Similar to the history of any tale or story, the group as they exist today is quite different in shape, composition, and form than how it existed on the date of its creation, October of the year 2000. At that time, music was produced by the assembly consistent of guitarists Steve Surgalski and Nic Swidzinski, bassist Ben Wilson, and drummer Tom Brough, and their musical direction created a veritable platform upon which later and different combinations would stand.
The analogy between a classic story and the group continues for in the summer of 2001, Nick Phillips replaced the departed drummer, Tom, and the group moulded a more firm musical shape. Although at this point, Ben had been playing the bass for only one year, and Nick had never before played the drums, the group managed to create a preliminary set of tracks with or without vocals and intermittent appearances of Radiohead and Oasis cover tracks. Once a set was established and commitment was present, the group created their name, A Practical Guide to the Way Things Were, which was derived from an obsolete computer manual found in Nick's basement. After having performed twice, the band wrote their second set which was an elaboration on their growing experience. This set lasted for only one performance, and the brevity of its use was an omen for the lifespan of A Practical Guide to the Way Things Were.
Around December of 2001, Steve decided to quit the band, and the three other members were on musical hiatus until February of 2002. At that time, guitarist Brian Shaffner joined the other three in playing strictly original, instrumental music. This formation lasted for only one performance of which in fact, Ben was not able to make. Following the performance, the group slowly ceased playing together.
Finally, around April of 2002, Steve asked Ben and Nick to help him complete a song that he had written for a school assignment. Following its completion, the pleasure inherent in playing with each other was enough to move forward as a new band. After deciding to write entirely original, instrumental music and creating the name 105 North Tower, the band wrote their first set and performed a well received show on August 8, 2002.
Now that the three members are attending college (Steve at Point Park, and Nick and Ben at Penn State), they have time to compose together only on major breaks. Over Christmas break of 2002-2003 and summer break of 2003, the group wrote a second set which retained two songs from their first, Everything Open and Atlantis. Unfortunately, they were not able to perform their second set live over the summer, but they did manage to make a satisfactory recording of four songs from the set which can be found in Summer. The history of 105 North Tower is still being written to this day, and any progress with the band will appear periodically in Spring.
Lastly, like our culture's tales and stories that have been transformed and transmitted over the centuries, the product and composure of 105 North Tower will always be open to possibilities. |
