Back to Pat McGee Band

Story By: Tabatha Gardner

Washington, DC--

Many of you may have heard of the Pat McGee band, after all they have done over 3,000 shows in the ten years that the band has been rocking out all 50 of these great United States. There are many things you may not know about this all American jam band so we here at Pointed took a moment to sit down with Pat McGee who refers to himself as "just an average guy." Anyone who has ever been to one of the his shows knows that Pat and the members of his band are anything but average.

PM: Describe the sound of the Pat McGee band.

PMG: I’ve personally always thought of us as a modern classic rock band. We used to be more of an acoustic act but we’ve amped things up a little bit over the years and people ask me all the time what kind of band is it. It’s a rock band.

PM: How long have y'all been playing?

PMG: We started in 1996, so almost 10 years now which is pretty crazy. It’s pretty amazing that we’ve been able to keep it going for so long especially with a band that has not had the massive multimedia success of a big single or some sort of video that got a lot of air play. Hopefully all that is about to change with this record.

PM: What's Your Favorite track off the new album, “Save Me.”?

That’s almost like picking a favorite kid. I would probably have to say a song like “Now.” The songs that aren’t so obvious hit songs.

PM: What made you decide you wanted to be a musician?

My brother and I were playing as an acoustic duo around Georgetown in Washington sort of just to play a few college things for fun and we were actually getting paid to do this. Then I went off to college and he went off to grad school somewhere far away and so I was sort of forced to do it on my own at that point. That’s where it all sort of started. Down at a school called Longwood College in Southern Virginia.

PM: Any Hobbies?

I like to be on the water. I live in New England and going to the beach. That’s really my hobbies. I still love the winters there so I don’t mind the cold factor there.

PM: Who are your influences?

I grew up a huge Beatles fan. Led Zepplin, AC/DC, bands that you wouldn’t think that I’d be into if you listen to my music. I grew up a really big Allman Brothers fan. I think bands like Jet are great and a band called Switchfoot. I thought they were amazing. The Garden State soundtrack is clearly amazing. It’s got a lot of great songs on it.

PM: How is the tour with Vertical Horizon going?

I’ve known Vertical since I was in high school. They went to Georgetown where I was from so we met in the acoustic bar circuit. We go way back. This is actually a co-closing thing. It’s more sort of we get to play with friends of ours. There are no egos on this tour. It’s going to be great. They’re a great band and they put on a great show.

PM: What is your favorite food?

I would have to say Italian but I’m like a huge food junkie. I like everything on the planet but if I had to eat one food it would be Italian only because I love red wine so much.

PM: What is it like hearing your songs on the radio?

After being in the band for 10 years and finally hearing your song on the radio, it’s a relief. It’s an honor and almost a comedic relief to the band. We’re like ‘wow’ someone’s actually going to play our music.

PM: Advice to the world?

Drop your egos. Do something nice for somebody else and mind your own business.

PM: What is your favorite thing to do and your least favorite thing to do?

Favorite thing to do would be playing music without a doubt. Least favorite thing to do—laundry. I hate it. When you’re on the road you never have time for it to sit around somewhere for three hours.

PM: Okay, you’re going to be stranded on a dessert island and you’re only allowed to take 5 things, what would they be?

One would be my family two would be my guitar. Three would be my entire music collection but not on my I-pod because my damn I-pod just broke for the second time. I don’t trust the things anymore although I’ll probably buy another one because they’re so convenient. What else do I need? Lifetime supply of suntan lotion and I guess I would bring maybe a surfboard. A huge surf board that like 30 people can fit on.

The Pat McGee band is currently out and about promoting their album, “Save Me” with Vertical Horizon. Check out their website at www.patmcgeeband.com for a full list of tour dates and make sure to go see this all American band when they rock a town near you.