If you’ve been in Richmond a minute, you might recall sweltering nights at a packed-to-the-gills Flood Zone, shoulder-to-shoulder in a collective bounce to the ska-rock sounds of Boy O Boy. They later changed their name to Fighting Gravity and slightly tweaked their sound to explore more guitar-driven material. But one thing remained the same – these guys are still one of the most fun, memorable RVA bands ever. They’ll bring their electric vibe to Brown’s Island as part of The Way Back Home fest alongside fellow legendary local reggae group Awareness Art Ensemble (AAE) and Raleigh group, the Connells.
Recently, Style caught up with a few of the Fighting Gravity guys to find out what’s been going on and what’s on the horizon (hint: there might be something cooking).
The band formed at Virginia Tech in 1985 at the hands of bassist David Peterson and guitarist David Triano. The buzz around the exuberant outfit kicked up in the ’90s as Fighting Gravity quickly became a staple of the Richmond live music scene. Their shows were once the place to be; a guaranteed party with stage dives, high jumps, and other assorted shenanigans. Good vibes abounded. Over the years, they released several acclaimed albums like “No Stopping, No Standing” and “You And Everybody Else” while touring extensively throughout the United States and across the globe. Despite a rabid fan following, they released their final album “Blue Sky & Black” in 2006 and moved on. “We extended our adolescence with the band. When we closed that chapter, we went into things that spoke to us individually. Some are tangentially related to music; some are in other fields. And, of course, some of us ended up raising families,” says Peterson.
Fighting Gravity was on hiatus until a 2017 sold-out, double-header at The National.
“We didn’t know how it would turn out. We thought we might sell a few hundred tickets, but it sold out pretty quickly,” recalls Peterson. “So, we did another one the following day, and that sold out too.” Due to popular demand, the band has done a reunion show in Richmond every year since, one of which was playing Brown’s Island with Cracker and Everything last year. This weekend marks their second consecutive Island show. It promises the same party atmosphere as shows prior, with most of the original lineup on deck to play (original drummer Mike Boyd stepped away due to time constraints).
Old-skool fans who travel from all over to be a part of the magic will not be disappointed. “We didn’t want it to be like, ‘I remember when they were good.’ Rehearsals have gone really well,” says Triano. They agree that they’ve put together a show that diehards deserve to see, and it’s a close approximation of what they were many moons ago. “I think we pull it off. The feedback we’ve gotten suggests we haven’t missed a beat,” says Peterson. “And somehow, we’re all still alive,” adds Triano.
Singer Schiavone McGee feels like he’s still got it when getting the crowd spun up in a call-and-response tizzy. “When I’m up there, I still feel like the guy out on the college circuit. I’m running around the stage for two hours, and at that time, I don’t care what’s happening elsewhere,” McGee explains. “It’s about what’s there and how the audience makes me feel. I react to that.”
He admits that the bounce back is physically more challenging now but still worth giving it everything. “I know how I felt after the last show. Not gonna lie though, it took me a few days to recover,” he adds. Peterson quickly adds, “We jump higher than ever, though.” There’s a lot of laughter. McGee says he’ll leave that to them and watch.
The frontman refers to shows as a family affair for the fans and the band alike.
“When I look out at the crowd, I see a little bit of everyone. The people that used to come out back in the day still stand in the same spot they used to, so I know exactly where certain faces will be,” McGee says. “Now they have their kids right in front of them … and the kids are singing the words better than the parents,” he adds, laughing. “The songs stay the same, but I always want to know what’s happening with everyone’s families and lives. These are my brothers.”
The band’s friendship, spanning well over three decades, has formed an undeniable bond among members and crew. “When we get together, it’s a few hours before we even play a single note. We sit around and talk. We really love each other and our crew,” says Triano. Occasionally, the family makes it on stage. McGee loves to talk about when Triano’s kid got up on stage and played guitar with them. “Looking over and seeing father and son playing these songs together on stage. Man, that was just great,” he says.
Following the RVA show, the band has two more lined up in the area – Washington, D.C. and Norfolk. After that, it’s up in the air. Could we get some new material? A tour? Never say never, according to the band.
“We haven’t gotten that far just yet; we’re just having fun breathing new life into these songs and enjoying the moment. This gig is the focus right now, but after … I’m open,” says McGee. Triano adds that everyone has been writing music over the years and suggests they comb through that and record something. “The sky’s the limit, and I think we’re all into it. It’d be interesting to see what happens years later,” says McGee.
Fingers crossed, and stay tuned.
Fighting Gravity plays Brown’s Island on Saturday, July 13 as part of The Way Back Home with The Connells and Awareness Art Ensemble (AAE). Doors 6 p.m. and show starts at 6:45. Tickets $35. For more information, etix.com
