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Schweiz (Deutsch)Mike O'Malley leaves HGTR
Mike O'Malley leaves HGTR
Posted: Tuesday, August 3, 2010 - 23:13
http://www.holyghosttentrevival.com/?page=story&c=20
Apparently, Mike is leaving the band. I know that a lot of you have also formed pretty close friendships with these guys over the last couple of years. I am sad to see Mike go, and equally sad for the rest of the guys. Judging from the way Ross writes, it is not a happy time for them right now.
I will miss Mike, and wish him the best of luck in all his future endeavors.
Replies for this Board Topic
That is to bad. Met him outside the Saint when they played Asbury Park.
Hope he is okay.
Wow. Bummer...
Mike definitely brought it, and is a really, really cool fella.
Don't know him well, but we've met a few times and he always seemed genuine and humble.
He'll be missed.
Nothing against Mike, but I always preferred the band without keys.
Same here, Sunday.
David,
While I can't say I ever saw them before Mike joined the band, I can only offer my own perspective. My first show was shortly after Mike joined the band, and at this point, I can't really picture a show without him. The keys don't fit all of their older songs, but some of the more recent stuff benefits greatly from it. I imagine if they want to continue to play some of their newer material, they'll have to replace him in some form or another. Songs like "A Viper's Twist" would simply fall flat without the piano.
True enough, but some of their older stuff benefitted greatly from their original clarinet player. He added a lot to the sound that first attracted me to the band. Go back and listen to the original demos of the tracks that ended up on “So Long I Screamed” but I learned to live without it. Whatever they end up doing will be great I’m sure. Everyone should check this out August 21st - NC Stars in The Round - a special night out at Shakori Hills! This benefit for The Shakori Hills Community Arts Center will feature GrassRoots favorite Holy Ghost Tent Revival, local surf/country rockers Jack Maverick & His Wild Rebels, and a circle of local stars sharing their songs made up of Greg Humphreys (of Hobex), John Howie, Jr. (of $2 Pistols), Katharine Whalen (of Squirrel Nut Zippers), Justin Robinson (of the Carolina Chocolate Drops), Mary Johnson Rockers, Alex Hall, Randy Whitt & more…
You make a good point about the clarinet, although I don't know if it was as much of a focal point for the songs it was featured in as Mike's keys were on, say, "A Viper's Twist", which essentially isn't a song without the keys. I spoke with the guys from Now You See Them tonight, and HGTR are at least replacing him for the time being. The keyboard player from And The Moneynotes will be filling in where he can until they find something more permanent. For those interested in the Asheville area (I'm looking at you, CbusTrev!), they will be playing a show with Now You See Them at the White Horse in Black Mountain on Thursday, August 26th.
Wow David. The 8/21 event at Shakori sounds like a great time. That's a "must attend" as far as I'm concerned.
Edit - wasn't HGTR going to be in Saxapawhaw on that night? I was just reminded that I won't be able to attend either event because I'm going to see Jack Johnson.
I can't believe my buddy David is dissing the keyboards. I felt it took a while for the keyboards to play an equal role with the other instruments, but that was definitely achieved a while back. As a band member, Mike brought a boat load of talent and personality to the table. And, as mentioned, the band is committed to keeping a keyboardist on board. However, I do agree that there is a musical foundation to this group that can survive and prosper through changes and challenges.
Mr. O'Malley will be missed by CF McNaughton.
Ross did want to evoke some emotion with his writing, but I can say for sure that the band harbors no hard feelings towards O'Malley. They do miss him, but have been having a wonderful time showing their new keyboard player, Kevin Williams the ropes. He's actually brothers with the keyboard player and lead singer from And The Moneynotes.
He's stylistically very different from Mike. He's predominantly a swing player and has the voice of an angel. They'll be practicing all week and can't wait to mesh everything together with their new trumpet player Charlie, who will be at some of the shows you have mentioned above. (Shakori, Charlotte and Raleigh to name a few.)
Well, Mr. Ros (if that's your real name), everyone knows there are stages of mourning that must be passed through before proper healing can occur. To rush that process would only lay the foundation for future issues of a psychological nature. As you have probably perceived from the discussion, our affection for HGTR is deep and profound. Mike's loss cannot be easily forgotten, but we will heal.
I hope I did not insinuate with my post(s) that the band felt any resentment towards Mike, only that the blog post was saddening. I can honestly say this was the first time that the inner goings-on of a band has ever affected me on any type of personal or emotional level, because I consider everyone in HGTR to be a friend first, and a hell of a musician second.
I'm sure everyone is in the same boat (or Good Ship, as it were) and wishes Mike nothing but the best. I look forward to seeing the band continue to evolve, and getting to know Kevin.
It's also a shame Charlie has to go back to school. We hope to see him again next summer (for those of us that won't catch another show before the fall semester starts)