My (Semi) Charmed Life

Why I'm doing more, not less. Plus, a professional update.

Hello friends! This post is going to be less essay and more personal update. You know, like the old newsletter days. If you’re not interested, I won’t be offended–but before you click away, give the post a Like and send it to twenty friends. There. Now you don’t have to read another word.

As I have confessed in prior posts, I do too much. Spread myself too thin. Fatherhood, husbandry(?), writing, band, podcast. My schedule is like a hoarder’s bookcase, with events jammed in every which way, spines compressed, covers bent. When I want to add something, I need WD-40 and a shoe horn.

Well, I added something.

(I KNOW, OKAY?!)

Introducing my latest project: Semi-Charmed, the Third Eye Blind tribute act.

photo by Irene Barker

I’ve been sitting on this secret for A WHOLE YEAR, and let me tell you, it hasn’t been easy for a blabbermouth like me.

Semi-Charmed is the brainchild of Corey Manske, my brother-from-another-mother and former drummer for our original band, 7k. When 7k split up nearly 15 years ago, Corey and I swore we would play music together again, somehow, some way. But in the decade-and-a-half since the last 7k show (WOW I can’t believe it’s been that long), we haven’t managed it. Sure, we played a one-off as the rhythm section for Zander Vera’s band at the Sunset Marquis, and I filled in once on bass for Corey’s band, Modern Bronze. But we’ve never managed to be in a BAND together. Time and circumstance kept us apart—until now.

Corey and I playing live in 7k, circa 2009

Corey and I have divergent musical tastes. His lean toward prog rock, mine lean toward pop rock—but our Venn diagrams have a healthy overlap, and Third Eye Blind is at the center. 3EB ranks in both our top ten bands of all time. Their music checks all our boxes: undeniable hooks, complex, groove-oriented drumming, and songs you can’t forget.

Corey has described their music as deceptively complex—we can all sing the “doot doot doot” from the chorus of their biggest hit, “Semi-Charmed Life”—but when it comes down to playing their music live, the complexity comes to the surface. Syncopation. Beat turn-arounds. Sick bass lines, epic guitar tones, and machine-gun, tongue-twister lyrics.

My friend Mr. Manske is uniquely qualified for the job of recreating Brad Hargreaves’s complex beats. Our bassist, Stephen Allan, has mastered the tasty, churning bass lines of Arion Salazar and Alex LeCavalier. Frederick Ferrari lives up to his rock star name, nailing the epic, searing guitar parts of Kevin Cadogan and Tony Fredianelli. I’m honored and excited to play with such killer musicians.

For my part, singing someone else’s songs isn’t new–after 300 shows with Flashpants, I’ve spent more time on stage singing covers than originals–but trying to fill the shoes of 3EB frontman Stephan Jenkins requires a different level of musical performance. First, I have to play crazy rhythm guitar while singing, something I haven’t done in 20 years, and second, I have to at least try to sound like the guy, a little. (My Walken is much better than my Jenkins, but I’m working on it.)

Photo by Irene Barker

The process of building this show has pushed the boundaries of my talent. It’s been tough, but incredibly satisfying. And getting to hang out and play music with one of my favorite human beings (not to mention two other top notch musicians who I’ve come to respect and adore) has made the whole thing worthwhile. It’s taking time, but it’s adding joy.

That’s the real point of this post. I’m not sure essentialism is for me. I feel called to do many things–and I’ve learned several times in my career(s) that you can’t predict when you’re going to make a difference, move someone, or change a life. So I’m going where I’m called, damn it. I have things to discover.

I can’t wait to share this music with you–and for those of you in Southern California, you don’t have to wait long! We’re playing our first show at Riverside Municipal Auditorium, opening for the nationally touring RHCP tribute, RED NOT CHILI PEPPERS. Please come join us for a night of 90s alt rock glory!

And please follow Semi-Charmed on all the things:

Instagram

Facebook

That’s all for now. Rock On!

Jeff