2008 Woodie Awards
Gentleman alumni aim to gain local fans
By: Shawn Dooley
Issue date: 11/16/06 Section: LifeStyle
- Page 1 of 2 next >
|
The Gentleman Auction House is a seven-member band, five of whom are Webster University alumni. The band was performing Nov. 9 at the South Grand bar and eatery, Mangia Italiano. The band typically plays about three to five shows monthly around the St. Louis area. The band was dressed like young professionals, the men in black slacks and ties and the woman in a black cocktail dress. Gentleman Auction House's sound and appearance can be described as that of pop-rock band Green Day, but they mostly compare themselves to the indie-pop-rock band Arcade Fire.
Each member has many roles on-stage and behind the scenes. Each member plays different instruments. The band members were attuned with one another and involved themselves with the crowd. The diverse crowd bopped their heads to the beat, and when the band started the performance, it drew a larger crowd from the restaurant side of the eatery.
"Our biggest obstacle was fitting on that stage," said guitarist Mike Tomko, an audio production alumnus.
The band
The dynamic of the group can only be summed up as fitting. Each member in their own way related Gentleman Auction House to a family.
"We like such different things," Tomko said. "We differ so much vocally that the sound is a part of each of us."
Each member doesn't just do one thing in the band. Tomko is a guitarist, a vocalist and does the day-to-day operations for Gentlemen Auction House. Kiley Lewis, a music alumnus, is a keyboarder as well as a vocalist. Eric Enger, an audio production alumnus, is a vocalist, guitarist, and writer. Steve Kozel, an audio production alumnus, is a vocalist, guitarist and trumpeter. Ryan Adams, an audio production alumnus, is a drummer. Eric Hurbst is the bassist. Stephen Tomko, Mike Tomko's brother, is a drummer in the band.
"There is a time and place for each member and we know it," Enger said. "Everyone has a role, and we fit right in because no one tries to overplay their role in the band."
The band has limited time to practice and perform, but makes time each Wednesday to practice at Mike Tomko's house. Each band member has a day job and performs in the band part-time.
Be the first to comment on this story