f e a t u r e

Watching The Bad, Bad ants perform a cover of a Cracker song at a weeknight

practice in Chris Leya’s basement in Hampton just makes you want to grab the microphone and sing along, or jump up and dance, even if your moves rival elaine’s from that famous “Seinfeld” episode. Members rich Barton, Brian Berkheiser, Chris Leya and russ Sovek not only have the technical chops to sing and play their instruments, but manage to put their own, original stamp on their performances.

But, another reason for wanting to join them is that the band seems to be having a whole lot of fun, with wisecracking banter and not taking themselves too seriously. The members also look a bit younger than some of us in our mid-to-upper 40s, with muffin-top waistlines and grumpy attitudes.

after experiencing the band’s well-rehearsed practice, you’d think that this is what they do for a living. Wrong! They all have 9 to 5 professional jobs with

wives and kids. “We’re mid-40s ‘wannabe’ rock

stars,” said Sovek, of Cranberry, who has a job in sales and is the lead vocalist along with playing the acoustic guitar and harmonica in the band. “The whole experience of going to

gigs is so much fun.” “It is an escape for me,” said

Barton, of franklin Park, who works in engineering and plays electric and acoustic guitars and is a vocalist in the band. “You have a hectic life and drive to practice and don’t think about any of that. You joke and laugh.”

“It’s like a bowling league or a golf league for us,” said Leya, who works in software and plays drums, percussion and is on vocals in the band. “Gigs are fun and we have a good time.” The band could be on to something. according

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and Rockers by Night:Professionals by Day

By Kathy RudolphThe Bad, Bad Ants Teach Us How to Have Fun After 40

North Allegheny | Spring 2013 | incommunitymagazines.com 13

to the National Institute on aging, studies have shown that engaging in favorite activities produces higher levels of happiness and lower levels of depression and may even lower risks of health problems or extend your life.

It does take some effort to practice. Luckily, their wives are supportive and enjoy getting together for practices or gigs. “at times it is difficult, but we keep sending emails out to cancel or reschedule,” said Barton, who has coached many of his kids’ sports teams.

“When we have a gig, we make more of an effort,” said Berkheiser, of Shaler, who has a job in software and plays electric and upright bass guitars and is a vocalist in the band. ”But when we need to take a break, we take a break, because we’re doing this for fun and not for a living and that is the nice thing about it.”

The band members sometimes joke about how all of the venues that they have played in have either closed or burnt down. aside from ill-fated music halls and taverns, the band also performs at private parties, festivals and other local events.

“Our gigs have been interesting and memorable,” said Barton. “Sometimes it is all of the activities surrounding the gig that are the most fun. Once, we played an Independence Day Celebration in Canada and ended up doing an acoustic performance in this guy’s home because of the rain. He broke out these huge candles and it was like an ‘MtV unplugged’ performance, with people listening to our music and stories. Luckily, russ has a playlist of over 300 songs!” The members also contribute their different influences which lend to the unique sound of the band. Sovek likes The Black Crowes, The rolling Stones and Cracker. Barton enjoys Pearl Jam and The Stone temple Pilots.

Berkheiser adds his own unique flavor and jokes about not really liking some of the songs that the band plays.

“Sometimes I feel like the black sheep of the band because I have such obscure tastes,” said Berkheiser. “My influences when I started playing bass were early 90s, technically-crazy, bass technique bands like Primus and bass-driven bands like Morphine and Soul Coughing. But, it is fun to play the songs that we play at gigs.

Professionals by Day and Rockers by Night continued

14 724.942.0940 to advertise North Allegheny

It’s like a party. as long as everyone is having fun and is enjoying it.”

Leya also prefers music that is outside of the mainstream.“right now I am listening to Dawes and Grace Potter, and of course, The Options,” said Leya. “I like newer bands and go to see tons of

concerts with my sons and just soak it all in.”

The band sometimes contributes to the playlist, but the songs have to be in Sovek’s

vocal

range.“everybody

gets a say as long as I say it’s OK,” said

Sovek, laughing. “We play the music that I love the most, but we do mix in other songs.”

“We will play anything,” said Berkheiser, laughing. “Though, probably 90 percent of what I bring in doesn’t work.”

The band has been together for over five years.

“We once had a big blow-up and when we made up, I told the guys that if I didn’t play with them, that the guitars would just sit there like pieces of furniture, or be tucked away in the closet,” said Leya. “It is hard to just play drums by yourself. When we play together, we sometimes get in a zone and feel so alive. I told them that we’ve had our differences, but I didn’t want to give that up.”

“Our whole lives are so predictable,” said Barton. “You have your job, your family. Being in the band is so unpredictable. We are like brothers and some of the best times that I have had in the last five years have been with my band.”

to learn more about The Bad,Bad ants, visit the band’s facebook page at www.facebook.com/badbad.ants, or email them at badbadants@gmail.com.

North Allegheny | Spring 2013 | incommunitymagazines.com 15

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