Our equipment listing
Member mini-autobiographies
TJ(me)
Adam
Sparky
Greg
Joe (former member, now roadie)
TJ (me)
I've been in the band since the very beginning on January
16, 1997. I started off by playing backup rhythym
guitar because I wasn't good enough to play just rhythym,
so Adam played the rhythym, leads, and sang lead vocals.
After not too long though, I was playing some leads
and some rhythyms and writing the basslines for our first
bassist, Joe. After what seemed like no time at all I
was playing leads and rhythyms allowing Adam to
concentrate more on his vocals. I also started singing
backup vocals as time went along.
My main guitar for a year and
a half was a Mexican Stratocastor and before the Marshall,
I was playing through a 15W Crate. Needless to say, my
tone was a bit thin. After I got my 100W
Marshall combo, the sound of the band changed; I could
be heard! At the same time, I realized that I wasn't
always playing very carefully, and this new volume forced
me to not be so sloppy. So after tons of hours of hard
practice, I was slowly becoming a decent guitarist as the
rest of the band also made progress. The long ride has
been great, and will never stop being legendary.
Adam
Hey there, I'm Adam and I'm the singer and rhythm guitar player of Royal Blue.
I dont want to sound too cocky, but I did sort of start the band back in
early 1997. I figured that I was kinda bored all the time with a guitar and
no band, why not get one together with my friends? Sparky played the drums
back in the day so I talked to him and I had a drum set. I asked my good
friend Joe if he'd be interested too. I told him bass was easy and I had
one laying around so he decided to give it whirl. Then we decided we would
need another guitarist and TJ was already playing, so we asked him and he
decided it was a good idea. Thus the band was born. We were very bad when
we started. We played Led Zeppelin's "Tangerine" as our first song. I couldn't
sing it. The whole thing was messed up musically. We thought it sounded
good, but my parents dreaded it. Initially, I was kinda discouraged with the
whole singing thing. Jeff Tsai, another friend of ours, sat in for Inna
Godda Da Vida or whatever and was better than me, which was depressing. But
the guy is a good singer so I gotta give him some props of course.
Anyway,
we finally played about 3 1/2 months or so after starting in my basement. I
thought it was great although I was very nervous. The people thought we were
alright, which was good enough for me. Over the summer the band sorta
waddled along playing worthless songs, none of which we ever played I don't
think, except maybe American Woman. We continued through the winter with many
ups and downs, I'm sure TJ remembers how that winter was almost the end of the
band. We had picked up some good tunes though and got back in gear for the
summer. I was getting better as a singer and we were getting better overall. Joe
was having trouble making practices that whole year, but he stuck with it and
when he was there, we had a blast.
We finally played almost exactly a year
after the first show and in front of 75 people! That was HUGE for us.
Anyways the show went well, people thought we had improved over the year (I'd
hoped so) and were even impressed. Then we did the same thing again. Bumbled
around all summer not playing anywhere. Joe finally left the band. I was
glad he left. He wasnt into it, and I didn't want him to stick with something
he didn't like. I am really glad, though, that he got to play in front of those 75
people. I can tell he'll always remember it. So Greg Bugyis, a very
talented bassist, was asked to join, and the band began to roll again. That
fall, we played at my cousin's graduation from college. Maybe 100 people. It
was Greg's first show, he enjoyed it. My cousins were makin fun of my band
the whole week, but we proved 'em wrong and they really liked us. They
apologized in the end (ha!). So that was a success (and the quickest set up
and sound check ever). Then we started getting ready for battle and it was
great. Battle was the crowning moment in my life. Thats where I'll end for
now.
Sparky
Coming Soon!!!
Greg
Hey, what's up? I'm the bass player in this here band. I've been playing bass
for somewhere around 2 and half years now. During my first year or so I had
always been looking to play in a band. That opportunity came when Dave
(Sparky) asked me to fill in on bass at one of their practices. The guys
seemed happy with how I played and thus I became a member of the band. It
took a little time to learn all their songs, but the basslines were fairly
simple and before i knew it i could play all of the songs. My first test
playing in front of people (besides Mrs. Samara) was at Adam's cousin's
graduation party. It was a fun show, and I liked seeing people dancing to our
music. Although that party was fun, the true highpoint of my band career so
far was Battle. It was a pretty big rush. After that I've been havin fun
playing various other shows including the one in Community Park, and a few
grad parties. I hope that we continue to play in college, and come up with
more originals as well.
Joe (former member, now roadie)
The Man They Call The Boss
No talent. No instrument. No amp. No problem. I fulfilled these requirements
to join the illustrious Royal Blue. I was excited to be in a band despite
never even touching a bass guitar. I was fortunate to have friends that
believed that I would possibly, eventually learn how to play a note on the
guitar. I thank my bandmates for helping me out. I finally learned how to
play some songs despite blistering criticism by the "band log." I triumphed.
My favorite songs were "Just What I Needed," "Jumpin' Jack Flash," and "Born
to Be Wild." My greatest moments in the band was at our St. Thomas More show
and we had a great show. The other moment was watching the band play at
Battle of the Bands and kick major ass. I want to thank TJ for being my
dancing partner, Adam for being a patient friend, Sparky for jamming with me
for that one original, and Greg for being a better bassist. Thanks for the
memories.