By Shane O’Dwyyer

Lisa and Brett Brumby. (Courtesy photo)

Have you ever walked into a bar or venue, watched a band you had never heard and thought, “S–t, I really like this band”?

Well, if you haven’t had this experience ~ and want to ~ check out Brumby. It is rare to find a cover band and truly dig the way it plays. At Greendale’s Pub in May, the whole bar was taking in Brumby’s music.

This band was different. Not only did every band member play professionally, even though it was only their second show as a band. Even more interesting, they had never rehearsed. “Are you kidding me!” I thought to myself. In front of me was an amazing band, and the members had never rehearsed together? That’s when I knew I was witnessing amazing music.

The band was made up of keyboards, guitar, drums, bass and even a bongo. My eyes never left the stage during the show. The band cracked jokes and kept the audience in a musical trance.

I have soaked my ears in guitarists like Jimmy Page, Angus Young, Robby Krieger, Jimi Hendrix, etc., but when I heard Brett Brumby play that guitar, I was no less entertained. Not only did Brett know how to play guitar well, he was a great singer. Not to forget his wife, Lisa, who also sang and killed it on the bongo. In fact, listening to Lisa was a bit like hearing Janis Joplin live. When I heard “Me and Bobby McGee” play from the bathroom stall, I thought the band had taken a break and the song was playing on the speakers. No, though, it was the band just playing a cover perfectly (as usual).

Brumby played so many great covers ~ every song was played so people could recognize and dance to it. But Brumby also had a great style and diversity. The band flipped between an amazing cover of Pink Floyd’s “Time” and Adele’s “Rolling in the Deep.”

At this moment I actually feel a bit of anxiety, not knowing where to begin telling you of the many great covers Brumby did. The band covered bands like The Eagles, Stevie Nicks, Doobie Brothers, Pink Floyd, Jimi Hendrix, Tom Petty and more. If I were to go into more detail, I would end up writing a book!

This is a band that brings back good, old-fashioned rock ’ n’ roll and does it extremely well.

You can check out the band at BLBrumby.com. Brett and Lisa have multiple bands, so go ahead and check them all out.