New Album Showcases Signature Sound Of Local Band The Standard Americans
By Fiona Slusarev
The Standard Americans, an eclectic rock band based in Wellington, released its second album Oct. 31. The new album, titled Afterlight, showcases the diversity of the band’s musical aptitude over nine tracks, including “Nothing To Lose,” a single that was released in September.
With a unique blend of rock, jazz and blues, the Standard Americans bring to mind the music of the Animals, the Allman Brothers Band and Widespread Panic. The album was recorded at Markee Studio in Deerfield Beach and mixed by Steve Drizos.
Founded in 2015, the band recently celebrated its 10th anniversary. The band’s first album, Standard Fireworks, was released in 2018. With humble beginnings as a cover band, vocalist and guitarist John Hornberger, and guitarist Jeff Cornell, now collaborate to write songs. Cornell joined the band in late 2018, bringing decades of musical experience and technical knowledge. Often, Hornberger will find the lyrics, while Cornell fits the musical puzzle pieces together.
“I bring a shell of something, and Jeff’s the one who then puts an actual picture together musically,” Hornberger explained. “From a bridge, to the lead, to the intro, Jeff’s the one who makes something real, and that filters down to Matt on bass and Ryan on keys.”
Music is a collaborative process for the band, with Matt Pike on bass, Ryan West on piano and keyboards, and Eric Remillard on drums. Improvisation from all members is central to their sound.
“I throw out a new song and let everybody start doing their thing,” Hornberger said. “That first time, there’s almost always a lick by Jeff, a roll by Matt, that is actually a key to that song a year later when we polished it.”
The band records weekly practices in Hornberger’s home studio, which allows the musicians to capture the moment when inspiration strikes. All the members of the Standard Americans are in it for the love of music. They are full-time fathers with successful careers across the board, from orthopedic consulting to banking. Each member fits together to create the complete sound of the band.
Cornell appreciates each member’s input. “That’s how the great stuff comes; that’s how you get the gold — it’s the freedom. It’s not being tied down by rules. It’s the freedom to make mistakes. Everyone has their own thing. It’s part of the magic,” he said.
Music has been integral to Cornell’s life since childhood. His parents brought him up listening to records, and his father played bass at local bars.
“I used to go sit at the bar at five years old and drink my juice and eat my bag of chips and watch my dad jam, which I thought was the coolest in the world,” Cornell remembered.
He began playing guitar when he was 12, and when he saw Eric Clapton in concert during his 25th anniversary tour, Cornell knew he had to devote his life to music. He later went on to interview his musical heroes as a journalist for MTV and Variety.
Hornberger fell in love with music when he was five; his grandfather was happy to provide him records. He saw the Grateful Dead in concert at 15 and it changed his life, “from a perspective of improvisational music, communication through music, and live music.” He spent his 20s and 30s almost only listening to live music, teaching himself to play guitar in his 40s.
Passion for music and the desire to grow motivates the band. Starting simply as a fun hobby, the band is now more confident in their sound and artistry.
“Our first record was fun; we were having fun — we had a blast doing all of this, but this record is the real deal,” Hornberger said.
The album itself is a musical progression, with each song bringing a slightly different energy. The band members are constantly listening to new music and influencing each other.
“It’s easy to get stuck with what you are used to, what you are familiar with and music you like,” Cornell noted. “People who turn you onto new music are super important. John [Hornberger] is that guy for me; he’s constantly turning me onto new music. And that’s kind of rare. When you get to our age, you usually go backward. You’re not looking forward to what’s coming, you’re looking backward and rehashing.”
With inspiration coming from many places, the Standard Americans craft a unique sound. Afterlight serves two roles for the band. On one level, it tells the story of night in New York City, taking listeners on a journey from night to morning with “Dawn Patrol.” On another level, the album serves as a retrospective for the band’s growth over the years. All of the songs were written between 2018 to 2023 and are now being brought to light.
“Every song on this album sounds different than its predecessor,” Hornberger said.
Both he and Cornell agree that the track “Trippin” is probably the most representative of the band itself. The band pays homage to Cornell’s father, who passed a few years ago, by using his 1969 Fender Precision bass to get that signature sound in “Nothing To Lose.”
Listen to Afterlight and the band’s complete discography anywhere that music is streamed. Also, be sure to come out to Gigi’s at Maxwell’s Plum in Wellington to hear the Standard Americans at their almost-monthly live performances to support this great local band.
