219
