Distance Can’t Keep High School Pals From Best Laid Plans

 

            Dan Almoney and Scott Eubanks always wanted to start a band together.

            Did they get Best Laid Plans off the ground while they were both living in Manchester?  No.

            Did they get it started after they both graduated from Northeaster Senior High School- Scott in 1994, then Dan in 1996?  No.

            They waited, of course until March, when the two men were separated by several states.  Dan’s still in the area – living in Mount Joy – but Scott’s in Landrum, S.C., a town near Greenville.

            “But it’s kind of cool, because we have to think outside of the immediate area,” Almoney said.  “We want to try to do stuff down there, too.  So it’s kind of good.”

            Almoney, a drummer, and singer-songwriter Eubanks weren’t going to let the distance hold back their ambitions.  Working the phones and e-mail, they quickly settled on four songs for an EP and recorded them at Saturation Acres in Danville.

            The recently released “End of a Daydream” grooves on a ‘70’s classic rock vibe but updates that sound with modern elements a la the lighter side of the Black Crowes or poppier songs by the Jayhawks. “Just In The Way” isn’t near either of those bands, kicking in with more jagged rock riffs and catchy hooks.

            “I think the choruses are hooky enough where it’ll get you into a song,” Almoney said.  “But upon further examination, Scott writes some deep stuff.”

            Now that the debut CD is done, it’s time to play out.  And a drummer-acoustic guitar combo’s only going to get you so far.  So Almoney and Eubanks added lead guitarist Bryan Haag and bassist Aaron Gainer in late June – just in time for Best Laid Plans’ Millennium Music Conference performance at Kokomo’s in Camp Hill.

            Next up is an opening gig for Harrisburg’s Jellybricks Saturday at Gullifty’s, 1104 Carlisle Road, Lower Allen Township.  Best Laid Plans take the stage at 10 p.m.  Cover is $5.

            For details, visit www.parocks.com/gulliftys or call 761-6692.

            For more on Best Laid Plans, visit www.bestlaidplansband.com.

                                                                                                                                                --Peter Bothum

                           York Daily Record Friday Magazine

          July 16, 2004