The Deep Sleepers (2016 - present)
Too soon to know the sublime heights we’ll achieve, but it’s nice to be in a band that keeps me on my toes.
Caleb Stanislaw (guitars, vox)
Denver Williams (guitars, vox)
Ashlyn Shanafelt (drums, formerly) | Zach Mayo (drums, currently)
Curt Rode (bass, vox)
Awoken (C. Stanislaw)
Snake & Hound (C. Stanislaw)
.
Not Like This. Not Alone.
Not Like This. Not Alone.
He’d rather embrace this lonely disappointment
As others do, long married, wet from a shower,
Squeezing behind his wife at the basin
Almost audibly as if sealed in laminate.
There’s dignity in that—a bathroom steaming,
A naked woman flossing, his body beaded,
Glistening and framed in the doorway.
He would have that special someone to blame,
Hate for a time, and forgive, as she would him
When her own sadness sweetened and turned clear.
Then, he’d write off the expense as time spent,
Admit that there’s pity behind affection,
And hear the kisses at his temple murmur,
We tried. We’re trying. Sweetheart, this is it.
Originally published in the Los Angeles Review
The Rob Russell Years (1994-1997)
The Rent Boys (1994-1995)
Rob Russell (guitars, vox)
Richard Sewell (drums)
Curt Rode (bass)
The Mystery Dates (1995-1997)
Rob Russell (guitars, vox)
Robert Alfonso (guitars, vox)
Richard Sewell (drums)
Curt Rode (bass)
“Walk with God” (Rob Russell)
“Tom Paine’s Blues” (Robert Alfonso)
Town Criers (1997-1999)
Town Criers (1997-1999)
A great friendship emerged in this band. Solid songs in my view. Recording background vocals for one song, I had the experience of singing with power and on pitch from my diaphram instead of my throat. It delighted me to no end. Sadly, though I’m probably singing better in other ways, I’m back to making sounds from my throat.
“In Your Fashion” (Mark Jackson)
Mark Jackson (guitars, vox)
Ron Michaelson (guitars, vox)
Bryan Scyphers (drums)
Curt Rode (bass, vox)
Collateral Glory
Another riff on the stir fry form, this time including audio recordings of each of the 3 poems layered together. Many thanks to Jacob Brown, Joe Schiller, Chantel L. Carlson, and Kayla Sparks for helping piece it all together.