Any number of phrases could fill in the space in the statement, “(blank) is the essential element of a successful musical group,” but when the members of Nuthin But Trouble were asked why they chose to play in a band with each other, everybody’s first thought was, “Good vibes.”
And those are evident at any random glance at the band members together. Offstage, their chemistry manifests in antics and belly laughs that make them appear more as lifelong friends than men who have been working together for only six months. Onstage, it produces a performance that is nothing to laugh at.
Jason Tuttle, 27, Elliott Yourse, 22, and Gordon Fields, 23, have been blending their skills to bring to their growing number of fans “R&B and hip hop with a live band sound” since July of 2006, when promoter Vincent Wilkins got the men together for an engagement.
“He heard me play at the A.R.T. (Association of Rhythmic Talent) show; he already knew Gordon, and he knew Jason. He got us together to play a gig, and we’ve been playing together every since,” said Yourse.
But the trio was already acquainted with each other before Wilkins interceded. Fields, who plays bass for Nuthin But Trouble, and Yourse, who handles the saxophone, are both students at Winston-Salem State University where they study political science and music, and business, respectively. Tuttle, the drummer from Winston-Salem, met Fields years ago when the latter moved down from his hometown of Salisbury, VA, and came to play at his church. The rest, as the guys say, “just happened.”
During a performance at Ziggy’s Tavern in Winston-Salem on Sunday night, January 14, the band’s repertoire included music from artists like Jagged Edge, Blackstreet, and Dave Hollister. Joining them onstage were a trumpet, keyboards, an additional percussionist, and three vocalists. Far from being selfish with their spotlight, Nuthin But Trouble is big on collaborating with other musicians and artists, especially those from the WSSU campus. They have harmonized with several Rams, including Charie Neal, Charmaine, and the Voices of A.R.T., to name a few.
“[Wilkins] will spot talent and they’ll come in and sing with us or rap with us,” said Yourse.
And those who have worked with them before give very positive feedback on the group.
“I’ll perform with them whenever I get the chance, whenever I can put it down with them. They’re a great band, real great guys, real professional,” said Haze, a singer who often takes the lead mic for NBT when vocals are required.
Where many bands might fade into the background behind such talented voices, Nuthin But Trouble manages to stand out to the crowd. No song sounds exactly like the original version; NBT puts its own soulistic flair on each selection that highlights the instrumental perspective.
According to Tuttle, Yourse, and Fields, their sound will become even more unique in the upcoming year as they begin to write music for themselves in preparation for a busier performance schedule and the recording of their first CD. In February, they hope to begin playing regularly at The 411 in downtown Winston-Salem and the Greene Street Bar in Greensboro.
The musical influences among the three group members span every genre of music because, as one member stated, “you’ve got to listen to everybody. You can get inspiration from anything.”
“No matter how good or bad it is,” Fields added.
If one were to look through the music in each man’s car to discover specifically what those influences are, they would find some of everything.
“Lupe Fiasco! He’s a talented individual. That energy he has, it’s like, ‘whoa,'” said Fields.
“I’ve got a whole bunch of mixed CDs,” said Yourse. “Well, they’re not CDs, I’ve got ’em on my USB drive, but let’s see, I’ve got Dwele, Raheem DeVaughn, some rap. I mean, my stuff, I go from Dwele to Three 6 Mafia. I’m very diverse because of that.””Now, Robin Thicke, definitely got to have Mint Condition, and you got to have The Roots over there, got to,” said Tuttle.
Aspirations are high as all three agree that they expect “something big” from Nuthin But Trouble in 2007, but they look forward to the journey and to making this particular band a full-time commitment among the other groups they work with.”You can’t beat having a job that you love to do, and getting paid to do what you love to do,” said Tuttle.
“I can’t do somebody else all my life,” Yourse added.”We wanna play on BET, MTV, VH1, CMT, TNN, all of ’em!” said Fields.
“Exactly! I’ll jam with Garth Brooks!” agreed Tuttle.
And there is little room for doubt that they will reach every goal they set for themselves and more, because among the talent, the skill, the ambition, and the connections, they possess that essential sense of brotherhood that makes them say that although they are not biological brothers, “blood couldn’t make us closer!”