Something Simple : Simple People plays own style of music in the TSC Auditorium
With banjos, clapping monkeys and Britney Spears dance moves, the band Simple People played to a pleased audience Saturday.
Simple People, a band formed in 1998, uses a blend of acoustic instruments and vocal talents to create a unique, break-the-mold sound.
The band, which performed in the TSC Auditorium Saturday night, sang about topics as diverse as love, rock ‘n’ roll and pajamas.
“We have lyrics that you’re scratching your head about saying, what was that about,” Dan Cutler said. Cutler is the guitarist, lyricist, vocalist and occasional dancer for the band.
The audience seemed to appreciate the unique performance.
“I’ve never been to a rock concert where they used banjos and mandolins. It was awesome,” said freshmen Julio Lyons, a civil engineering major.
Paul Washburn, who plays electric guitar, mandolin and banjo for the band, interested the audience with his unique style and talent.
“I thought the lead guitar player for the band had some jazzy rifts,” said Kyle Hallsten a senior majoring in Finance.
Incorporating many aspects of musical culture into their music, the band played segments with everything from bluegrass number, “I am a Man of Constant Sorrow” to “Hit Me Baby One More Time,” by Britney Spears.
“It was crazy when [Cutler] started dancing like Brittney Spears, I didn’t expect it at all,” said journalism freshmen Cydni Orosco.
Saturday night was a CD release concert aimed at promoting the release of an EP teaser containing five tracks from Simple People’s almost finished album, “What We Meant from the Beginning.”
Cutler said Simple People’s music doesn’t pertain to a single genre because it incorporates numerous musical genres such as folk, rock ‘n’ roll and traditional instrumentation.
“I hate coming up with a label for our music,” Cutler said. “We’re just trying to get out what’s inside us.”
Simple People returned to Logan after winning last year’s Logan LDS Institute’s Battle of the Bands.
“We always like playing in Logan. The music fans here really appreciate a good show,” band guitarist and vocalist Tom Hurtado said.
Hurtado and Cutler have been playing together for six years, performing mostly in the Provo area. Since that time, their two-person collaboration has turned into a five-person musical project.
The band also includes bass player Greg Lambourne, percussionist Dallin Davis and their mascot Blaine – a cymbal-clapping monkey that accompanies the band on their album.
Simple People’s concert was opened by local band Jonesin’ which performed last month during Civic Awareness Week on the TSC Patio.
“I really like Jonesin’. Their lyrics pulled at the heart-strings, Orosco said. “Their songs were the ones that you just sigh to because they’re so heart-felt.”
Jonesin’ recently finished its first album. Tracks include ‘How Much Does a Soul Cost’, and ‘Remote Control.’
Simple People will return to USU in December to perform at Poetry and a Beverage.
-dpitcher@cc.usu.edu
Members of Simple People, Tom Hurtado, Paul Washburn. Dan Cutler not pictured. (Photo by Michael Sharp)