ION INDIE MAGAZINE October 2016, Volume 29 | Page 73

Writing for a magazine like ION Indie Magazine affords us the opportunity to seek out talented bands from
around the globe to feature in our publication. We have presented bands from all over the globe, some with
aspirations of making it huge, some who would be happy with regional success, and some that are content to
be weekend warriors. We have covered all genres. I will be the first to say, that I have favorite scenes. I have
favorite styles of music, yet I have covered country, rock, metal, hip hop--from sea to shining sea. This time I go
to one of my favorite scenes; covering one of my favorite styles of music. Hailing from the Jacksonville, Florida
area, LOWRCASE G is a blues-driven rock band that has not left their southern roots behind. Their live sound is
what you will hear on their debut CD, “Born Into Dirt”. Regardless of what their desires are, they are a solid, tight
music machine, with core members rhythm guitarist DAVID BELL and vocalist RYAN SMITH that seem to work in
lock step with one another, drawing from each other’s strengths in their song writing efforts. Bassist CHRIS
WHEATON anchors the rhythm section, with drummer, BOBBY FERGUSON rounding out the band. There is a bit
of a new flavor to their latest single “Blood & Tears”, as according to Ryan, lead guitarist KEVIN STEINMEYER
influenced the sound, yet they definitely didn’t abandon their roots. Ryan and I had talked in March about doing
an interview and finally the stars lined up. I believe you will enjoy the read, but more importantly, I believe you
will enjoy their music.

JP: Can you give me a little history of the band and the members you have currently?
David: We formed backed in ’99. Ryan and I got together to write songs. It was really Ryan and his girlfriend at
the time--now his wife Jennifer--that were really pushing this band to get started. I was reluctant to start it at
first. I had some songs that I had written on my own that I presented to Ryan. We had something we thought we
could build on, so we decided to start a band with it.

JP: Did you take some time off during that period?
David: Yeah, we took some time. It was my decision. Three years after the band formed, we lost our original bass
player and we got another bass player who was shaky, to say the least. Needless to say, he didn’t last long. I
wanted to start a family, so it was really difficult for me to go on. So, we took different directions at that point,
which was in 2003. About three years ago, 2013, we had a friend take one of our old songs and put together a
picture video of us, which really sparked the interest again. We wanted to get together and do a reunion show,
just for old times, but it just kinda caught on and we just kept on going. I don’t see it stopping anytime soon.

JP: I know Jacksonville has a rich history of rock music. What many people don’t know, even if they know the
history, is that North and Central Florida are booming with talent. What do you feel separates Lowercase g
from the others?
Ryan: I think it’s our style, not only our writing style. I think more bands now are more interested in--not all of
them, but most of them--are more interested in making something more up to date, where as we are more with
trying to maintain our style and be true to ourselves….trying to keep our Southern roots and everything that’s
influenced us.

JP: I’m a fan of blues-based rock and I make no bones about that. I don’t apologize for it. When I first saw
you guys, back in March at TWISTERS MUSIC BIRTHDAY BASH in Jax Beach, that was the first thing that
caught my attention was the bluesy feel to your music. I’m intrigued to know--based upon what I heard--who
you feel your influences to be.