Submitted by E.J. Skarda
It is fair to say that a lot of unique people live in here the Cape. Among them are many talented musicians of all sorts.
2 Frets Down is a local band that I recently heard playing at the Dixie Roadhouse in downtown Cape Coral. This four piece group has been together for five years and they play a variety of “Rock” music in the very best tradition—with no improvising. I especially liked their rendition of John Mayer’s 2006 song “I Don’t Trust Myself.” They then shifted easily into some of a Robert Johnson’s style blues with their version of Eric Clapton’s “Went Down to the Crossroads.”
Their lead guitarist, Robert Inkenbrandt, is originally from Evansville, IN. Four years ago he was appointed music director for Gulf Coast Village Assisted Living complex here in Cape Coral. Then, in 2014, he was made assistant minister there. He explained that he has been playing the guitar for some fifty years after learning on the banjo as a teen and playing in a family band. Did I mention that he also plays the keyboard?
Their bass player is Leah Inkenbrandt, Bob’s wife. She grew up in Huntington, WV. The couple lived in Nashville before moving down to the Cape. When asked why they moved here, Bob told me that there were just too many guitar pickers in Nashville, so he decided it was better to be a big fish in a little pond.
Inkenbrandt is a Viet Nam veteran with a family tradition in the military. His son and two daughters have served overseas. He is also involved in the ministry of Volunteers of America which has live streaming services every Sunday from Gulf Coast Village.
Rhythm guitar is played by Dr. Allan Major who moved here years ago from Somerset, MA. Major is an audiologist at our local Veteran’s Administration Healthcare Center. Dr. Major made sure I understood the credo of the band, which is “just having fun with music.” He also claimed to be the best looking of the lot, but I think Leah would disagree.
Steve Kurkimilis, their drummer, plays an awesome array of percussion on stage. He has all the toys a drummer could dream of. He hails from Smithtown, NY and is the building supervisor at Gulf Elementary School. Everyone in this band is a star vocalist.
As a group, they perform everywhere from stages like the one at the Dixie Roadhouse to private events such as weddings and anniversary parties. The amazing uniqueness of this band is their sincere desire to help people through a multitude of charitable causes. They donate much of their time trying to make our community better through their music.
I always like to ask musicians about something unusual that has happened to them as a group that I can share with readers. Allan laughed, then told me one time that the band felt sure that they had “gotten a pink slip from God.” He explained that they were recently asked to play at a church outreach program. After setting up all their equipment on stage, the event director told them that they could leave because no one showed up. They were sent to another venue at a large assisted living facility where, once again, no one showed up and they were asked to go. Allan said, “Being ignored once was bad enough for a musician, but twice in one day was cruel.”
4 Frets Down is a great band, in my opinion, and is worth the time to go see them perform. These talented musicians tell me that they can be followed on Facebook. Allan also commented that they have a fairly open schedule so contact them if you are in need of some great entertainment.
You can contact them through Facebook at 2 Frets Down (www.facebook.com/groups/471021936420218/) or by calling Bob at (239) 565-7938.
