NOVEMBER: (Left to right) Matt Zack, John Ruth, Dave Irwin, and Jeff Turner

November 1991

In terms of the attitude most local original bans seem to have towards their music and towards success, November must have missed a few lessons.

The band is forging its way through the local scene with a sound characterized by traditional song structures and a thick, keyboard-friendly overtone. The group readily admits to being influenced by such bands as Genesis, Yes, Marillion, Rush and “classic stuff,” in addition to the Cure, Julian Cope, Love and Rockets, and Alice in Chains.

We were sure there were no alternative bands left on the planet that weren’t either worshiping Trent Reznor, re-discovering the Velvet Underground for the fifth time, doing Paul Westerberg imitations, or taking the next train to Seattle, but as usual, we were wrong.

“We use a lot of bass pedals,” says November guitarist/vocalist and chief songwriter Dave Irwin, referring to the low-end expanding devices used by a lot of bands from the ’70s.

“And the songs are pretty long,” adds Jeff Turner, the band’s keyboardist.

“We play the stuff we like,” elaborates Irwin. “We don’t try to be something we aren’t.” Irwin and Turner, along with bassist Matt Zack and drummer John Ruth, make up the debateably fullest-sounding band in the area.

“We’re the only original band in the area that I know that uses keyboards,” Zack says about the band.

“Irwin adds, “The idea of using the guitar and keys as two compatible instruments instead of having one support the other all the time was our goal; they’re equally up front like they should be.”

In terms of lyrical topics, Irwin cites “genitalia” and, you know, boy-meets-boy,” but quickly becomes serious: “Usually we write about relationships, technology, some world-getting-its-shit-together type songs — actually we write about a little of everything.”

For band goals, the group gives off a chorus of “getting laid, quitting our day jobs…” before Irwin resumes outlining a clearer vision.

“Short term, we want to get our music refined, get a local buzz going, get some recording done, and get some gigging done. We don’t want to end up being a Delaware bar band, though. We want professional management when we’re ready for professional management.” Long term, the band would lie some sort of independent label deal.

“If we do well with an independent label, maybe that will attract some major-label attention,” Irwin says. But, he cautioned, “You can get a record contract and it can just totally blow away in the wind like Tommy Conwell. Major labels have this habit of grab-bagging like ten bands and throwing them up against the wall and seeing what sticks.”

November’s history dates back to McKean High School in the early ’80s when Dave Irwin played bass and was friends with Jeff Turner. They formed a band called Visions, which lasted one night. Dave then went on to play in Mushrume for four years with John Ruth and guitarist Bob Diorio (of Henry the Band fame). Jeff went to college, and the three basically lost touch. In 1987 John, Jeff and Dave got back together in a band called Lighthouse. Because the band could not find a guitar player, Dave decided to pick up the instrument. All they needed was a bass player, and a friend gave them Matt Zack’s phone number. An audition was held, and the band was complete.

“I think we’ve really got something, and I’d really like to run with it,” Irwin says. “There is nothing around here you can compare us to, that’s why we have a problem with opening acts,” adds Turner. The members seem to agree that Psychic Warfare is the most compatible band musically for November.

“The writing approach we use is very ’70s structure-wise,” acknowledges Irwin. “We make sure the songs are very balanced; every part fits in. I just describe it as progressive,” he adds.

On the local scene, Irwin says “One of my gripes is the lack of respect bars have for local bands. If someone was to get signed out of this area, the area would light up like it did a few years ago.”

“Smashing Orange got signed, but where do they play? They haven’t really generated any excitement for the area. The only clubs that accept original bands with open arms are the Buggy Tavern and the Barn Door; we need more of that. We get some bar owners that all the sudden think they’re in the music business — they don’t know shit about the music business.”

In describing its live shows, the members of November use words like “full, bug sound, bassy.” Zack says people often say “you guys have a got a lot of shit,” when they see the band’s full setup.