Gradience

is a team of seasoned musicians with wide-ranging interests and influences. They create original music that brings together good stuff from all over time and space. It's rock and roll, juiced with liberal splashes of jazz, funk, progressive, and bluegrass music, seasoned with flavors from the Far East and other exotic places.

To tell the truth, it's not easy to label what they do. If you need a pigeonhole, you could call it "folk-punk." Or "indyfusion." And if you need some help hearing this in your mind, you can think about this description, from one generous listener:

"It's like the Rolling Stones meets Dave Matthews. Sort of. With Robert Fripp hiding in the corner, just out of sight."

They serve up this musical stew with a cheerfully messy energy. Trashy, in a good way. You know these guys are having fun. You know they'd be having fun even if they were still playing to an audience of cobwebs and old car parts and lawnmowers, out there in the metaphorical garage.

Gradience was formed in 2003, after the breakup of Scareberry, a Portland band with a modest but enthusiastic following. David and Mike, the remaining Scareberries, decided to build a new band. No sense losing the momentum...but perhaps it was time to turn in a different direction? Maybe add a violinist? Try some new material?

Since they were still actively playing in other bands, Mike and David also saw the need for a place to escape the heavy lifting and stylistic constraints that go with being in a working group. What musician doesn't want a place to experiment, relax, and have fun? Wouldn't it be cool to have...a vacation band?

It took a little while to assemble personnel. Other musicians were recruited as they became available. For no particular reason, everyone in the final lineup seemed to be some sort of guitarist...

The musicians of Gradience don't stick to just one instrument. In fact, Gary, Martin, and Stephen trade instruments and parts often, during performances. This makes for interesting breaks between songs.

...but that seems to be working just fine, thank you.

To make things even more interesting, different Gradience songs require guitars in different tunings. At last count, 6 different guitar tunings were in use, which is one reason there are so many guitars on stage. In case you were wondering.

Material came from many sources. New songs were written. The musical dialogue took on a recognizable shape. A unique style and attitude emerged. Recording sessions helped to tighten things up. Things got...real.

You know the rest of the story. Once things started coming together, Gradience began to resemble, well, a working band. Complete with a musical personality, an agenda, a repertoire, and a set of values. Gear to haul. Schedules to juggle. And so forth.

Vacation over. Shucks.

The band had its first gig in early 2004, at a birthday party for David. The format was "dueling bands," with both of David's bands (Gradience and Almost Milwaukie) appearing on the same bill. The contrast between the two bands may have been jarring for some of the audience, but Gradience acquitted themselves well as the opening act.

In mid-2004, David left the group. It took some time for the band to regain its balance, but a new center of gravity emerged. Older songs were rearranged for fewer parts, new songs were written, and gradually, the band developed a new direction. Vocal parts became richer, slide guitar became a serious part of the band's sound, and everyone pushed themselves to improve as ensemble musicians and songwriters.

At the end of 2004, Gradience performed for an hour, live, on "Conversations with Dr Don," a weekly interview show on Portland public-access cable television. The band got exposure in a new medium -- probably more exposure than they were ready for. But they had fun, and the recorded DVD of the show was a valuable learning tool (once they were able to watch it without cringing).

In addition to the "Dr Don's" video recording, Gradience has an extensive archive of audio recordings and photographs marking the mileposts in their developmental journey. They joke that they are "the best-documented band you never heard of."

Gradience landed their first paying gig (as a post-David band) in January of 2006. The venue was Clifford's in Southeast Portland. It was a dark and stormy night, the pre-gig promotion was weak, and it was a Friday evening. But the audience was friendly and appreciative. David made a guest appearance -- with his guitar, of course -- and some sweaty reunion jamming was the result. Very satisfying.

The Clifford's gig put Gradience firmly on the path of public performing. There will be many gigs to come. Currently, the band is planning some serious studio time, with the goal of releasing a full-length CD in the near future.

No vacations here, no sir.