Back for a repeat performance, The Plywood Inspectors (Peter Brooks ’11) and Capitol Drive (Nick Keesey ’11) will be rockin’ an outdoor set at Country Fair Kick-Off on Saturday, Oct. 11 from 6-8 p.m. Peter and Nick, both seniors at SLUH, are super busy with homework and swim practice, but took some time to answer a few questions and are looking forward to playing again at their alma mater.
The Plywood Inspectors features Peter on guitar and vocals, Jake Nelson on bass and vocals, Daniel Mudd on synthesizer and Gram Tolish on drums. Last weekend they played Viz’s Carnival as well as Ursuline’s Fall Fest, and play different venues in the area.
Peter is the son of John and Cindy (Cannon ’75) Brooks and the brother of Carrie ’08, Mark ’13 and Robby (Sixth Class). He began playing guitar around age 10 and while he was not in the ASH Band, he played guitar and drums for liturgies and participated in the Middle School Talent Shows. Peter says, “All the practices at ASH for everything were designed to build confidence. I play the guitar every night after I finish homework, so that practicing has stuck with me, and I love performing live.”
Peter names Beethoven, Bach and Holtz as some of his musical influences, but he is really a fan of classic rock bands like Led Zeppelin and Pink Floyd as well as new favorites Arctic Monkeys, Tame Impala and Wilco. He enjoys lots of different guitar styles and all the guitars and pedals that go along with them. Peter plans to attend Belmont University in Nashville where he’ll study music business.
According to their Facebook page, The Plywood Inspectors play “music you can dance to” with a heavy nod to alternative and classic rock. Their shows range from the Rolling Stones to the Red Hot Chili Peppers to original tunes. To watch their Messy Desk performance last spring, visit: visit: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLnZPu08Luo.
Capitol Drive is a rock/alternative band formed in February 2012 in St. Charles. The band includes Nick on bass, Paul Rieger and Hayden Jensen on guitar and vocals and Devin Hoffman on drums. Nick played baritone and trombone in the ASH Band and bass in Jazz Band. “Regular band gave me a great foundation in music by teaching me the basics, counting, breathing,” he says. “And jazz band allowed me to learn how to play the bass with a group.”
Nick’s main musical influences are Rush, Dream Theater, Pink Floyd and other bands of the progressive rock genre. “It takes rock music to the extreme, working in concepts for albums, writing in different time signatures and playing with incredible virtuosic ability,” he explains. His diverse musical influences range from 60s rock to 70s rock and blues rock to 80s and 90s bands as well as somewhat newer bands. “I pretty much listen to anything and everything rock-related,” he says. Capitol Drive’s music reflects this wide range of influences including Led Zeppelin, The Strokes, 311, Muse and the Foo Fighters.
Nick and his parents Chris and Kim lived in Costa Rica during his Sixth and Seventh Class year. Nick returned for Eighth Class and says, “My best memory of ASH is really Eighth grade year as a whole. The classes, the teachers, my classmates — everything was great. Of all the things, though, it was the feeling of more independence that probably was the greatest part.”
Nick is considering Mizzou, Ohio State and Vanderbilt where he plans to major in psychology and sociology, then go on to law school. “I plan on continuing to write music, become involved in the school jazz band, and maybe form a band of my own with guys that I meet in college,” he says.
Don’t miss supporting these alum bands … Come for the food trucks and washers tournament and stay for the live music!
