Darren's Band in a Box

Too bad UB40 named one of its biggest CDs "Labour of Love." Because that's what Darren Holland engages in each time he trudges somewhere to play with his trusty Yamaha DX 300 keyboard and electric and acoustic guitars.

He plugs in and out they come: passionate, soaring, original songs with strong dynamics and an often epic sweep and grandeur. He programs all the music parts — drums, bass, strings, percussion, whatever's needed.

Live, he plays either his acoustic or electric guitar and belts out songs with a gusty/hearty urgency. Partly because he relies so heavily on programming, the songs often have an 80s feel, yet they're founded on classic-rock structures and arrangements.

"Every writer is a thief," Holland says. "There are only so many chord progressions out there. It's how you put them together. My main objective is to put them together and make them into something that's brand new. I keep saying to everyone I'm using the chord progressions of the '70s, with the capabilities they had in the '80s, and what they have now."

"Can't Get You Out of My Head" pulls you in with a throbbing, tribaltechno groove; while other originals such as "Flood" and "Chase the Rain" feature more of a classic, majestic, Brit-pop sensibility. He's a big fan of dynamics, as perfected by artists as diverse as ELO and Nirvana.

Holland's originals are catching on at Norb's and A.J.'s Bayview, where he plays regularly. But Holland also thrives on radically re-inventing familiar tunes, He takes "Leaving On a Jet Plane" for a spin into techno land and underpins Neil Young's folky "Heart of Gold" with a rhythmic dance beat.

The covers get people's attention, but he hopes to win them over entirely with his own songs. He also welcomes other musicians to play at his gigs at Norb's and A.J.'s Bayview, which gave him a place to develop his approach.


HOMETOWN:
Erie

BAND MEMBER:
Darren Holland (programming, guitar, vocals)

THE INSPIRATION:
After Modern Luv Child ended — Holland's heavier/edgier previous group, which also featured his wife Jen — he decided to try the one-band route. Not including Jen, he found it hard to secure musicians who shared his same level of commitment. With Darren's Band in a Box, he needn't worry about someone not showing up for practice or getting too messed up to play.

"I decided to program (the song parts)," he said. "They're always there. I'll put a hat on my keyboard. They don't go outside, they don't go fight with a girl outside, they don't get in fights in bars. They promote my music." Holland said it takes about 8 to 10 hours just to program one song.

THE SOUND:
Accessible/emotional modern rock with strong melodies, solid hooks, classically constructed arrangements

INFLUENCES:
Holland has plenty. "Vocally? (Jim) Morrison. (Kurt) Cobain. (Freddie) Mercury. Lyrical influences? Edgar Allen Poe. Cobain. Trent Reznor. Arrangements? Absolutely, top of the line, ELO. Their arrangements were tremendous. And Pink Floyd."

WHAT'S IN YOUR CD PLAYER NOW?:
"'Kidz Bop.' I've got a 5-year-old (Zach); what do you expect? I've got to listen to that continuously. Although, the other CD I bought is classic-rock, a 3 CD set. And No. 2 had 'Barricuda' on it. And the kid thinks 'Barricuda' is the best song in the world."

ARTIST YOU'D MOST LIKE TO OPEN FOR:
"You're going to think I'm weird, but I'll tell you why. The why is the where. I'd go open for stupid Yanni. He played the Colosseum in Rome," Holland said.

LAST GREAT CONCERT YOU SAW:
"Poifest in Hawaii with the Flys and Everclear. Everclear definitely stood out. They were great."

FAVORITE CD OF 2004:
Blink-182's "Blink-182"

WEBSITE:
Not yet

CDs:
Currently recording first CD