Band Q&A: Thirsty Howell talks about The Castaways

If you want to have a good time with Reggie Fecteau, Ralph Anthony, and Thirsty Howell, you can either go see them play as the three-piece band The Castaways at Porky’s the first Saturday of every month, or you can simply sit and talk with them.

It’s hard to tell when guitarist Howell is serious and when he’s pulling your leg — not that you care, since his answers are gracious and always entertaining. And he’s a straightforward enough guy that he won’t leave you hanging and he’ll finally come clean.

The band, while based on the other coast, travels to Marco once a month for their Porky’s appearance, though its three members all play other gigs as well.

“We live in the Fort Lauderdale area and are all involved in other projects, but the Castaways is special, says Howell.

In a free-form, self-created style, Howell talked about that moniker, raging bulls, and the jobs he did not have.

Q: OK, I have to ask — “Thirsty Howell?”

A: Three Words — Witness Protection Program. Seriously, though, I was born Robert Lehane in a small town in Canada. People have called me “Thirsty” for many years. Sometime between puberty and middle age my voice changed to sound like a cross between Rod Stewart and the Godfather. If I could sing like Rod Stewart I would have been called “Lucky.”

Performing in the clubs and beach bars here in South Florida people started calling me “Thirsty Howell.” That really stuck when we started the Castaways. It’s kinda silly – but it fits! I have a recording of new original music coming out next year and it will be called The Thirsty Howell Club.

Q: How did you first start playing guitar?

A: I took my first guitar lesson at about six years old, but really started to learn when I joined a band of “older kids” in high school. My first paying gig was about 13. I played professionally for many years with a great five-piece band in Vancouver, Canada, called Wallstreet; they are still together performing up there. (Happy 25th anniversary, guys!)

Q: Did you consider careers other than music?

A: Some wise old musician advice: “Don’t quite yer day job!” I have always played music either full-time or part-time. I am, however, fond of eating, and like most musicians I have done many things along the way – some I’m even proud of!

I think the question should be rephrased “Which career did Thirsty not have?”

A. Post Office — Mailman

B. Victim Services Director — Police Department

C. Store Owner – Collectable Dolls

D. Accountant – Houston Rodeo

E. Health Department – Audiology

F. Voice-over Actor — Cartoons

Note: If you picked D you are the winner, or you are my mother?

Q: How and when did the Castaways come together?

A: It’s interesting that you say Come Together, like the old Beatles song. It was the dawn of a new millennium (yes, the last one!). Reggie had just finished five years of touring as Ringo in a production of The Beatles and had relocated to Florida. Ralph had just left the New York doo-wop group the Capris (Moon Out Tonight, Morse Code of Love), and I was also here in Florida. We all answered an advertisement for a seven-piece band, but once we jammed together we decided to become a three-piece, the Castaways, instead – and have had a blast ever since!

Q: You guys have an eclectic play list. How many songs would you estimate you all know?

A: We have all played music since we were kids and between us have probably performed most songs that have made the charts in the past 30 years. Some of them we have even played as a polka!

We probably know several thousand songs; we perform about 200 on a regular basis; we perform about 100 well; we like to perform the widest variety possible. It’s all about fun, so we really try and interact with the audience and try and surprise them if we can – and we usually have a great time.

Q: What songs do you hope never to hear requested again?

A: Unless we perform these in a “worst song of all time” medley, I really don’t want to hear: Seasons in the Sun, 9 to 5, Kung Fu Fighting, Forever in Blue Jeans, The Celine Dion song from Titanic.

FYI, Reggie and Ralph do a touching rendition of Endless Love.

Q: What are your favorite venues to play — the big corporate gigs, smaller private venues, or public shows like Porky’s?

A: We are lucky enough to get to play some great shows. Reggie performed in Paris, France, a few weeks ago, and I performed in Norway and Nashville over the last few months. To be honest, we absolutely love Porky’s! The staff are the best — they treat everyone who walks through the door like family. We can let our gray hair down, and the audience is such a great mix of people that we can get away with our “eclectic” set list.

Q: What’s the most bizarre/embarrassing/crazy thing that has ever happened to you — or the band — at a gig?

A: This question could take up your entire column! I will go with bizarre:

A few years ago I toured Mexico with a group that was booked to entertain college kids gone wild. One performance was to be a concert in a bullring after a bullfight (that’s not the bizarre part). We did our sound check before the fight – the equipment was removed except for the sound board, which was safely in the outer ring of the stadium (where the matador assistant guys run after agitating the bull).

We watched from the stands as midway through the fight a bull somehow got into the outer ring. He started running the circle heading for – you guessed it – the soundman and the mixing board. The stadium erupted with fans screaming at the soundman to run. He finally jumped the wall into the stands as the bull made a direct hit into the mixing board. Try explaining that one to your insurance agent. (P.S. No actual soundmen were injured in this story.)

Many thanks from myself and the Castaways for supporting the local music scene. The folks on Marco Island have treated us like family over the past couple of years, we have made a lot of friends, and we appreciate this opportunity to let them get to know us better.

Thanks again to everyone for your support – see you at Porky’s!

The Castaways come to Porky’s the first Saturday of each month (Schedule permitting. Their next performance is May 12). To check their other appearances and for more information, visit the friendly crew at www.thecastaways.biz.

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