Common Sense
Common Sense has established itself as one of California’s premier reggae rock
bands. Their influences from reggae, rock and ska, give them a new roots sound
of their own.
Nick Hernandez, Larry Young, Billy Sherman and Phil Gough have been brothers
in music for years and are committed to performance and sound they love. The
band’s multiple personalities work together to craft soulful, intelligent sound that
tells stories of real life. With heartfelt lyrics and melodic harmonies Common
Sense delivers a true music experience.
The group started out in the college music scene of Santa Barbara and quickly
dominated the Southern California club scene. Noted for their high energy live
shows, they continue to grow a loyal fan base. The band has toured with many
legendary reggae artists such as Ziggy Marley, Steel Pulse, and Jimmy Cliff.
Their far-reaching style has earned them a spot on national tours from the Van’s
WARP Tour to Reggae Sun Splash and Reggae on the River.
Critical and commercial success has led the band to work with top producers
Don Was, Ron Saint Germain and Roy Thomas Baker. Common Sense’s music
catalog includes five albums beginning with Live at the Belly Up Tavern, followed
by Psychedelic Surf Groove, State of the Nation, Common Sense - Common
Sense, and Don't Look Back. The band is presently in the studio recording a new
album of original material slated for a summer release.
"Stavros" - the Rock'n'Ska Sound
I remember standing in the weed-grown parking lot of a bar in Nowhereville, California - and loving it. The neon lights did not work so well, there were wide splits in the asphalt, but it was nearly full of cars, and the people who had left those cars were in the bar where I was about to play my first professional gig - and loving it!
The largest shows I played so far were 24,000 per night for two nights at the Beijing Coliseum. Those were fun shows and a fun tour - well kinda crazy, you know what I mean. There have been many smaller shows, which are a little funner in that I can actually see the people and build a rapport between us, makes the show so much better.
Playing in the Hollywood club scene was a gas, I always remember stopping off at a taco truck while going home after finishing up late shows. We used to play at Gorky's at Hollywood and Vine a lot - it was a 24 hour place and people would come by there after the shows ended at the Pantages or the Paladeum. between sets we would sometimes scurry down to Catalina's and check out some Jazz Legend playing there - then scurry back to play another set. One night Phillip Bailey came by and hung out - intrigued by our Rock'n'Ska beat.
I have met a great many musicians during my brief career, but the guy I am closest to is probably Jim West, "Weird Al's" guitar player. Jim has worked on nearly all of my albums - he is an amazing musician, plays slack-key too.
Writing, arranging, and recording songs is like working a crossword puzzle, playing a video game, or decorating a house just right. You really have to spend some time, be willing to redo, have a little luck, a lot of tenacity, but mainly enjoy it because the effort is the fun.
Then there is live performance - that is just like...Crazy Wow! And every time I approach the stage, hear the sounds, and smell the smells, I am still the kid standing in that weed strewn parking lot...playing that first gig, and loving it.