The Small Appliance Orchestra improvises music with an affinity for electronic and mechanical noisemaking. Their performances revolve around symbiotic chaos punctuated by structure, with occasional lapses into cacophony. Their music can be beautiful, but it won't.
The SAO was formed in the Summer of 1975 by filmmaker Ken Rowe and guitarist Dave Schmeidler, to record the score for Rowe's sci-fi film, Echo in the Lunchbox. Inspired by electronic intentions, but constrained with no budget for synthesizers, they rifled through the kitchen and bathroom cabinets. The soaring and grinding electronic textures of Echo in the Lunchbox were performed with a can opener, blender, hair dryer, and electric shavers.
In 1979, they began improvising with graphical scores, such as dog footprints on staff paper (Macrodog and Microdog), and right triangles floating in space (Invocation of the Ghost of Pythagoras). The SAO's first public appearance was the premiere of Music for Small Ensemble and Baggage Handler at Buffalo Niagara International Airport. Twenty or so musicians played from a score of suitcases on staff paper. Luggage was dropped more or less on cue. There were several genuine chaotic moments.
In January of 1980, Bassist Bill Ludwig and drummer Dan Gerass joined the group for their first formal concert at Media Study/Buffalo. The addition of a talented "rhythm section" allowed the band to simulate real music. In 1982, Gerass was replaced by Dave Doughty. The SAO was among the first local groups to play at the new Theater District Tralfamadore Cafe. The day following their debut, the owner of the Tralf called, and accused Rowe of beating his new $13,000 baby grand piano with a hammer. In vehement denial, Ken said that the percussive sound was "just the way I played, and besides, I didn't hit the strings with a hammer. I massaged them with a vibrator".
In 1985, Doughty was replaced by percussionist Edward Folger. Keyboardist Joe Rozler, and vocalist Paula Parascak joined in, and the new lineup enabled the band to add situational irony to their song titles. At a concert in The Katherine Cornell Theatre, several of Rowe's short films were added to the program. In an otherwise positive review, a Buffalo News critic referred to the film humor as sophomoric. In his defense, Rowe explained, "Sophomoric is just another word for funny". In 1988, The Small Appliance Orchestra performed their last concert in the Absolutely Unheard of Music series at the old Burchfield Art Center. The band had a really good time.
Ken Rowe left Buffalo to pursue a career as an international itinerant academic. Dave Schmeidler, Bill Ludwig, and Joe Rozler carved out successful careers in the Buffalo music scene. Paula Parascak (now Makar), lives in Wichita, Kansas, and is a Lecturer at Wichita State University School of Performing Arts. From October 3-31, she will be performing in Evil Dead, The Musical.
Edward Folger and Dave Doughty are no longer with us. The musical universe, enriched by their contributions, is diminished by their loss.
The Small Appliance Orchestra
• Ken Rowe: Appliances, vocals, horns
• Dave Schmeidler: Guitar
• Bill Ludwig: Bass
• Joe Rozler: Keyboards, vocals
• Bob Accurso: Percussion
Bios:
Ken Rowe is an award-winning independent filmmaker, photographer, and educator. His work has been exhibited internationally and telecast on PBS, TLC and CINEMAX. His photography involves large-scale installations and oblique storytelling through captioned images. His book, A Keen Eye for the Obvious is due out any year now. He received his Masters degree from the University of Buffalo, and taught at the University of the South Pacific in Suva, Fiji, Sierra Nevada College, Henry Cogswell College, and The Art Institute of Seattle. He currently teaches in the Animation Program at Niagara County Community College.
Dave Schmeidler demonstrates an extraordinary balance of creative solo technique and tasteful ensemble texture, combined with a commanding stage presence in his unique approach guitar playing. Drawing from elements of rock, progressive rock, jazz and more ‘outside’ musical styles, his playing defies categorization. Dave was awarded “Best Original Guitarist” at the 2001 and 2011, 2012 and 2013 Buffalo Music Awards. He was also nominated 3 consecutive years for “Best Blues Guitarist” and in 2005-2009 he was nominated for “Best Rock Guitarist” . He is listed in the Buffalo Music Hall of Fame for a stint with fusion icons Gamalon. Dave’s continually evolving style consistently promises new and exciting sonic adventures.
Bill Ludwig was influenced by R&B and classic rock at a young age. Banding together with other like-minded 12 yr olds, he picked up a bass to "round out the combo". They expanded into a 10 pc rock and soul horn group called The Citations, playing on the West Side of Buffalo. He went on to play classic rock at many local venues. Over the past 45 years, he has played the full musical gamut: progressive rock and jazz to blues and show music. He the Buffalo Music Awards Top Pop Rock Bass Player (1991), and Best R&B Bass Player (2003 & 2005). Currently, he performs with the Boneshakers Blues Band.
Joe Rozler is a Buffalo-based musician unaccustomed to referring to a himself in the third person. Grew up listening to Brubeck, Beatles and Stockhausen. Studied piano and voice at Fredonia School of Music. Inducted Buffalo Music Hall of Fame. Continues to be active as a recording artist and performer in jazz, rock and less classifiable music. In the last few years, has created music for a soap opera, written string arrangements for 10,000 Maniacs, and produced the song for Blue Cross-Blue Shield "Healthy Changes Everything" ad campaign.
Bob Accurso is a vibraphonist, marimbist, drum-set artist, multiple percussionist, composer and frame drumming specialist. He was a member of the Maelström Percussion Ensemble and was its Executive Director from 1990 to 2007. They performed for the Lincoln Center Institute for the Arts, the Kennedy Center, the DCI World Championships, the Percussive Arts Society’s International Convention, and at universities and concert halls across the country. Bob was a member of the venerable Buffalo area fusion group, Gamalon. As a composer, he was commissioned by the Creative Education Foundation, the Commissioning Project, and the Lockport City Ballet. Bob received his BFA degree in Music Performance from the SUNY at Buffalo. He taught Percussion for Villa Maria College, and Composition, Improvisation, and Arranging for Buffalo State College. He is currently the percussion instructor at Canisius College.