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Photo of Spank taken by Ural Garrett for Okayplayer.
Music snobs from Brooklyn to Bangladesh know of the amazing talents of this week's First Look Friday subject. A world renowned drummer, a Ropeadope records franchise player and a true North Philadelphia native — George "Spank" McCurdy has been a quiet force amongst titans such as Sean "Diddy Combs, Jill Scott, Kanye West, Q-Tip, Queen Latifah and others for the past 20 years.
Spank's musical abilities were nurtured and harnessed from an early age. As with most phenoms, George's talents were God divine from his days watching the choir director at his church. He would funnel his passion for gospeldelic sounds into the inviting arms of Tye Tribbett, who would work with Spank on the song "No Way" from his Life album. His skills behind the drums are respected by those in the game like Chris "Daddy" Dave and Anderson .Paak.
With his most recent effort, Circa LXXXI, out in the world and available for earholes worldwide, this Olney Original branches out into his own alongside his bandmates Aliyah Niambi (electro vocalist) and Larry Lambert II (bass). As we were fortunate enough to sit down with one of the live musicians of the day, George "Spank" McCurdy broke down his career to us, how he juggles real life with life on the road and shares with us a taste of his emotions on the cut, "Love Sample," which you can hear for yourself below. Enjoy!
Okayplayer: To music snobs the world over, you are making an impact. What is it that those in music game are seeing and hearing that the rest of the world has yet to discover?
Spank: Live music is making a definite comeback, most of the legendary hits that we listen to regularly were recorded by live musicians. So, right now the music scene is shifting. It’s in a transitional stage where eventually we’re going to get back to that stage where we’re either the ones making the beats for producers or we’re just the ones that are holding down the radio. Live music is taking back the radio, that’s what’s happening. Artists and people within the music movement can see it now but the world, they’ll see it in a second.
OKP: For those who have a passion for music, they honed their skills and practiced their craft. Who are your most cherished influences in music and why?
S: Some of my most cherished influences are Lil’ John Roberts, of course, my big brother. Brian Fraiser-Moore, Questlove Thompson, J Dilla, Chris "Daddy" Dave and my peers of course.
OKP: Can you talk about how your life was while developing as an artist? How did you react to your first bits of press?
S: Well ever since I’ve been working with different artists and touring (for about 20 years now), my dad would always ask me when I was starting my own thing or my own band and I never gave it much thought. Then as the years went by, you know I had that urge to do so. So, once I did it the response was really good. It was my first taste as an artist. It’s kind of mind blowing ’cos you, you kind of realize just how much respect you have or just how many fans you have out there and that’s always humbling. It’s like, 'Wow OK, cool.' People want me in Malaysia, people want me in Singapore and I'm like, 'Cool let’s go, let’s go.' It makes you nervous, you know, I’m just starting out, but it’s very, very exciting and flattering.
OKP: With incidents involving people of color, police and racist occurring almost on a daily basis around the globe — how can your music (and/or others) help to relieve the trauma that is being experienced by the masses?
S: Music is therapy. There are different moods and there are different music to each type of mood. You know when you’re sad — you play music, when you’re happy — you play music, when you’re excited — you play music, when you’re determined — you play music, you know?! When you’re depressed — you play music. So right now, there’s a stronger voice than ever in the political world and through the sound. The sound is what gathers the people, the sound is what gets the ears. And once you have the ears, it’s the lyrics. So our sound and the way we rock out will always get your ear, but the lyrics, you know, that’s what separates everything else when it comes to the political side of things. So we, meaning myself and my band, definitely have a lot of strong views, points and values that we’re definitely going to get across in our music.
My music is definitely going to help the trauma because it’s hopeful. Music is full of hope. I want people to throw my music on and not only learn a little more about politics but also feel more determined to make a difference and make a change. Instead of just talking about all the problems, if we offer change or offer some other types of change, maybe someone will listen to a song and say, “You know what, I like that I’m going to try that out.”
OKP: What have been the most definitive obstacles that you’ve overcome in your career thus far?
Photo of Spank taken by Ural Garrett for Okayplayer.
S: The most definitive obstacles have been juggling real life from work life because this lifestyle can be so heavy. You can easily get swallowed up and you don’t really realize that until you get older, and you have kids and this and that, and you get married.
So then it’s just being on the road and your family has emergencies and things like that that you have to go through. You have to be mentally prepared for that. You have to always focus on the present and realize that you are there working and just take everything one step at a time. You have to be patient and just remain professional. That’s the main ingredient
OKP: Can you also talk about the importance of the music industry scene as how you’ve experienced it? How do you see it evolving in the next five years?
S: Well the music scene is everything. It’s what keeps the whole train going. There’s always a number of musicians popping up and there’s always a number of producers coming up but in the next five years I see live music taking over. It’s just going to be an evolution of sound where there will be more live music and the engineers who record the music will shine. And the real songwriters and singers are going to come back out. A lot of artists will disappear but the artists who are really, really talented will be revealed.
OKP: What are some things that you’ve learned about yourself that comes out in your music?
S: I’m very, very emotional. I’m very transparent and I’m very passionate. I never half step, I always give it my all. Not meaning I’m going to go crazy and do a bunch of licks, but it’s like you’re going to get my heart. I’m always passionate and wholehearted about the way I play and I can’t help that. I can’t play any other way. I like to give it my all on a gig and be 100% engaged and that doesn’t mean being busy and doing a lot of licks, it just means being focused and on my P’s and Q’s and always striving to get better.
