I recently experienced my first Wide Mouth Grin show at Dulcinea's in Denver. Although finally seeing this band live was exciting enough, meeting Steve DiCesare, the lead guitarist, was awesome. That man has such a kind soul. I was nervous to meet him, thinking that it'd be difficult to communicate, but it was the complete opposite. He brought new meaning to the idea of communication, and every time we've exchanged words or messages, whether it be via e-mail or in person, he has taught me something new every time. (I'll be weaving some of the following into a detailed story later this week, so keep your eyes peeled! And, definitely check out www.widemouthgrin.com.)

You better get to readin' because Brit's done it again -- asked a ton of questions and received great answers. I refuse to cut anything out. Enjoy.

Brit: Have you lived in Boulder your whole life?

Steve: I grew up in NY -- Greenlawn , NY-- home of the greenest lawns East of the Mississippi, home of the fabulous Heckscher Park and home town of Mariah Carey -- she actually sang a few tunes with our band on high school graduation night -- a great girl.

Brit: Where are your favorite places to go in the Boulder area?

Steve: Lately I've been sneaking out of the house and hanging out in my garage with the dusty boxes and spider webs.

Brit: You started losing your hearing at age 10. That's pretty amazing that you had your hearing when it was most needed for development. Some people never get to experience what the world around them sounds like. Are there any particular sounds that stick out clearly in your mind from when you were growing up? (I personally was obsessed with the sound of streams when I was younger -- to the point where I would go outside and record the water running through the gutter after it had rained- and then listen to it later. Kinda strange, right?)

Steve: We lived near the train tracks, so that kind of sticks out as an audio memory -- now when I'm near the tracks and a train is coming, I run! I'm really scared of loud noises -- loud sounds kinda throw me into a vertigo thing. I get all dizzy and warped. Kind of ironic of me to start a rock band I guess. I also remember hating the ringing of the phone and am grateful to not have to ever hear it again. I haven't heard the phone ring in like 15 years! Yeah!!! Maybe because I've always been uncomfortable trying to communicate on the phone with deteriorating hearing... so no hard feelings for Alexander Graham Bell.

Brit: So you've known Mark Brummer (bass player) since junior high? Do you have any funny stories from when the two of you were younger?

Steve: Oh man, we could write at least an epic trilogy of our stories together. We started hanging out in 4th grade. I was in one class and Mark in the adjacent class -- with one of those folding walls in between. Anyway, one day during math time, I hear (I could hear well then) a rhythmic tapping on the wall next to my seat -- like a series of two-three-two tapping, so I throw my elbow against the wall in time with a little fingernail scratch on the off beat ... etc ... I guess that was the first "jam." We started passing notes through the slots in the wall. Then we found out that we both played guitar -- eventually we had to flip a coin to see who would play bass in our band. He won, luckily!

Brit: What was your high school stage band called?

Steve: Art Skyd was the name of our high school rock band. It was the name of a Mets baseball player ( Lenny Dykstra) spelled backwards-- our drummer at the time was a big fan.

Brit: So there's no evidence as to why you started losing your hearing?

Steve: It seems to run in the family at my generation -- my older brother has the same type and span of hearing loss.

Brit: Do you find it ironic that you're both musicians? Do you ever collaborate?

Steve: My brother focused more on classical music and non-amplified guitar. I was more into grooves and playing improv with others ... and, of course, getting girls! We play occasionally and I've actually stolen some of his ideas and used them for songs -- unknown to him I think.

Brit: I've read that your parents weren't happy with you playing constantly when you were younger -- but did they push you to keep playing? What do they think now?

Steve: My mom was really into us learning about music until problems started. Then, she became a hearing protection freak -- "Wear your plugs! Wear your plugs! Please wear your plugs ... Steeeeeeeeeeeven!" I might be the biggest individual ear plug consumer in the state -- I'm sure she curses the day that she started us in music and surely blames herself for our deteriorating hearing.

Brit: Who specifically influenced you to keep going with music?

Steve: I don't know -- it just feels like its something that I need to do.

Brit: Tell us about a typical band practice. (Signs, facial expressions, etc.)

Steve: A lot of the signs we use for songs are derivations of ASL, or home signs that I make up. We try to use one-handed signs for song titles, technical stuff and for ease and quickness for on-stage communication. A typical rehearsal starts with opening a beer, then we argue about one of my irrational music ideas -- then we do a warm-up jam to bring everybody back together -- then I'll break out a set list of stuff I want to cover. We don't play it, argue some more, take a break, get a beer -- eat some pistachios -- go back down to the cave and jam. It's a miracle we even get out for gigs.

