Goldmine caught up with Orbi and talked about how the tour is going, what it’s been like to replace his old friend, what’s next for Roy’s Boys, and where he will head with his family and fishing gear when the tour ends early next month.
Goldmine: You are now five shows into the tour. How’s it going?
Orbi Orbison: The tour is going great. The band sounds fantastic. We’ve had good crowds and really beautiful places, weather and people. There have been very few technical difficulties which on the road can vary. This has just been a really fulfilling and rewarding tour so far.
GM: What was the hardest song for you to get your arms around?
OO: “Jessica” by far was the one that I’ve had to sit down and map out the most. On the other side Allman Betts’ “Savanah’s Dream” has different parts and a couple that don’t return. Although, I tend to do better on the songs that are more unique where you have to keep your focus. I’ve played with Duane since I was like 20 years old and my kick drum is right on his amp. When I played with the Revival I told someone that I don’t see a lot of the people in the audience because I’m so focused on watching Duane’s foot, and when Devon sings I watch his foot. There’s just so much communication in the Allman Betts Band that is invaluable. It keeps everyone in sync.
GM: You were friend with R. Scott and played alongside him. What did you admire most about his playing and what are you focused on emulating on this tour?
OO: R. Scott was really a mentor of tone and taste for me, more than fancy fills. He had this way about him where he was a subtle beast. There wasn’t a lot of emotion or force. It was more like a beautiful golf swing. He would project through four guitar players and the Hammond organ. Not because he was playing hard but because he was playing well. I think that’s one of the greatest lessons you can learn being a musician. There’s an inner confidence you feel when you are paying the part correctly and you let it all come from within instead of pushing it or trying too hard out of insecurity which will flatten your tone. He would fill in so much of the space with percussion and vocals without being overbearing. He had great touch.
We are a week into this tour and I’ve used the same pair of drumsticks. The younger version of me would break three pairs in the first night. It was from trying too hard and playing too hard, not being confident that the mics would pick you up. I was able to watch him do that for years before I took the drum seat and it really helped a lot.
GM: Have you had to make any changes to your kit as a result?
OO: Every night I get out the wind chimes that R. Scott used. I pull them out when we are setting up and they make this ethereal noise that gets everyone’s attention and then at the end of the night I put them away and it makes that noise going back into the case. I would never have gone to that in my own arsenal. But it brings me such joy to hear that every night and it makes me think of him.
Second chair drumming is really an art. First chair plays hard and holds the band together. I am splashing color and providing accents, keeping time tucked underneath. So I’ve had to lower my hi-hat down so I don’t play it so hard. Its little adjustments like this that that I make until Duane gives me the nod and I get into playing loudly like my normal self.
GM: You’ve been part of a few bands that had members with famous rock names. What’s different about this one?
OO: You know having the band be born out of that first Revival tour was an example of the true cathartic healing nature of music. It became so clear to Devon and Duane that they should start the Allman Betts Band. Sometimes when you have this many good players you can lose focus on the fact that the songs are the most important thing. This band really focuses on making the best songs possible. Devon and Duane know the architecture of songs that are endearing to listen to on a record, but also move a certain way when you are in one of these theaters or at a festival. Having the power of linking up a song that sounds good on an acoustic guitar but that can produce a certain effect in front of a crowd is a real talent. Enough can’t be said about how good these guys are as players. But meticulous attention to detail from writing to recording to mixing and knowing where these songs will end up is really special.
GM: You manage your dad’s catalog with your brothers. Is there anything in the works that is about to be released?
OO: We have been working on a documentary and getting a biopic going since my mom passed away. We are getting closer now after being derailed by COVID. Those are the most exciting things right now on the horizon. We’ve finally got things back to a boil.
GM: This is a tight tour with back to back dates that ends early next month. When you finish what’s next?
OO: First let me say that I love these kinds of tours. It’s not the days on that get me it’s the days off. I have a three and a five year-old and I’m trying to plan a Father’ Day trip with them. I’m going to try to get some fishing in with the family on this tour of national parks we’re on. I’m also working a bit with Cisco Adler who has this “surfer/country” thing going which is really positive.
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