Staying Humble: Insufficient Funds and Music in Montana
Half empty glasses of beer sit next to boats of popcorn at the Lewis and Clark Brewery. The guys sit at a high-top table, taking sips of beer and laughing in between answering my questions. Al Forgey, the band’s lead singer and drummer, and Matt Winters, the band’s lead guitarist player, founded Insufficient Funds in January of 2010. Blake Mendenhall, the band’s bass player, joined up three years later.
The name Insufficient Funds started off as a joke, but it stuck. And it keeps the band humble. To them, it’s not just a name – it’s a way of life.
All the band members grew up playing music. Winters began playing music in high school. Mendenhall comes from a musical family and can play just about anything: drums, piano, and guitar. Forgey started playing music by drumming on the pots and pans in his parent’s kitchen. His parents were supportive of his talent. They bought him a drum set and built him his own practice room when he was young. He, Winters, and Mendenhall all honed their skills playing for church’s worship band.
Insufficient Funds has played a wide variety of music over the years, such as country, doo-wop, surfer rock, 60’s, 70’s, and even some drug culture music. But they identify the most with Red Dirt and Classic Country music that they have fun playing and that the crowd loves. Forgey says “We put our own flavor on [our music] and it’s a Montana flavor. It’s what we identify with from our childhood and our roots. It’s what we believe in, and I think that resonates with the crowd.”
Most of the time, the band doesn’t show up with a set play list. They read the crowd and get a feel for what the crowd wants. Mendenhall is the designated signal caller, but Forgey has the veto power. They still occasionally play a few doo-wop songs, but it’s mostly country with some classic rock.
When asked what the best venues they play at are, Winters answers “I’m really digging on Silver City. Every time we play there, it’s a great crowd.” The Grub Stake is also a great venue. Mendenhall says “The last [few] shows we’ve played at the Grub Stake, honest to God, I don’t think we can top those shows.” Forgey says “[After] almost every single Grub Stake show, we are left at the end of the night not wanting to quit, which is crazy.”
“It’s great to see people out there having a ball. To be able to facilitate, that’s the biggest thing for me,” says Winters, musing on the best part of playing for an audience. Mendenhall says “A great venue is one that doesn’t rely on the band to bring in a crowd.”
This summer they will be playing the Three Forks Rodeo, which they are very excited about. Their dream venue would be the Miles City Bucking Horse Sale. According to them, it’s the party of the year.
I was a little surprised when I asked about the toughest part about being in a Montana band and Winters told me, “Honestly, it’s getting people turned on to [our] originals. People want to come out and hear stuff they know.” I had assumed it would have to do with travel or money, but the band assured me those were major difficulties as well.
To make it as a full time musician in Montana, you have to spend a lot of time on the road traveling and playing in multiple bands. It’s tough on a family, especially for a band like Insufficient Funds where all three members have kids. Forgey says “theoretically, you could [make a living playing music full time in Montana] but it would be hard.” Playing a gig takes about 8 – 9 hours with preparation before, and tear down afterwards.
But they aren’t in it for the funds. Forgey says “We play because we love it.” It’s tough to make money playing in Helena because it’s so competitive. There are a lot of talented bands and only a few gigs.
They were quick to let me know that music isn’t all they love. Winters says “our wives deserve a lot more credit than they get. They are basically as much a part of this as we are. They are our biggest cheerleaders.” “It’s a family scene,” says Mendenhall. “We’re a family.”
When asked what it means to be a successful Montana band, Winters says “We have the best fans in town. They are consistent; they’re so supportive. It’s really humbling, honestly.” Insufficient Funds has worked hard to be in the position they are in now. Gone are the days of needing to take any gig that was thrown their way. They now have the freedom to choose, and they feel they owe a lot of that to their fans and the Montana music scene.
When asked if they have any advice for new bands just starting, the consensus was unanimous: don’t give up, and don’t do anything you aren’t passionate about. Find a common ground with your band members and set common, realistic, attainable goals. Stay humble. Don’t discount opportunities and don’t get a big head. The fans allow you to play, and they are why you are there. Play music that people like and want to dance to. Be able to learn from other shows and artists.
As the beer started to wind down, and the band playing at the brewery that night started to warm up, I found myself thankful for this community. Where else but Montana would an opportunity like this exist? Insufficient Funds may be a Helena band, but I bet there are bands all over the state with a similar story.