The Joe Moss Band Tours RI

One fine winter’s morning my good friend and owner of Cady’s Tavern, Robin Tyo, called to tell me she was having The Joe Moss Band come from Chicago to play at her tavern in Chepachet. “You’ve got to come check him out,” she said. I said I’d try my best to get there, but because I don’t have a car, attending live music shows is not an easy hobby. Although I’ve ridden my bike 10 miles to see live shows in the past, this was a whole different set of circumstances. To go from Pawtucket to Chepachet on a bicycle was simply not feasible, at least not in my athletic condition and in all this snow! But all of the sudden my Facebook feed was swamped with statuses about Joe Moss. Joe was sitting in with pretty much every distinguished blues musician I knew, which made me realize that I needed to know who this Joe Moss was and what he sounded like.

Joe was born and raised in Chicago and has played guitar since he was 10, receiving his first paying gig at 15. One day, Joe was discovered by a man named Buddy Scott. Scott was intrigued by Joe’s talent at such a young age and next thing you know, Joe was playing seven nights a week with Buddy Scott’s Rib Tip band. In 1992 they toured Spain together and ever since, Joe has been backing hundreds of musicians all over the world.

Now his own band is playing right here in little Rhody and for a limited time. I knew that Joe was going to play at the Murphy’s Law blues jam after the Superbowl, and that was well within biking distance. Ben Ricci, who was running the jam, said about Moss’ band, “The band has that intense Chicago blues style, and Joe is melodically innovative and unique to form.” I couldn’t miss that, so I biked to the blues jam and hung around to ask Joe a few questions.

Who are the members of the Joe Moss Band?

I do the lead vocals and guitar, then we have Greg Sefner on keyboards, Dana Thompson on drums and Mike Zabrin on bass.

Do you get nervous before a performance ?

I am always nervous before I play, so I try to remember to meditate on music instead of performance.

What got you into the music business?

My mom listened to blues, my uncle rock and jazz, and they really got me into music. My brother Nick Moss and I are both guitar players, singers and songwriters. My band formed in Chicago and has had a few incarnations, the current one being the longest running because of the great chemistry we have.

What is your song repertoire? 

Blues, jazz, funk, soul, R/b, rock, originals … it changes from gig to gig.

What is your writing process?

Writing a song is like getting a phone call, but you have to be there to answer it. I feel the muse is fickle so if you don’t immediately document that song idea, she won’t call again.

What’s your favorite song to perform?

My favorite is “Never Did Anything for Anyone” and “Freedom” from our new album, Manifesto.

Who are some of your musical influences?

Otis Rush, BB King, Freddy King, Buddy Scott, Walter Scott, Johnny Guitar Watson, Albert King, Peter Green, Ronnie Earl, Jimmy Vaughan, Stevie Ray Vaughn, John Scofield, Oz Noy, Prince, Donny Hathaway … there are too many people to list.

What do you wish for your musical future?   

I want to have a gig every day! I want to make more records, play bigger venues and grow my fan base. I also would like to buy a new van to tour. I just want to accomplish as much as I can to be able to do all that stuff in the future.

How many CDs have you recorded and where do you sell them?

I have five CDs, all available on iTunes and many other online sources, such as our website and our ReverbNation page. Our newest CD is titled Release Manifesto. 

Where can Motif readers find you? My website is Joemossband.com. You can also find me on Facebook and www.reverbnation.com/thejoemossband

The Joe Moss Band will be in RI for a limited time, so make sure you get out there to see them! They will be at Cady’s Tavern Feb 6 & 8. More show dates available on joemossband.com