Behind the scenes look at Counterfeiting Crows

Behind the Scenes with Counterfeiting Crows: Rehearsing at the Old Car Factory

There's something magical about the place we rehearse at. It's an industrial loft that's seen a century of history and transformation—once a bustling car factory, and now a vibrant recording studio and rehearsal space. I've always felt there's a certain kind of energy in the walls here, an unspoken weight of time that makes every note feel like it has a little more purpose. Or maybe that's just the caffeine kicking in.

We, the Counterfeiting Crows, are preparing for something big. The songs are coming together, the harmonies are tighter, and the vibe... well, the vibe is just right. But like every band, we're a little weird, a little messy, and definitely a little quirky in the way we get things done. Here's a glimpse into our latest rehearsal, where we ironed out some details, had a few laughs, and found ourselves more than a little bit caught up in the history of our space.

The Space: A 100-Year-Old Car Factory with Soul

Our practice space was once the stomping grounds of industrial giants, where heavy machinery hummed and grease stained the floors. These days, the only grease you'll find is on the keyboards during our more passionate piano solos (looking at you, Rich).

As we load in for another rehearsal, I can't help but think about the history that fills these old brick walls. The faint smell of motor oil has been replaced by the scent of coffee, but there's still something about the high ceilings and exposed beams that makes the air feel alive. It's the kind of place where you can feel the ghosts of past generations—and where the sound of a piano echoing off the walls is nothing short of spectacular.

Shane, our lead vocalist, is always the first one in the door. He has a way of arriving early, setting the mood with some sort of deep, existential question or an off-the-wall theory about the universe. On this particular day, he was having a one-sided conversation with an old car part we found tucked in the corner.

"See this, Jerry?" Shane said, holding up what looked like an engine crankshaft. "This was once part of a car that carried dreams—dreams of people driving to the future. And now, here we are, standing on its dreams. Let's make it count."

Jerry, our drummer, rolled his eyes, but with a grin. "Yeah, sure, Shane. Let's make it count. But first, can we figure out what the hell's going on with my hi-hat?"

Perfecting the Songs: Getting into the Groove

After Shane's deep moment with the car part (which was swiftly abandoned for better things), we hit the ground running. We were working through "Mr. Jones," one of our signature Counting Crows songs. The energy was there, but something was missing. It was that little spark, the one that makes the hair on your arms stand up when everything clicks.

Rich, our keyboard wizard, was the first to notice it. He's the kind of guy who hears things no one else does. A slight offbeat, a weird chord shift, a harmonic that shouldn't exist but does. We were stumbling through the bridge when Rich stood up from his keyboard, half-exasperated and half-amused.

"We've got the vibe, we've got the feel, but there's something about that chord—it's like... trying to fit a square peg into a round hole. We need to fix it, or else it's just gonna sound like we're playing in the 90s instead of of the 90s."

Edward, our guitar slinger, immediately grabbed his guitar and started playing around with it, tuning and experimenting until the right sound clicked. "I think I've got it," he said, strumming a riff that added an extra layer of depth to the song. "Rich, try playing that same progression, but with a different voicing."

The room went quiet as Rich tried it. And bam—suddenly, everything made sense. The spark was back. It's that kind of collaboration that makes us tick. Everyone's idea, no matter how crazy it seems, gets a chance to grow into something bigger.

"I'm telling you," Jerry said, tapping his drumsticks on the edge of his snare, "this is the magic. This is what sets us apart from being just another tribute band. We bring our own heart to this stuff."

We all agreed. Sure, we're a tribute band, but we're also our tribute band. The Counterfeiting Crows sound is something we've all put our mark on, and the way we interpret these songs is uniquely ours.

Funny Moments and Sincere Conversations

As we moved into another song, "A Long December," Jerry caught his finger on the snare drum and let out a yelp. "Goddamn it, I need bandages!" he said, holding up his finger like it was about to fall off.

"Maybe you should wear gloves next time," Kevin, our bass player, teased. "Or at least get those drumsticks with the rubber tips."

Jerry glared at him but started laughing. "I'll just keep the blood sacrifices coming. Keeps the audience on edge, you know?"

Meanwhile, Kevin was digging deep into the bassline, nodding his head in approval. "I think I've finally got the groove just right. If this bass part doesn't make people dance, I'm gonna lose it."

The vibe in the room shifted from playful banter to something more sincere. Edward, who doesn't always talk a lot, suddenly spoke up. "You know, I've been thinking a lot lately. We're really close to pulling this off. I mean, we're tight, and the audience is gonna feel that."

Shane nodded thoughtfully. "That's what it's all about. It's about connecting with people—making them feel like they're right there with us. That's the magic of music."

It was a rare, quiet moment for a band like ours—serious and sincere in the midst of all the chaos. We're not just recreating the songs of Counting Crows; we're living them. And that's what makes our performances special.

The Upcoming Video Shoot

With the songs coming together, we're gearing up for an upcoming video shoot. The location is a secret for now (we like to keep things mysterious), but it's going to be epic. Think old-school grunge vibes meets modern cinematic flair, with a dash of our own unique energy. We'll be in the midst of vintage cars, neon lights, and a few surprises along the way.

"I'm telling you, this video is going to be the one that blows everything up," Shane said, pacing excitedly. "It's gonna have everything—emotion, edge, and a touch of old-school nostalgia. People are gonna remember it."

"We'll just need to make sure Jerry doesn't accidentally break anything," Rich added, smiling.

"Hey!" Jerry protested, "I'm the one who keeps the rhythm—nothing gets broken if the tempo's right."

Wrapping Up

As the sun started to set and the light dimmed in the studio, we packed up our gear, tired but satisfied. There's something about this place that always feels like home. Maybe it's the rich history, maybe it's the way the space breathes with the music we create, or maybe it's just that we're all in this together, doing what we love.

One thing's for sure: when the Counterfeiting Crows take the stage, it won't just be another cover band. It'll be a night to remember, because we're putting our hearts into every note.

Until next time, see you at the show!