January 2009

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Q:  What made the Young Rumblers a great live rock band?             
Chris Day:  It began with Tommy.  His musicianship, charisma, and attitude.  He distinguished himself and he was somebody to watch.  Second, the band was TIGHT and we would rehearse really hard on our sets.  The band was interactive with our audience.  We always wanted to give something to the fans.  We would send energy to the fans and they would always give it back to us!   

 
Q:  How were you originally “discovered” by Tommy.  

Chris Day:  I played in a Philadelphia band called The John Alexander Band.  We were another great Philly band and I played with them for about 1.5 years.  Tommy Conwell was in the audience one night at JC Dobbs and we talked after the gig.  Tommy told me that he was auditioning a new guitarist for the Rumblers.  I was very surprised to learn this, but I saw it as an opportunity.  Tommy gave me a cassette of 30-40 songs to learn before my audition.  The stuff on the tape included TONIGHT’S THE NIGHT, ROADSIDE, WEST OF THE CITY, DOWNTOWN TRAIN by Tom Wait’s, Chuck Berry covers, and some trucker songs.  I went home and worked hard.  I grew real confident with the material.  I went into the audition knowing I connected with Tommy’s blues influences.  I thought his original songs were cool.  We had a great jam at my audition.  Tommy really made me sweat for a couple of weeks before telling me I could join the Young Rumblers.   

 

Q:  Tell me about your musical background?

 

Chris Day:  I am a self-taught guitarist starting around age five.  Being self-taught can be both good and bad, but I continue to grow.  I went to a Philadelphia high school for the performing arts.  This was a great starting point for me and I worked in a lot of choirs.  In the Young Rumblers, we trained with a New York vocal coach named Katy Angresta.  

Q:  Any memorable gigs with the Young Rumblers?

 

Stone Balloon, Newark, Del, 12/31/86 (New Year's Eve Show)
Chris Day:  Yeah, opening for David Bowie for two nights at Veteran’s Stadium and opening for Bryan Adams at the Spectrum.  David Bowie was one of my early influences since I was a kid.  Just to think that I opened for him and hung out with him backstage.  Opening for Bowie for TWO nights was special as I got to go home and sleep on the experience.  It really sank in.  When the Rumblers opened for Bryan Adams, it was a PACKED house at the Spectrum.  It was a Philly crowd with the total hometown feel with the noise and cheers.   

Q:  What did you do after David Letterman performance?  

Chris Day:  Got in a van and drove home!  No joke, that’s what we did.  We had a routine during those years.   

Q:  Your top five Young Rumbler's songs?  

Chris Day:  Tonight’s The Night, Do You Still Believe in Me, West of the City, Roadside (a dirty rockin' song!), and Workout (a classic!)

 

Q: How will Tommy Conwell and the Young Rumblers be remembered?  

Chris Day:  A great rockin’ live band!  Blow you away on a Saturday night……….That was our power.  

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