The Floorwalkers are not a typical bluegrass band – a fact that was reinforced to members last year at the Cheat River Music Festival in West Virginia.
While watching other bands perform, the Columbus group realized they sounded nothing like the bluegrass bands that took the stage.
“When it was our turn on stage, we nervously stepped out in front a few thousand people with our electric instruments and proceeded to rock their socks,” Kerry Henderson said. “It felt like one of those ‘Dylan goes electric’ moments, minus most of the booing. Even though we aren’t likely to ever be invited back, it was a hoot.”
The Floorwalkers, who play every Wednesday night at the Ruby Tuesday’s bar on Summit Street, will get to perform at the Summer Camp Festival in Chillicothe, Ill., alongside bands such as The Flaming Lips, O.A.R. and The Roots.
“This is the first big festival we’ve played,” Jon Elliot said. “Our name is on the Web site and everything. Our friends thought it was pretty cool.”
The Floorwalkers are made up of Elliot on vocals and harmonica, Henderson on guitars, dobro and mandolin, Ben Meinhold on electric bass, upright, guitars and spoons, Theo Perry on guitar, keyboards, bass and drums, Tom Lasky on drums and bass and Todd Hammerick on keyboards.
Elliot, Meinhold and Henderson started the band in 2001 in Chardon, Ohio, under the name MFG. Beginning as a guitar ensemble, they played mostly jam-band music and practiced at Elliot’s home.
In 2003 Elliot’s mom, a music administrator, introduced the band to Theo Perry and he and his brother joined the band that year. With five members, things really started to move, Elliot said.
After winning several competitions, the newly-named Floorwalkers moved to Columbus in the summer of 2004.
“We got the Floorwalkers out of a book,” Elliot said, referring to Hunter S. Thompson’s “Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas.” “It’s also the name of one of Charlie Chaplin’s first films.”
Once in Columbus, they focused on recording and put out “The Floorwalkers EP” in 2005. The band has since signed a contract with indie label In Room One Productions in Louisville, Ky. They are currently working on their first full-length album that will surely benefit from the versatility of the members, who rotate instruments.
“The best part of this band is that we all have multiple opinions and styles that we are all bringing to the table,” Perry said.
Getting press and learning about the music business has been a lesson in itself.
“We all have so little real exposure to the business of music that we are forced to take the trail by fire together,” Henderson said.
Playing at Comfest during the summer has allowed the Floorwalkers to show their appreciation for the local scene.
“Every year Comfest is incredible,” Elliot said. “It’s a really cool vibe, everybody is in a good mood. You’re playing for people you have met already, or could meet, or will meet.”
As the band continues to grow and explore new arenas in the music scene, Elliot said none of the members see themselves doing anything else but being professional musicians.
“Whether it’s writing a new song, in the studio, playing live or just strumming away on the couch, I do it for the moments it comes together in,” Henderson said. “Sometimes it gives me goosebumps or makes me grin, while others it takes me to a memory and makes me forget where I am altogether. I think I became addicted to that feeling long ago, and it keeps me coming back.”
Kelly McDonald can be reached at [email protected].
