Willow Glen Resident

Cover Story

Photograph by Vicki Thompson

Guitarist (from left) John Seadler and Phil Marrone on bass practice with members of the BentPeter Band, a group of men who perform at school functions and local nightclubs.

Corner Sound

Band of fathers met at St. Christopher School

By Emilie Crofton

So a lawyer, an accountant and a used car salesman walk into a bar with some friends ...

It sounds like the beginning of a bad joke, but those familiar with the local BentPeter Band know that when they hear the above phrase, they're in for a night of fun and entertainment.

The classic rock band, consisting of four Willow Glen residents, two Campbell residents and one Almaden resident, is a group of middle-aged fathers with day jobs ranging from a CFO at a software company to a pro golfer, who share a love and passion for music and performing.

The seven-member band has two lead singers, Mike Morgan and Scott Logsdon; guitarists John Seadler and Bill Kelleher, bassist Phil Marrone, drummer Harlan McHugh and keyboard player John Pinheiro. They perform popular genres and songs from the 1970s through today, often adding their own unique touch and sounds, including songs from Green Day, The Clash, Collective Soul, The Cars and Van Morrison.

Sitting and relaxing together in Logsdon's home, the band members say they are thrilled to be "living the dream."

"We've all had this dream of being in a band when we were kids. We're doing it on a small level, but we're having a blast," Seadler, 50, says. "I think we send the message to never give up on your dreams and to never let age hold you back."

Since its 2005 debut, the band has performed at school functions, special events and local nightclubs including the VooDoo Lounge and Britannia Arms. The band often donates its proceeds to local schools.

"They're the Bay Area's greatest collection of old men with an edge," says Rosella Guttadauro, a fan who has also participated as a BentPeter dancer at several performances. "If they are playing, you always know there's going to be a party."

With band members having day jobs and families, organizing practices and performances can be difficult. The band has seven to 10 performances a year.

When they can get together, they are usually found at the "Tangerine Lounge," the name for their practice studio at Logsdon's home. The band has a repertoire of about 50 songs, the most popular being "Kryptonite," "December" and "BentPeter Likes to Party."

These fathers say they didn't imagine being in a band at their age.

"There are over 1,000 reasons why this band shouldn't work," says Logsdon, 43. "But we have friends, family and a community that support us. In the end, there's a whole bunch of things that help us to keep on going."

Beginnings

The band originated at St. Christopher School, where the men met.

Morgan, 45, and Seadler began collaborating on songs during their sons' campouts in Indian Guides, a YMCA program. Soon McHugh, 49, Logsdon and Pinheiro, 44, began joining in the campfire performances, and the idea of creating a band emerged.

When Logsdon moved into a home across the street from Morgan, on the corners of Bent and Peter drive, the two named their band after the street intersection.

Marrone, a 51-year-old accomplished bass guitarist, and Pinheiro, the keyboard specialist, were the last to join the group.

Their first performance was in June 2005 at a St. Christopher School festival, playing four songs during a break of the featured band The Hitmen.

"That first time was scary. We were like a bunch of frightened little children," Seadler says.

One of the members almost backed out.

"Before the performance, I told my wife to never let Mike talk me into anything ever again," says Kelleher, 48, with a laugh, "but afterward, I told Mike he could talk me into anything he wanted."

After their first performance, family and friends were pleasantly surprised.

The fathers owe their success to the Hitmen, who they say were generous enough to not only let them play during their break and give them a starting point from which to kick off, but let the band use their sound equipment and drum set as well.

"We definitely wouldn't be here today if it wasn't for the Hitmen," Morgan says.

The BentPeter Band returned that generosity by allowing an eighth-grade band to play during its break at a recent school performance.

"The parents were so proud to see their children up on the stage; it was great to see," Pinheiro says. "You could say that the tradition continues."

The band has also featured an up-and-coming singer. Morgan's 16-year-old daughter Rachel has sung for the band at several of their performances.

Although they perform at a number of school functions, the band's name, also a slang term for the male sex organ has caused some problems, especially with the Catholic school for which they often perform. When the band plays for families and students at schools, they are always called the BP Band.

"The name is a play on words; we just wanted to try to lighten people up," Morgan says. 'We want to bring some fun and energy to people."

Seadler says like a number of famous bands, their name comes from the location of the band's origins.

"That street corner is where it all started," he says. "If anyone really has a problem with it, they can call the city of Campbell and tell the city to change the street names."

Despite the light-heartedness the band brings, it takes helping local schools seriously.

It takes every opportunity to raise money for local youth programs and such schools as St. Christopher, St. Francis Cabrini and Presentation High.

"We're having a lot of fun out there, but it's almost always for a great cause," says McHugh, 49. "For us, it's all about the community."

Young at heart

Although every member is middle-aged, fans Guttadauro and Arnie Von Massenhausen both agree the men perform like they're in their prime. Morgan, one of the lead singers, is always "rocking out" when he performs, band members say.

"I'm always just blown away," Von Massenhausen, a St. Christopher father, says. "My kids and I always love seeing them perform."

During their performances, BentPeter members are usually in costumes and incorporate the audience into their performance by bringing them on stage. During the popular song "Kryptonite," the band members hand out glow sticks to the audience.

"We know we're not professionals, so we're just out there to have fun and make sure the audience has a good time." says Marrone.

The fathers say living their childhood dream is a total adrenaline rush.

"We've pretty much given up on the notion that we'll be Major League pitchers," Seadler says. "This is the next best thing; it's just so euphoric."

However, the men say they couldn't have done it without their families and community.

"It's such a privilege to perform in front of everyone," Pinheiro says. "Getting ready for a performance is hard work, but seeing the fans makes it all worth it."

Their growing number of loyal fans reciprocate that feeling.

"In my opinion, they're the city's best-kept secret," Guttadauro says.

For more information on BentPeter Band or to listen to their music, visit www.myspace.com/ bentpeter or e-mail the band at bentpeterband@gmail.com.