Joe Adee and the Lug Nuts, an Interview with Liam Sweeny – Xperience Monthly

I reached out to Joe Adee from Joe Adee and the Lug Nuts. This is what he had to say. (Law and Order sound.)

RRX: The band plays everything from Americana to hard edge blues. Was that clear from the band’s inception? Was there an overall vision for the band, or was it a matter of different people coming together with different backgrounds? If you had to play a show and they asked for only one style of music, which would y’all pick?

JA: Yes, for sure.  I wanted that genre Americana for the basis of the band. The band’s repertoire represents an evolution of the tunes comprising my solo act as well as songs I’ve performed in previous bands.  My vision for the band was to play familiar songs I grew up loving, music by an eclectic mix of artists ranging from Johnny Cash to ZZ Top and Jimi Hendrix, Waylon Jennings to Led Zeppelin and The Doors, Hank Williams Jr. to Santana and The Allman Brothers. If I had to play one style of music, I would play Americana music, because it’s rooted.

RRX: You describe yourself as a cover and tribute band. I’m always curious about whether or not a cover/tribute band ever did originals, or even considered originals. So it’s your practice space, early on in the band, maybe first connect. Did any original stuff come out? Or was it a cover project from the get?

JA: Although our shows are composed primarily of cover music, each performance features several original tunes I’ve written, primarily drawn from the 17 original songs featured on our new album “Tire Iron Tour – Garage Sessions “, recorded by the Lug Nuts in November 2022 in Ghent, NY. I have been to Nashville five times. Played with Dotty West and Ernest Tubs. Wrote songs with Brian White and AJ Masters. I was invited to write with them by SESAC. Brain White wrote for Brooks & Dunn and AJ Masters played with the Oakridge Boys for years, and wrote for Faith Hill, including her #1 hit “Love Ain’t Like This”. I was with SESAC for 14 years, currently have moved to BMI. I/we have 25 songs out there on various platforms, from Pandora, iTunes, Amazon, Spotify, Deezer, Apple Music,  etc. Definitely, love playing our original songs, seems the Crowd loves them as well. The Cover tunes are our at the core of our performance though.

RRX: I’m listening to your music on Youtube, and you all have a great range. And it’s funny too. I imagine if I’m in the audience, I’m going to have a great time. How do you decide what songs to put in your repertoire? And what’s the process of adding new material, is it easy? Any additions that were a struggle?

JA: How I pick the songs we play, basically if the song doesn’t move me, we aren’t doing it. It’s completely a feel thing for me. Every show we play may include a different set of songs, based on the venue, the audience, the overall vibe. Generally, while planning for each gig, I’ll consider new songs to add to that night’s show. They might be a new original, a popular rock “chestnut”, or a more obscure cover song I feel like playing. The band’s talented rhythm section is able to support the tune on the fly, in real time, without rehearsal. That 100% why I love to play with my band mates, Steve Barmash (Bass) and Phil Lanz (Drums). They are super talented, well seasoned musicians that I can literally throw any song at in the midst of battle on stage and they are right there 100%.

RRX: You say that you play “Old Country.” I did an article recently about “outlaw country,” Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson and such. So I get the vibe of old country. But you said, ‘old country’ instead of just ‘country.’ Why did you think it was important to clarify that? What do you see as the difference between old and new here?

JA: I came of age in the 1980s and loved music, both country and rock. The country performers from the Grand Ole Opry and beyond were definitely influencers on the style of country music I perform today. That includes the classic country artists I grew up with such as Johnny Cash, Grandpa Jones, Waylon Jennings, Merl Haggard, David Allan Coe, Hank Williams Jr., Ray Charles, Charlie Daniels, Marshall Tucker, Alabama, George Jones, just to name a few.  That’s not including all the Blues players that have influenced my playing abilities as well, that’s a whole different list. I feel that it’s important to say “Old Country” vs just Country because I’m not playing Jason Aldean, Blake Shelton, Luke Bryant. That’s not what we do. We’re doing the “Outlaw Country”. This music is timeless and has passed the test of time. I’m an old soul at heart and these songs take me back to my youth and simple times.  We also enjoy and play the a few songs by some talented modern country artists such as Chris Stapleton, Jamie Johnson and Jelly Roll. I listen to modern country, the lyrics are amazing, I do enjoy it.  However, our bread and butter is the music of the older classic artists.

