< /b>
Where are you from originally?
Derek Bassett: Voorheesville, New York.
Thom Davis: Hornell, NY.
Joelle Labert: I’ve lived around Buffalo my whole life-Grand Island, then Kenmore and now the city.
Nathan Montague: I grew up in Lansing, N.Y., just northeast of Ithaca. My family lived in the rural-est part of town, beyond the reach of cable TV, sidewalks, and ice cream trucks.
Michael Tinsmon: Greece, NY — Suburb of Rochester
Who’s in the band?
Derek Bassett: guitars, vocals
Thom Davis: drums, vocals
Joelle Labert: vocals
Nathan Montague: harmonica, acoustic guitar, vocals
Michael Tinsmon: bass, vocals
When and why did you start playing?
Derek Bassett: I started playing guitar after dropping out of art school in 1985
Thom Davis: I got my first drum set in 5th Grade, a vintage Ludwig kit that I sure wish I had today.
Joelle Labert: My mother says I have been singing since I started talking. I would often sit on the swing set in my grandmother’s backyard, singing and making up songs. In 1989 when I was a freshman in college, someone wondered what had always been a dream of mine. I said I had always wanted to be a singer in a band. His band just happened to be auditioning female singers….and that began my musical career.
Nathan Montague: I started playing harmonica right before I failed out of college because I knew I was going to fail and thought I should have something reliable to fall back on. I went back to college a few years later.
Michael Tinsmon: Got my first bass the day before my 16th birthday, took my first lesson the day after. I was always drawn to the bass in music I liked when I was younger (blues, reggae) plus I already had a friend learning drums and two others learning guitar.
What was the first tune(s) you learned?
Derek Bassett: “Put A Candle In The Window” by CCR.
Thom Davis: “Shakedown Cruise” – Jay Ferguson. As fate would have it, the song features cowbell. I had a wood block, and made do.
Nathan Montague: The first song I learned on harmonica was Neil Young’s “Out on the Weekend”.
Michael Tinsmon: “Soul Man” — Blues Brothers version featuring Donald “Duck” Dunn on bass.
Who was your first teacher? Most instrumental teacher?
Derek Bassett: I took two guitar lessons from Willie Haddath in the late ’80s.
Thom Davis: The band director in grade school let me slide without reading music, I was the only drummer usually, and just made stuff up. Around 11th grade, my High School Band Director figured out my “problem”.
Joelle Labert: I took piano lessons as a kid, but I gave up too easily. Singing has always come naturally and I’ve never taken formal lessons.
Michael Tinsmon: I really can’t remember his name (it’s been a long time). I took about 3 months of lessons when I was 16. Then took another couple months with a different teacher about a year later. They gave me a good foundation, but I’ve been basically self-taught since then.
Is your family musical?
Derek Bassett: My father also plays guitar.
Thom Davis: My 6 year old son freestyles on keyboard surprisingly well!
Joelle Labert: My father is a musician. He plays the flute and saxophone. I’m pretty sure I got my talent from him because apparently I used to tell my mother that she didn’t even sing Happy Birthday right.
Nathan Montague: My family is musical, if you define musical as “of or relating to music” or “having an interest in, but not necessarily a talent in, music”. Nevertheless, my siblings and I often amused ourselves by singing together; train songs, murder ballads and the like, and by throwing rocks at each other. That’s not true; we didn’t sing train songs.
Michael Tinsmon: Not really, my Dad plays organ by numbers, but that’s about it.
When and how did your current band originally form? Or are you solo?
Thom Davis: I was lucky to have a co-worker spot the “looking for a drummer” ad, and love that I got the job in March of 2010.
Joelle Labert: The guys asked me to fill in one time, when one of their players couldn’t make a show. I was essentially just supposed to sing his harmony parts. After that day, I never stopped coming to practice and either to the dismay or delight of my bandmates, I assimilated into the band. I also have the honor of playing with other local musicians around town, such as Doug Yeomans and John G. Brady.
