August 20, 2024 • 28 mins
Awaken: The Music of YES promises to be the tribute band of the summer.
Joe Luca, keyboardist and band leader of Awaken: The Music of YES, joins the Florida Keys Weekly Podcast to discuss their upcoming show on Sept 5 at the Key West Theater. Luca discusses how he and his band embarked on the journey of preserving the legacy of YES, as they tour and perform the legendary band's songs that span more than three decades. This is one of those interviews that peaks behind the curtain of professional entertainers with a passion for music. And you’ll see and hear why this is a can’t miss show as the band hits Key West in the coming days.
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:02):
Welcome everyone to another edition of the Florida Keys Weekly
Podcast and show. I'm Brett Myers, your host again, uh
excited about this show as I always am, we have
a great performance coming down to Key West and we
have uh the band leader with us today. I'm gonna
tell you more about him and that band. Before we do,
let's do some uh, house cleaning uh items here.
(00:22):
Uh I wanna thank our sponsor, overseas Media Group. Um
That's the local website, digital marketing company, brings you a
world of experience with the local service that you deserve
here throughout the Florida Keys. That's overseas media group.com. Thank
you to our sponsors for that. If you're listening, listening
to this show in Radioland, out in WKWF AM and
FM 103.3 I wanna thank those partners
(00:43):
and you listeners. We're doing that on radio and the
rest of you who do this via podcast. Uh You,
you know, you can catch this show and many others
at www dot keys, weekly.com. That's the Florida Keys Weekly
podcast and show. Of course, you can find it on Spotify,
Amazon Apple, all the other places you kids like to
have podcast uh again, type in Florida Keys, weekly podcast
(01:03):
and show this show today, really fun show. Uh I've
been revisiting
the band. Yes. And you say, well, Britt, why are
you revisiting the band? Yes, I've been jamming out to it.
I've been listening to it because there is a band
out there. Um Awaken it plays the music of Yes awaken.
The music of yes who tour throughout the country sound amazing.
(01:26):
And they are visiting the Key West Theater and it
will be a show that you will not be uh
uh upset that you attend it. I watched the videos
of these guys
again, if you want to google them awaken the music
of Yes, it is pure energy, pure fun. And with
me today is the bandleader and keyboardist, Mr Joe Luca. Joe,
thanks for uh thanks for jumping on with me uh
(01:46):
today for the show.
Speaker 2 (01:48):
Oh, it's a pleasure to be here. Thanks for having me.
Speaker 1 (01:50):
Absolutely, Joe. I always ask this question when folks are
coming down to perform no matter where they're at in
their career or what they do because it's just a
fun question. Have you been to Key West before or
you were the band and whether it be professionally or
uh casually,
Speaker 2 (02:06):
to my knowledge, no one in the band has been
that far yet. So this is our first, our first
foray into the Keys.
Speaker 1 (02:15):
Well, I know you've got a lot of shows particularly
that I've seen. If you've been doing it throughout the
east coast, we'll talk about that. Connecticut, New Jersey, Mass,
New York all over the place. Are you guys gonna
have some time to do some Key West type things
while you're here, or is it, you gotta get in
and get out?
Speaker 2 (02:31):
I think, I think we have a day. I think
we have a day. Um, we have, uh, I think we're,
the show is on a Saturday. I think we're coming down, uh,
Friday morning and, uh, so we'll have Friday to hang
out a little bit, uh, before the show on Saturday,
so that we're looking forward to that. All
Speaker 1 (02:50):
right. Uh, well, you will find, of course, you're going
to be in good hands with the, the Rams Head Group,
Key West Theater,
uh, letting you know some things to do in Key West.
I'm sure they'll, if you can't find it on your own,
it's pretty easy. If you go down to Ball Street,
you'll find some trouble and have a good time. But, uh, there,
there'll be some good concierge direction for you there. And if, uh,
if we can help, we'll, we'll guide you in the
right direction there. There'll be no shortage of fun for
(03:12):
you guys as you do it. So we're happy to
get you in Key West. Now, here's the question. I
know you get all the time. So I'm gonna get
it out of the way in the beginning,
I'm watching you guys perform. Um, it, it's quite a
big band ensemble that you do. I know you're a keyboardist.
I wanna know how many people were in the band
but more so how, how, and why, you know, yes.
(03:35):
Being a rock and roll hall of Fame band, um,
incredible ballads and tracks they've done over the years. Multi
really the diversity of yes is probably underrated when I
start looking at it. And I, and I being
openly admittingly that I've never put my time in a yes,
like maybe I should, but I start looking at it and, well,
how diverse and amazing
the music's transcended through the seventies and through the eighties,
(03:56):
I know band members, some have passed, some have changed.
Um You guys are playing yes music. Um As good.
I shouldn't, I've gotta be careful how I say this
as good or better as the band. It sounds amazing. But,
but how does that happen? Why this band? It says
you guys are basically, uh dedicated to performing. Yes, music
the way you remember it, you're preserving that. Why is
(04:17):
Yes important. How did you guys come about? Were y'all
sitting around one day and you're like, hey, you like
this music? Me too. Let's do this or how does
that happen? Uh Joe, tell me a little bit about
the background of this.
Speaker 2 (04:26):
Well, the, the brainchild of the band, uh uh was,
uh from uh Danny the guitar player. He, he, he's
been a rabid yes fan since, since the seventies.
Uh and, you know, and it, it was uh just
really a question of finding like minded people. And, uh,
you know, fortunately, Ray the bass player, he works with Danny.
(04:47):
So that, that, that worked, um that, that, that came
out together. They put an ad in uh at the
time because that was going about seven years now. So
at the time on Craigslist, uh looking for a keyboard player,
uh, and I, I've been a, you know, I've been
a rabid fan since the eighties since over me hard. And, uh,
(05:08):
so I answered the ad and then, uh, you know,
long story short and cut a lot of stuff out.
Uh My, my lead singer, Ron, he winds up living
around the corner from me. I, I lived around the
corner with him for 20 years. Never met him. Now,
Speaker 1 (05:22):
where, where is this at? Where do you get, where
is this at?
Speaker 2 (05:24):
This
is in, in Long Island. Uh And then recently, uh
our original drummer retired last year. So I brought in
a very dear friend of mine, uh, Frank from Connecticut,
uh to, to fill the seats to fill the drum seat. And, uh,
so now that's the current incarnation. And, you know, it,
it's really about just, it's just really challenging music to
(05:49):
play and it's, it's, it's, it's really, you have a
real sense of accomplishment. When you, when you can really
play the stuff,
you know. Um, I, I've been asked, I've been, I've,
I've been, I've been attempted to be poached to other
bands to, to do other things and I listen to
the music of what they want me to play and
(06:09):
I just, you know, and II, I respond to them.
I said, you know, look, I appreciate it very much and,
you know, thank you for the opportunity but you know,
their music is boring.
