For today’s A-Z challenge, we asked guitarist Jeff Andrews to tell us all about his band Bridge The Gap!
A song that made you want to make music?
I heard Bikeage from The Descendents. That powerful bass line that starts off the song, then everyone comes in and the lyrics are just spot on. It was powerful and I learned some chords,
Best rider you’ve had?
We’re low maintenance. Haha. Nothing noteworthy.
Craziest moment you’ve had in the band?
Slightly long story, but on tour back in 1999 or so, we had a day off in Oregon, and we decided to go camping that night on Mt. Hood. Well, we got way up there, and found a cool spot, but due to the altitude mixed with some beverages, things got a little out of control. Our bass player got a little out of control and bit Chad’s leg (our singer), so Chad reacted and punched him off, but ended up busting his knuckle wide open. Then I got involved to control our raging bass player and smacked him up a few times. We got through it and everything was fine, but the next day, we looked worked, our van exterior and interior was bloodied, and we had to play the next show with a few bumps and bruises. Chad couldn’t play guitar for the rest of the tour, so it was an adventure.
Deepest lyric one of your songs features?
The chorus lyric from our song Over The Target is powerful.
“Watch the Bombs fall on their Heads
Cleanse the Body Politic
The Blood of Tyrants feeds the tree of Liberty”
Easiest song you wrote?
None of them have come easy, but Chad and I have always gelled on the guitars together from day one, and we can collaborate easily and fast. Song of the songs come out of nowhere. I remember back in 98 or so, Chad was on the phone, and I was just messing around, he hung up and said, “What was that?” I was like, “What?” And he said, “What you were just playing.” And I kind of wasn’t paying attention, so I just played it again and that turned into a song called Long Lost.”
Favourite song in your set?
Whippersnapper, It’s such a great song and a tribute to our kids. The song has a lot of intricate parts, and when we pull it off, it’s so good live.
Guest you’d most like to feature on your record?
Not exactly sure, but working with Bill Stevenson has been such an honor. Bill’s actually a phenomenal singer even though he’s known as a legendary drummer and producer. While Bill’s vocals (backups) have been on our albums, getting him on a drum part on a future song would be so cool. EPIC!!
Hardest thing about being in a band?
Right now, it’s rehearsal and practice. We all live in different towns across Utah and Colorado, so we have a unique way of doing things. We all practice on our own time, and then get together about once a month to actually rehearse together, and that can change when we have shows or a tour. But we’re good, and we KILL!!
Interesting fact about one of your members?
I would say there are interesting facts about all of our members, but our bassist Chef Shon is killing it, and cooks the best food in all the USA. To eat his food is like heaven to your taste buds. He’s the reigning Chef of the Year in Utah.
Jokes you have in the band?
We have a lot of inside jokes that are funny or amusing to us that would make no sense to you or our fans. Bridge The Gap fans, next time you see/meet one of us, ask us about 444.
Key to writing a song?
The biggest key we like is inspiration. We like to wait until a spark happens then develop it. We never sit down and say, let’s write a song, it always comes out of nowhere, and mostly starts with a guitar riff. Then develops into something amazing.
Longest distance you’ve travelled to play a show?
I honestly couldn’t tell you or remember the longest distance because we’ve spent a lot of time in the van, but I recall the first time we toured and drove from Boise, Idaho, to Seattle, Washington, in one day, and it was a long ass drive. I think our drummer Ryan was sick as well, and was barfing out the window a few times going down the road. We ended up arriving, and setting a puke bucket next to Ryan’s drums for the set.
Most inspiring musician you’ve experienced?
At the risk of sounding repetitive, I’d say Bill Stevenson. He’s forgotten more about music than we’ll ever know.
New band you’d recommend?
Thiev, out of New Jersey.
Opening for this band would be ideal?
Opening for Bad Religion or Pennywise would probably make our teenage dreams come true.
Place you’d most like to tour?
It would be amazing to tour in Europe and see all the amazing towns and cities over there.
Quote you’d like to pass on to our readers?
Don’t create more in the morning than you can discard in the afternoon.
Reason for the title of your recent/forthcoming release?
Secret Kombinations is the title track of our record, starting things off. It’s another way of saying conspiracy. Some ‘conspiracy theories’ or ‘Secret Kombinations’ aren’t theories. They’re actual conspiracies. Let’s just say our band sees patterns in the world that maybe don’t jump out to everyone. And that’s what that song/title is about.
See us live at?
We’ll have a lot of new tour dates to announce soon, but for now, come rock out with us at Power Chord Guitar Fest in Provo, Utah, on July 27.
The old days of music were better than the current, do you agree?
For sure. We had a blast as kids hanging out, playing music, and touring around in a small van. We didn’t have social media, as it was just starting, and things felt much more free. The bands and the music had a lot of passion and purpose, now sometimes it can be just the look or what is cool.
Unusual merchandise?
I don’t know if we have anything unusual, but maybe we need to get more creative on merch. See bridgethegapmerch.com.
Variations you’d like to do on any of your songs?
Sometimes we will do little variations to an intro or outro live, but we try to play pretty close to the record. We like to be tight.
What do your fans mean to you?
Bridge The Gap fans mean so much to us and we appreciate all the listens and support. We would still create the same music even if we didn’t have any fans. We just like to do it, and this is what comes out of us. We appreciate everyone who takes notice of our music/lyrics.
X-rays or any treatments needed for band related injuries?
Our singer busted his hand in that Mt. Hood incident 20-plus years ago and couldn’t play guitar on the rest of the tour. Had to just sing. Chad plays guitar and sings live.
You’re late for a show, whose fault is it?
Probably Ryan. Haha. Maybe he couldn’t find the venue, or something… The again, Chad kind of operates in his own time zone.
Zoo animal that next describes the personality of your band?
Wolves. We’re all wolves in our own right — in our daily lives and live as successful individuals, but when we come together, we create a wolf pack that is not to be trifled with.