Don’t Tempt Frodo to Flock the Smeagols

One of the more interesting bands signed up for Weatherstock this year is having an identity crisis. Originally applying to the show as Flock of Smeagols they seem to have since gone through some kind of arcane process to merge together with last year’s Weatherstock competitors Don’t Tempt Me Frodo. Now they call themselves Flock of Smeagols featuring Don’t Tempt Me Frodo, but as that’s a bit unwieldy some of their fans have taken to coming up with silly alternatives like Don’t Tempt Me Smeagol or A Flock of Frodos. No one seems quite sure what to call them but that doesn’t stop this force of fun and frivolity.

Members from left to right: Durrann Duran, Chastine Banejones, Junes (the fireworks organizer), Codella Mosstoes, and Fallilith Bane.

When I arrived at the concert, a little late, band leader Chastine was apologizing for putting on what the band seemed to think was an unacceptably disorganized show. “We did so much planning, guys,” she said dejectedly. “But we’re trying our hardest. We’re tryhards.”

But the crowd didn’t seem to mind. With lighthearted musical fare that encouraged dancing, much communication with the audience and, above all, lots of fireworks, the show was well received by the crowd.

The highlight of the evening came when Chastine suggested trying something different. She would treat us to a sample of her real live singing. To facilitate this all of the crowd who were interested in the singing performance join a raid group and Chastine used voice chat to sing for us her signature song. Falillith accompanied her while the rest of the band rested.

The words were in a strange language that I didn’t recognize. Something out of the furthermost east, perhaps, where the Avari yet dwell?

It was certainly like nothing I’d experienced in game yet and something I’d love to see become a trend.  The band apologized profusely for the disorder of the show going so far as to call those of us there to the end Saints and proclaim platonic love for us all. Perhaps the band still has a thing or two to learn about Landroval. We are a server that loves music in all its forms, will find any excuse to kick up our heels, and are given to finding fun in every activity. There’s no such thing as a bad show here.

With so many bands out there, what prompted you to go start your own?

Codella: You’d have to ask the masterminds for that one, I’m just the tagalong 4th member. That said, just because there’s a ton of bands already out there doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try as well! The more the merrier!

Durrann: True, there are a lot of bands out there, but I guarantee you won’t find another act out there like us. We’re…special. In that…special…sort of way.

Chastine: We saw that the opportunity was there, and we went for it. Starting on Silverlode, we were a bit of a novelty. On Landroval the music scene is much more prominent, but we like to think that we’re still able to entertain people.

Falillith: We are, gurl. We are.

*Chastine and Falillith do a bro pound*

How did you decide what to call the band?

Falillith: Ummm… I’m not sure… Chas… Durrann… y’all wanna take this one?

Chastine: Fali.

Falillith: Yes?

Chastine: There were too many ellipses in that sentence. APOLOGIZE!  *ahem* Actually, the idea for the Kinship name came from Junes, who isn’t here this year. Flock of Smeagols is Durrann’s baby. *laughs, takes a long drink*

Durrann: It was so long ago, that I have a hard time remembering. I think it was after a long night of Fungo’s Fuzzy Leaf with the band; heck, that may be why my memory is a bit, ahem, fuzzy.

Chastine: You were hazed, bro.

Durrann: And?

Chastine: Touché.

How long have you all been together, and how many of you are original members?

Falillith: *twirls her hair in a distracted manner*

Durrann: Codella and I are the original members of Flock of Smeagols if you want to go that far back, but Chastine and Falillith have been long-time buddies through the Don’t Tempt Me Frodo Kinship.

Chastine: Fun fact, Falillith and I are sisters. But I guess you’ve forgotten that, Durrann. And everything else. Including that fiver I lent you a month ago. But moving right along. We’ve been together for about three years. Durrann is one of our oldest members, and then there’s Fali, and Coda came at the end. But we love her, so that’s cool.

Durrann: You daft elf. I was talking about Flock of Smeagols. We’re the feature, you know. Don’t Tempt Me Frodo is just supposed to be a bonus.

Chastine: I will bonus your face.

Durrann: What does that even mean?

Chastine: I will bonus it RIGHT OFF.

Durrann: *face turns red as he yells, “Khazâd ai-mênu*

[agent steals away tape recorder just before the proverbial manure hits the fan; you know, if a fan were a thing in Tolkien lore]

Do you compose or transcribe your own music?

Codella: Yes and yes. Gotta add your own two cents. (Yes, you can take that as a pun, for those who know how a tuner works.)

Falillith: I think some of it is…but I’m not sure.

Durrann: We have done some transcription and are working on a pretty sweet composition as we speak. Er, not *exactly* as we speak…that would be some amazing multitasking.

Does your band have any original pieces of music?

Falillith: *shrugs*

Durrann: Original as in, like, composition? Yes, the “Trapdoor Tavern Reel”, yet to be debuted. If by “original”, you meant “signature”, then also yes. “I Ran”, because it is hilarious.

Codella: Actually co-written by Durrann and myself, it will be the theme for our new pub, The Trapdoor Tavern. It’s a 3-part Celtic/Irish piece including a slow intro, a jig, and a reel.

What genre does your band like to play the most?

Chastine: *makes a face, takes a drink from her tankard, and then carefully lights her pipe*

Codella: …Is troll-music a genre?

Chastine: I rather think it is. *takes a puff off her pipe*

Durrann: *clears his throat* We don’t really have a set “genre”, although we do play a lot of that foreign music they call “80s”. But mostly, if we think it will entertain, we don’t discriminate based on genre. We’re equal opportunity employers.

Falillith: We employ people…?

Durrann: Yes, Fali….and we’ve been holding back your check until you turn up a decent performance appraisal. *rolls eyes*

Do you regularly hold public concerts? And if so, when and where?

Do you do other events like Weddings, Multi-band Concerts, Private engagements?

Codella: Sure! I’ve never actually been to a wedding or private engagement (what even is that?) but I’d love to be invited! As for concerts, just tell me when and where and I’m there.

Falillith: If called upon, yes…I think at least.

Durrann: Absolutely! Contact any of us for scheduling!

Chastine: Yes, but I will never cater an event again. Wait. Is catering the same as playing? WHY DO THEY FEEL SO SIMILAR. OH GOD.

Do you perform with a band outfit? If so, how did you decide what to wear?

Chastine: Gross.

Falillith: Your mom.

Chastine: Dude, we have the same mom.

Falillith: What?

Chastine: Your mom is my mom. We have the same mom.

Falillith: Oh, right.

Chastine: …Your mom.

Durrann: Our band outfit process is much like our “regular” concert process. There isn’t a process. We wear whatever we want, whenever we want.

Chastine: For just a minor fee, we dress respectably. If you want more than that, I don’t even.

What is your favorite part of performing music?

If you could say one thing to encourage others to start playing music, what would it be?

Codella: Get out there and play your hearts out, kids. Nobody’s judging and if someone is, you don’t need that person anyway.

Falillith: Just do it. It’s easy, and fun.

Durrann: Peer Pressure!!!

Codella: I think you mean Beer Pressure!!! *stifles laughter*

Durrann, Falillith, & Chastine: *all stare blankly at Codella*

Codella: What? *pouts*

Chastine: Just be prepared for long nights. And, if you’re lucky, lots and lots of booze. Also, music I guess.