You know, what am I, what am I to do
up there for two hours? You know, hold out a
couple of chords and play a solo here and there. This,
this music is just so challenging to get it, to
get it right. And uh it's very fulfilling when, when
(06:32):
you have a big show, you
Speaker 1 (06:33):
say that and for people, I hope they do. I mean, again,
every show at the Key West Theater has a different
n positive nuance and different genre. You've got to be
extremely talented to make the tour down here. So you
guys are doing something right?
But I hope people Google you guys. No, I just
hope people Google if they're listening to this, um because
(06:54):
tickets will be limited, you guys will sell out at
September 7th. Key theater.com is where tickets are at Key
West theater.com, September 7th doors open at seven shows at eight.
But where they Google you, if you watch you guys
now what I saw what I was youtubing and on
your website I saw quite a few band members. Is
that what you guys will bring down to Key West?
(07:14):
Is it a limited version of that or what? What's
the scope of the band?
Speaker 2 (07:18):
Yeah. Well, the band is, is five members just like the,
just like, yes. Uh you know, guitar based, drums, keyboards
and a vocalist.
Um, you know, we, uh, this is our, uh you know,
like I said, this is our first foray down there. So,
um I mean, we're just excited, we're, we're excited for
the opportunity to, to go. I mean, we're based in
(07:39):
the northeast to, to go all the way down to
the southeast as far south as you can go, we
can't go any further south.
Um You know, it, it's, it's, it's a great opportunity
and we're looking forward
to it.
Speaker 1 (07:50):
Well, you made a good point and I'm not, I'm
a music fan. That's why I indulge myself with a podcast.
A doofus like me gets to talk to cool people
like you. But I'm not, you know, I'm not gonna
tell you which notes you're hitting and I don't pretend
to tell you, you know, I've got friends who follow
fish around or the dead and company and they're like
you did it and he mor and trade it and
I'm like, ok, but you don't play the guitar, but
I'm a fan and I appreciate fans like that.
(08:12):
But I, I have to think and I have to
ask you where you've got five members playing, you know,
you're sounding very, you know, exactly like what has been
created before. And that takes, I mean, you look at
Allman Brothers, you look at people, you look at, you know,
you look at the band, uh, you go back to
people like that and Levon,
when it takes five people harmonizing, playing together like that
(08:34):
and you're playing something else that's been done. So you've
gotta hit it exactly. That cannot be an easy task
the way you guys pull it off. You've gotta have
something that clicks together, I guess, right? There's gotta be
something when you bring someone in or you guys are
doing this, it really has to work, I assume. Or
am I stretching here?
Speaker 2 (08:49):
No, you're, you're not stretching. I, I think, you know,
there's a couple of factors. Um And the first factor
of course is that there has to be, there has
to be a chemistry working within the five of us.
You know, we, we, we all have to have, be
in the same type of headspace and we have to
have the same goals and we have to have the
same attention to detail and dedication to the craft.
(09:11):
Um You know, but that's, that's all well and good if,
if providing, you could still pull it off. I mean,
because you can grab five guys, you know, there are other,
yes tributes out there. Um, you know, but do they,
do they achieve it the same way? You know, I,
I'll tell you that. Yes, I think, yes, fans, I
think Genesis fans too, um, are just ultra ridiculously critical,
(09:35):
you know, they, even if they don't play an instrument, they,
they know what it's supposed to sound like and if
it doesn't sound like that you're gonna get hell. Um,
and so if that's always in the back of my
mind is, you know, when, when we're preparing something, you know,
how authentic does it sound? How is it gonna come
across there have been songs that, that I flat out
(09:56):
said we're not gonna do, you know, we're not, we're
not gonna go down that road. Um Just because the,
just because I don't think that I don't think that
we could do it justice um to, to, to the
point where I'd be comfortable playing it live, you know.
So it's, it's, you, you really have to cherry pick and, and, and,
(10:17):
and in, in and I'm not looking to sell us short.
Uh because we do some really complicated material. You also
have to remember that, you know, we didn't create this music.
We are replicated.
So I don't care who you are. You know, you, you,
you know, if, if you know, you can't replicate every
(10:37):
blessed song to absolute perfection when you didn't create it,
you know. So, you know, you, you gotta be careful. It,
it's a process. It is absolutely a
process.
Speaker 1 (10:47):
So I have a question for you and I know
you're a modest guy. I can tell by talking to
you and I know how talented you guys are.
Yes. Today who is still touring? I think some version
of yes, the band and you guys are to be clear,
you guys are awakened the music of yes, but the
band yes is still touring today as I would assume
there's no original members. I know we've had some, uh,
(11:08):
you know, members pass such as, you know, Chris Squire,
uh Tony Kay who kind of rep, you know, toured
with Bowie at some point. Key Boris and I'm sure
you know much about him, John Anderson no longer there.
It's different guys.
Alright. Modesty. Aside the, the, the maybe the version of
Yes tour today, do you feel like you guys pull
it off better than maybe the newest version of Yes
(11:30):
or where would you put yourself in that? Because there's
gotta be a little bit different sound for everybody doing
that music that came from the seventies. Right.
Speaker 2 (11:37):
Right. Right. Right. Well, that's, that, that is a complicated question.
So I'm going to give you kind of a, a
as simplified, a complicated answer as I can. So the,
the only member of, of, of the current incarnation of Yes,
he's not an original member, but he's arguably one of
the most important members through the history and that's Steve Howell,
uh, the guitar player. Um, so he's the, he's the
(11:59):
only guy that in the band now that's been in
the classic lineup and that produced all of those incredible
tunes in the seventies.
Um, even though he's not the original guitar player, uh,
that being said, um, you know, our mantra with this
is like you had mentioned it before. It's, it's performed
the way you remember it. OK? And, and that really
(12:22):
is the key. I, I'm not gonna say that we
better or worse. It's not better or worse than the
current incarnation of. Yes. However, here's the difference when, when,
when those guys come, the guys that are in the
band now and yes, you have another drummer, Alan White
passed away. You have another piece player, Chris Gore passed away.
Uh You have another vocalist, uh replacing John Anderson and, and,
(12:46):
and um you have Jack Downes who, you know, he's a,
he's a classic keyboardist as well,
but those guys are not required really to play the
tunes the way they were played in the seventies. They're,
they're given the latitude to play it the way they
want to play it. You know, their, their own interpretations
of the tunes, you know how they would play it.
No one's saying to, to Jeff Downs, I want you
(13:08):
to play the song and I want you to play
it just like the way, you know, no one's saying
to the drummer. I want you to play it just
like Bill Bruford or Alan. W they have the latitude
to play it the way they want to. We don't
have that latitude. So we say we're going to play
it but we are going to play it the way
they played it in the seventies. We are going to
play that arrangement. We're going to play it with, with
(13:28):
that level of scrutiny and intensity and that's what we're emulating.
So it's different. It's, it's just a different outlook, you know.
Uh It's not better or worse, it's just different.
