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the making of CHEW By: Patrick Hamm On a cold day in January 1997 Peter Hamm, Chris Renzi and Patrick Hamm of Northern Virginia rock band GUM! began work on their first album, CHEW. It was to be made up of 13 songs, most of which were new additions to the bands repertoire and 2 of which the band had yet to even learn... |
"GUM!" Goes on Songwriting Rampage!
By: Mike Darucki
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July 28, 1998
The Northern VA based rock and roll band "GUM!" has been turning out songs at a breakneck pace this Summer. Five new songs have come from the boys in "GUM!" in just two months! Usually the songwriting process in "GUM!" starts by one of the guys coming to practice with an idea. This idea is then embellished by the other members. Someone will suggest a chord change or section, and all four members contribute. This has been happening a LOT lately, and "GUM!" fans have been enjoying it, and clamoring for more.
Their show late May at the Grog and Tankard debuted a very well received upbeat "Thinking of you". Penned by Chris and Pete (with Pat and Phil contributing as well) this song is a poppy upbeat number about infatuation. Pat sings lead and Phil & Pete's soaring background vocals are featured in a call and response chorus.
Quickly following this composition was a rocker by Pat called "Into Me". This one features Phil's crunchy distorted bass intro and a haunting chorus harmony from Peter. This heavily guitar riff oriented tune is offset by a groovy rap in the middle which works it's way into the song with Phil going -way- down low on the bass and Pete wah-wah ing a funky guitar, all accompanied by Chris' tightly syncopated driving drum work.
As if this wasn't enough, Peter went off to Las Vegas and found that city ... interesting. Or comical depending on your perspective. Such a scene of gaudy lights, Elvis impersonators, and seedy lounge acts inspired Pete to write "In Vegas". Debuted at Price William County's Pfitzner Stadium, this song features a cool acapella chanted chorus and a jazzy middle section. This seems to be a fan favorite, consistently garnering a very positive response. Appropriately, "GUM!" segues this song into their version of the classic Elvis song "Suspicious Minds".
Then, just a week later, Pat came to the band with another great rocker, "Maria", about a friend of his from Sweeden who he'll be missing (and whom he's looking forward to visiting). This song was debuted at Crossroads in Fairfax much to the delight of Maria's friends who also have returned to their native land, spreading the "GUM!" word in that part of the world. This one is distinguished by it's immediate punch. There is no guitar intro here, no instrumental chorus to start the song, "Maria" starts right into the meat of the song from beat one.
And what happens next, but the week after that show Pete brings another song to the band, "Everything". A slow number with a kind of a U2-ish feel, this one will be a nice break to the normal energetic frenzy of a GUM! show. Still in the works, this song should be complete sometime soon and will be a welcome addition to GUM!'s repertoire.
What's next for "GUM!"? Well, as of this writing, the boys are working on expanding their covers with some interesting classics and a couple of new songs! With the recent addition of songs by the Jackson 5 and Wallflowers to their cover list you never know -what- these guys are going to be doing next. Want some song titles? Sorry! You'll just have to go out and see the guys live to see what's coming next!
One thing's for sure, you'll have fun doing it!
GUM! First Punctual Band??
By: Brett Weir
Eager GUM! fans were disappointed Saturday, May
30th when they arrived at the Grog and Tankard on
Wisonsin Ave in DC just in time to see GUM!'s last
song of the evening.
One sad but eager GUMMER told Phil Hamm, GUM!'s
bass player "You've got to be the only band that
ever plays on time!" Which leads to the question:
Is GUM! the first punctual band in rock and roll?
Could be.
With the exception of the Fairfax outdoor jam
session in April (no fault of their own), GUM! Has
actually started on time every time they've played
in public, sometimes even starting slightly ahead
of shcedule. This unprecedented record for
punctuality is almost unheard of in the rock and
roll community in general.
Amazingly, the band continues to be punctual on a
consistent basis. Drummer Chris Renzi was heard
saying "If you're 'fashonably late' to a GUM! show
you're going to be missing out on some cool rock
and roll action".
Pat Hamm was quoted as saying "Yeah man, YEAH!".
What this has to do with the punctuality of the
band is still being determined.
Patrick Hamm is a raving lunatic!
By: Michael Rudiman
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"He wouldn't stop yelling, clapping, and banging his head!" stated Chris Renzi, GUM!'s drummer and co-founder.
Officials said that Pat's performance was both fun and energetic, but that he missed almost all the notes he played because of his tomfoolery.
"He was singing the wrong lyrics, too", stated Patrick's brother Phil, GUM!'s bass player. "He kept screaming 'Pat's the best! Pat's the best!' instead of the real words!"
When asked for a comment on his actions, Hamm said something incomprehensible about "The ladies" and laughed and drooled on his shirt.
Michael Rudiman is a staff writer for www.gum-music.com and a respected optometrist.
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CHEW defective? By: Oswald Meyerweiner A quality control company (Which prefers to remain anonymous) in Northern Virginia pronounced that CHEW, the debut album/CD-ROM from the band GUM! is defective. |
Peter Hamm, GUM!'s lead guitar player and vocalist, had this to say: "[This company] is obviously too stupid to recognize just how brilliant this band and the CD we have created is. Wait, is this off the record?" Upon hearing their bandmate's comment on this matter, the remaining members of GUM!, Philip Hamm, Patrick Hamm and Chris Renzi responded: "Let' rock. Let's rock. Let's rock. Let's rock. No socks." Officials at the scene reported that the band members were, indeed wearing socks. |
