BHS Band Storms the Stage

Cumulonimbus, as well as many other acts, will be performing at BaldwinPalooza on August 17th at Baldwin Senior High School. All profits will go towards fundraising to save Baldwin's lost programs.

            Cumulonimbus clouds are usually known to bring great storms. With Baldwin musicians Amir Shaaban, Andrew Olsen, Keith Evans, Derek Turhan, Gabriel Turhan, and Peter Rafferty, it is no surprise that Cumulonimbus the band has never played a show where it did not rain.

            With strong friendships in the band, some beginning in preschool, and musical experience stemming from about fifth grade, the members of Cumulonimbus are more than just the average high school band. Seniors Amir and Derek began playing together in middle school, and by ninth grade, they had formed a band called Overnight Nuisance with Joseph Marchese-Schmitt (Class of 2012) on bass and Tyler Knipfing (Class of 2010) on drums. Uriah Pissalidis (Class of 2011) then expressed his interest in playing with the band at a Rock the Mic event and became the band’s new drummer. After Uriah graduated and the band was without a drummer, Amir decided to learn drums to become the band’s drummer himself. The band became Cumulonimbus, a “power trio” of Amir, Joe, and Derek until current senior Andy Olsen was recruited as the singer of the band. As the band played new songs, they realized a second guitar part was necessary, and senior Keith Evans joined. Junior Peter Rafferty also joined the band to accompany them on the bari saxophone in order to complete other songs. Derek’s brother Gabe, a freshman, later joined the band on bass after Joe went off to college.

            Since their formation, Cumulonimbus has learned about 30 songs together and has performed at events like Relay for Life, Rock the Mic, and the Talent Show. The band unanimously agreed that Foo Fighters are a major influence on the band, as well as bands like Fitz and the Tantrums and Led Zeppelin. “The bands we listen to each influence our instrument, so that’s why I think we got a lot of different flavors in the band,” said Amir. Derek added, “ I’m surprised it works.” It really is surprising that a group of high school students can listen to everything from hip hop, to pop punk, to 1950s rock, to New Wave, to classical, to jazz and still be able to come together to play cohesively. It is also surprising to hear that teenagers are still capable of having genuine tastes in music outside of today’s pop music and autotune. “I would probably be an outcast if I told people what I listened to,” Derek said.  The band’s tastes and instruments vary so much that they cannot really be limited to one genre. Keith defined the sound of Cumulonimbus as, “Blast it as loud as you can and it will overpower Andy’s voice.”

            Cumulonimbus practices once a week (or more if a performance is coming up) at Amir’s house. When it comes to deciding on which songs to perform, Derek says, “Sometimes Amir brings it up, and then I shoot it down.” Amir continued, “I’ll be listening to a song, and then I’ll like, close my eyes or some corny crap, and be like, ‘Wow, this would sound good if we played it,’” and Derek interrupted, “That’s what happens?” When it comes to practicing new songs, almost all parts are learned by ear. The band has many favorite songs to perform, such as Don’t Gotta Work it Out by Fitz and the Tantrums, Buddy Holly by Weezer, and All My Life, Arlandria, and My Hero by Foo Fighters. Choosing what songs to perform also depends on where Cumulonimbus is playing. “If we were to have our own gig, we would play songs we want to play and our songs, but if we play a gig like Relay for Life, we usually play crowd-pleasers- something everyone can jam to,” said Amir.

           Everyone in Cumulonimbus agreed that they are probably known as “that band that plays at Relay,” but their original songs show that they truly are capable of having their own gig. The band says when the creation of an original song begins, Derek often brings in a chord progression and Amir “decorates it.” Original songs by Cumulonimbus began with “Funky Sandwich,” a regular blues progression in “the worst key of all time” and “Da Da Da Da Da Da,” a “freak accident” trying to feature the core members of the band with many solos. More recent original songs include “Captain Pete,” a song with lyrics inspired by Peter’s “worst day ever,” calling him “Captain” because of the band’s memories of Peter bringing multiple saxophones on his boat to band practices before Hurricane Sandy. Cumulonimbus performed the song at the high school’s talent show this year. At Rock the Mic this past May, Andy introduced another original song, “<3,” by saying, “Every band has their own corny love song, and this is ours.”  It was based on chords that Derek said he had been playing for ages, and has “corny” but good lyrics like, “From across the room I couldn’t talk to you, but in my dreams I could.” The songs are a collaborative effort among the band, who usually think of the music before adding the lyrics.

            When asked whether or not Cumulonimbus is a serious project, Keith responded with, “We’re goofballs.” None of the musicians in the band plan on pursuing music as a career, but they hope to remain as the greatest band in Baldwin Senior High School, and plan to continue the band even after the seniors have graduated. Cumulonimbus hopes to perform more in the future and may try to record music this summer. However, if no one in the band wants to study music or play professionally, what is the significance of music and performing to Cumulonimbus? Derek explained, “Anytime you get upset, anytime you need a little break and need to go and do something, because it’s become so second nature, I can go and play something, and it can be really relaxing…” The members of Cumulonimbus are not necessarily the loudest or most outgoing students in the hallways at school, and many people wonder what the difference is between how someone carries himself in a classroom and how he carries himself on the stage. Andy, both the lead singer and probably the quietest person in the band, had a simple answer: “You can’t be boring on stage.” However, Amir feels that there is a greater difference, “In school, I think I’m pretty reserved or calm, but when I get behind a set, that’s like a whole different side, that’s where I just go crazy, I let it all out.” Keith, who also considers himself to be quiet, says that on stage he sometimes goes “too far,” like the time he hit Andy in the head with his guitar during a performance, or the time he cut his finger by strumming too hard. The other band members have similar stories of hurting themselves while performing. “It’s amazing, because when you play, you don’t feel any pain,” said Amir, and Keith added, “Except for my fingers.”

           Among the various activities the boys in Cumulonimbus have taken part in, such as Wind Symphony, Chamber Orchestra, Jazz Band, Long Island Youth Orchestra, Pit Orchestra, and more, the seniors say that their experience in Cumulonimbus has been a worthwhile high school experience. As a band, the members say some of their most memorable experiences were their performances at Relay for Life every year, rides on Peter’s boat, and most of all, a very awkward but hilarious phone call with an entertainment coordinator for an event. “If you’re looking for a way to express yourself, definitely consider this,” Amir said, “it’s definitely one of the more powerful tools when expressing yourself.” Derek added,  “Don’t do drugs, pick up a guitar or pick up some sticks.”              

          When making goals and ambitions, many people say to “reach for the stars.” That shouldn’t be too hard for Amir, Derek, Gabe, Andy, Keith, and Peter, because no matter what they do in the future, Cumulonimbus is already in the clouds.