Speaker 1 (13:39):
You are the consummate political politician answer to that. And
I like it's the perfect answer. I really, this is
a great answer. I love it. Um
uh but
Speaker 2 (13:46):
it's
the truth. I mean, it's the truth. I mean, do,
do I do I? No, I'm not gonna go down
the road. Well,
Speaker 1 (13:53):
let's talk about your talk about your band. Uh Joe. So,
you know, there's five of you. I know there's a
lot of harmony. Does everyone have a microphone and talk
to me a little bit about the band. Who, who
do you love to hear? Let loose. What should the
crowd look for here in Key West?
And, uh again, if you're just tuning in, we've got, uh,
we've got the band awaken the music of yes, coming
to the Key West Theater, uh, here in September. That's
(14:14):
gonna be September 7th Key West theater.com. It's Joe Luca
on with us today. So Joe, tell us a little
bit about the band and what to expect from those
guys and, and who, who do you like to hear?
Just let loose, give, give us a little picture of this.
Speaker 2 (14:25):
Well, um, you know, like I said, it started, the
band started with, uh with Danny, our guitar player. Uh and,
uh it, it really is a marvel that he's able
to incorporate the different styles of, of Steve Howe and,
and Trevor Raven, th those two guys are completely 180
from each other. Uh You know, and so, so Danny
(14:46):
does a great job of, of, of, of copying them both. He,
he's the only guy in the band that doesn't sing.
Um
Yeah, he, he, he's, he is the, he is the
complete anti guitarist and he is the only guitar player.
He is the only guitar player I have ever met
in my entire 56 years of life where I have
(15:07):
had to say to him, Dan, I can't hear you.
Can you turn up,
you know, every guitar player, every other guitar player you're
begging him to turn down. Uh So, uh yeah, so
that's Danny Ray is our bass player and uh he just,
you know, he lives and breathes to try to emulate
Chris Squire. He's got a great voice and uh and he's,
(15:28):
he's just, you know, he's the anchor.
Uh Frank, uh Frank is our drummer. He's the new
kid in town, uh a best friend from mine since
uh since birth. Actually, it just so happens that he
plays drums and just so happened that we needed one.
And uh and I, I'll never forget when he accepted
the position. About a week after he joined the band,
(15:50):
he called me up and he's like, dude, this music
is fing hard
and like, uh you know. Yeah, man. So you better
get your butt back on the drum seat and start practicing.
But he, he's done great. And um and Ron, our
lead vocalist is he's the comedian. Uh because before us,
he was the Genesis tribute band
(16:10):
and he was doing Gabriel Gabriel and Collins, which sound
nothing like John Anderson. And uh you know, and uh
you know, he would be very vague. You would close
your eyes and, you know, you would hear Genesis's mama
and you would, and he would sing and you would
swear it was Phil Collins. Yeah. Yeah. And so, you know, when, when,
(16:32):
uh when he has to come down to, to audition
for this band
and I'm like, I'm watching the video like him singing
like Genesis like this. How does this dude get to do?
This guy can't do this. There's no way. And he
came down and he sang, uh what did he say?
He sang Heart of the Sunrise, which we'll be doing
at Key West. We'll be doing heart of the Sunrise.
And I was just like, dude, you got the job
(16:53):
and that was, that was awesome. Really cool. Yeah. Yeah. So, it, it,
it's been great. It's been a fun ride and, uh,
you know, every year the band grows every year the band,
you know, does better than the year before. So, you know, again,
just soul throb be coming down there.
Speaker 1 (17:10):
Would you guys, you know, if someone listening, OK, you
got this yes uh band awaken that plays the music
of Yes. Um And I, you talk about touring and you, you,
you're obviously popular and demand enough to make it to
Key West and all these places I looked at the
theaters and, and venues you play at
just gotta be a cool life um to be able
(17:30):
to tour with guys like that and, and run around
and do what you're doing and have fun doing it.
Um
Where's just, just for a fun question? Where are some
of the most fun places you guys have been able
to play at? And then what's one of the better
compliments or something? Someone's come to you and said, hey,
you know what I came out tonight, but this, this
really spoke to me or this meant this to me
or whatever it might be. So, uh two part question
(17:52):
there is, you know, where do you, where are some
places that stick out to you? Venues you get to
play at? I hope Key West becomes one of those
for you. And then what kind of compliments or feedback
do you get? That's really kinda meant something to you
that stuck out.
Speaker 2 (18:02):
Yeah.
Well, I look, I mean, I have to say the
best compliment that, that we
ever get and we're very fortunate knock on wood that
we've gotten it more than once. Um, is that you
guys sound better than yes does. And, and I mean,
that's it. I mean, I, I don't care about anything else,
(18:25):
you know, I, I really don't, I, I don't care
about anything else. I don't care about personal accolades or,
you know, whatever
the band do the job, you know, and when people
come out and say, dude, man, I saw, I saw
yes last year or last month or whatever. And I
just saw you guys and you guys sound better. I mean, that's,
(18:45):
that's it. That's the, that's the ultimate compliment I can,
I can die now. Um So that as far as
places that we've played, we've been, we've been very fortunate
and very blessed that, um, you know, the, the, the,
the theater, the theater,
you know, the theater
tour that we hit, you know, in Pennsylvania and Jersey and,
(19:11):
you know, up in, up in New England and stuff
like that, they, they've got some really great place. Well, I,
I'm tell you what, II, I would love to add
Key West.
Uh And I would love to add, uh, the Rams
head in Baltimore. I would love to play that. Well,
Speaker 1 (19:23):
they'll be listening. So, you know, there, there you go.
There's the pitch that there,
Speaker 2 (19:27):
there's the pitch, you know, we, we want to get
into the Rams head in Baltimore. Uh You know, so,
uh hopefully we'll, we'll get to add both of those.
But uh
yeah, I mean, we've been, like I said, we've been
very blessed. No complain at all. Um
Speaker 1 (19:42):
So I'm sure you get asked this question and we've
had some tremendous tribute bands come through the theater here along,
you know, from big anyone you can imagine. I, I'd
like to ask this question and it's probably 5050. Uh
Yes and no to this question. So it's not a
surprise either way. But
(20:03):
have you ever, has any of anyone affiliated with? Yes,
ever attended your shows or reached out to you and
said that was great or don't do that or whatever
it might be. But any, have you ever gotten any
feedback on, on that side before
Speaker 2 (20:18):
uh attended? Uh interesting. Uh That's an interesting, uh no
one from, yes. Oh, no, I shouldn't say that. All right.
So we were playing at the hard rock in Atlantic
City um a few years ago. And uh so we
were on, of course, the smaller, much more modest stage
(20:38):
on the, on the um in the large theater, Kansas
was playing same night
and
the guy and, and Ronnie Platt the lead singer from
Kansas and Tom Brislin, the keyboard player of Kansas who
used to play keyboard. And yes, they came and they
watched the set of arts, um and they came over and,
(20:59):
you know, they were very, very, very, very appreciative, uh
and very complimentary. So that was, that was a great feeling,
you know, uh especially Tom, that's really from a keyboard
keyboard perspective. I mean, the man is a monster. So,
um
so that, that was great. Um As far as other
types of accolades, John Anderson, who's, you know, the, the
(21:22):
original lead vocalist and founder of the band. Uh, I,
I've had, I've had some, I've had some good uh
correspondence with him back forth via email and, and such and,
and he's, you know, he's, he's offered a lot of
positive compliments to the band as well. So it's really,
it's nice to hear that is cool
Speaker 1 (21:39):
because you never know what bands and I get it.
