Cheyenne: Aiming for the big time By Jonathan Baggs, Daily Staff Writer Assembled in a local club this week, the five members of Decatur-based rock band Cheyenne seemed in high spirits as they awaited the release of their first compact disc. Lead singer Jayme Tyler had just woken up - it was 6 p.m. He growled at the waitress for a up of coffee. Other members of the band: Scott Sutton, guitar and vocals; Nancy Chandler: guitar and keyboards; Dave Pittman, bass and vocals, were busy signed a piece of paper concerning publishing rights. "What am I signing?" French asked." "Just sign it," Pittman retorted. Conversation then turn to distribution of their new disc - Rebel Underground which is scheduled for release today at Camelot Music Stores throughout the Southeast. Pittman sighed - the business of rock'n'roll. After forming in Decatur in March, the group began their Southeast club tour in July, mixing their own songs with cover versions of current hits and popular standards. Since then, they have headlined their own shows and opened for acts such as Holly Hatchet, Vicious Rumors, Foghat, and Danger Danger. Rebel Underground is being released on Delinquent/Mutha Records and was recorded during 10 days in October. The band's record company is hosting a release part at Cheers on Alabama 67 on Thursday and Cheyenne will perform songs from the new CD. The waitress returned with Tyler's coffee and drinks for the band. A waft of cigarette smoke soon enveloped everyone at the table. French described their music as "controversial" while other members said it was commercial hard rock. "It's real, man ... back to the basic," Tyler said. One review of the new disc, published in "Easy Rocker" magazine said an "Alabama-based hard rock band is a welcome slap in the face" and "L.A. is not the only place for powerful, inventive music." "One of the best compliments we get is when we get asked to play an original that already have played because they think it's somebody else," said Chandler. Song ideas come from the way the group lives, according to French. "Our music is about sex, drugs, and rock-n-roll and ... Jimmy Swaggart," says Chandler, who, according to the other members of the band, writes most of the material. It's developing more into a collaboration of everybody, but right now it's primarily Nancy," Pittman said. Waving her hands in front of her face, Chandler says, "I don't like to hear that - it makes me nervous." Quickly she adds, "I do work my ass off 24/7 in all way for this band, for real - but it makes me ... you know ... ." Chandler shruggs. However, it is true, as her track record on the road as a fulltime touring musician can't be ignored. The group describes its act as "uncontrolled" and a "three or four ring circus." "I think they're going to like it (Thursday) when we grab the girl and chain her to Michael's (drum) cage," Tyler said. Cheyenne usually avoids playing in Decatur because the town generally doesn't cater to rockbands and this band, by no means, does the two-step, group members said. "We don't want to playhere," French said. "People around here don't know how to take what we do." "It's almost impossible," Chandler says. "the money's not here to even pay for production, a competent crew, or band and gear transportation." Chandler is showing her touring experience again. But continues, "People turn on MTV and they see Motley Crue, but they don't expect them to come from Decatur, Alabama." "But," Tyler said, "this is still home." "A lack of local support for rock-n-roll is a shame," French said. "There's a lot of talent here that probably will never be seen simply because there is no support." Some members of the group want fame, to get to the top of the slag heap, while others would be content with less. "well, I want it all but mostly I want to make good music," French said. The "quiet" member of the band, Sutton, fumbled with a pack of cigarettes. He sipped a drink. It seemed that he might have something to say. "I hate all the other aspects of it besides playing," he said, "I mean, I even hate this [being interviewed]. I don't care how good the CD does - it doesn't matter. You put up with so much to get 45 minutes or two hours or whatever of satisfaction. But once you get that feeling, you want to access it any time you can. I hate to hear somebody barking - I want to get bit!" With that, Sutton drew back into himself and looked quizzically at the the others. Pittman agreed. He said most people don't realize what it takes to get somewhere in music."we have our own publishing company, a business license, people ... think we just get up and play! I wouldn't go through any of this if it wasn't for the music." Despite the drive toward success, the group does have a motto: "Live right, go to school, get a job, give us your money, and bring your sister," French said. He looked serious. But, as the night wore on, the question remained: Why name the band Cheyenne? Point blank Tyler said, "we were told that it looked good on paper."