About eight years ago, Zack Feinberg was riding his bicycle in New Orleans when he heard a guy playing guitar and singing as loud he could, obviously enjoying himself.
“He was really belting it, crushing it,” Feinberg recalls.
The singer was David Shaw. Feinberg, a guitarist, stopped to listen and eventually struck up a conversation. The two agreed to meet later to jam. Feinberg was already friends with drummer Andrew Campanelli. Over the next several weeks, the trio of musicians added members until, before they knew it, they totaled seven and rock/soul band The Revivalists was formed.
The other members are Ed Williams, Rob Ingraham, George Gekas and Michael Giradot. Feinberg says there is no magic reason for the number seven, but it has proven lucky for them. The group has been together ever since, and will headline Friday night, Oct. 16, at the Revelry Room at the Chattanooga Choo Choo.
All seven members bring distinct influences to the band, and it shows in the diversity of their sound. They blend everything from New Orleans funk to hippie jam.
Shaw is the perfect frontman. His voice draws comparisons to John Bell of Widespread Panic on one number and Brittany Howard of Alabama Shakes the next.
“He’s got a great range,” Feinberg says. “He’s a phenomenal frontman. We try not to define ourselves by just one thing. We’re not just a dance band or a jam band. Part of that comes from being a big band.”
Feinberg says there are no plans to add any new players either.
“There was never an idea to have seven. It just happened that we enjoyed working with these people and we became friends and everybody became valuable. But we are going to cap it. Traveling is tough. We carry two or three crew and travel in a van.”
Like with a lot of groups that last any length of time, traveling in such tight quarters helped bring the group together.
“It does seem like we’ve been through a lot. We’ve been together eight years, touring hard. We’re really proud of the progress we’ve made. The sound keeps getting tighter.”
Contact Barry Courter bcourter@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6354.
If you go
‘ What: The Revivalists with Backup Planet
‘ When: 9 p.m. Friday, Oct. 16
‘ Where: Revelry Room, 41 E. 14th St.
‘ Admission: $15 today, $18 day of show
‘ Phone: 423-521-2929
‘ Website: revelryroom.co