Alex Tirrell, Keyboard Player, Song Writer, Gay Rock Star for Shryne – Exclusive!
Monday, August 10th, 2009By: Kimberly Veautour
I recently had the opportunity to sit and have a question and answer session with Alex Tirrell of Shryne. If you live in Rhode Island and
haven’t heard of Shryne, you must be living under a rock!
Alex Tirrell of Shryne
Shryne is a 5 piece (guitar, drums, bass, & keys along with vocals) original pop rock band with a very good following in Rhode Island and
ardent supporters all around Massachusetts and Connecticut. They were recently nominated for Motif Magazine’s Live
Rock Act of the Year and were voted Best Indie Live Act in Limelight Magazine’s 2008 Readers’ Poll.
Shryne’s own Anthony Mattera was nominated for Guitarist of the Year in the same poll. 2008 was a very successful year for the band with over 50 shows spanning Southern New England including the Boston Music Festival, a grand prize winning performance at a
Providence Battle of the Bands, an opening performance for national rock artists and stars of IFC’s “Z-Rock”, ZO2, and a very successful regional
mini-tour in September. They are currently in the studio to finish recording for their full length release “Here and Now”, due out later
this year, in addition to playing live nearly every week at venues across Southern New England including high-profile shows at Boston’s Paradise Rock Club and Hard Rock Cafe.
Shryne infuses pop rock with the sensibilities that made classic rock classic, while driving the genre forward with modern grooves and melodies
that have audiences rocking long after the band leaves the stage. Shryne isn’t simply great music, Shryne is a musical experience best served
live and loud.
Alex Tirrell plays keyboards and is one of three vocalists for the band. He has recently been endorsed by pro keyboard manufacturer Kurzweil
Music Systems, which makes the keyboard he plays. He happens to also be gay, and the only gay member of the band. We were lucky enough to have Alex sit and answer some of our questions regarding the band, band life and being a gay rock star!
The band has had it’s ups and downs, including losing a member in the infamous Rhode Island Station Fire that killed 100 people on February 20th, 2003. It is hard to meet a Rhode Islander that was not touched by this tragedy, let alone band mates in the same industry. Somehow Shryne battled back, and with hard work has survived, and lived through its music.
Q. Hi Alex! Thank you for taking this time to sit with us. We know you
have a very busy schedule, and your time is precious, so we will jump
right in and get started! How long have you been playing keyboards, and
how long for Shryne?
A. I’ve been playing for 10 years total–5 of which with Shryne.
Q. Can you give us a short background to how Shryne started and how you
came to play with them?
A. Shryne was formed in 2001–pretty much by our current front-man Jon
Brennan. He had wanted to start a band and had recruited drummer Jeff
Cruz and then rhythm guitarist Andrew Sharp to play. Jon would be
playing lead guitar and singing. He knew his friend Nick O’Neill from
a theater group they were in together also wanted to start a band, so
Nick was brought in to sing lead vocals. Nick brought in his friend
Damian Knight to play bass, and Shryne was born!
This lineup only lasted about 2 years, as Jon and Nick went to the ill-fated Station
Nightclub on the night that it burned to the ground. Jon made it out
alive, but Nick didn’t. I’d been a fan of the band and told Jon and
the others that if they ever decided to reform, I would be there for
them if they needed me. Sometime in 2004 I got the call that Shryne
was interested in reforming, and I was asked to come in and play
keyboards and sing backing vocals–I role I later expanded after
writing some of my own material. Damian left in 2006 to pursue other
interests. Jon took up lead vocals, Andrew switched to bass, and we
brought in Anthony Mattera on lead guitar in 2007 and haven’t look back!
Q. What is your music background?
A. I’d always loved singing growing up–I never thought it could be a
career or something I could do professionally. I also had an interest
in piano, though after a few group lessons at an early age, I’d
thought it was hopeless. I’d done a bit of music early on in
elementary school, but it wasn’t until 8th grade in middle school when
I was encouraged by my English teacher to join chorus because they
needed guys. I thought sure–I love to sing. Of course, being well
behaved and enthusiastic about my music, I ended up being the only boy
in 8th grade chorus–all the others got kicked out for being too
rowdy! It was there that I was drawn back to the piano, as one of my
chorus-mates played and wrote her own songs. So I taught myself piano.
In high school I continued all of this, and got into my other love–
musical theater! However, in college, I decided to major in music, and
today I am classically trained in piano and voice. I’ve also done a
bit of jazz.
Q. Who are your fans?
A. We have fans of all ages who love to come watch us and have a good
time. I think that our sound translates to many different kinds of
listeners due to the aspects we each bring to the band as players.
Q. What are your songs about?
A. Relationships, for sure. Not necessarily romantic. As I look
through the songs for our upcoming album “Here and Now” it is a
consistent theme. Some are about failed romance, others about
friendships. One of my songs is actually written for two miserable
friends of mine, asking them to break up!
Q. Who writes the songs, what are they about?
A. Every member of the band has had a songwriting contribution, but
the majority of the songs are written by Anthony Mattera, Jon Brennan,
and myself. Generally separately or with some minor collaboration.
