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Gastonia native Spencer Gill always dreamed of becoming a rock star and, as a teen, practiced four hours a day for four years. Now the hard work is paying off for Gill, 22, a member of the progressive indie rock band Tides of Man. The group recently released its debut album, "Empire Theory," on Rise Records.
The son of Jim Gill, a veterinarian with Wilkinson Animal Hospital, and potter Vicki Gill of Bluegill Pottery, Spencer graduated from Ashbrook High in 2005. After a year at UNC Greensboro, he moved to Clearwater, Fla., where he and friends formed the band's current five-man lineup.
Some of Gill's story sounds like the makings of rock star bio we all might see on MTV one day. His dad gave him an acoustic guitar when he was 8 and taught him the basics of how to play. Classic rock from Cat Stevens to Neil Young provided Gill's first introduction to rock 'n' roll. A few years later, he began writing his own songs. Jam sessions with friends followed, and Gill decided to go for his dream.
Meanwhile, he paid the bills got with a gig at an eyeglass store at a Super Wal-Mart.
Then things started coming together. Less than two years after starting the band, Tides of Man recorded a self-funded album and signed to Portland, Ore.-based indie label Rise Records. Then the band secured a management team and found a booking agent. Bye-bye Super Wal-Mart and hello six-week tour.
"It's been a really fast and exciting ride," said Gill, who remains based in Clearwater. "It was like a dream come true when a record label picked up our album and released it. But to go on a full tour was really unbelievable to us."
Gill soon learned that a six-week tour can be grueling. As an up-and-coming band, Tides of Man is paid for each night's performance but pays its own expenses such as a van, equipment trailer, lodging and food.
"There is no 'tour support' " Gill says, laughing. "We get paid to play, but it covers gas and not much else. People think that once you're signed, you're set. But we have to find our own way around the U.S. and find our own place to stay. I laugh when people ask if we fly to each show or how big our tour bus is. We're definitely still paying our dues."
The most challenging aspect of touring, says Gill, is learning to get along with four friends in close quarters for an extended period.
"You drive on average six hours a day to get to the venue, then you unload your whole trailer and wait until it's time to play your 20- or 30-minute set," he says. "It's kind of like a family reunion that lasts a long time. You get in arguments about stupid things that you would otherwise never fight about."
Tides of Man has toured twice on a ticket that included Emarosa and Dance Gavin Dance. They leave today for two weeks and will do another trip before the holidays.
"I like being able to see the U.S., and I like meeting people from all over the place," said Gill. "We all got into music for the purpose of music, not so much to make money. When you're on the stage and you see someone affected by your music, that's the best thing."
