Entertainment - Musician's Corner: Green Hill Tribe

About the band:

Back in 2002, Conway, Lessard and Slezak were part of a quintet called The Reys. A few years and lineup changes later, Green Hill Tribe was born. The group’s current cast has been together for the last nine months.

Artists such as The Beatles, U2, Oasis, Led Zeppelin, The Verve, The Strokes and The Band have influenced the Schenectady quartet’s alternative rock music.

In 2006, Green Hill Tribe put out two EPs, one in the spring and one in the summer. They’re currently recording a full-length album which they hope to release by Christmas.

The members of the band range in age from 22 to 25. A few of their songs have appeared on 102.7, and Green Hill Tribe hopes to receive additional airplay as well as tour and record more regularly in the future.

The band’s set usually consists of approximately 15 original tunes as well as a number of cover songs including “You Keep Me Hanging On” by Vanilla Fudge, “Ramble On” by Led Zeppelin and two classics by The Beatles, “Paperback Writer” and “Day Tripper.” Green Hill Tribe knows enough material to play for up to three hours.

Green Hill Tribe won’t be performing again until Lessard returns to the area over his winter break, and Conway said to check their Web site for updates.

To check out the band, visit www.myspace.com/greenhilltribe.

Quotable Quotes:

“Being able to play originals is something special,” Morris said. “We’re a good time band, a throwback to the 60s and 70s. Yet at the same time our music sounds new and fresh.”

“I like the rush you get while you’re on stage, and I think we put on a good show,” Conway said. “People can expect their money’s worth because we give it our all.”

“A lot of the bands out there today talk about their broken hearts and failed relationships. We’re not about that. Our songs are about moving on and dealing with things rather than dwelling on them,” Morris said.

—Mike Ryan