Webpage: www.thecoderedband.com
Day job: I’ve been in sales. Most
recently I was selling high-end
manufactured homes.
Band: Based out of Eugene, Oregon,
Code Red was formed by
guitarist Cory Smith and me,
because we wanted to play all of
the artists that nobody in this state
is covering, and because we really
love bands from the ’70s and ’80s.
We are playing more private and
outdoor festivals all over Oregon
than ever, because everyone wants
to hear these bands again. They
love this music!
How I got started: I began playing
piano when I was five. I played
for four years and then took up the
trumpet in school. I played the horn
all the way through high school
and into the Marine Corps. I moved
to Oregon after that and played in
a few big bands, along with some
funk and Motown projects.
Influences: Several, including the
Beach Boys and Boston. They
have nothing in common except
the one thing I love most: perfect
harmonies! I love singing the high
parts in these tunes when I’m not
singing leads. Also: Van Halen,
Elton John, REO Speedwagon,
Journey, Ratt, Twisted Sister, Poison,
AC/DC, Quiet Riot, Def Leppard,
Creedence Clearwater
Revival, the Cars, Sammy Hagar,
and Led Zeppelin. I love them all.
Why I play: I always wanted to
cover my favorite bands, and I
formed Code Red so I could. I
believe in playing everything as
close to the original as possible. If
it has horns, bells, organ, electric
or acoustic piano, whatever, it’s
going in there. People really appreciate
it when you go the extra mile
or two to get authenticity. We
mainly play parties and festivals,
corporate and non-profit, in large
and small venues. I just love to
play.
When Roger Lloyd plays with Code Red, his primary
keyboard is an Ensoniq TS-10. “It may be a
little older, but it performs flawlessly,” he says. “I
love its pianos and thick strings. I use it for everything
except organ and electric piano, for which I
use an Alesis QS 6.1 [soon to be replaced by a
Korg M50]. I use two Roland pedals — one for
sustain and the other for program change steps in
the middle of a song. I use the Peavey KB 300
amp, which has great tone. It’ll blow your socks
off when turned up, even outdoors. For vocals, I
use Shure SM58 wireless and wired mics, and a
Shure wireless in-ear monitor system.”
Boston, Greatest Hits (Sony Legacy)
Tom Scholz, founder of the rock band Boston, is one of weekend warrior Roger Lloyd’s
favorite musicians. “He’s a genius, and I love listening to his Hammond,” says Tom.
“Especially in ‘Smokin’,’ another song we cover.” That tune and other Boston classics sound better than
ever on the remastered edition of Boston’s Greatest Hits, released earlier this year.
Go
See
Check out these
keyboard-heavy acts,
on tour this month.
Vienna Teng
viennateng.com
George Duke
georgeduke.com
Mutemath
mutemath.com
Devo
clubdevo.com
The Bravery
thebravery.com