Something about myself that I’ve also learned is that I’m very, very sensitive when it comes to what I do. Nothing is perfect but I’ll always strive for that perfection you know. Always.
OKP: What were some moments from your recent travels that will forever stick with you? Why?
S: I did a show with Lauryn Hill in Paris, I forgot which festival it was but Seun Kuti opened up for us and he had two drummers. He had his regular, traveling drummer and on the other drum set he had Mr. Tony Allen. It was legendary and that whole night was amazing. We went to a jam session afterwards and we played for hours and hours and just being around him and kicking it with him was epic, and that was memorable. Playing Fela, jamming to Fela, watching them play Fela then going to a Fela jam session. It was incredible!
OKP: What was the first song that you ever wrote entitled? Can you talk about what it has come to symbolize since you’ve entered into the professional life?
Well one of the first songs that I was able to be a part of and produce was “No Way” by Tye Tribbett. It’s self explanatory, you know, “No way I can't make it without you,” pointing back to the Man upstairs. That’s always the foundation and that’ll always be the foundation. That will never change, that’s always the formula. There's no way that any of us can make it without God so, surprisingly enough I didn't realize how essential that message, that song would be when I helped with its creation. It’s definitely a lifelong message.
OKP: How can your music speak truth to power in an age where people are so quickly digesting sounds and disposing of artists in a nanosecond?
S: One way that my music can speak truth to power is just by remaining genuine. My sound is not conformed to whatever's in nowadays. My sound is how I feel and what we’re (my band) feeling at the moment and what we want to do and that’s just what it is. It’s character, it’s not conformity. It’s all character, it’s genuine passion and it's a different sound. We’ll always provide a new sound. We’ll never conform to what you want to hear and what you're hearing on the radio. I kind of despise that, but at the same time I’m not going out of my way to not sound a particular way. Like I said it’s genuine so, it’s different, it’s naked basically and it’s wide open. Which is why I said I’m sensitive but it’s all good. Sensitive but 1000% confident.
OKP: Collaboration is uniquely a key to the success of certain creative individuals who wish to change the game. Who would you want to work with this year going into the next and why?
S: This year I plan on collaborating with Terrace Martin, KING, Robert Glasper. Me and my band, we’ve been doing a lot of work with Rodney Jerkins, James Fauntleroy and a few different writers, you know, not a whole bunch of people... Oh and Muhsinah, my sister and Common as well.
OKP: What is the overall message that Spank is trying to present in his music?
Photo of Spank taken by Ural Garrett for Okayplayer.
S: The overall message that I’m trying to get across is I like to give little everyday life tidbits. One song will be an argument you had with your significant other and how it ruined your day and another song is going to help you get through your day a little better. I’m one of those people, if I get into an argument my whole day is ruined. So if the song can help you get through that and speed that process up so you can enjoy the rest of the day, that’s what I want it to do. My music is futuristic and the sound is different so I’m also teaching the people. I’m changing their mindset and how they think about music. I like to look at my music as a universal software update for everybody. If you don’t understand the beat cool, keep listening, keep listening and keep listening until you get it [laughs].
OKP: Can you break down the inspiration behind a song that you created but never put out?
S: There’s a song that I created called “I Really Wanna” and it’s called “I Really Wanna” because it’s something that I haven’t been doing [laughs]. It’s about being a stubborn man and not stepping up to the plate and making promises on top of promises, on top of promises. So you tell your girl what you really, really wanna do and then in the end she’s looking at you like, “OK, but are you going to do them?” So, you know, I think visually while I’m writing and producing.
OKP: How do you see yourself changing the music industry for the better versus all of the bad stuff that goes on within it?
S: My message isn’t about drugs, strippers and money. None of that. It’s about real life situations. Family issues, struggles, losses, advantages, disadvantages, come-ups, love and all of that. At the same time, musically it’s something new and it’s so different and also appealing to the people. These days, people accept music that’s genuine. Chance The Rapper is doing an excellent job, because he’s genuine. He’s transparent and people love transparency. They love what’s real. Live music is taking over the music scene and it’s not happening without me. I’m going to be right smack in the middle of it.
OKP: How do you get over any anxiety before hitting the stage to perform live? What are some lessons or tips that you’ve learned from others about doing a stage show?
Well the only thing that makes me nervous before hitting the stage is if I’m not 100% on the arrangements. If I am feeling that way, before the show the headphones are on, I’m in the Dropbox listening to rehearsals and going over the material so I can be prepared. Other than that I don’t get too nervous, I get more so anxious and ready to play.
I used to get nervous during certain big moments, like during the Lady Gaga x HBO live taping. I was nervous and excited at the same time, but just like my mom would tell me: “Once it’s time to play, never forget this is what you do. You play the drums, you know how to play, so don’t stress too, too much because you are a drummer at the end of the day. Don’t forget that, you know what you’re doing, so lean on that.”
OKP: If the reader’s learned one thing from this First Look Friday chat with Spank — what would it be?
S: The readers will learn that I am an artist that they have to keep their ears and eyes open for. An artist that will be right in the middle of everything, in the middle of live music. If they love live music, I’m an artist that they need to look out for and if they’re tired of the familiar sound of music that’s out now, hey, let’s go on this musical journey together.
Be sure to keep your eyes and ears open for more from Spank (and us!) by following him on Twitter @SpankyDrumz.