But I mean, there's no way you guys cannot be
doing tremendous, tremendous things for them. I mean, you're doing
it well, you're doing it incredibly well, great. And, you know, for,
there's an, there's gotta be an age group,
I think Joe that probably has lost touch with. Yes,
that you guys certainly can bring it back to, you know,
I mean, there's gotta be a lot of tremendous help,
(22:00):
you know, a lot of exposure and engagement for, yes,
that you guys not just for your band, but for
them as well, I would think. Right.
Speaker 2 (22:07):
Well, I think, you know, it, it's funny because there
are some bands out there, like, you know, like original, like, like,
like the Eagles, for example, uh, you know, King Crimson
is a, is a, is another one with the Bob
Fripp and, and they, they do not like any types
of tributes or, or copies or covers or Don Henley
(22:27):
is ridiculously vehemently against anyone playing his music.
Um, you know, but, but you're right, the, the age
demographic of these classic rock bands, you know, they're getting older. Um,
you know, and, and they're aging out and, um, you know, let,
let's face it, you know, guys, when, you know, you're
in your mid to upper sixties, you know, you don't,
(22:51):
your rock and roll times are coming down, you know. Um, so, yeah,
it is nice to go and, and play to some, uh,
younger crowds
and, uh, I didn't,
Speaker 1 (23:03):
I didn't cue the rap music in the background just
to prove my point here. We're in the live studio
to outside. Somebody came by and get the hip hop
going as we're talking about the younger crowd. I didn't
do that on purpose, I promise Joe. That's,
Speaker 2 (23:14):
that's ok. No, but, you know, but it's funny and what,
what I think Don Henley is Missing and, uh, is that,
you know, if all we could do as a tribute
band is bolster their music that, that's all we're looking
to do.
You know, so if we can honor their legacy and
bring some new fans into the foray and then maybe
(23:35):
those guys that come see us will go and see
them when they come to, come to town. Right. So there's,
you know, in my opinion, there's no downside of a
tribute band to, to the band that they're attributing,
you know, all we can do is just keep the
legacy alive. You know, and if we're doing it and
we do it well, then let us do it, you know,
we'll have a good time doing it. You know, it's, it's,
(23:56):
you know, I think it's a win, win for
everybody
Speaker 1 (23:58):
that was really well, I've, I've kept you, Joe. We got, uh,
Joe Luca, he's the bandleader and keyboarders for, uh, the,
the awaken the music of, yes, they're gonna be here
at the Key West Theater if you would like to,
to grab tickets do it while you can. We know
the venue is,
uh, not tiny, but there's limited seats when, when it
comes down to it for the demand. So Key West theater.com,
(24:19):
September 7th, the doors open at seven. This show begins
at eight, Joe Luca here on the Key West Florida,
uh Florida Keys Weekly podcasting show, Joe, I'll, I'll end
it with this. Um You guys obviously travel quite a bit. You're,
you're a band, but you're a bunch of guys who
hang out together a lot. What's the best part of
this for you? What, what do you really, what do
you enjoy doing?
Did I lose you,
(24:42):
Joe? Are you still there, buddy?
Hello.
We may have lost Joe. That might have been the
end of the end of the interview here. But um
uh really, really great talking to you Joe. I don't
know if you can hear me or not, Joe, you're there.
Maybe not. We may have lost him there but um
uh we we can get it back on. We will,
but if not, it's gonna be a show. You don't
wanna miss uh Key West theater.com uh September 7th 7
(25:07):
to 8 p.m. awaken the music of yes and I
hate that we kinda lost Joe right there at the
end of the interview but uh sounds like a great guy.
Let's see if we can get him back in here,
Joe. Are you there? Oh man. Alright. I was afraid
we had to end this without you and I was
I was telling everyone about the dates again and where
to be. So I'm glad we got you back on.
(25:28):
I won't keep you much longer. I know we're at
the end of this but Joe, uh the question I
had to kind of to send this off and I'm
glad you got back on.
Um, you guys do a lot of touring. There's five
of you, you're, you've got to be close to one
another
aside from playing to the crowds and, and getting to
do what you love doing in front of people. What's
the best part of touring and hanging, hanging with these guys?
(25:48):
What do you really enjoy about this?
Speaker 2 (25:52):
A,
I, I would have to say, interacting with, with, with
the crowd. I, I really do. You know, we, we, um,
we do something that not, not a lot of bands do. Um,
I don't think at least I don't think they do
and that's when, when the show is over and the
encore is finished and we take our bow. We do
not walk off stage. Instead, we jump off stage into
(26:13):
the audience. Um, and we talk to everybody and anyone
who wants to come up and talk to us
and chat. We're, we're more than happy to do that and,
and interact with, with everyone and just, uh, show our
appreciation for them coming down and, uh, and we trade
some stories and that's other than playing the music, that's
probably the best part of all.
Speaker 1 (26:34):
All right. Last question. What do you, what's your, what's your,
I know there's so many hits, you know, you got
close to the edge. You've got, I've seen good people
Rhythm of Love. Gates of Delirium. Go on and on
and on about. Yes. What, what's your, what's the most?
I don't know if it's a b side track or something.
What, what do you, what, which one would you just
say I love doing this song. It lets me pour
my heart out on the keyboard vocals. Which one do
you love the most?
Speaker 2 (26:55):
Uh I, I would say I'd say probably close to
the edge is probably my favorite one to play live.
Um Yeah, I think I kind of encapulates, encapsulates, I
should say, I'm sorry, encapsulates everything. That's, that's great about. Yes.
Um
Yeah, that's
awesome.
Speaker 1 (27:14):
Well, listen, we're, we're pumped to see you. You're fun
to talk to. I know uh again, if you guys
just uh folks and listeners, uh ladies and gents, everyone
uh just Google, just look at awaken the music of
Yes and Joe, if they want to learn more about
you guys and hear more before you get here, any
other places you want them to visit your website or
other other platforms to list to check you out. What
(27:34):
would you recommend?
Speaker 2 (27:36):
Well, uh so the uh the website uh a Waking
Yes Tribute has some stuff but Facebook has just about everything.
And uh so if you go on Facebook and you
search a Waking Yes Tribute, you'll find like a plethora
of stuff. I think we've got just about everything up there.
Um So plenty of videos and, and all the announcements
and everything is, is on Facebook.
Speaker 1 (27:58):
Good deal. All right, everyone. Check it out there. You're
not going to be disappointed. This is gonna be a fun,
fun show full of energy. You can just tell by
talking to Joe. It's gonna be fun and personable and
the talent level is, you know, they're coming here for
a reason off the charts. Key West theater.com. The show
is September 7th 7 p.m. Doors open 8 p.m. This
show will begin and looking forward to it, Joe. Thanks
(28:19):
for being on the show with us and uh I
look forward to seeing you as well and I, I
really appreciate you taking the time to do this. Thanks again.
