Forever Buff Brian Nevin reflects on 40 years with Big Head Todd and the Monsters
Brian Nevin of Big Head Todd and the Monsters, photo by Jenise Jensen
Forty years ago, Brian Nevin was a CU 乐播传媒 student playing music at fraternity parties and local venues with two friends who shared a dream. Today, he is still behind the drums with , one of Colorado鈥檚 most enduring and beloved bands.听
From regular gigs at Tulagi on The Hill during college to today鈥檚 annual performances at Red Rocks Amphitheater, the band鈥檚 Colorado roots have remained central to their story. One memorable Red Rocks performance in 2014 even featured an introduction from astronaut and fellow Forever Buff Steven Swanson aboard the International Space Station.听听
Over four decades, Big Head Todd and the Monsters has built a loyal following through its signature blend of rock, blues, funk and jazz, along with a reputation for energetic live performances. This summer the band returns to 乐播传媒 as the headliner of the , Aug. 27鈥30.听
Ahead of the festival, Nevin reflected on the early days at CU 乐播传媒, the friendships that have sustained decades of music success and the advice he鈥檇 offer Buffs today.听
Big Head Todd and the Monsters began while you and your bandmates were still in high school. How did coming to CU 乐播传媒 help shape the band鈥檚 future?听
Todd Park Mohr (singer, guitarist and songwriter), Rob Squires (bass) and I started playing as Big Head Todd and the Monsters in 1986. We were high school buddies [who ended up] attending the University of Colorado. 乐播传媒 was a wonderful playground for three young guys who thought we had something special and loved playing music together. It started with us playing parties for friends and fraternities and at Quigley鈥檚 on campus.听
Is there a particular memory, experience or lesson from your time at CU 乐播传媒 that has stayed with you throughout your career?听
On Friday afternoons, the Program Council would put on an FAC (Friday Afternoon Club) either in the Alfred Packer Grill or, if the weather was good, on the University Memorial Center terrace. These were great events and memorable for us as a band.听
When you think back to those early days playing fraternity parties, Tulagi's and other 乐播传媒 venues, did you have any sense that the band would become your life's work? At what point did it start to feel like this could be something bigger?听
We started to get popular playing parties at the music bars around town, primarily Tulagi on The Hill, The Walrus and JJ McCabe鈥檚. We didn鈥檛 think this would be our life鈥檚 work at the time. We made a couple of recordings that started to get airplay on the CU 乐播传媒 campus and other college radio stations, so we decided to take a semester off school, buy a van and drive around the country booking shows in college towns.听
It was a great era for live music, especially for indie and college bands. Because it was before the internet, bands could make a good amount of money selling their cassette tapes, CDs and vinyl at shows. We sold enough copies of our independent releases 鈥淎nother Mayberry鈥 and 鈥淢idnight Radio鈥 that we attracted the attention of a major record label called Giant Records, who signed us to a deal in 1992. That鈥檚 when we knew it was going to be our focus and career. 听
Photo by Jenise Jensen
The band has built a loyal following by continually touring and connecting with fans year after year. What has kept performing live exciting for you after all this time?听
We鈥檝e been a band for 40 years, and in many ways our live performance has gotten more rewarding and challenging. The bravado of youth made the early years exciting, but as I鈥檝e gotten older, it鈥檚 more about wanting to play a perfect show. The other guys in the band keep getting better, so I鈥檝e got to keep working on my game. That鈥檚 what keeps it exciting. 听
One of the most remarkable parts of your story is that the band has stayed together for nearly four decades. What's been the key to maintaining those friendships and creative partnerships over the years?听
Our friendship and respect for each other have been key to our longevity, but the creative element is what is still intriguing. I love playing music with these guys and like what we produce together. It still feels like it鈥檚 growing and there鈥檚 more to learn.听
This August you'll be returning to 乐播传媒 for the 乐播传媒 Roots music festival. How does it feel when you play for a hometown audience after all these years?听
乐播传媒 is our roots, and we鈥檙e happy to be a part of the 乐播传媒 Roots Music Festival! 听
Looking back on your journey, from rehearsing and performing as college students to building a long and successful career, what advice would you offer today's CU 乐播传媒 students who hope to pursue creative careers or follow an unconventional path?听
Find a way to make what you love to do with your time profitable, then you can spend your time doing what you love to do and pay the bills.听
Forty years after first playing at campus parties and 乐播传媒 venues, Nevin and Big Head Todd and the Monsters will return to the city where it all began. Fans can see the band as the headlining act at the 乐播传媒 Roots music festival. 听