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Doinit our wayBid members of Violet Hash: Seated. Mike Karnes; standing, from left, Mark Karnes, Jon Moore and Don Frans.ve come so fm my own m a long, long vay from home... rve seen the light lint's burning brightHut I feel lif e I'm alone.-From tt song h\ I inlet llnshBy ANN O'LEARYThe hit comedy series Laverne and Shirley has a theme song four Sikeston youths take very seriously.We're gonna make our dream come true, doin' it our way, the song proclaims, and for the members of the band Violet Hash, those are words to live by.Violet Hash plays progressive rock music. They write some of their own songs and turn the color of their name at the thought of playing Top 40 hits just to please a crowd.We don't learn much by playing a lot of the songs popular today, says Don Francis, who plays bass guitar and does harmony vocals for the group.The other band members agree with him. Jon Moore, lead guitar, writes most of the group's original songs, and the rest are the result of a combined effort-sort of a sit down and see what you can do thing.The two other band members are Mike and Mark Karnes. Mike and Mark don't like to be referred to as the twins, so I won't call them that. But they are brothers, the same age, and look somewhat alike. So draw your own conclusions.Mark plays rhythm guitar and Mike is the drummer. The band got its start about two and a half years ago when Mike, Mark and Don were playing together. They were not playing very seriously, at that time, but were looking for a lead guitarist. Enter Jon, who had been playing with another group.The band members, all 17, believe their youth is an advantage to them, because they have more time toimprove themselves.Patience has been acquired over time. All of the youths feel they will make it, but it will take time and may not happen as quickly as they wish.It takes hard work and determination, as well as being patient with each other, says Jon.Their name, Violet Hash, has led to some misinterpretation.A lot of people think it has something to do with drugs, explains Don, noting that 'hash' is a shortened term used by some to mean hashish. That's not true at all.It was a couple of words put together by Jon, and the others liked the way it sounded.The band's goal is to become a concert band. This would allow them to perform their original music in their own style. Right now, before they have established themselves, this is not possible In anaudience situation.And doing their own thing in the Sikeston area has not really worked out the way they had hoped it would. They have played in Sikeston and in the surrounding towns a few times, but found that most of the audience would rather listen to music they had already heard than to original music.While Violet Hash realizes they will have to become established with the public before their dream of becoming a concert band becomes a reality, they are not willing to compromise a great deal. Performing their own music is far more satisfying to them, and that is what they want to do.As one of the members said, When we are performing our own music, there's something there wewant to get across to people.In addition to their own songs, they perform music by groups such as Kiss and Black Sabbath. A number of things enter into their selection ot someone else'smusic to perform.Versatility is one factor, or maybe they just like theway the guitar sounds on a tune.To date, the band has between ten and 12 original tunes worked up to the performing stage, and about nine others that are still in the process Most of their music has been written down and arranged in a basic fashion by Jon.Acquiring their equipment has been a slow and costly process. While they have borrowed some of the money, band members have taken jobs to pay for a great deal of it.We feel we've worked for it, they say.The band has made some demonstration tapes which have been played on local radio stations. Currently, their energies are focusing on becoming established in St. Louis. Jon is living there now and attends Meramec Community College. Don expects to join him there in a few weeks, and Mike and Mark, who will graduate from Sikeston High School this year, will join them in August. They also plan to attend Meramec Community College.They are making the move because they feel it is necessary to their development as a band. They have found a St. Louis businessman who has agreed to arrange bookings for them and are very enthusiastic about the move. They stress that does not mean they don't enjoy Sikeston and the people here, but it is a decision they felt they had to make.No one knows but themselves whether they are doing the right thing. But they think it's right, and they are confident things will start rolling for them soon.It might have been easier to settle for learning to ilay other people's music well. But Violet Hash does not want to do that. They are doing their things their way.They have met with criticism from people who think they are crazy to pursue a career as a band asseriously as they do. Some of their relatives would rather see them heading for more traditional oc cupations. But young as they are, Violet Hash has learned one thing-they're doing it their way.And whether they win, or lose, that's something initself.
Newspaper Details
Sikeston Daily Standard
Sikeston, Missouri, US
Sun, Jan 16, 1977
Page 9
Full Page
Clipped by
Anonymous
USA 22 Jun 2020
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