His calloused fingers gripped the rim of his American IPA, melodically picking it up, putting it down, picking it up, putting it down, as if drawn in and out by the breath of the familiar conversation.
Lead guitarist Brian Johnson sat at a table across from his brother and three-year band manager, Dave Johnson. They both sported faded tees and overgrown beards while they lifted a glass to reminisce on their band’s journey from 2014 until now.
The bearded brothers agreed from starting as a couple of neighbors just jamming out to now opening for one of their favorite bands four years later, it’s been a musician’s dream come true.
Local jam band Locochino will open for TAUK at 9:30 p.m. Thurday at High Dive for the headliner’s Gainesville stop on its Shapeshifter Tour. Tickets for the show are available between $13 and $15 at ticketfly.com.
Locochino will debut its new song while opening for TAUK, an all-instrumental progressive rock band performing its newest album, “Shapeshifter I: Construct,” on Thursday. Locochino’s music is available on Bandcamp.com, along with CDs that will be sold at the venue.
Taking another sip, Brian said seeing TAUK in Gainesville’s backyard is a bigger name than the local venues are used to seeing. It’s something that just doesn’t happen, he said. Normally, you would have to take a road trip to catch them perform.
A loyal fan who’s admired TAUK’s long “melodic riffs” for four years and seen them perform live several times, Brian said it’s always easy to draw inspiration from them.
“I’ve definitely taken a couple pages out of his book,” he said.
Similar to Locochino, he said both bands have the same instrumentation and also plan some time for improvisation during live performances.
Improvisation is like having “bookends” on stage, Brian said.
You know where you’re starting and you know where you’re ending up, but you have to figure out the middle while you’re on stage.
Lifting his beer and chiming in, Dave said, “That’s always the magic of a jam to me. It’s kind of like a treasure hunt. You never know what you’re gonna get.”
Brian and Dave estimated a solid turnout for Thursday, especially with TAUK attracting a larger crowd than Locochino’s loyal regulars.
Brian said they have seen the same crowds of people show out for Locochino consistently over the years.
By being the manager, Dave said, he has really gotten to know the fans because he is always out in the crowd instead of on stage with the band.
“It’s always cool, too, because it’s kind of like friends coming together every time,” he said.
Brian and Dave sipped the last few gulps of beer and said their fans would probably agree Locochino’s style has evolved over the years.
“It’s kind of mellowed out, compared to what it used to be like,” Brian said. “It’s not quite as intense.”
“The band, or you?” Dave joked.
In fact, Brian is now the only remaining member from the band’s original four members from its founding in September of 2014. With musicians coming and going over the years, Brian has gone from being the oldest musician in the group to the youngest, he said.
Current keys player Blake Briand is now the oldest Locochino member, having recently celebrated his 40th birthday party, Brian and Dave said.
Dave laughed and said, “There’s still a tombstone in the front porch that says ‘RIP Blake’s youth.’”
With the current lineup, Brian on guitar, Briand on keys, Ryan Hiers on bass guitar, Benny Cannon on drums and all members sharing vocals, Brian said Locochino definitely falls into the jam band niche within Gainesville.
Yet each member still contributes in his own way to the band’s unusual sound, with Brian’s melodic guitar, Briand’s R&B flavor, Hiers’ past punk experience and Cannon’s ironic taste in both musical soundtracks and Dave Matthews hits.
A melting pot of musical talent and genres, it’s doubtful Locochino’s sound will ever stop evolving.
But for now, Brian and Dave agree they can’t wait to share the stage with some of the music scene’s best and make some great music.
“It’s gonna be a hell of a good time,” Brian said.
