The Red and Black

Issue date: 11/5/09 Section: Out & About

Media Credit: Courtesy Danny Clinch moe. has taken time off from recording new material to focus on touring and fundraising. [Click to enlarge]

For a band spanning nearly two decades and an impressive 17 albums, moe.'s progressive rock career may not be on every college student's radar screen.

"We're a rock band, but we've done it a little different," said Chuck Garvey, guitarist and vocalist for moe. "Every once in a while, it sounds like Frank Zappa or straight-up, classic rock 'n' roll. We're a little bit schizophrenic."

moe., which began in 1990 as a college jam band at the University of Buffalo, has always considered itself to be an amalgamation of sounds. The group's original line-up has evolved over the years, but for the last 10 years it has stabilized around Al Schnier and Chuck Garvey on guitars and vocals, Rob Derhak on bass and vocals, Vinnie Amico on drums and Jim Loughlin on percussion and vibes.

Whether in the studio or performing on stage, moe. has built its reputation on a completely improvised but tight sound. Its dedication to performance art continually surprises fans due to the music's impulsive nature.

"It comes from playing for a really long time together," Garvey said. "It's like a conversation, you know when to state your piece and then back off and let someone else speak. It doesn't always work, and then sometimes it feels like ESP."

The guitar duo of Al Schnier and Chuck Garvey, who have been hailed by Rolling Stone as "guitar gods," has always been a unique feature of moe.'s sound. The two work seamlessly together, especially when improvising and jamming out on stage.

"It's a team effort," Garvey said. "Once in a while, I'll take the lead. You pick up on what's happening and take a supporting role. The whole band can change the overall feel of what's happening. You know your best friends and you can anticipate them."

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