“In the beginning, I knew that the band were a bunch of all-stars and I’m trying to stay out of the way,” Murray told the Herald. “But as time went on and (I) started to learn about the flow and feel of the show, it all came together and everyone sort of looked at each other and smiled.”
“He’s come a long way since the first gig,” added Castiglia ahead of the group’s Jan. 22 House of Blues gig. “He was feeling his way through it in the beginning. He was reserved at first but with every gig he was getting more comfortable, assertive and confident. It’s been fun seeing him progress.”
Guitarist Castiglia and Zito are blues aces who have fronted their own bands for years while also playing together as the Blood Brothers. But don’t expect a night of (just) Bobby “Blue” Bland and Eric Clapton covers. Oh, sure, the band plays blues tunes, including originals, but they also do songs by Prince, the Pretenders, the Kinks, and more pop, rock, and British Invasion acts.
“I text many song ideas weekly,” Murray said. “Could be a feeling I have, or a city we are in that triggers a song, or even a friend that I know will be at the show that the song maybe strikes a memory.”
The band even plays “867-5309/Jenny.”
“I never thought in a million years that I’d ever play that one,” Castiglia said. “But Bill wanted to do it and I’m glad he did. It fires me up,”
“When Bill sends me a song more than three times I know he’s serious about adding it to the show,” Zito added.
Touring with a band of veterans has been a challenge for Murray. The actor has legendary energy and enthusiasm. Also, he’s 75 years old and fronting a rock ‘n’ roll machine.
“You really have to control the energy level and not run out of gas,” he said. “These guys can really bring it out of you when the band gets going on a run of songs. It’s a ton of fun but you really have to be aware of where you are in the set list so you have something left for the end.”
Nobody knows how long the collaboration will last. What they all agree on is it’s a blast.
“We’re scaling down the amount of dates this year so that he can continue to do it and not burn out,” Castiglia said “This life can do that to you if you’re not careful. I wanna ride this train as long as we can and as long as he stays happy with it. He’s a fun hang and it’s a great time every time we get together.”
“I agree, it’s so damn fun,” Zito continued. “A wild rock n roll circus that always ends in joy.”
For details and tickets, visit bloodbrothersband.com
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