Two Bricks Short band rocks from rooftop in downtown Tecumseh

For the members of Two Bricks Short, music is serious fun. The line-up of experienced musicians mixed with passionate amateurs has caused a stir in the area at the band’s local performances.According to saxophonist Eric Korte, the heart of the band includes members of Bill Lewis & Soulback. “We had friends we wanted to add in,” said Korte. “It’s something we do, play with other musicians to play different music.”“We threw this together for a party, and it just evolved,” said Merlin Rajala, guitarist and kazoo player for the band.He and singer Ken Heers hold down non-musical day jobs in Tecumseh, but appreciate the chance to follow their musical dreams with the band. “They are all professional musicians, except Merlin and I,” Heers said. “This is our first band. We are learning a lot. It’s a great experience.”Although the line-up for the band can vary from gig to gig, regulars also include Bill Lewis on bass and vocals, Kimberly McLaughlin-Ringer Stephens on vocals, Wally Weeber on drums, and Jeff Holmes on violin. The musical preference of the band is “good music from the 1960s and 1970s” including Motown and sometimes a little country.Korte’s ties with Tecumseh’s musical community has brought in musicians, young and old, to play with the band, including students from Tecumseh Schools Orchestra. Two Bricks Short has offered its musical talents to raise money for other music in the city, including Tecumseh Band Boosters.The musical resume of band members is a long one. Korte played with Tommy Dorsey and was on Conan O’Brien playing with Max Weinberg’s band.Lewis toured with Pam Tillis and Coco Taylor, and one of his bands was recognized at the W.C. Handy Music Festival, a prestigious blues festival in Alabama. Weeber toured with many different bands in the 1970s and 1980s.“The first band I auditioned for, I played Clarence Clemon’s saxophone lick from Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band’s ‘Tenth Avenue Freezeout,’” said Korte. It got him the job, and, years later, while playing a gig at President Clinton’s inauguration, Korte had the chance to thank Clemons in person.“He was a nice, quiet guy,” Korte said. “He wasn’t that tall, either. The rest of the guys in the band were just short.”With all the music history in the band, together and separately, Two Bricks Short brings the members’ love of music, especially playing live, to the stage at every performance. “We’re all friends and we have a great time playing,” Korte said. “It’s more fun than we deserve. We have built this library of music we play.”The band has left its musical mark all over the area with their performances. Their favorite venue in the summer is playing on the roof of Muk’s Sports Pub.“Everybody really likes playing up on the roof under the stars,” said Heers.“It’s nice that Karen Mukensturm sponsors live music in Tecumseh,” Rajala said.As for the band’s playlist, they turn to Stephens to cover the classics by Aretha, Janis and other singers with big voices. Heers enjoys covering the vocals of Van Morrison, among others.“James Taylor’s ‘Up on the Roof’ is our theme song,” he said. “When we played ‘Long Train Running,’ that was awesome.”Rajala likes Two Bricks Short’s version of “Stormy Monday” by T. Bone Walker. “We kill ‘September’ by Earth Wind and Fire,” said Rajala.Korte feels live music isn’t as appreciated as much as it has been in the past, and making a living playing music is more of a challenge in today’s digital age. Still, there’s magic to making music live, and the band members appreciate every chance to rock the roof.“You can just do what you want,” Korte said. “There’s a freedom there. Just come on out to see us, nobody’s been hurt so far.”Two Bricks Short will perform downtown under the tent at Evans Street Station Friday, July 17, and Saturday, July 18, at the Pig Jig. They will play for the Community Arts of Tecumseh (CAT) fundraiser at Hantz Golf Club on Saturday, August 22, and take to the roof at Muk’s on Friday, August 28.