The Boys in the Basement

The music rings through the "Mobley House," drawing from an old staircase and a dimly lit basement. The voices of the band thunder off the walls, they argue, they laugh, they agree and the music continues. The songs play among pizza boxes and dirty laundry. The sounds echo in between an ironing board and an old microwave. This might sound like your average college band, but Mobley is far from average.\nMobley is made up of senior Peter Blackett (bass), Chris Ly (guitar), junior Eric Butte (vocals), freshman Trey Lockerbie (guitar) and freshman Cole Watson (drums). They have come together in Bloomington from across the country, mixing different styles, influences and backgrounds to make music, that they say cannot be categorized. To them it's just some "Indiana rock/hop for 2005." \nRecently, however, the members of Mobley have taken their minds off music and are focusing their attention on injured lead singer Eric Butte. \nShortly after the WEEKEND interviewed Mobley, Butte was in a serious motorcycle accident outside the Herman B Wells Library. His bike ran into the front of a Jeep Cherokee while he maneuvered through the parking lot. He was airlifted to Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis where he remains in critical condition. \nButte sustained serious facial lacerations, and he has had trouble remaining conscious, Blackett says. \n"He has been in and out since it happened," Blackett says. "He will be back soon ... We know he will be back."\nBlackett explained that the band started in happier days in 2003 with himself and childhood friend Ly. \n"We knew we couldn't get it done without each other," Blackett says."Chris moved up here from Houston so we could go after our dream."\nThe group's name, "Mobley," is meant to show respect for the NBA's Los Angeles Clipper, Cuttino Mobley. \nLy explained the name pays tribute to everyone who is underrated. \n"Cuttino Mobley, currently of the L.A. Clippers, formerly of the Houston Rockets, is the most underrated player in the NBA," Ly says. "We respect Cuttino and all other underrated people who are out there doing their thing." \nMobley released its first CD in February titled The Gentle Drug.\nThe band has made an effort to focus on its music first and worry about school and work obligations second. They have found it to be a challenge going to school while trying to make their way in the music world, but the members of Mobley keep their eyes on their rock and roll dreams.\n"The band comes first, and studying is a close second," Watson says. "We all have a common goal, we all have the same desire -- we want to make music."\nThe members of Mobley are confident they can make their way in Bloomington, even though they feel it is largely a "cover band town."\n"It can be hard to get shows unless you are a cover band," Butte says. "To get famous in Bloomington, you stick to cover songs ... We don't worry about that. We're looking far into the future."\nEvery member plays a big role in the creative process. Butte, like the rest of Mobley, finds inspiration for new songs when the band is working together, exchanging ideas.\n"Chris might come in with just a guitar lick, then Cole might get on the drums and add a little back to it ... Sometimes Peter may come in with a whole song written down," Butte says. "We all add to each others work, we all feed off each other."\nThe Internet and myspace.com have helped Mobley get its sound out of Bloomington, allowing the band to play shows all across the country. MySpace.com gives bands the opportunity to network with other bands around the country. Bands can join forces and schedule shows outside their hometowns. If one band books Mobley a show outside Bloomington, Mobley will return the favor by getting them a show in Bloomington. \nAnother way Mobley has drawn crowds to its shows is by getting out in the streets, Ly explains, and talking to as many people as it can.\nThe band members know to be successful in the music business they have to be willing to play for anyone at any time. Right now they just want to play their music for everyone who wants to listen, and change the minds of those who don't.\nBlackett explains that the band continues to practice and is just waiting for Butte to come home.\n"We will go back to work when he returns ... Right now our thoughts are with Eric," Blackett says. "We just ask for everyone out there to pray for Eric's recovery."\nTo send Eric Butte your support, contact the band at mobley@mobleymusic.com.