Speaker 2 (28:25):
It was a pleasure.
Thanks for having me. Alright.
Speaker 1 (28:27):
We'll see you soon at Key West, Joe. All the
best
Speaker 2 (28:30):
take care. Yes, sir.
Welcome everyone to another edition of the Florida Keys Weekly
Podcast and show. I'm Brett Myers, your host again, uh
excited about this show as I always am, we have
a great performance coming down to Key West and we
have uh the band leader with us today. I'm gonna
tell you more about him and that band. Before we do,
let's do some uh, house cleaning uh items here.
(00:22):
Uh I wanna thank our sponsor, overseas Media Group. Um
That's the local website, digital marketing company, brings you a
world of experience with the local service that you deserve
here throughout the Florida Keys. That's overseas media group.com. Thank
you to our sponsors for that. If you're listening, listening
to this show in Radioland, out in WKWF AM and
FM 103.3 I wanna thank those partners
(00:43):
and you listeners. We're doing that on radio and the
rest of you who do this via podcast. Uh You,
you know, you can catch this show and many others
at www dot keys, weekly.com. That's the Florida Keys Weekly
podcast and show. Of course, you can find it on Spotify,
Amazon Apple, all the other places you kids like to
have podcast uh again, type in Florida Keys, weekly podcast
(01:03):
and show this show today, really fun show. Uh I've
been revisiting
the band. Yes. And you say, well, Britt, why are
you revisiting the band? Yes, I've been jamming out to it.
I've been listening to it because there is a band
out there. Um Awaken it plays the music of Yes awaken.
The music of yes who tour throughout the country sound amazing.
(01:26):
And they are visiting the Key West Theater and it
will be a show that you will not be uh
uh upset that you attend it. I watched the videos
of these guys
again, if you want to google them awaken the music
of Yes, it is pure energy, pure fun. And with
me today is the bandleader and keyboardist, Mr Joe Luca. Joe,
thanks for uh thanks for jumping on with me uh
(01:46):
today for the show.
Speaker 2 (01:48):
Oh, it's a pleasure to be here. Thanks for having me.
Speaker 1 (01:50):
Absolutely, Joe. I always ask this question when folks are
coming down to perform no matter where they're at in
their career or what they do because it's just a
fun question. Have you been to Key West before or
you were the band and whether it be professionally or
uh casually,
Speaker 2 (02:06):
to my knowledge, no one in the band has been
that far yet. So this is our first, our first
foray into the Keys.
Speaker 1 (02:15):
Well, I know you've got a lot of shows particularly
that I've seen. If you've been doing it throughout the
east coast, we'll talk about that. Connecticut, New Jersey, Mass,
New York all over the place. Are you guys gonna
have some time to do some Key West type things
while you're here, or is it, you gotta get in
and get out?
Speaker 2 (02:31):
I think, I think we have a day. I think
we have a day. Um, we have, uh, I think we're,
the show is on a Saturday. I think we're coming down, uh,
Friday morning and, uh, so we'll have Friday to hang
out a little bit, uh, before the show on Saturday,
so that we're looking forward to that. All
Speaker 1 (02:50):
right. Uh, well, you will find, of course, you're going
to be in good hands with the, the Rams Head Group,
Key West Theater,
uh, letting you know some things to do in Key West.
I'm sure they'll, if you can't find it on your own,
it's pretty easy. If you go down to Ball Street,
you'll find some trouble and have a good time. But, uh, there,
there'll be some good concierge direction for you there. And if, uh,
if we can help, we'll, we'll guide you in the
right direction there. There'll be no shortage of fun for
(03:12):
you guys as you do it. So we're happy to
get you in Key West. Now, here's the question. I
know you get all the time. So I'm gonna get
it out of the way in the beginning,
I'm watching you guys perform. Um, it, it's quite a
big band ensemble that you do. I know you're a keyboardist.
I wanna know how many people were in the band
but more so how, how, and why, you know, yes.
(03:35):
Being a rock and roll hall of Fame band, um,
incredible ballads and tracks they've done over the years. Multi
really the diversity of yes is probably underrated when I
start looking at it. And I, and I being
openly admittingly that I've never put my time in a yes,
like maybe I should, but I start looking at it and, well,
how diverse and amazing
the music's transcended through the seventies and through the eighties,
(03:56):
I know band members, some have passed, some have changed.
Um You guys are playing yes music. Um As good.
I shouldn't, I've gotta be careful how I say this
as good or better as the band. It sounds amazing. But,
but how does that happen? Why this band? It says
you guys are basically, uh dedicated to performing. Yes, music
the way you remember it, you're preserving that. Why is
(04:17):
Yes important. How did you guys come about? Were y'all
sitting around one day and you're like, hey, you like
this music? Me too. Let's do this or how does
that happen? Uh Joe, tell me a little bit about
the background of this.
Speaker 2 (04:26):
Well, the, the brainchild of the band, uh uh was,
uh from uh Danny the guitar player. He, he, he's
been a rabid yes fan since, since the seventies.
Uh and, you know, and it, it was uh just
really a question of finding like minded people. And, uh,
you know, fortunately, Ray the bass player, he works with Danny.
(04:47):
So that, that, that worked, um that, that, that came
out together. They put an ad in uh at the
time because that was going about seven years now. So
at the time on Craigslist, uh looking for a keyboard player,
uh, and I, I've been a, you know, I've been
a rabid fan since the eighties since over me hard. And, uh,
(05:08):
so I answered the ad and then, uh, you know,
long story short and cut a lot of stuff out.
Uh My, my lead singer, Ron, he winds up living
around the corner from me. I, I lived around the
corner with him for 20 years. Never met him. Now,
Speaker 1 (05:22):
where, where is this at? Where do you get, where
is this at?
Speaker 2 (05:24):
This
is in, in Long Island. Uh And then recently, uh
our original drummer retired last year. So I brought in
a very dear friend of mine, uh, Frank from Connecticut,
uh to, to fill the seats to fill the drum seat. And, uh,
so now that's the current incarnation. And, you know, it,
it's really about just, it's just really challenging music to
(05:49):
play and it's, it's, it's, it's really, you have a
real sense of accomplishment. When you, when you can really
play the stuff,
you know. Um, I, I've been asked, I've been, I've,
I've been, I've been attempted to be poached to other
bands to, to do other things and I listen to
the music of what they want me to play and
(06:09):
I just, you know, and II, I respond to them.
I said, you know, look, I appreciate it very much and,
you know, thank you for the opportunity but you know,
their music is boring.
You know, what am I, what am I to do
up there for two hours? You know, hold out a
couple of chords and play a solo here and there. This,
this music is just so challenging to get it, to
get it right. And uh it's very fulfilling when, when
(06:32):
you have a big show, you
Speaker 1 (06:33):
say that and for people, I hope they do. I mean, again,
every show at the Key West Theater has a different
n positive nuance and different genre. You've got to be
extremely talented to make the tour down here. So you
guys are doing something right?
