Dan's Papers - August 22, 2008

Over the past year, Feed the Need has grown from a group of high school kids who played music together in their church band into a well known local band that has played for all ages, young and old, at a variety of venues across the South Fork. And things keep looking up for the quartet. Since March, they've played at The Stephen Talkhouse in Amagansett three times, released two CDs and won the Town of Southampton's June 13 Battle of the Bands.

Twin brothers Matt and Josh King, guitar/vocals and keys/vocals respectively, who attended Southampton High School and will head to the New England Institute of Art this fall, and drummer Jake Terando, who goes to East Hampton High School, played in the band at Community Bible Church in Sag Harbor together. When their original bassist left for college last year, Connor Waleko, who also goes to EHHS, was brought in.

It was Jeff White who organized the band and other activities at the church, and initially encouraged the teens to form Feed the Need. "He had a vision and we got sucked into his vision," said Matt King. White now acts as manager for the group.

Their initial repertoire consisted of 14 covers, songs by the likes of the Beatles, Sugar Ray, Jack Johnson and U2. "Nothing hardcore, just mellow sounding music," said King.

Eventually, the brothers started writing melodies of their own, borrowing from the mellow rock they were playing, adding the occasional funk and reggae twist. "We were always coming up with melodies, but I was scared to write lyrics because I was embarrassed to hear my words outloud," King said. White helped the brothers find inspiration for their lyrics and their songwriting took off. "The music we write is an original sound that can't be compared to anything. We've heard the Beatles. We've heard a lot of different stuff."

The result was their first, self-titled album, which was recorded at Black Dog Studios in Hampton Bays and released May 10 at their second Talkhouse gig. The album featured 12 original songs as well as covers of "Beautiful Day" by U2 and "Some Day" by Sugar Ray.

With even more songs under their belt and ready to be recorded by the time their first CD came out, Feed the Need decided to release another album, Trying to Touch the Sky, this September, just months after their first. This time, instead of heading into the studio, they recorded the songs live on a farm in Sagaponack. "It was a lot cheaper than the studio and it was more fun to play together," King said. "In the studio, we were all separate."

And the inspiration for the live album's title is obviously the band's musical ambitions. "We're just trying to get bigger, have more fun and get out there," said King, adding that he hopes the band will eventually be signed by a label. "Everyone is trying so hard to make it. We hear we're talented. We're just trying to make it. We're just trying to touch the sky."

For now, the group continues to win over fans on the East End, playing at a number of youth-oriented events for Southampton and East Hampton Towns, the Bridgehampton Fire Department annual fundraiser, the Parrish Art Museum's Project Sandstorm and other private parties and benefits.

"Little tiny kids love them and 85-year-old people love them," White said. "Everybody loves them."

For more information about the band, go to www.myspace.com/feedtheneed08 or www.feedtheneedmusic.com.

If you're a band or musician interested in being featured in our new music column, email tiffany@danspapers.com.