The Responsible Adults came together for rehearsals all the way back in the spring of Ought 8 when Portland singer/songwriter Greg Thelen (Indigo, Rock Creek) asked some friends to help put on a Saturday show at the White Eagle. They had fun getting together and breaking down the tunes. Bar band hell flashbacks were kept to a minimum, because everybody already had their day job. June came and the gig went well and everybody seemed to like it, including the guy at the door—always a good sign. The name? One night at rehearsal, people kept answering their cell phones, saying, "I've gotta take this--it's my teenager." Since everybody in the band has kids, there was a communal shrug-off. After about the fourth call, Gary gave a knowing look and said, "We must be responsible adults." The name stuck.
Gary Slone (Evergreen Blues Band-Chicago, Tikihead-PDX) has played solid percussion on a few of Greg's solo gigs in the past. Music mate and friend Don Schei (John Q. Public and the Puppet Theatre Band-Portland Maine).has a history of making music with Greg on everything from wax paper and comb to mandolin, harp, trombone, and bass. Former Nashville session ace Don Baker (Sam Cooke, Rita Coolidge, NPR) brings the seriously burning riffs on his smoky brown Telecaster.
The Responsible Adults will be playing around town now and again until they get their big break—and then they’ll be, well, still playing around town because this is where they live with their people. Doesn’t sound too wild? Hey, they’re regular. Better yet, responsible. The short-term goal is to get the songs sounding really good. And beyond that? Well, these guys know life is what happens while you’re busy making other plans (thanks, John). So we'll just have to waiat and see.
Life is good. Music is fun. Do it more. Play songs that bring some heat. Feel it deep and turn it up so somebody else can get it too. Too risky? What else is out there on the edge? Drugs? Sex? Oh, excuse me--I think I hear my phone. . .