Nathan Montague: I just showed up one day and refused to leave. I think they’re afraid of me…
Michael Tinsmon: Flatbed was formed after the demise of the RedGills in mid-2003. Joelle, Derek, and Mike began writing and performing as an acoustic guitar/bass/vocal trio in late 2003. By early 2004 we were ready to find a drummer and another guitar player and get back to being a full band. In spring of 2004, we recruited Dan Smith on guitar and Ted Chubbuck Jr. on drums and took the name Flatbed.
How did the name of the band come about?
Michael Tinsmon: The same way they all do, it was the first idea where everyone said, “Sure, that’s OK”. We brainstormed several ideas and this was the first one no one objected to.
Which famous musicians do you admire? Why?
Derek Bassett: Steve Earle, Billy Joe Shaver, Loudon Wainwright III and Hendrix.
Thom Davis: John Bonham. He had a monster beat, and could really hold his liquor… except for that one time.
Joelle Labert: Los Lobos is one of my favorite bands. When Derek introduced me to them, it changed the way I listened to music. I could hear each of the instruments individually, but also hear all of them as a whole at the same time. Patty Griffin is also one of my favorites. Her style varies from song to song and album to album. I like the idea of being eclectic and playing lots of different types of music.
Nathan Montague: I admire Neil Young for his work ethic, putting out album after album, and his generous charitable work. I admire Junior Wells as a harmonica player. Unfortunately, he died young, before he got to the philanthropic stage that every celebrity goes through.
Michael Tinsmon: Tom Waits and Frank Zappa for their individualism and creativity.
Describe your first instrument.
Derek Bassett: No brand electric guitar with a Lil” Slugger amp.
Nathan Montague: Harmonica. It sat on my dresser for about a year before I finally picked it up and learned a few tunes.
Michael Tinsmon: Quest P-Bass copy. It was black with neon red trim. Pretty ugly, but it played well and didn’t sound too bad. Traded it in on the real thing (’81 American Fender P-Bass) a few years later.
Where is your favorite place to play/sing in Buffalo?
Joelle Labert: Sportsmen’s Tavern. Dwane Hall and his family have always been supportive of local music. The venue is great and the soundmen do an excellent job with the mix in the room. I’m becoming a serious fan of Duke’s Bohemian Grove Bar. I like the atmosphere; comfortable yet inviting. And Jim, the soundman, always makes me sound good.
Nathan Montague: I have three favorites: Duke’s Bohemian Grove Bar, Sportsmen’s Tavern, and Music is Art Festival.
Michael Tinsmon: Tie: Sportsmen’s Tavern and Duke’s
Where would you most like to play/sing in Buffalo?
Thom Davis: I went to “Anthem Try-outs” at Coca-Cola field this year- I am hoping the Bisons call me up!
Joelle Labert: I got to sing a few songs at Thursday in the Square once and that was an amazing experience. I would love to do one of the shows down at the Harbor. I also wish they would bring back the live concerts on WBFO because that was a lot of fun too.
Nathan Montague: Shea’s Performing Arts Center, in front of an actual crowd.
Michael Tinsmon: Thurs. at the Harbor/Buffalo Place Rocks the Harbor. Basically, at the new, great outdoor venue at the harbor.
Who are your favorite musicians? Groups?
Nathan Montague: My list of favorite bands changes often but typically includes Flatbed, Band Named Sue, Twang Gang, Camper van Beethoven, Cracker, Neil Young, Steve Earle, Johnny Cash, Grateful Dead, Smithereens.
Michael Tinsmon: Favorite bass players: Aston “Family Man” Barrett (Wailers), Donald “Duck” Dunn (Booker T & the MG’s, Stax Volt records, etc.), John Paul Jones (Led Zeppelin)
Have you been in competitions? Any awards?
Thom Davis: Uncle Monty and I had that one at the trough in the Old Pink men’s room… but neither of us could hold our breath long enough, so we never learned who would’ve won.
Joelle Labert: A few of us and the band have been nominated for the Buffalo Music Awards, but have yet to win.
Michael Tinsmon: No.
Where do you draw your inspiration from?
Derek Bassett: some unknown muse.
Nathan Montague: I draw my inspiration from my family and friends but mostly from my beautiful wife. Her wicked sense of humor and joie de vivre encourages me to create and express myself through music.