But I hope people Google you guys. No, I just
hope people Google if they're listening to this, um because
(06:54):
tickets will be limited, you guys will sell out at
September 7th. Key theater.com is where tickets are at Key
West theater.com, September 7th doors open at seven shows at eight.
But where they Google you, if you watch you guys
now what I saw what I was youtubing and on
your website I saw quite a few band members. Is
that what you guys will bring down to Key West?
(07:14):
Is it a limited version of that or what? What's
the scope of the band?
Speaker 2 (07:18):
Yeah. Well, the band is, is five members just like the,
just like, yes. Uh you know, guitar based, drums, keyboards
and a vocalist.
Um, you know, we, uh, this is our, uh you know,
like I said, this is our first foray down there. So,
um I mean, we're just excited, we're, we're excited for
the opportunity to, to go. I mean, we're based in
(07:39):
the northeast to, to go all the way down to
the southeast as far south as you can go, we
can't go any further south.
Um You know, it, it's, it's, it's a great opportunity
and we're looking forward
to it.
Speaker 1 (07:50):
Well, you made a good point and I'm not, I'm
a music fan. That's why I indulge myself with a podcast.
A doofus like me gets to talk to cool people
like you. But I'm not, you know, I'm not gonna
tell you which notes you're hitting and I don't pretend
to tell you, you know, I've got friends who follow
fish around or the dead and company and they're like
you did it and he mor and trade it and
I'm like, ok, but you don't play the guitar, but
I'm a fan and I appreciate fans like that.
(08:12):
But I, I have to think and I have to
ask you where you've got five members playing, you know,
you're sounding very, you know, exactly like what has been
created before. And that takes, I mean, you look at
Allman Brothers, you look at people, you look at, you know,
you look at the band, uh, you go back to
people like that and Levon,
when it takes five people harmonizing, playing together like that
(08:34):
and you're playing something else that's been done. So you've
gotta hit it exactly. That cannot be an easy task
the way you guys pull it off. You've gotta have
something that clicks together, I guess, right? There's gotta be
something when you bring someone in or you guys are
doing this, it really has to work, I assume. Or
am I stretching here?
Speaker 2 (08:49):
No, you're, you're not stretching. I, I think, you know,
there's a couple of factors. Um And the first factor
of course is that there has to be, there has
to be a chemistry working within the five of us.
You know, we, we, we all have to have, be
in the same type of headspace and we have to
have the same goals and we have to have the
same attention to detail and dedication to the craft.
(09:11):
Um You know, but that's, that's all well and good if,
if providing, you could still pull it off. I mean,
because you can grab five guys, you know, there are other,
yes tributes out there. Um, you know, but do they,
do they achieve it the same way? You know, I,
I'll tell you that. Yes, I think, yes, fans, I
think Genesis fans too, um, are just ultra ridiculously critical,
(09:35):
you know, they, even if they don't play an instrument, they,
they know what it's supposed to sound like and if
it doesn't sound like that you're gonna get hell. Um,
and so if that's always in the back of my
mind is, you know, when, when we're preparing something, you know,
how authentic does it sound? How is it gonna come
across there have been songs that, that I flat out
(09:56):
said we're not gonna do, you know, we're not, we're
not gonna go down that road. Um Just because the,
just because I don't think that I don't think that
we could do it justice um to, to, to the
point where I'd be comfortable playing it live, you know.
So it's, it's, you, you really have to cherry pick and, and, and,
(10:17):
and in, in and I'm not looking to sell us short.
Uh because we do some really complicated material. You also
have to remember that, you know, we didn't create this music.
We are replicated.
So I don't care who you are. You know, you, you,
you know, if, if you know, you can't replicate every
(10:37):
blessed song to absolute perfection when you didn't create it,
you know. So, you know, you, you gotta be careful. It,
it's a process. It is absolutely a
process.
Speaker 1 (10:47):
So I have a question for you and I know
you're a modest guy. I can tell by talking to
you and I know how talented you guys are.
Yes. Today who is still touring? I think some version
of yes, the band and you guys are to be clear,
you guys are awakened the music of yes, but the
band yes is still touring today as I would assume
there's no original members. I know we've had some, uh,
(11:08):
you know, members pass such as, you know, Chris Squire,
uh Tony Kay who kind of rep, you know, toured
with Bowie at some point. Key Boris and I'm sure
you know much about him, John Anderson no longer there.
It's different guys.
Alright. Modesty. Aside the, the, the maybe the version of
Yes tour today, do you feel like you guys pull
it off better than maybe the newest version of Yes
(11:30):
or where would you put yourself in that? Because there's
gotta be a little bit different sound for everybody doing
that music that came from the seventies. Right.
Speaker 2 (11:37):
Right. Right. Right. Well, that's, that, that is a complicated question.
So I'm going to give you kind of a, a
as simplified, a complicated answer as I can. So the,
the only member of, of, of the current incarnation of Yes,
he's not an original member, but he's arguably one of
the most important members through the history and that's Steve Howell,
uh, the guitar player. Um, so he's the, he's the
(11:59):
only guy that in the band now that's been in
the classic lineup and that produced all of those incredible
tunes in the seventies.
Um, even though he's not the original guitar player, uh,
that being said, um, you know, our mantra with this
is like you had mentioned it before. It's, it's performed
the way you remember it. OK? And, and that really
(12:22):
is the key. I, I'm not gonna say that we
better or worse. It's not better or worse than the
current incarnation of. Yes. However, here's the difference when, when,
when those guys come, the guys that are in the
band now and yes, you have another drummer, Alan White
passed away. You have another piece player, Chris Gore passed away.
Uh You have another vocalist, uh replacing John Anderson and, and,
(12:46):
and um you have Jack Downes who, you know, he's a,
he's a classic keyboardist as well,
but those guys are not required really to play the
tunes the way they were played in the seventies. They're,
they're given the latitude to play it the way they
want to play it. You know, their, their own interpretations
of the tunes, you know how they would play it.
No one's saying to, to Jeff Downs, I want you
(13:08):
to play the song and I want you to play
it just like the way, you know, no one's saying
to the drummer. I want you to play it just
like Bill Bruford or Alan. W they have the latitude
to play it the way they want to. We don't
have that latitude. So we say we're going to play
it but we are going to play it the way
they played it in the seventies. We are going to
play that arrangement. We're going to play it with, with
(13:28):
that level of scrutiny and intensity and that's what we're emulating.
So it's different. It's, it's just a different outlook, you know.
Uh It's not better or worse, it's just different.
Speaker 1 (13:39):
You are the consummate political politician answer to that. And
I like it's the perfect answer. I really, this is
a great answer. I love it. Um
uh but
Speaker 2 (13:46):
it's
the truth. I mean, it's the truth. I mean, do,
do I do I? No, I'm not gonna go down
the road. Well,
Speaker 1 (13:53):
let's talk about your talk about your band. Uh Joe. So,
you know, there's five of you. I know there's a
lot of harmony. Does everyone have a microphone and talk
to me a little bit about the band. Who, who
do you love to hear? Let loose. What should the
crowd look for here in Key West?
