Al Schnier

When I first started playing music we would play anywhere. I remember driving 8 hours to play for $50 bucks (that’s $12.50 a guy) in front of like 9 people. One such gig, although much better attended, was in a yellow barn somewhere in northern Massachusetts. It was more or less a house party, and the two bands slated for entertainment were Strangefolk and moe. After playing I remember meeting a slightly befuddled looking, but very articulate and wise-beyond-his-years, young rock guitarist by the name of Al Schnier.

He and I have been friends ever since. Al is in some ways the inspiration for Some Assembly Required. I had initially asked him to produce the record, sent him like 40 rough songs and harassed him weekly. It turned out that our schedules didn’t allow for it but the notion of a record of collaboration was born. I still hope to make a record with Al one of these days and I’m thrilled we were able to collaborate on the one song.

Al Schnier is an enigma in rock. I say this because rock ‘n’ roll is a lifestyle of excess and extremes. Not just drugs mind you but everything – not enough sleep, too much sleep, junk food, loud noises, long road trips, etc. It gets the better of a lot of people, or simply drives them nuts. Al has managed to find balance and live a relatively normal life with his wife Diane and two children in his hometown in Central NY. I have always looked up to Al in terms of both his musical and personal success. I remember when moe. got their big break playing The Further Festival and Al was sitting-in every night with The Dead – they put a sign up on moe.’s green room that read “Al Garcia.” On the other side of the equation I have been getting a holiday card from The Schniers since before I even had a stable address – Al is a pro!

When you speak with Al Schnier, you understand why he has been so successful. He has piercing blue eyes that shine with intellect, determination, and curiosity. Behind the stubble and the rumpled attire there is a big brain at work – Al digests life, and as much as anyone I know, has it figured out.

I have opened for moe. probably two-dozen times or more. Each time I am struck with the grace, familiarity and levity with which the band approaches both music and life. They are more or less a clan at this point, with kids running around and wives gossiping backstage. That said, every night they get on stage and put on a rock show. It is very much a collaborative operation onstage as well as off, and now that I think about it, it’s one of the things that makes Al Schnier and moe. so unique. Most people have a hard a time collaborating, at least for an extended amount of time (close to 20 years). It takes a lot of compromise and patience. With two guitarists, three songwriters, two drummers and many mouths to feed, moe. has a lot of competing interests. While Al has a ton of qualities that make him unique as an individual and a musician, his greatest gift may very well be the fact that he has mastered the art of collaboration.