“BUT I THOUGHT…”

“But I thought you didn’t want to be in a band anymore?”

I’m as surprised as you are. But as they always say, it’s when you’re not looking that things open up. And you can either deny yourself the opportunity or embrace it. I chose the latter.

Four years ago I was asked to join Supernova but my head and heart simply wasn’t into it. I was happy subbing for them, as well as other bands. I was still trying to make a dent with my music but reality hit me: nobody cares about original music much anymore. That does not mean I will stop writing and recording, far from it. People don’t go to hear a band, they see one. And if the music happens to be really good, or at best passable, then people will show support. Simple truth there.

I’ve said this before but the last time I played my own songs live was back on July 7, 2022 at Metalfest 7. It was one of my personal best shows and also felt like a shift was happening. The metal crowd never really wanted me around. I tried for years to fit in rooms that never allowed me. I’m not downing the metal world. I still love metal but there’s too much gatekeeping going on. Metal was supposedly about anti-everything but it’s the most conservative genre around. If you don’t wear the uniform and read the same scripts, forget it.

The other tipping point was the TM Stevens benefit show two years ago. I won’t rehash that, you can find the blog on your own if you wish. I knew as soon as I stepped off that stage that my world changed. I no longer felt the need to impress anyone anymore. Quite frankly, few were impressed with me to begin with. So I am more relaxed than ever.

When singer Mike McCormick approached me with all these gigs because their guitarist Frank had to step down, I accepted. But there was no talk of “You’re in the band.” We talked at Tony’s house when he had his July 4th bash, and they said “It’s your spot if you want it.” And I accepted. They made the announcement live last Friday that “Steve Bello is the new guitarist in Supernova!” It was nice to hear the crowd applaud and cheer for me, as well as the band. Hearing people say “About time he joined” is music to my jaded ears.

I will still sub in other bands, as the other guys do that as well. Unlike the original scene, the cover players have no problem sitting in, helping out. There are some who do not want me around and quite frankly, I’m better off. I know where my talents belong. Are people clapping for my music? No. But they are clapping, whether it’s Living Colour or Darius Rucker (that’s a sentence I just typed!) The number of likes and amount of compliments on my socials is quite staggering. But I also have to be realistic…

Where were some of these people when I was pushing my own gigs and albums? I get it now. In their eyes, I’m “safe” and don’t post a threat. I will still write my brand of strange, quirky music. And if three people buy copies of my new album, then fine with me. So when people ask me privately “But I thought you’d never be in a (cover) band again?”, I tell them “I feel accepted and vindicated. And this is the first band that actually likes me.”

Truth.