Get Off the Planet with That Darn Band

By Tim Wood

Shell Bourdette was looking for a few good musicians.

Bourdette, the son of an employee of the super-secret National Security Agency, didn't have to resort to any cloak and dagger to put together That Darn Band.

Now, he's hoping to get the group's debut album "Get Off the Planet" launched off of the record shelves.

With the millennium approaching, the band has ambitious plans to implement a strategy that will help define the future of multi-media events. The group plans to use DVD, enhanced CD, a graphic-intensive web site, a three-dimensional live stage presentation, a 3-D computer animated television series, book publishing, full length motion pictures, music publishing, a broadcast internet series and a merchandise line.

And while they're at it, they plan to make some music too.

Actually, they already have. While you can't buy a That Darn Band CD at your local record shop, it shouldn't be long until you can find one. Bourdette hopes you'll find it in the Top 10 section.

The group has produced a seven-song demo showcasing a sound that Bourdette declines to categorize. It is rock music that will hit you with catchy hooks at one moment, then take on an edge that approaches alternative music. There are echoes of British Invasion pop as well.

Bourdette leads the way with well-written songs, versatile vocals and rhythm guitar playing that fits the groove. Although the song list for the commercial release has not been determined, two of the demo's best songs are "The Poet" and the title cut "Get Off the Planet." Other strong cuts are "On My Mind," "Spin Around" and "Hollywood Shades." All of the songs feature tight performances from the four-person band.

Bourdette's first band, Dream, released a successful album and went on three world tours. After that band broke up in Germany, Bourdette stayed there and formed Notausgang (Emergency Exit) and played to stadium-size crowds in Europe and Asia. After the death of a band member, the group ended touring. Bourdette then returned to the U.S. to form That Darn Band.

The band members include Chris Pinnick, lead guitar; Basil Brush, bass; and Tammy Glover on drums. Pinnick is a music industry veteran who has four platinum albums to his credit. He was with Chicago for five and one-half years and also has played with Peter Cetera (solo), Herb Alpert, Chuck Negron (Three Dog Night) and Chet McCracken (Doobie Brothers). Pinnick added his distinctive solos to three Chicago albums, including the group's best-selling album, Chicago 17.

Bassist Brush has worked with Mick Fleetwood, Rage Against the Machine, Nancy Sinatra, Ice T, Tone Loc, Ike Turner, Andy Summers and others. Glover has toured with Sparks and plays on their latest studio album. She also played on Chewy Marble's 1997 debut album.

Asked about the name of the band, Bourdette responded, "It meshed with the nature of this darn project. I wanted it to be fun and it fit."

Bourdette has written a book about the National Security Agency, which is presently under review by various attorneys before publication. The band's web site (www.thatdarnband.com) features a cloak and dagger cartoon series featuring the band's members, which was influenced by Bourdette's father's life.

"My dad's role in the NSA permeated our life. I couldn't help but introduce the cloak and dagger element as part of my music project. In our everyday lives, we are ensconced in cloak and dagger activity, even so far as just getting to work. The Extreme Adventures of That Darn Band offer an opportunity to live out the adventure as agents of international intrigue as a rock and roll band. Wouldn't you do it if you could" Bourdette said.

Even the band members take on the theme. Pinnick, when asked who played what guitar parts on the album, said, "I was called upon to handle the lead guitars because my ax doubles as an infrared camera. And that's exactly what the mission called for."

It's a mission that Bourdette hopes is a success.

Chris Pinnick feature

That Darn Band web page