Yesterday was Paul McCartney’s birthday, so maybe that explains why the Members Only concert was awesome and flourishing with so much energy! While the band did not do any of McCartney’s songs, it was still a great night full of ‘80s music.
Members Only is an ‘80s tribute band who started in Springfield, Missouri in 2008. Founder and frontman Brent Thornton noticed how ‘80s music was perceived on a local level as there was a growing popularity. In regards to forming his own band to pay tribute to that decade, it was very much a ‘Why not’ sort of approach since not only would there be a great audience already, but Thornton’s love for ‘80s music only made it clear that Members Only would happen.
Guitarist Zach McClease joined the band later, but it was originally with some reluctance as he already had a band called Levee that was his ‘baby’. Still, Thornton convinced McClease to join, and so he did in 2010. Bassist Jim Vannoy joined the band after being in a prior band with McClease. Jake Simpson, who plays keys and provides killer harmony vocals, joined. Drummer Steve Mason, who previously had subbed for some gigs, ended up joining the band full time.
This was the lineup I saw last night. Now, I had seen the band several times before, but it still never gets old! The stage charisma is incredible: Brent Thornton perfectly captures the stage moves of an excellent frontman; Zach McClease is your sizzling lead guitarist who loves crowd attention; Jake Simpson provides the occasional comic relief, cracking jokes and impressions. There are great moments during a show like this, like when Vannoy and McClease stand in front of each other rocking out, totally in the musical zone - or when, from time to time, the band members will pull faces at each other during certain lines in a song. It makes for a really fun time.
Musically, the band is off-the-charts entertaining. Sometimes, you go and see a tribute band and it’s more of a novelty act. That is not the case with Members Only. Some of the guys have backgrounds in musical education or just have such a passion for music that it shines through. And it becomes a contagious thing as the band reflects off the energy of the crowd, who in turn continues the loop of energy. It’s totally awesome and such an adrenaline rush!
Even on the more novelty side of the band, there is still amusement to be found. I asked the band what their favorite ‘80s trends were and it really came down to just the music - how great the albums were, the production, the music videos. And when you think about it, it was a really interesting decade when MTV had a massive influence on mainstream music, and music videos became much more abundant than they had been in prior decades.
But at the end of the day, it doesn’t have to be a special occasion like a former Beatles’ birthday to have a fantastic time at a concert. In some cases, the best times at concerts come from the more spontaneous moments, like when the crowd goes wild during a cover of Def Leppard’s “Pour Some Sugar on Me” and next thing you know, you’re shouting along with a bunch of new friends. Whatever the case may be, even if you have just a mild appreciation for the ‘80s, I’d say that you should still go out and see Members Only as on a surface level, it is just a super entertaining show. But if you get a chance to chat with the band, they’re really down-to-earth musicians who truly appreciate their fans and just want to share their love of music.
As the band would put it, if you want to have a totally bitchin’ time, there’s not a better place to be than a Members Only concert.
Full Band shot
Guitarist Zach McClease
Keyboardist & harmony vocalist Jake Simpson
Drummer Steve Mason; bassist Jim Vannoy
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