Music: Nobody's Cousin

NOBODY'S COUSIN

IT'S ALL RELATIVE: LONG-DEFUNCT LOCAL BAND REUNITING FOR BIG SHOW THIS MONTH AT BOKEH LOUNGE

20 years is a long time between rehearsals - and yet, when Mike Mitchell and Nick Hamilton got together in a room some weeks back to start going over songs they previously performed in Nobody's Cousin - one of the biggest bands in the tri-state from 1996-2002 - it felt just like the old days. "It's like we never stopped," Mitchell says with more than a hint of wonderment. Whether revisiting 90's-era covers or original material from Relative, the EP the guys recorded with drummer Corey Overby, the music just flowed - muscle memory took over, erasing the two-decade layoff in a matter of minutes. Which only reinforced their decision to get back up on stage and do it all again this month at Bokeh Lounge.

In actuality, it's a show that's been a long time coming, though Mitchell, in particular, was hesitant to revisit the past, despite the frequent prodding of Bokeh GM Jessica Nuffer - whom he lovingly refers to as "Flo" from the 70's sitcom Alice - and other longtime fans of the band around town. But ultimately, he gave in. "We're getting older so I thought let's just do it - I just hope people come," he remarks, mostly joking. Safe to say that won't be an issue. Not considering the musical pedigrees of Hamilton, Mitchell and Overby - all of whom have continued to make their mark in the local scene post-Nobody's Cousin in groups like McFly!, The BackBeats, Epic and Torpedo Vegas. But it's certainly worth looking back at how it all began for these three talented friends.

It's hard to imagine now, but there was a time many moons ago when the majority of venues - like Fast Eddy's, Harpole's, Duck Inn and Ginny's - welcomed

local bands with open arms and attendance at shows routinely reached capacity. This was back in the early to mid-90's when Mitchell provided rhythm guitar and lead vocals in The Society and Hamilton shredded for Chet & The Molesters. The two bands alternated between the busiest clubs but stayed cool with each other - which allowed for a mutual branching off into acoustic territory when Mitchell sought to capitalize on the popularity of the MTV Unplugged series. He smartly plucked Hamilton for the gig and with a little help from additional musician friends, formed the self-explanatory Unplugged. As advertised, the band performed stripped-down sets featuring songs by Nirvana, Crosby, Stills & Nash, The Beatles, Soul Asylum and more.

Overby, meanwhile, was busy trying to finish out high school. The youngster of the bunch, his dad used to drum for The Pits; in fact, it was the elder Overby that Mitchell and Hamilton first contacted when the

Unplugged project ran its course and the two were ready to turn up the amps again. "My dad was 45 at the time and at the age when he was looking to get out [of the music scene]," Overby recalls. Pops declined the offer but suggested his son Corey might be interested - despite not having any previous band experience. Nonetheless, the 19-yearold newbie slotted right in (though, due to being underage at the time, he'd initially be forced to sit in the kitchens of bars during breaks at shows) and the core configuration of Nobody's Cousin was complete. "We got a lot of joy out of torturing him with a lot of stuff," Mitchell interjects comically. "My eyes were opened up very quickly," Overby responds diplomatically.

This rock-solid trio soon found an audience hungry for their aggressive take on the hits of the day - everything from Stone Temple Pilots' "Vaseline" to Cracker's "Low" and Weezer's "Buddy Holly" - delivered with power and precision and topped off with the gruff/sweet vocal interplay of Mitchell and Hamilton. Over time, originals crept into their set as well, including "Tart," a radio-ready melodic rocker that would both serve as the single from the Relative EP released in 1998 and garner Nobody's Cousin a coveted television appearance on The Jenny Jones Show up in Chicago. How did that happen, exactly? Well, back in the quaint prestreaming days, bands would often file their recordings with the Internet Underground Musicians Archive. And Ms. Jones would routinely scour the site for up and coming acts to promote on her show. "Tart" caught her ear and the rest is history (the performance can be viewed on YouTube, FYI).

Upon returning victorious from the Windy City, Nobody's Cousin's stock increased; they drew even bigger crowds and continued to lead the way locally along with fellow Evansville bands like Lesser People, 3 O'Clock Charlie, BSR and The C.R.O.W.D. But the trio eventually ran out of gas in 2002 and called it a day - and pretty much splintered, musically speaking. "It's funny because even when we were split apart we would see each other throughout the years but we never played together - except Nick and Mike had an acoustic three-piece for awhile," Overby says.

But twenty years on, Nobody's Cousin is set to turn back the clock. And thanks to an expanded lineup including keyboardist Bill Sievern and bassist Dave Bennett, this longawaited reunion show promises some real musical treats. "It gives us the opportunity to play songs that we couldn't play before," Hamilton explains, "songs like "Iris," "In the Meantime" and "No More Tears." Of course, you'll also hear plenty of favorites from their heyday and some originals as well.

With anticipation building for this unexpected reunion, chances are that more shows will be announced in the coming days. Regardless, don't miss this opportunity to see Nobody's Cousin perform together

IT GIVES US THE OPPORTUNITY TO PLAY SONGS THAT WE COULDN'T PLAY BEFORE.

for the first time in two decades at Bokeh

Lounge on March 12!

For more info, follow Nobodys Cousin on Facebook.