Jamming out to the classics

Though muffled and distant, a lively jam session could be heard from the bottom of an uphill driveway at the end of Spring Street.

At the top of the hill, a bevy of cars and SUVs marked with black and white “SOS” stickers surrounded the garage.

Inside, a group of five 20-somethings — four of whom sported long, luscious locks — rocked out the classics on the guitar, mandolin, keyboard, bass and even a xylophone. The guys’ appearance, paired with their sound, was like stepping back in time to Eric Forman’s basement on “That ’70s Show.”

If you happened to drive down Blue Ridge Avenue during the balmy evenings this summer, you probably heard this jam band, Same Ol’ Sound, practicing in the detached garage on the corner of Blue Ridge and Park avenues, their music drifting into the night. They occupied the garage temporarily, thanks to former homeowner Laura Newman.

But when Newman moved in the fall, “the boys,” as she called them — or sometimes “my band” — had to relocate to twins and band members Adam and Johnathon Clayton’s house on Spring Street.

The new location seemed secluded enough that band practices would not be an issue except perhaps to the next-door neighbor, but “the boys” seemed ever mindful of their volume levels.

Same Ol’ Sound was born three or four years ago from the efforts of Adam and Johnathon, 21, Joey Lee, 20, and Colin Olsen, 20. Though children of the ’80s, the founding four look, and play, as if they were born in the wrong decade.

Either straight and smooth (the twins) or curly and frizzy (Lee and Olsen), there’s enough hair in this quad of friends to craft some voluminous wigs. But they insist there’s no hair requirement, as evident by newer band additions Will Edwards, 24, and Zach Parkinson, 20, both with closely cropped manes.

All six are from Culpeper — unfortunately, they said — and all graduated from Culpeper County High School — also unfortunately, they said.

The six guys juggle college, jobs and music as they work to cut a demo album with mentor and local recording studio owner Greg Harpine. Same Ol’ Sound has a handful of original songs, but typically plays covers of their favorite classic rock, from Lynyrd Skynyrd to the Allman Brothers.

“Playing all originals that people don’t know is not going to get a crowd involved in our music at all,” Johnathon said. “We’d rather write songs all day than play a cover song, but you kind of have to. We’re a people’s band.”

One original they played had a melodic, almost poppy quality. It was upbeat and fun, something to sing along to and jam out to on a road trip. After finishing, they revealed the name of the song — “Endless Miles.”

“We call it the feel-good song because it makes us all feel good,” Adam said.

Same Ol’ Sound is your quintessential jam band. Their ‘sound’ is not perfect, but it rocks. Playing in an unfinished basement crammed with three keyboards, speakers, a drum set, five guitars and tangled cords over rugs, the guys — sometimes airborne — share their passion for good rock.

A washer and dryer sit in one corner next to a folded ping pong table, but the basement provides more protection from the elements than Laura Newman’s garage, though the guys lamented the move.

“It turned out to be one of the best experiences we’ve had,” Adam said. “Those were fun days.”

All the guys had something to say about the garage.

“We feel like we’ve lost a best friend,” Johnathon said. “I miss that because you could play as loud as you want.”

Colin agreed.

“The shed was cool because people could stop by and listen or stop and say hi,” he said.

Aside from playing at a family party for Newman, the guys have played at parties at Longwood University, not to mention Culpeper Renaissance Inc.’s downtown Halloween party and customer appreciation day at Full Circle Thrift.

As they build a reputation, the guys said they’d like to expand their venues to include The Pub downtown and other local bars.

And their goal as a band?

“To kick ass,” Colin said.

Cue the laughter.

“That’s pretty much it,” Adam said. “Just see where it goes. Have a set in mind and going as far as you can with it. But at the same time not being afraid to be humble and playing just like anyone else that just goes out and does it for fun.”

As for the local music scene, the guys stressed the importance of keeping egos out of the mix in order to be successful. Drummer Will Edwards, who has been with the band a few months, has played all kinds of music, from punk to metal to classic rock.

“I’ll say this,” Will said. “I’ve been on both ends of the spectrum of the music scene. I have to say one of the biggest differences is the musicianship. These guys are awesome and it’s a privilege for me to get to play with them.”

Cue the group hug.

“A dime a dozen you can find a punk or metal guitarist,” he said. “But these guys, they are real musicians. They know music and that helps me because I feel like I know music pretty well. That’s a blessing.”

When it comes to Same Ol’ Sound’s future plans, Colin kept it brief.

“Go to sleep and wake up tomorrow,” he said.

Catherine Amos can be reached at 825-0771 ext. 138 or .

Who is
Same Ol’ Sound?
Adam Clayton, 21, lead vocals keyboard, guitar, harmonica
Johnathon Clayton, 21, lead guitar, mandolin, harmony vocals
Joey Lee, 20, guitar
Will Edwards, 24, drums
Colin Olsen, 20, bass
Zach Parkinson, 20, percussion

Influences: Lynyrd Skynyrd, Fleetwood Mac, Bad Company, Pink Floyd, The Allman Brothers Band. Check them out online at myspace.com/sameolsound