Five Firsts: Jeff Sohn of the Last Conspirators
NAME: Jeff Sohn
BAND AFFILIATION: The Last Conspirators (and the Lazy Suns, Imagining Lennon, Weekend Rock Gods, et al)
INSTRUMENT: Fender bass
1. THE FIRST ALBUM I EVER BOUGHT WAS … There were plenty of singles before this, but the first album I bought with my own money was the Byrds’ “Mr. Tambourine Man” (mono). I still have that LP somewhere. Did I say “LP?” I would stare stoned for hours at that fish-eye lens cover photo of the band. Man, they looked so cool! Still one of my favorite bands. My mother used to ask me why my eyes were always red, and I use to tell her that I poked myself in the eye with my tooth brush. After telling that lie a 1,000 times, it’s a wonder that she never took me to see an ophthalmologist… or a neurologist.
2. THE FIRST CONCERT THAT I EVER SAW WAS … August 1965. The Beatles. Shea Stadium. Check, please! One of my neighbors took like six of us kids to see the lads that night, and it was life changing. After Shea, I started to pray – for more hair and my own band. (Excuse me for a moment: Dear Mr. P*ssm*n, Thank you again for the ticket to see the Beatles and sorry about what I use to do with your daughter D*bbi*. Love, Jeffy)
3. THE FIRST MUSICAL INSTRUMENT I EVER OWNED OR PLAYED WAS … The violin. I guess there are just some things you don’t know in the second grade. Years later, it was replaced by some shiny piece of crap plank of wood with six strings attached to it that I bought at Agresta’s Music Store in Massapequa Park. Argh! Today, I play a crap plank of wood but with fewer strings.
4. THE FIRST SONG THAT I EVER PERFORMED IN PUBLIC WAS … I think it was the Kinks’ “Well Respected Man.” If nothing else, it was definitely at some Friday night high school dance at A.G. Berner. Where else do you play when you’re 15, and your mother has to pick you up?
5. THE FIRST BAND I WAS EVER IN WAS … The Sound Waves. It really did seem like every kid had a garage band back then. Good thing there were enough garages to go around. At the height of … er,
Jeff Sohn and his bandmates in the Last Conspirators step into the spotlight for the first time since the release of their latest CD, “When It All Comes Down,” when they take the stage at Valentine’s Music Hall in Albany at 9pm on Friday. They’ll be sharing the stage with the Charlie Watts Riots. Admission is $5.
Jeff is another “true believer” in the power of music. One of the reasons he is part of the Last Cons tribe. On the way to rehearsal I questioned “why do we do this?” to which Al Kash replied; “I need to do this!”. Enough said.. Come out Friday night and join us, as we live and breath it!
“Jeff is another “true believer” in the power of music.”
Jeff is a bass player. He’ll believe anything.