RRX: I figure deep in the interview would be the best time to talk origins here in Bizarro world. Joe Adee and the Lug Nuts is a three piece? Or is it a four piece? When, and how did it come together? I’m assuming that you all were in projects before this, any notable projects or bands? And is everybody local, or are there any transplants?

JA: Joe Adee and The Lug Nuts is a 4-piece band, featuring myself Joe Adee on lead vocals, guitar, and harmonica, Sandy Adee (my wife) on percussion and backing vocals, Steve Barmash on bass guitar and backing vocals, and Phil Lanz on drums and backing vocals.  The band formed in 2020, coming together and congealing just as the COVID pandemic hit. It was a natural by-product and evolution of my previous bands: The Joe Adee Band and Joe Adee and The Barnstormers. Sandy and I started the Lug Nuts and shortly thereafter Steve joined. He quickly brought in Phil, a drummer he had recently been playing with, to form a tight rhythm section.  The band members were all raised and currently live in the greater Capital District, with the exception of Steve who was born and raised in Flushing, Queens.

I have been in a bunch of bands over my career including Gemini, Burnt Toast,  Burgundy, Shotgun Blues Band, Night Owls, Winds of Change, Crossfire and The Barnstormers, just to name a few.   All were a mix of rock, blues, country, and originals.

Steve Barmash was with The Impalas, The Nomads, The Kix Band, The A La Cart Band, Take 5, E Town Express just to name a few. Steve toured the east coast the summer 1978 with “The A LA Cart Show Band”.  Steve also toured 1979-1980 with “The Nomads”. Steve started to work for NY State, he had to scale back on gigs, but still was in many bands along the way.

Early 90’s Phil was a founding member of El Extreme, this band was fronted by the one and only, Luis Chalusian, focused on original salsa/Latina and highly percussive grooves and melodies’. Phil toured with Chubby Checker in 1996 as his back up drummer and road crew. Phil was with the Dugan’s in the early to mid 90’s… with Howard Glassman. He toured and recorded all around the northeast from Erie Pennsylvania to Boston Mass. To NYC. Phil also 1995/96 played in a guitar riff driven band called “Mercy Twin” who wrote very good original material and an alternative groove band called “500 Hats” 1991 (still together after 30+ years). Both bands focused on all original material.  I also was on a few of their original recordings. Phil doubles as our sound engineer for live performances.

Sandy, Joe’s wife has been working with Joe in/with bands for almost 30 years. Sandy has recorded and promoted all of Joes Albums.  Sandy designed the website, and all promotional materials. Sandy is our engineer for the recording sessions, as well as videographer for all videos. Sandy also handles all bookings, social media and promotions.

RRX: The band is really tight, just hand in glove. It’s the mark of veterans. There are a lot of people in bands who read this magazine every month that are always trying to build their chops musically. I think an exploration of technique is beyond the scope here, but any “good practices” for getting better as a player?

JA: We try to play and jam with as many different players as possible over our careers. Always say “yes” to an opportunity. You will learn new songs, new arrangements, and will meet new players with different styles. It’s also proven helpful to play different instruments. I was a music instructor for 26 years. Teaching guitar, bass, drums, harmonica, and vocals. I’ve had students over the years that have gone off to either form their own bands or teach music themselves. I’m always watching YouTube and studying other players. Constantly learning new things through trial and error too.  Steve enjoys playing piano and acoustic guitar on his own time. This helps broaden his music horizons as well.

RRX: This is where you answer the question I didn’t ask. Comments? Remarks? Educate, enlighten, emote – the floor is yours.

JA: Not to get too high up on our soapbox…. but when we play shows, we are there to entertain the entire crowd, a diverse set of individuals of all ages. We are Americans playing the best of American music for a crowd of Americans. We break into a bit comedy too. We have a skit we all have characters we play. Called “Grandma’s Calling” I will grab my old retro phone and pretend that its ringing and I’m talking with Grandma and the Chickens. This has become popular amongst our fans. We also tell simple clean jokes, that always bring a laugh. We believe our job is helping, in our small way, to bring people together through our mutual love of music and a fun night out. I Thank God for giving me the ability to do what I love on stage for all these years and appreciate it more as I get older. I try to stay healthy so I can continue to share the gift of music with people who also love and appreciate it.