With Fast Eddie & The Slowpokes there is always a party goin on
The band FAST EDDIE & THE SLOWPOKES, (consisting of Ed Crowley – harmonica, vocals, Dave Sherman – guitar, vocals, James “Cookie” Cooke – bass, vocals, Tam Sullivan – keyboards, Scott Chadwick – drums) have a message to their music that is: “No matter what befalls us as human beings, the good and the bad, we should celebrate it all because it makes us who we are! AND ALSO, with Fast Eddie & The Slowpokes there’s always a party goin’ on!
Vizions of Rock caught up with the award-winning band for an exclusive one-on-one.
Vizions of Rock: Where did the name come from and why?
FAST EDDIE: As a kid, my friends and family called me either “Fast Eddie” or “Eddie Spaghetti”. I thought “Eddie Spaghetti & The Slowpokes” wasn’t so good!
Vizions of Rock: How did the band come together and how long have you been together?
FAST EDDIE: We initially came together for a DC Blues Society Fish Fry performance in 2011. It was just going to be a one off kinda thing. But after the set, folks said you cats are pretty good together. You should be a band! And so, we followed their advice!
Vizions of Rock: Who are your influences?
FAST EDDIE: The Fabulous Thunderbirds, The Nighthawks, classic R&B, Soul and Blues artists.
Vizions of Rock: You represented DC in the 2013 INT’L blues challenge in Memphis. What was that experience like and how did you earn the honor of representing DC?
FAST EDDIE: We actually represented DC twice in 2013 and 2017. We won the competition held by the DC Blues Society to move on to Memphis. Both times were a blast but in 2017 we made it to the semi-finals which was a great experience. That year we played 3 nights at BB King’s which was a great room! There are over 180 bands and solo/duo acts from all over the world competing. Beale Street is like nothing we had ever experienced, and we have great memories of the entire experience.
Vizions of Rock: How did being nominated for a WAMMIE 2013 change the band musically?
FAST EDDIE: That nomination was more of a validation that we were moving in the right direction musically and that people enjoyed what we were doing! It didn’t really change us but just kept us putting one foot in front of the other!
Vizions of Rock: Has blues evolved as an artform since the days of Robert Johnson, or is blues just blues no matter what era?
FAST EDDIE: The blues has certainly evolved like all musical genres have. But it’s still “the Roots” like Willie Dixon said and all the rest is “the Fruits”.
Vizions of Rock: As a follow up to the previous question: How has the music industry changed over the last 15 years and if there were something that you could change about it, what would that be?
FAST EDDIE: The pay is less for playing longer. Clubs are closing and fewer and fewer support live music. It’s cheaper to get a DJ as far as many club owners are concerned. Additionally, more and more clubs expect the band to bring in the entire crowd instead of establishing the club as a location that has quality music every night, so they develop a built-in crowd themselves. That way, when we bring our folks to the venue, it becomes a full room, and everybody wins!
Vizions of Rock: How did the evolution of your music come together?
FAST EDDIE: I have always dug the early Chicago and West Coast harp players. It has been that way since high school for me. I’m just trying to create that soul and that swing with The Slowpokes.
Vizions of Rock: How does your song come together, where do you get your inspiration?
FAST EDDIE: I just kinda noodle around on the harp or my ukulele actually and record what I find interesting. Meanwhile, I observe the world around me and listen to what is said. There’s enough material in a typical news day to fill a book!
Vizions of Rock: What is the creative process like when writing your songs?
FAST EDDIE: Just what I said before. When melodies work with the words of the story, a song is born. Pretty simple stuff.
Vizions of Rock: Do have any advice for up and coming musicians who want to follow in your footstep, aside from “Stay in school” and “Don’t quit your day job”?
FAST EDDIE: Be patient. Hone your craft. Listen to one another on stage. Turn down the volume.
Vizions of Rock: Is there a message that you’re trying to communicate with your original music?
FAST EDDIE: That no matter what befalls us as human beings, the good and the bad, we should celebrate it all because it makes us who we are!
Vizions of Rock: What do you like best about being a musician and what is the worst part about being a musician?
FAST EDDIE: Best part is getting to share the stage with some very talented cats and connect with the audience. Worst part is load in and load out! LOL
Vizions of Rock: Do you have a booking agent, who handles your touring?
FAST EDDIE: I am our booking agent! I juggle things and herd the cats!
Vizions of Rock: What is on the horizon for the future?
FAST EDDIE: We are looking forward to getting into the studio this winter to lay down our debut CD!
Vizions of Rock: Is there a tag line that describes Fast Eddie and the Slowpokes?
FAST EDDIE: With Fast Eddie & The Slowpokes, there’s always a party goin’ on!
Vizions of Rock: How can we find you music?
FAST EDDIE: www.reverbnation.com/fasteddietheslowpokes www.facebook.com/fasteddieandtheslowpokes
and at a club near you!
