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THE SMALL STORY
Toledo Skye was loosely formed in 1995 when Fletcher Christian was approached by a production company out of Atlanta, after they heard two songs which he had been shopping. Fletcher was working as a video producer and found that a business associate, Kevin Ferias, played drums and was interested in the project. Kevin called Chris and Chris called Craig.
Kevin, Chris and Craig had all played together in bands around the area, the last noticeable incarnation being in the mid-eighties with "The Hitmen", a 3-piece, power pop original rock band out of Providence, RI that received a good deal of attention . This experience helped immediately cement the sound which was to be Toledo Skye. Toledo Skye created a large, lush guitar sound with a loping, mid-tempo feel and a hint of soulful southern roots. This music is melodic pop rock with a grass roots aftertaste, courtesy of Craig and Fletcher's route to New England via Florida.
The newly formed band recorded their own CD, but decided to try to shop it around as outright touring was impossible due to responsabilities at home and work. In 5 years they have gone through a production company, a manager, MCA and Sony 550, yet still did not sign a significant deal. So it was decided to take it to the internet to bypass the restrictions of the labels and selectively tour at their own pace.
They are now with the Sunset Venue label, a new, internet-based (at this time) indie located in Brockton, MA and Providence, RI. Located on the web at www.SunsetVenue.com.
F l e t c h e r Christian Fletcher grew up in South Florida playing guitar in cover and original bands, at one time opening for The Outlaws, Molly Hatchet and Blackfoot in the 1980's. It turns out that Craig was also playing in the same area, but they did not meet until Toledo Skye. This helped to create the synergy of the guitar sound of the band. Fletcher's influences are The Beatles, The Band, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Yes and
Kiss? He also likes jazz (Charlie Parker) and the swinging suave of Harry Connick Jr. Fletcher Christian is the leader of the Rebellion.
C r a i g Roberts Craig also grew up playing in South Florida, starting on acoustic guitar, then playing bass in bands steadily for a few years. He then started playing electric full time and had learned slide also. By this time he was writing songs and continues to be very prolific. He came to Rhode Island in 1981 to join a local band after things dried up in Florida. Craig's last band was "The Flying Ditchdiggers ", an eclectic stew of swampy roots-rock and folk which placed second in the Rhode Island WBRU Rock Hunt in 1992. Craig's influences are the Stones, Creedence, Lynyrd Skynyrd (and all those southern bands), Neil Young, any kind of hypnotic, rhythmic, cross-cultural music and
ACDC? He also plays the harmonica, some keys and a little mandolin. He is the mix-master of Mini Might recording studios.
C h r i s Suchmann Originally starting on keyboards, Chris played in cover and original bands in New York and New England until coming to Rhode Island in 1981. (He still has his Mini Moog.) During that time, he and Craig played together and once garnered the attention of Sire Records, eventually meeting Seymour Stein in Newport, Rhode Island at a showcase for the band. In 1985 he took up bass in "The Hitmen" (with Kevin and Craig) , writing the song, "Carolyn Fox" which received airplay on WHJY in Rhode Island when mistress Carolyn Fox was "dominating" the station. Chris's musical influences are many and varied. In the beginning with The Beatles; progressive rock, like Yes and ELP, and including the likes of Jimi Hendrix and Elvis Costello. Any rock that "has an emotional impact". He also writes and plays the recorder and guitar.
K e v i n Ferias The only native Rhode Island boy, Kevin started playing drums in his teens. He joined a high school band that included the semi-famous Bob Rivers ("twisted tunes" parody master and shock-jock). They actually recorded a demo in New York for Sire Records, an event which would continue to play out over the years. Later, Kevin, as one of "The Hitmen", became a promotions schemer, coming up with (among many things) the idea to put a chalk outline of a victim on the front sidewalk of the club he was playing at. It always got a reaction. Kevin is a photographer and video producer, also.
musical influences and name-dropping