Michael Tinsmon: I’m not sure. I think it comes from everywhere.
Do you tour?
Nathan Montague: No way, my wife would leave me!
Michael Tinsmon: Not really. Though I wish we did a little more regionally.
Where is the furthest from Buffalo that you have played?
Michael Tinsmon: Without a map I’m not sure. Either Jamestown, Rochester or Pollywogg Holler in Belmont, NY.
How often and for how long do you practice?
Michael Tinsmon: Band practice = 2 hours per week, personal practice about the same.
Where do you practice?
Michael Tinsmon: My house.
Do you play/sing covers?
Thom Davis: According to my Wife, I steal covers.
Nathan Montague: About 50% of our songs are cover songs. However, they are mostly non-standard covers.
Do you play/sing original music? If so, who writes the music and the lyrics?
Nathan Montague: About 50% of our songs are original songs. However, they are mostly non-standard originals.
Michael Tinsmon: Yes, the lyrics are written by Derek, Nathan, or Joelle depending on the song. The music is more a group collaboration with one of the three principal writers taking the “lead”.
If you could play/sing for one famous person, who would that be?
Joelle Labert: I think I’d have to go back to Patty Griffin. I greatly respect her as a musician and would love her opinion on my performance.
Michael Tinsmon: Tom Waits.
What are your strengths?
Michael Tinsmon: Unique but accessible originals. Interesting and uncommon cover choices. Strong vocal harmonies and a relaxed, fun stage presence.
Joelle Labert: Nicely said, Mike.
What are your weaknesses?
Derek Bassett: Thinking too much.
Joelle Labert: The fear of making mistakes. After over 20 years of playing out, I think I’m almost over the stage fright.
Nathan Montague: Pale Ale.
Michael Tinsmon: Tendency to overthink.
Do you have a label? A recording studio? Have you recorded a CD?
Joelle Labert: I put out a “solo” CD, Dancing Virginia, early 2010. It features approximately 20 local and extremely talented musicians.
Michael Tinsmon: Label = Flatbedmusic, Studio = TinsMono Sound, Recorded 2 CDs.
< /b>
Where and when is your next gig?
Nathan Montague: I thought you’d never ask! We play the happy hour shift on the first Friday of every month at Duke’s Bohemian Grove Bar, 253 Allen Street, Buffalo, N.Y.
Michael Tinsmon: Fri. May 3rd, Happy Hour @ Duke’s in Allentown. 6 – 9pm, Free.
Anything else?
Nathan Montague: So many years of constant gigging has given Flatbed the ability to judge a crowd and perform a show that suits the crowd’s interests: we know how to balance their fun, original material with a long and varied list of classic American rock, country, and blues songs. Flatbed is not a shoe-gazing band; we are upbeat, play because we love to play, and always engage the crowd.
Website: www.flatbedmusic.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/flatbedmusic
YouTube Video: www.youtube.com/watch?v=veE4Y9o16QA
YouTube Channel: www.youtube.com/user/flatbedmusic
ReverbNation: www.reverbnation.com/flatbedmusic
CDBaby: www.cdbaby.com/Artist/Flatbed
**************
If you play in a group/band (or solo) here in Buffalo, and have an upcoming gig at a venue(s) in the city, consider sending Buffalo Rising an email requesting to be emailed a Q&A interview that we can then post, along with concert dates. It’s a fun and easy way to get your name in front of another audience that is interested in learning about the local music scene.
The requirements are:
-You must have a public show coming up in the city of Buffalo, as our focus is the urban landscape
-You must have a photo of the band
-Solo acts are also welcome
-Video is a plus
-CD/Album/poster art is welcome
-Links to Social Media sites are a bonus
-Ability to take accept both praise and/or criticism is a must
It is up to the discretion of Buffalo Rising whether or not to publish the interviews depending on nature of content submitted, or lack thereof.
Please send requests here. Include “Sounds of Buffalo” in the subject box of the email.
See more Sounds of Buffalo: Free Henry!, Mari McNeil, Davey O, Theresa Quinn, Jim Bohm, Chae Hawk, Nikki Hicks