The Loose Ties-- Another Flint Unsigned Band

Following Morseville Bridge’s performance Saturday night at the University of Michigan-Flint college campus, The Flint Local 432 sponsored another show, this time for Halloween brought something a little new to the stage. Dressed in Star Wars outfits and armed with every instrument imaginable, members of ‘The Loose Ties’ took the stage one by one (which were followed by two more and then a few more after that. In fact, it felt like the entire room would eventually be taking the stage.) Eight members in all took on stage and performed like they had something to prove and maybe they did. Who were The Loose Ties and had they in fact, been “around the block” once or twice before?
When members Tony Howard and Adam Hubbard decided to leave ‘Another Misprint’ several years ago to pursue college and other careers, Phillip Ferrier, a University of Michigan-Flint Communications major, took it upon him self to continue playing music. With old members of ‘Another Misprint:’ Aaron Burch, 21, Rebecca Farr, 21, Cassie Kent, 19, Richard Sadler, 23, and Ferrier, 21, joining forces with new additions: Matt Jackson, 24, Jameson Kent, 17, (no relation to Cassie Kent) and Andre Linden, 21, in November of 2008, The Loose Ties were given a chance to be introduced to the Flint music scene.
The Loose Ties, which would consider their music to be ska (reggae-rock with some horns thrown in) do in fact, have eight members. All eight members however do not play your traditional guitar and drum combo, in fact, each member plays a different role within the band. In all, the band includes a Tenor Saxophone, an Alto Saxophone, Baritone Saxophone, Trumpet, Trombone, Drums, Guitar and Vocals, all on stage at the same time.
Influenced by local bands, such as Mustard Plug and The Hard Lessons and mainstream bands, Reel Big Fish, The Mighty Mighty Bosstones and Streetlight Manifesto, ‘The Loose Ties’ show some real potential of one day making it big. ‘It would be nice to be signed to a label, but we really just do it for our own enjoyment,” said Ferrier.
So what’s it like to be in a band with eight different members? “It’s definitely difficult being in such a large band. At first we had a really hard time dealing with everyone’s schedules, but we’ve figured it out,” said Ferrier. Farr, who is a full-time student at Mott Community College and also works full-time, thinks that being in a ska band is fun, “It’s very different from being in a three piece band. It has its advantages: moving heavy equipment, we have more brains to get ideas from and we can play with our style and sound since we’re not limited to just a rhythm section,” Farr said.
As the band ended their set Saturday night with “Let’s Go Out Drinking” and “Reggae Sound” they were awarded with a standing ovation and a possible new fan.