Brit: Do you compose your part on the guitar on your own and then bring it into play with the band?

Steve: I usually write the stuff on guitar with an octaver pedal. This transfers the notes into a lower register. I can still hear some bass sounds.

Brit: According to the information on your Web site, it says, "deaf people sense vibration in the part of the brain that other people use for hearing - which helps explain how deaf musicians can sense music, and how deaf people can enjoy concerts and other musical events." Can you talk more about this? How are you able to decipher one note from the other?

Steve: I dont think I would be able to do this without the reference to the bass -- or without having heard the sounds growing up. I sense the vibrations rhythmically -- without my prior references, I don't think I could distinguish variations in tone. I do that visually. I need to watch Mark and Greg's hands.

Brit: Are there any particular bands that you love to see live?

Steve: I stopped going to see live music about 5 years ago. I couldn't really enjoy it anymore. The music just came at me like a big mush of distortion.

Brit: How did y'all meet Greg Ehrnstrom?

Steve: A friend of a friend. We got really lucky -- Greg was the missing link. He really saved us.

Brit: Do you have any funny stories from past shows, practices, etc.?

Steve: Every moment with these guys is pretty hilarious actually -- the fact that we even get together with seven toddlers and newborn babies between the four of us.

Brit: Is there a tour in the works? Any new albums? What's coming up in the near future?

Steve: We are just into playing clubs and building a fan base -- improving ourcommunication on stage and just having fun. We record most every show and compile the good stuff into live CDs every other month or so that we give out at shows.

Brit: Another interesting bit of information from the Web site: "To continue composing the music, Steve has tried all sorts of creative systems, including constructing various tubing devices from the bones in his head to the guitar or speakers." Tell us more about this.

Steve: Yeah, we had some wires and other things to try to conduct a cleaner vibration to my protective headphones to get the sound better for me. One year we used a plexiglass booth, where I'd stand in this cocoon-like glass box. It all sucked. We are still trying. There's a friend of mine trying to get me to try his "neurophone" device -- it's intriguing but I'm hesitant.

Brit: This brings me to the neurophone device. Pat (sound guy) had mentioned that you were nervous to use the device. Why is that?

Steve: Changes are scary, I guess. I've become very accustomed to dealing with what I have and getting better at working with it.

Brit: What positive effects do you think it would have on you and the band?

Steve: I'm not sure how this would work in a live playing setting, but if it did work, it might help me hear things when I'm alone -- writing and practicing.

Brit: So you've designed specific rehearsal spaces that best meet the needs of a deaf musician. Tell me more about what these spaces entail.

Steve: Just setting up the room for the best visual. And as mentioned -- the plexiglass cocoon thing. I was also in a padded closet under the steps with a window cut out in the door so I could see the band. Now I just stand practically on top of Todd, the drummer, with one foot on the keyboard.

Brit: Do you know any other deaf musicians around the area? Are you in contact with any across the nation?

Steve: No. I've googled it, but haven't found or connected with anyone.

Brit: What nonmusical endeavors are you involved in?

Steve: Changing diapers, playing tickle, sausage barbecuing, garage meditation and vacuuming.

Brit: How'd you meet your wife?

Steve: Tracey and I met at UNC. We were both in the special education department -her, literacy, and me, deaf ed.

Brit: I recently interviewed Karen Karsh, a blind singer-songwriter who plays the piano. Have you heard of her? Nothing stops that woman. You two seem to have the same determination about living life to the fullest. What advice do you have for people who believe something is holding them back from living their dreams?

Steve: Rebellion is a great motivator.

Brit: What's next for Wide Mouth Grin?

Steve: We'll keep on jamming, playing clubs, recording ... we are having a lot of fun. It's hard but we are altogether in desire to get to the next level which is, I guess, building up a local fan base here in Boulder, in Denver and in Colorado.

Brit: Are there any common misconceptions about you or the band that people should know about?

Steve: We are labeled as a jam band, but I think we have a strong root in progressive rock. Additionally, we kick a**.

Brit: Where do you hope to see WMG go?

Steve: Actually, I hope to "see" WMG one day -- and hear one of the shows. That would be cool -- to "see and hear' my band play.