Forming the Band Contrarian

The formation of the band Contrarian followed the somewhat uncommon path of releasing a debut CD ("Minor Complexities") and then forming a band. So the history of the band begins with the background related to the recording of "Minor Complexities."

Making Contrarian's Debut CD "Minor Complexities"

In early 2005 Tim Boney (guitar, keyboards and bass guitar) began a recording project that he had kept on a back burner for a long time. As a long-time fan of many rock groups but particularly influenced by the bands Kansas, Dream Theater, Yes, Rush, ELP, Jethro Tull, Genesis, Styx, and Triumph, Tim wanted to record a CD that distilled those influences on his CD but still had a unique sound of its own. Once the CD was recorded he wanted to put together a band to perform the songs. With these goals in mind he began recording the initial songs of what ultimately became the CD titled Minor Complexities .

Tim wanted to include songs that addressed philosophical, historical and religious topics, as well as songs that concern the importance of striving for one's personal goals. Minor Complexities includes songs in each of those categories, including those inspired by the writings of the philosophers Kierkegaard, Nietzsche and Plato. As far as historical topics, the song Operation Overlord was written as a tribute to the Allied forces that fought at the Battle of Normandy. (D-Day) The song titled "Sting of Fate" is a song written about all those who pursue their dreams, goals and passions, instead of just talking about them. The song addresses the concept of self-actualization, made most widely-known by American psychologist Abraham Maslow [1908-1970] pertaining to his theory of The Hierarchy of Needs. The song "Barricades" is a continuation of this theme.

The hope was that listeners would not only enjoy the music but also find, in a broader sense, thought-provoking topics. If so, then such listeners might be motivated to further research such matters and not only increase their knowledge of such topics but also perhaps reach, revise or reaffirm their own conclusions as to such matters. The songs were written as an invitation or motivation for listeners to think and investigate for themselves topics that concern the very essence of the human experience, rather than being written as 'proclamations' from the proverbial "man on the mountain". That was the thinking behind the songs to be recorded. Finally, unlike previous recording projects with which he had been involved, Tim decided that on "Minor Complexities" the songs would be written and recorded without regard to concerns such as trying to sound like the current "music style de-jour", song intro length, writing "hooks" or any of the other so-called "rules" "formulas" or conventions of songwriting.

Tim asked Michael J. White if he would be interested in being the drummer on "Minor Complexities". Mike had previously recorded with Tim on an unreleased, seventeen song CD of rock cover tunes. Mike accepted the invitation. Tim then began recording the basic rough tracks of rhythm guitar, bass guitar and keyboards to a click (metronome) track. After each songs' rough tracks were recorded Mike came in the studio and laid down his drum tracks. Once the drum tracks were completed final tracks of the other instruments were then recorded.

Shortly after the first couple of songs were recorded, Tim asked his long-time friend and former band mate, Joe Leming, to be the vocalist on Minor Complexities. As the recording sessions progressed Tim and Joe began co-writing additional songs. During the course of the next year and a half Tim, Mike and Joe recorded a total nineteen songs from which twelve songs were chosen for the debut CD "Minor Complexities". During this time they decided to use "real" violin on several of the tracks rather than using keyboard synthesized violin for those tracks. Tim was referred to classically trained violinist Lance Cockrell. As guest violinist Lance is featured on three Minor Complexities songs; Operation Overlord , Barricades and Plato's Cave .

Forming the Band Contrarian

• "THE"PICNIC-GIG" BAND

During the summer of 2006, while still recording "Minor Complexities", a friend of Tim's asked him if he could put together a band to play at her annual backyard keg party/picnic. In response, Tim and Joey called a couple of friends and put together a band for that gig. Bassist Rick Lucharini accepted an invitation to be in the impromptu, "picnic-gig" band. Chuck Bailey, brother of S.S. Sound Recording Studios owner John Bailey, and already a member of two other bands, was brought in as drummer. Finally, keyboardist Brian Leahy was recruited for the gig.

• "CLASS X"

The gig went well so it was decided to keep the "picnic band" together, initially as a cover band and then once Minor Complexities was finished, as a cover/original band.

Due to commitments to other bands and music projects Brian Leahy was unavailable for this newly forming band.

Shortly thereafter, Carolyn Kennedy was asked by Tim, Joe, Rick and Chuck to join the band as keyboardist. Following a brief period of rehearsing cover songs, the band began performing gigs in bars and clubs in the central New Jersey area under the name "Class X" splitting the bill with other Trenton area bands including W.C. Soulshine and The Straw Dogs. Meanwhile, Tim and Joey continued recording "Minor Complexities" and also formed an acoustic duo (sometimes joined by one or two additional musicians) performing as "Acoustic Class X" in various bars and pubs including Triumph Brewery in Princeton NJ and New Hope, PA.

• "CONTRARIAN"

In the spring of 2007 final mixing and mastering of "Minor Complexities" began. On June 20, 2007 the initial pressing of "Minor Complexities" was received from Disc Makers. Also on that date, word was received that United States Trademark protection was secured for the band's name Contrarian.

On June 22, 2007 "Minor Complexities" was released. On that date Tim and Joe traveled to Lehigh University in Bethlehem, PA to attend and promote "Minor Complexities" at the annual, three day NEARfest (North East Art Rock festival) concert series. NEARfest is held at the Zoeller Arts Center on the Lehigh campus and is a major gathering for progressive rock musicians, journalists and fans.

In July 2007 the band began performing as Contrarian, incorporating songs from "Minor Complexities" into its cover song repertoire. Also at that time two new additional members were recruited for Contrarian.

Joe Suarez was recruited as drummer for Contrarian. Although Joe Suarez is a long-time friend of Tim's they had never had the opportunity to play in a band together. That opportunity came after Chuck Bailey announced he had to leave the band due to the constraints of playing in the two other bands of which he was a member before joining Class-X/Contrarian. Joe, a seasoned studio and live performance musician quickly learned the material and Contrarian was able to continue its gig schedule without missing a performance.

Also, guitarist and vocalist Mike Lenyo, who had previously played in the Trenton based band the Dawgs with drummer Joe Suarez, was recruited to join the band after he had come out to a gig and jammed with the band. His performance so impressed the band that he was immediately invited to join Contrarian.

Contrarian performs regularly at various venues throughout the greater New Jersey area. Original founding members Tim Boney and Rick Lucherini are currently recasting the band's line up. Stay tuned!

Tim Boney: guitar, keyboards, vocals;
Rick Lucherini: bass guitar;