Q. Who are your musical influences?
A. I am heavily influenced by classic rock–mostly of the 1970’s but
also the late 60’s and bits of the 80’s. Some of my favorite bands
from those eras include Fleetwood Mac, Pink Floyd, The Beatles, The
Doors, and Journey. It also figures that the keyboardists from those
bands are also influences on me! As for more contemporary stuff, I do
like a lot of the late 90’s pop-rock. I feel like that was one of the
last eras of real talent and creativity in music that has
unfortunately declined as technology in recording has improved and
become more affordable. But, one of my favorite groups of the last 10
years would be The Dresden Dolls. While they are currently on hiatus,
their lead singer Amanda Palmer has put out a fantastic solo album
that was produced by Ben Folds.
Q. Describe your show, visual and musically.
A. High energy would have to be my short answer. We try to pack a lot
of power and emotion into our performances. Personally I do the best I
can, being trapped behind a keyboard most of the show! I think a lot
of new audience members would be surprised at what we are able to
accomplish at a performance. Melody has always been a key factor with
us, and we have a lot of rich three-part harmony within our music–
something a lot of bands today either don’t have the personnel for or
the desire.
Q. Shryne has had an amazing year, won some great awards, and really
jumped out in New England as someone to go see. Has sudden success
changed the dynamic of the band at all? How do you deal with it?
A. I try to remain modest. We are doing well, but there are certainly
ways to go! Moving on to bigger and more exciting things do spark some interesting
discussions within the band. Mostly about maintaining professionalism
and doing our part to keep things moving.
Q. How does it feel being Best Indie Live Act in Limelight Magazine’s
2008 Readers’ Poll? That is a huge honor based on the fact that the readers
chose you!
A. It was a very exciting experience. We have some very loyal fans.
Q. How long have you been “out” and openly gay?
A. About three and a half years now. I first came out as bi, as I was
still a bit confused at the time, and was still afraid of what others
would think. I guess I figured that if I was bi it would soften any
blow! I also remember being worried about dealing with stereotypes.
However, after a few months I discovered I was happier than I’d ever
been with myself as a person–everyone was totally supportive. So I
fully came out as gay and I’ve never looked back!
Q. Did you tell your band mates at first? And how was it to tell them?
A. Actually, my band mates were among the first people I told! I found
that coming out in general is a somewhat embarrassing process. It was
with them as well. The response was sort of “Oh, okay.” It wasn’t a
big deal at all–they’ve always been extremely supportive of me. We’re
very much like a family.
Q. I think most people have a stereotype of what a rock star is, and
gay does not usually fit into it. Did you get any backlash when you came out
to the band?
A. I don’t recall any backlash. We’ve all just kept doing what we’ve
been doing. I have thought about the stereotypes though, and realize
they don’t matter. Look at the success that Freddie Mercury had with
Queen. People loved him. Elton John has also had great success. I
think it’s always been a matter of if you are a talented musician,
people are going to enjoy your music regardless of your sexual
orientation.
Q. Are you worried about your fans knowing? Or worried about their
reactions?
A. Not at all. It’s certainly not kept a secret, though it’s not
exactly something we actively promote.
Q. Have you considered playing for events like Gay Pride, and how would
your band mates feel about an event like that?
A. Absolutely. We’d love to play Gay Pride or a similar event. When I
was at RI Pride this year, I was looking through the booklet thinking
“Why aren’t we playing this?” The band asked me the same question,
actually. It’s definitely going to be something we’ll try to get in on
next summer.
Q. What inspires you to do what you do?
A. I just enjoy playing music. Success in any form has always been a
bonus. I’ve told the guys on multiple occasions that I’d be playing in
Shryne if we were playing in an arena or a bar. There’s just something
magical about getting up on that stage and creating that energy.
Q. Tell us a story about a day in your life.
A. It can vary on the day. I do have a day job as a computer
technician. In the late afternoons, I could be found music directing
with a local theater group, and then at night I could be playing a gig
at a club somewhere in New England. And on Friday nights when I can,
you can definitely find me at my favorite gay bar singing karaoke! I
just can’t get away from the music, I guess.
Q. What are the biggest obstacles for gay members in bands?
A. I haven’t really seen any obstacles yet. I think coming out to
them was the hardest step. If you have loyal band mates, you shouldn’t
have any problems!
Q. Music has been able to blend many different types of people and
cultures together in the past. How do you see your role in the gay
community, and how does it blend with the world you live in?
A. I’ve never really looked at it that way. I’ve always thought that
I’m just my own person, doing something I love and sharing it with
others, regardless of sexual orientation or anything. If it helps
build bridges, it’s just another bonus.
Q. Have you done anything to encourage a gay following for you band?
A. Not a whole lot, though I do try to mention the band whenever I
meet new people–it’s an important element of my life. I would say
that this interview is certainly a huge leap, though!
Q. How does music affect you and the world around you?
A. It’s really a life force for me. It’s something I listen to and
interact with every day.
Q. Tell us about your next shows and why we should be there.
A. We play out multiple times a month, so you should have no excuse
not to catch us! It’s always a good time, and that’s why you should be
there. Plus, you get to hang out with yours truly. This weekend it’s a
multi-set night at The Pump House in Southbridge, MA. Then we’ve got a
couple killer sets at The Blackstone in Pawtucket, RI at the end of
this month and early September. We’ve also got a big show lined up in
Boston in October that we haven’t gotten an official date for, so I
can’t say for sure! But, for information on all of these shows, you
can always get the latest details on our MySpace page at www.myspace.com/shryne
You should friend us while you’re there!
Thank you again Alex for this open and honest interview. We hit on some
major questions, but I hope that our readers will see the amazing band
you are and look you up at your next performance. We will be looking for you at Pride next year!
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