Unraveled in Buchanan
Like a lot of bands, the Unraveling String Band began with a group of musicians jamming together.
Unlike many bands, each of the members already had decades of experience playing music.
Al Kniola on mandolin, Dick Glisinski on acoustic bass guitar, Brian Johnston on 12-string guitar and Greg Czyzewski on six-string guitar, have each been in more than a dozen bands in their careers.
“We’ve all been in groups and bands all our lives,” Kniola said in an interview this week. “And we just clicked.”
The South Bend-based Unraveling String Band will bring its years of musical experience and unique versions of classic songs of the ‘60s and ‘70s to Union Coffee House in Buchanan 7 p.m. Saturday.
Because of their diverse musical backgrounds, the band’s set list of covers and originals is pretty varied.
“It’s an eclectic mixed bag of good, fun music,” Kniola said. “It’s good stuff to listen to and sing along to.”
They offer a mix of bluegrass, classic rock and pop covers in four-part harmony that appeal to a wide demographic, he said.
“We play a lot of ‘60s and ‘70s rock and pop, and, surprisingly, everybody knows that stuff,” Kniola said.
“Even the young people say, ‘My parents played it. That was the good stuff. The stuff today is schlock.’”
Each of the band members “cut their teeth” on rock and roll, so the Eagles, the Beatles, the Monkees and the Rolling Stones are among their favorites to cover.
While the band doesn’t do much touring, it has developed a close following in Michiana, playing regularly at Fiddler’s Hearth in South Bend and the Box Factory in St. Joseph.
Kniola said those who come to the show can expect a “casual and fun” performance with a lot of banter between songs.
“We pick on each other mercilessly,” he said with a laugh.
“We’re just doing what we love, and it shows.”
For more information on the band, visit facebook.com/unraveling.
If you go…
Who: The Unraveling String Band
Where: Union Coffee House, 115 E. Front St. Buchanan
When: 7 p.m. Saturday
More information: unioncoffeehouse.com; facebook.com/unraveling