This summer saw the official debut shows of JABD (pronounced “Jabbed”) – a new group formed with some classic inspiration and seasoned players.
Stepping out for an appearance at Hickory Hills Country Club in Gautier and two consecutive weeks at Gulfport’s The Hot Spot Bistro and Lounge, JABD delivered public performances that were the culmination of a year and a half of preparation for the band. With set lists mostly comprised of rock cover tunes spanning the decades, they brought their sets to life with a full band sound of guitar, drums, bass and keys fronted by the gritty and versatile voice of RWayne Cumberland.
Those who witnessed the first full on shows saw a band that came to party, complete with a scientifically curated set list, all the sound and lighting needed to properly rock out a small venue, and a bonus fire dancer performance in the parking lot in between sets at the official Gulfport debut. Their music leaned into the 80’s, 90’s and 2000’s alternative rock side, with favorite selections from bands like Collective Soul, Bon Jovi and more time tested hits. While the band has only just gotten rolling officially, its members have put in some time with their craft and target audience.
“We’re constantly doing that, we’ll pick up new songs and drop ones that didn’t fit us as well, and kind of see what the crowd likes and what they’re into,” said RWayne. “Some of ’em you wouldn’t think they would like more than others, but you just never know til you get out there and play ’em.”
“We put our practice in and we try to make it sound just like the album does.”
JABD’s catalog of cover songs is something that tied the group together early on, but their sights are set on being an original band.
JABD’s first single “On to Something,” dropped in May before their Gulfport appearances. A raw, mid-tempo alt rock jam, the track alternates between melodic ballad sections and grittier hard rock tones. A song that grew organically out of some riffs and ideas the band had in their early practice sessions, it serves as the first look at their original sound and the first release of what they intend to be an album’s worth of material. “On to Something” is streaming on major platforms, and followup singles are planned to drop in the coming months as the album develops. According to RWayne, who has also begun releasing music as a solo artist, releasing original music has been the plan since the beginning, and they are excited to be hard at work expanding their repertoire.
JABD are actively booking for the fall and intend to follow up their debut with a series of shows across the coast as they continue to roll out new material alongside their arsenal of beloved cover tunes.
“We wanna play… we just wanna get out there and play shows. We’re going to be out there playing a lot of them.
Get out there and catch a show.
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scott@coastobserver.com
@ScottiRedd9
Follow JABD on Facebook
“On to Something” – Streaming on Spotify, Apple Music and more (https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/jabd/on-to-something
Mark Baldwin – Drums
Tony Miller – Keyboard
Jim Rouse – Bass
RWayne Cumberland – Guitar / Vox
Photos:
JABD Facebook
Mark H. Simmons II (Closeup, Bright)
Scotti Redd/ Coast Observer (Wide)
