A band featuring four Wittenberg alumni called Thomas and the Work-Men continues to send waves and good vibes through the music industry with the abounding success of its latest EP Good Company.
From performing at WittFest to recording an album and an EP in Philadelphia with the group鈥檚 new record producer, the Wittenberg-grown band has experienced great success in the three years it has been together. The five-member alternative rock folk band features singer and guitarist Gino Frederico, class of 2016, saxophonist Luke Mullins, class of 2016, bassist Matthew 鈥淟uebs鈥� Luebbers, singer and guitarist Matt Miely, class of 2016, and drummer Thomas Workman, class of 2017. In 2019, Luebbers replaced the original bassist and another Wittenberg alumnus, Ryan Parmater, class of 2016.
The group has a special Wittenberg performance planned for 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 18. A virtual holiday concert, the event will blend classic holiday carols with the band鈥檚 own hits, bringing alumni together for anything but a silent night. Sign up for a virtual ticket . Each ticket will arrive via email the morning of the concert and includes a YouTube link to watch the concert plus a VIP meet & greet after the concert via Zoom.
Though a few of the band members had played together in various campus music groups, it was not until after three of the original members graduated that the band began to take shape.
鈥淩ight out of college, we started jamming and showing each other songs that we had written,鈥� Frederico explained. 鈥淚t was something we really enjoyed as we were adjusting to the whole having-a-鈥榬eal-job鈥� thing.鈥�
Vowing to keep in touch with some of their undergraduate friends, the three alumni frequently journeyed back to campus where they recruited the final two members of the band. Workman, whose last name was the inspiration for the band鈥檚 comical title, contributed his passion and talent for the drums. Mullins, who was one of the leading saxophonists in Wittenberg鈥檚 Jazz Ensemble, brought the final piece of the puzzle with his strong and mellow playing.
鈥淭he saxophone added a whole new element to our sound, and Luke was a perfect fit for the band,鈥� Frederico explained. 鈥淎fter a few jams and a performance at Station 1, we asked him to join.鈥�
The band has spent the last few years touring the country and playing shows in cities such as Nashville, Charlestown, and Chicago. Paying homage to their time on campus, the band frequently relies on alumni connections to aid them on tour.
鈥淲e鈥檝e booked our own tours in cities we鈥檝e never been to before (crashing on fellow Witt alumni couches),鈥� Frederico said. It was during this touring experience that the band caught the attention of the producer of Free Dive records, Tyler Ripley. Last year, the band officially joined the record company and recorded their album Live in Philly at , which included the re-recording of some of their original songs.
The band鈥檚 most recent musical project has earned them some fame and recognition as Good Company debuted at #4 Top Albums on Apple iTunes Top 200 behind Taylor Swift and the Hamilton soundtrack.
鈥淚 think inspiration for the individual songs came from different places, but they all tie into the idea of good company throughout a summer day,鈥� Miely said. 鈥淵ou have 鈥楧ominos鈥� and 鈥楪ood Company鈥� that really have this morning kind of vibe. Then 鈥極paque鈥� and 鈥楽unshine鈥� feel more middle of the day. And 鈥業鈥檒l Be Up鈥� and 鈥楳otive鈥� that move into the late night/early morning hours. 鈥楽unshine鈥� was really inspired by the times on the front porch of the house where three-fifths of the band members live. It seems easier to be present and to just enjoy the time spent there no matter who you鈥檙e with. 鈥業鈥檒l Be Up鈥� was inspired by a 3 or 4 a.m. walk with a couple of good friends (who also attended Witt).鈥�
The band spent a week in Philadelphia recording the EP at their producer鈥檚 recording studio. After many long days, the six-song EP was created complete with resonant saxophone spotlights, catchy chorus lines, and bright piano chords.
鈥淲e really pushed each other in the making of Good Company, and we are really proud of the result,鈥� Frederico said. Looking forward, the band hopes to promote the album in a safe and meaningful way. Though the coronavirus pandemic is hindering that promotion, the band has continued to interact with their fans online through giveaways on their Facebook and Instagram pages.
鈥淲e鈥檇 like to tour and promote Good Company, but we鈥檒l have to wait for when the time is right,鈥� Frederico explained. 鈥淔or now, we鈥檙e continuing to write new music, and we鈥檙e working to establish a strong online presence through social media, live-stream shows, etc. We鈥檝e been getting creative with ways to entertain our fanbase online so make sure to follow @workmenmusic.鈥�
As living proof of homegrown musicians that 鈥渕ade it,鈥� the band members hope to inspire other Wittenberg musicians to follow their dreams by offering some of the best professional advice they have received.
鈥淚 think the advice that鈥檚 gotten me this far was to never stop playing,鈥� Mullins said. 鈥淓very music teacher I鈥檝e had has always emphasized how important it is to not let music fall to the wayside. I think constantly creating new things is really important. It鈥檚 easy to lose momentum when you're stuck on one idea.鈥�
The band has taken this advice to heart as they still use Ableton鈥攁 musical program introduced to them by Brandon Jones, chair of the Wittenberg music department and director of the Wittenberg Symphonic Band鈥攖o do all of their at-home recordings. The band members also feel especially grateful for Dr. Thomas Zinninger, former director of Wittenberg鈥檚 Jazz Ensemble and saxophone instructor, who always challenged them musically.
鈥淚 would say some of the best advice I鈥檝e received was to never let fear of the unknown stop you from progressing,鈥� Workman said. 鈥淲hether it鈥檚 playing your first gig in front of people or going into your first recording session.鈥�
Rising from the campus鈥� streets, the band has certainly not let the fear of the unknown hinder its ability to perform and create music together. Though the future may be uncertain, the Wittenberg community can count on Thomas and the Work-Men to continue releasing music that will inspire and motivate its listeners.
-By Emily Nolan 鈥�21, University Communications
