Speakeasy to open for Alice In Chains

By Jess Camp

Published Oct. 19, 2007

People boozing it up in secret locations, dancing, listening to bands and keeping an ear out for police sirens is what often comes to mind when one hears the term "speakeasy." This scene stems from the 1920s, when it was illegal to sell or distribute alcohol, so bars and other establishments would secretly sell the contraband and tell their patrons to be quiet, or "speak easy" about it.

But if you're a native of Springfield, Mo., you probably think of something completely different: the band Speakeasy.

"When we first started, we were an underground band getting people's buzz on," guitarist Shawn Eckels said. "It's also an easy name to remember."

Speakeasy, which is composed of Eckels, bassist Reed Herron, drummer Ryan Fannin and multi-instrumentalist Marcus Chatman, will be in Columbia Saturday as the opening band for alternative-rock legends Alice In Chains.

"I can't wait," Eckels said. "I saw Alice In Chains in the ninth grade opening for Ozzy. We're excited about sharing the stage with them. It'll be awesome." The members of the band have always been fans of Alice In Chains, so the opportunity to open for them seemed almost too good to be true, Eckels said.

Speakeasy normally uses a full band, including an organ, trumpet and harmonica, but Saturday's show will be acoustic.

"It'll be a different set," Eckels said. "Some are rocked out, and it's cool to re-work them to make them fit this show. We wanted to do shows that are related to Alice In Chains."

Although the thought of being on stage in front of a sold-out crowd would intimidate many, it's a breeze for these guys.

"It's an excited kind of nervous," Eckels said. "It makes us stoked and want to play our asses off. We do get nervous about playing new songs, though, but it's exciting because you haven't heard it yet."

To help turn the anxiety to tingly anticipation, most performers have a pre-show ritual that helps to ensure a successful performance, and Speakeasy is no different.

"We slap each other in the face in a friendly sort of way," Eckels said. "We also sing together to get our voices in tune."

Their rituals tend to pay off, as Eckels said he is usually satisfied with the band's performances. After their shows, the members like to go and drink with the fans, whether they know them or not.

But when they're not partying, they're listening to music. It's not a surprise that many classic bands — including Led Zeppelin, Alice In Chains and the Funky Meters — have influenced Speakeasy's sound.

"As we've gotten older, we've influenced each other with different styles," Eckels said. "Jazz and rock — we like it all."

Eckels also cites Rage Against The Machine and Pearl Jam as inspiration. He said his band's music sounds like "upbeat rock 'n' roll, danceable and groovy," while its record label calls the band's style "harmony with balls."

"We stay to our roots, but with a harder edge," Eckels said. "We have three-part harmonies with a positive outlook on the world. We just like to have a good time as well as let the audience have fun."