And, uh again, if you're just tuning in, we've got, uh,
we've got the band awaken the music of yes, coming
to the Key West Theater, uh, here in September. That's
(14:14):
gonna be September 7th Key West theater.com. It's Joe Luca
on with us today. So Joe, tell us a little
bit about the band and what to expect from those
guys and, and who, who do you like to hear?
Just let loose, give, give us a little picture of this.
Speaker 2 (14:25):
Well, um, you know, like I said, it started, the
band started with, uh with Danny, our guitar player. Uh and,
uh it, it really is a marvel that he's able
to incorporate the different styles of, of Steve Howe and,
and Trevor Raven, th those two guys are completely 180
from each other. Uh You know, and so, so Danny
(14:46):
does a great job of, of, of, of copying them both. He,
he's the only guy in the band that doesn't sing.
Um
Yeah, he, he, he's, he is the, he is the
complete anti guitarist and he is the only guitar player.
He is the only guitar player I have ever met
in my entire 56 years of life where I have
(15:07):
had to say to him, Dan, I can't hear you.
Can you turn up,
you know, every guitar player, every other guitar player you're
begging him to turn down. Uh So, uh yeah, so
that's Danny Ray is our bass player and uh he just,
you know, he lives and breathes to try to emulate
Chris Squire. He's got a great voice and uh and he's,
(15:28):
he's just, you know, he's the anchor.
Uh Frank, uh Frank is our drummer. He's the new
kid in town, uh a best friend from mine since
uh since birth. Actually, it just so happens that he
plays drums and just so happened that we needed one.
And uh and I, I'll never forget when he accepted
the position. About a week after he joined the band,
(15:50):
he called me up and he's like, dude, this music
is fing hard
and like, uh you know. Yeah, man. So you better
get your butt back on the drum seat and start practicing.
But he, he's done great. And um and Ron, our
lead vocalist is he's the comedian. Uh because before us,
he was the Genesis tribute band
(16:10):
and he was doing Gabriel Gabriel and Collins, which sound
nothing like John Anderson. And uh you know, and uh
you know, he would be very vague. You would close
your eyes and, you know, you would hear Genesis's mama
and you would, and he would sing and you would
swear it was Phil Collins. Yeah. Yeah. And so, you know, when, when,
(16:32):
uh when he has to come down to, to audition
for this band
and I'm like, I'm watching the video like him singing
like Genesis like this. How does this dude get to do?
This guy can't do this. There's no way. And he
came down and he sang, uh what did he say?
He sang Heart of the Sunrise, which we'll be doing
at Key West. We'll be doing heart of the Sunrise.
And I was just like, dude, you got the job
(16:53):
and that was, that was awesome. Really cool. Yeah. Yeah. So, it, it,
it's been great. It's been a fun ride and, uh,
you know, every year the band grows every year the band,
you know, does better than the year before. So, you know, again,
just soul throb be coming down there.
Speaker 1 (17:10):
Would you guys, you know, if someone listening, OK, you
got this yes uh band awaken that plays the music
of Yes. Um And I, you talk about touring and you, you,
you're obviously popular and demand enough to make it to
Key West and all these places I looked at the
theaters and, and venues you play at
just gotta be a cool life um to be able
(17:30):
to tour with guys like that and, and run around
and do what you're doing and have fun doing it.
Um
Where's just, just for a fun question? Where are some
of the most fun places you guys have been able
to play at? And then what's one of the better
compliments or something? Someone's come to you and said, hey,
you know what I came out tonight, but this, this
really spoke to me or this meant this to me
or whatever it might be. So, uh two part question
(17:52):
there is, you know, where do you, where are some
places that stick out to you? Venues you get to
play at? I hope Key West becomes one of those
for you. And then what kind of compliments or feedback
do you get? That's really kinda meant something to you
that stuck out.
Speaker 2 (18:02):
Yeah.
Well, I look, I mean, I have to say the
best compliment that, that we
ever get and we're very fortunate knock on wood that
we've gotten it more than once. Um, is that you
guys sound better than yes does. And, and I mean,
that's it. I mean, I, I don't care about anything else,
(18:25):
you know, I, I really don't, I, I don't care
about anything else. I don't care about personal accolades or,
you know, whatever
the band do the job, you know, and when people
come out and say, dude, man, I saw, I saw
yes last year or last month or whatever. And I
just saw you guys and you guys sound better. I mean, that's,
(18:45):
that's it. That's the, that's the ultimate compliment I can,
I can die now. Um So that as far as
places that we've played, we've been, we've been very fortunate
and very blessed that, um, you know, the, the, the,
the theater, the theater,
you know, the theater
tour that we hit, you know, in Pennsylvania and Jersey and,
(19:11):
you know, up in, up in New England and stuff
like that, they, they've got some really great place. Well, I,
I'm tell you what, II, I would love to add
Key West.
Uh And I would love to add, uh, the Rams
head in Baltimore. I would love to play that. Well,
Speaker 1 (19:23):
they'll be listening. So, you know, there, there you go.
There's the pitch that there,
Speaker 2 (19:27):
there's the pitch, you know, we, we want to get
into the Rams head in Baltimore. Uh You know, so,
uh hopefully we'll, we'll get to add both of those.
But uh
yeah, I mean, we've been, like I said, we've been
very blessed. No complain at all. Um
Speaker 1 (19:42):
So I'm sure you get asked this question and we've
had some tremendous tribute bands come through the theater here along,
you know, from big anyone you can imagine. I, I'd
like to ask this question and it's probably 5050. Uh
Yes and no to this question. So it's not a
surprise either way. But
(20:03):
have you ever, has any of anyone affiliated with? Yes,
ever attended your shows or reached out to you and
said that was great or don't do that or whatever
it might be. But any, have you ever gotten any
feedback on, on that side before
Speaker 2 (20:18):
uh attended? Uh interesting. Uh That's an interesting, uh no
one from, yes. Oh, no, I shouldn't say that. All right.
So we were playing at the hard rock in Atlantic
City um a few years ago. And uh so we
were on, of course, the smaller, much more modest stage
(20:38):
on the, on the um in the large theater, Kansas
was playing same night
and
the guy and, and Ronnie Platt the lead singer from
Kansas and Tom Brislin, the keyboard player of Kansas who
used to play keyboard. And yes, they came and they
watched the set of arts, um and they came over and,
(20:59):
you know, they were very, very, very, very appreciative, uh
and very complimentary. So that was, that was a great feeling,
you know, uh especially Tom, that's really from a keyboard
keyboard perspective. I mean, the man is a monster. So,
um
so that, that was great. Um As far as other
types of accolades, John Anderson, who's, you know, the, the
(21:22):
original lead vocalist and founder of the band. Uh, I,
I've had, I've had some, I've had some good uh
correspondence with him back forth via email and, and such and,
and he's, you know, he's, he's offered a lot of
positive compliments to the band as well. So it's really,
it's nice to hear that is cool
Speaker 1 (21:39):
because you never know what bands and I get it.
