Mike Banks: A Guitarist with Little Free Time

Mike Banks:
A Guitarist with Little Free Time

by Ed Yashinsky

On a recent Thursday evening, as Mike Banks was tuning his guitar for what has turned into a permanent residency at Nick’s 1014 Cafe, a passing acquaintance wisecracked ‘Hey Madonna,’ in reference to Banks’ headset microphone. Barely looking up, Banks returned a wry retort and continued preparing for his set. Once he started playing, the Madonna reference, which was noticed by several bar patrons, quickly faded.

Banks is the type of player that musicians either love or despise – sometimes they even harbor a bit of both emotions. This is for one simple reason: while a good musician can reproduce any type of music, it takes a special talent to bring a variety of styles to life. But, in a single evening, Banks easily glides through soul, bluegrass, new age, blues, folk, and straight-ahead rock without missing a beat. He leaves no doubt that he possesses what many musicians desire.

"I grew up in the Seventies, and I listened to everything from Simon and Garfunkel to disco," explained Banks. "I am a huge fan of bluegrass, Motown, The Beatles and Jerry Garcia. I try to work aspects from all musical styles into my original songs and the covers I play."

As easy as it might be pigeonhole him as a Deadhead because of his long hair, tie-dyed shirts and extensive Grateful Dead repertoire, Banks’ fondness for Jerry Garcia only begins to reveal his unique style. "My main influences are Leo Kottke, Tuck Andress (of Tuck and Patty) and Michael Hedges," said Banks, referring to three master guitarists who tend to get bundled in the new age section of local music stores. "I have studied each of their styles extensively, and I try to combine them into my own sound."

Banks’ musical pedigree shines through when he explains after finding a Jerry Garcia Band set list on the Internet which included the classic Beatles’ piece, "Dear Prudence," he added it to his set. "I never saw Garcia play it, but when I sat down to arrange it I tried to play it as I thought Garcia would," said Banks. "I’ve done the same thing with "Eminence Front" (by The Who). I’ve never seen Hedges play the song, but I saw it on a set list, so I play it the way I think he would."

If you see him on consecutive nights chances are very good that Banks will play some of the same songs, but they will be entirely different. "When I practice, I tend to play based on my emotions and it really comes through," said Banks. "I also never use a set list because I like to react to the way I’m feeling and how the audience is responding to my music. It makes the music much more interesting for me."

This looseness also came out in Banks’ longtime electric project, Flying Colors, which captivated central Pennsylvania audiences for nearly seven years. "A few years ago when Flying Colors and Trick Bag were playing it was the peak of live music in Harrisburg, from my perspective," says Banks. "A lot of the bands today seem more packaged, but I think that’s just the current nature of music."

As if Banks doesn’t stay busy enough with his acoustic performances, hosting a weekly open mic night at The Courtyard, and teaching guitar lessons at Wray’s Music House, he is also a member of two other bands, where he further expands his guitar palette.

Banks recently hooked up with the Treacherous Four, a rockabilly combo. "Mike came to us at a time when we were at the end of our rope," says Eddie Von Bach, lead vocalist for the Treacherous Four. "We had tried out numerous guitarists and no one fit the bill. Some people have criticized us for getting a player who didn’t look the part, but we didn’t care. He’s a great player and he saved the band."

Banks’ other group project, Soleil, features original folk and Motown-flavored acoustic music with three part harmonies. "Mike adds a whole other dimension to our sound," says Laurie Hamilton, who along with Tresa Paul, comprise Soleil. "He has a beautiful style and always seems to be able to add just what our music needs."

So what do you think Mike Banks does with the few free hours he has a week? How about another band and a new CD. "I’m planning another electric project for the fall," says Banks. "I want to form a band that knows how to keep the tight parts tight and the loose parts loose. I want musicians that are as comfortable playing Dixieland jazz as they are with rhythm and blues. I’m also about to begin recording my first CD, an acoustic project that’s part instrumental and part folk. It should be out around the end of the year."