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iBand - reach out and touch

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That depends on what your definition of a "band" is. I realize I might be perceived as something of a Luddite in saying that my definition of a band is one that plays "real" instruments. It's personal too: As a guitarist and drummer, I never tire of the feeling of running my fingers along steel strings or bashing sticks on actual drum heads. Hell, I even enjoy getting callouses! Taping my cracked, bleeding fingers with Band-Aids (or even duct tape when nothing else is around) after a fierce drum workout means I've done something -- and look, here's the proof. Heading into the supermarket with my taped-up fingers, I'm a walking advertisement: "Check it out. I'm a musician. You don't get cuts like these from tapping buttons on a phone."

Even so, I can't deny that the advances of the synth band Kraftwerk changed the musicial landscape forever, and paved the way for groups such as Devo, Depeche Mode, and countless others (although it should be noted that in the cases of Devo and Depeche Mode, those bands blended acoustic instruments into their work) -- and now, or at least so it would appear, for iBand.

But are iBand missing something? Something as vital to the making of music as talent itself: the interaction of real musicians and the rites of passage they must all face. Throwing your guitar at your diva lead singer is a sensation you just can't get from pushing numbers. Whamming your foot through your bass drum when you realize your no-good bassist is dating your girlfriend (don't think I've forgotten, Norman Staller!) -- that, too, is a crucial part of the rock experience. The act of tossing your phone at your bandmate, no matter how deadly your aim, I'm sorry, it's just not the same thing. Not by a long shot.

Of course, maybe it's me who's missing out. The members of iBand have certainly created a stir, and chances are it'll continue. Perhaps there's still a way I can glom onto this happening scene. Hey...you know, I'm pretty quick-fingered on my BlackBerry. I bet you I could hack into it and jazz it up with some cool Moo-Cow gear. That way, when iBand make their big stadium bow later this year, I can bum-rush their monster jam and grab some touch-pad glory of my own. All from the comfort of my living room. I won't even have to get out of my pajamas. Now THAT is what being in a band should be all about.

By Joe Bosso

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