But I mean, there's no way you guys cannot be
doing tremendous, tremendous things for them. I mean, you're doing
it well, you're doing it incredibly well, great. And, you know, for,
there's an, there's gotta be an age group,
I think Joe that probably has lost touch with. Yes,
that you guys certainly can bring it back to, you know,
I mean, there's gotta be a lot of tremendous help,
(22:00):
you know, a lot of exposure and engagement for, yes,
that you guys not just for your band, but for
them as well, I would think. Right.
Speaker 2 (22:07):
Well, I think, you know, it, it's funny because there
are some bands out there, like, you know, like original, like, like,
like the Eagles, for example, uh, you know, King Crimson
is a, is a, is another one with the Bob
Fripp and, and they, they do not like any types
of tributes or, or copies or covers or Don Henley
(22:27):
is ridiculously vehemently against anyone playing his music.
Um, you know, but, but you're right, the, the age
demographic of these classic rock bands, you know, they're getting older. Um,
you know, and, and they're aging out and, um, you know, let,
let's face it, you know, guys, when, you know, you're
in your mid to upper sixties, you know, you don't,
(22:51):
your rock and roll times are coming down, you know. Um, so, yeah,
it is nice to go and, and play to some, uh,
younger crowds
and, uh, I didn't,
Speaker 1 (23:03):
I didn't cue the rap music in the background just
to prove my point here. We're in the live studio
to outside. Somebody came by and get the hip hop
going as we're talking about the younger crowd. I didn't
do that on purpose, I promise Joe. That's,
Speaker 2 (23:14):
that's ok. No, but, you know, but it's funny and what,
what I think Don Henley is Missing and, uh, is that,
you know, if all we could do as a tribute
band is bolster their music that, that's all we're looking
to do.
You know, so if we can honor their legacy and
bring some new fans into the foray and then maybe
(23:35):
those guys that come see us will go and see
them when they come to, come to town. Right. So there's,
you know, in my opinion, there's no downside of a
tribute band to, to the band that they're attributing,
you know, all we can do is just keep the
legacy alive. You know, and if we're doing it and
we do it well, then let us do it, you know,
we'll have a good time doing it. You know, it's, it's,
(23:56):
you know, I think it's a win, win for
everybody
Speaker 1 (23:58):
that was really well, I've, I've kept you, Joe. We got, uh,
Joe Luca, he's the bandleader and keyboarders for, uh, the,
the awaken the music of, yes, they're gonna be here
at the Key West Theater if you would like to,
to grab tickets do it while you can. We know
the venue is,
uh, not tiny, but there's limited seats when, when it
comes down to it for the demand. So Key West theater.com,
(24:19):
September 7th, the doors open at seven. This show begins
at eight, Joe Luca here on the Key West Florida,
uh Florida Keys Weekly podcasting show, Joe, I'll, I'll end
it with this. Um You guys obviously travel quite a bit. You're,
you're a band, but you're a bunch of guys who
hang out together a lot. What's the best part of
this for you? What, what do you really, what do
you enjoy doing?
Did I lose you,
(24:42):
Joe? Are you still there, buddy?
Hello.
We may have lost Joe. That might have been the
end of the end of the interview here. But um
uh really, really great talking to you Joe. I don't
know if you can hear me or not, Joe, you're there.
Maybe not. We may have lost him there but um
uh we we can get it back on. We will,
but if not, it's gonna be a show. You don't
wanna miss uh Key West theater.com uh September 7th 7
(25:07):
to 8 p.m. awaken the music of yes and I
hate that we kinda lost Joe right there at the
end of the interview but uh sounds like a great guy.
Let's see if we can get him back in here,
Joe. Are you there? Oh man. Alright. I was afraid
we had to end this without you and I was
I was telling everyone about the dates again and where
to be. So I'm glad we got you back on.
(25:28):
I won't keep you much longer. I know we're at
the end of this but Joe, uh the question I
had to kind of to send this off and I'm
glad you got back on.
Um, you guys do a lot of touring. There's five
of you, you're, you've got to be close to one
another
aside from playing to the crowds and, and getting to
do what you love doing in front of people. What's
the best part of touring and hanging, hanging with these guys?
(25:48):
What do you really enjoy about this?
Speaker 2 (25:52):
A,
I, I would have to say, interacting with, with, with
the crowd. I, I really do. You know, we, we, um,
we do something that not, not a lot of bands do. Um,
I don't think at least I don't think they do
and that's when, when the show is over and the
encore is finished and we take our bow. We do
not walk off stage. Instead, we jump off stage into
(26:13):
the audience. Um, and we talk to everybody and anyone
who wants to come up and talk to us
and chat. We're, we're more than happy to do that and,
and interact with, with everyone and just, uh, show our
appreciation for them coming down and, uh, and we trade
some stories and that's other than playing the music, that's
probably the best part of all.
Speaker 1 (26:34):
All right. Last question. What do you, what's your, what's your,
I know there's so many hits, you know, you got
close to the edge. You've got, I've seen good people
Rhythm of Love. Gates of Delirium. Go on and on
and on about. Yes. What, what's your, what's the most?
I don't know if it's a b side track or something.
What, what do you, what, which one would you just
say I love doing this song. It lets me pour
my heart out on the keyboard vocals. Which one do
you love the most?
Speaker 2 (26:55):
Uh I, I would say I'd say probably close to
the edge is probably my favorite one to play live.
Um Yeah, I think I kind of encapulates, encapsulates, I
should say, I'm sorry, encapsulates everything. That's, that's great about. Yes.
Um
Yeah, that's
awesome.
Speaker 1 (27:14):
Well, listen, we're, we're pumped to see you. You're fun
to talk to. I know uh again, if you guys
just uh folks and listeners, uh ladies and gents, everyone
uh just Google, just look at awaken the music of
Yes and Joe, if they want to learn more about
you guys and hear more before you get here, any
other places you want them to visit your website or
other other platforms to list to check you out. What
(27:34):
would you recommend?
Speaker 2 (27:36):
Well, uh so the uh the website uh a Waking
Yes Tribute has some stuff but Facebook has just about everything.
And uh so if you go on Facebook and you
search a Waking Yes Tribute, you'll find like a plethora
of stuff. I think we've got just about everything up there.
Um So plenty of videos and, and all the announcements
and everything is, is on Facebook.
Speaker 1 (27:58):
Good deal. All right, everyone. Check it out there. You're
not going to be disappointed. This is gonna be a fun,
fun show full of energy. You can just tell by
talking to Joe. It's gonna be fun and personable and
the talent level is, you know, they're coming here for
a reason off the charts. Key West theater.com. The show
is September 7th 7 p.m. Doors open 8 p.m. This
show will begin and looking forward to it, Joe. Thanks
(28:19):
for being on the show with us and uh I
look forward to seeing you as well and I, I
really appreciate you taking the time to do this. Thanks again.
Speaker 2 (28:25):
It was a pleasure.
Thanks for having me. Alright.
Speaker 1 (28:27):
We'll see you soon at Key West, Joe. All the
best
Speaker 2 (28:30):
take care. Yes, sir.
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