Jeff Bridges & The Abiders

Making music is more than a hobby for this band of “brothers.” It’s a musical journey filled with heart, soul, and good, solid friends.

Yes, you read right. Jeff’s band is called The Abiders after the mantra from the Coen Brothers film, THE BIG LEBOWSKI. While the word “Abiders” has its origins in acting — the band actually owes its name to band member, Bill Flores, who thought of it in response to Jeff’s first idea of calling themselves THE ROYAL WE. And while being a thespian is what most of us know Jeff as, the music these guys make together stands on its own.

It started simply enough. Jeff was looking to build a recording studio in his new home and brought in legendary sound designer/musician/you name it in music Chris Pelonis. And just as so many good friendships do, these two discovered they had a lot in common when Chris asked if Jeff had any songs he’d written and Jeff said, “Sure.” Chris took a look and liked them. That was the beginning of what would become a few more guys in the form of the infamous Bill Flores, who plays pedal steel and guitar; Randy Tico on upright and electric bass; Tom Lackner working the drums and percussion; and Chris and Jeff both handling vocals, guitar and keyboards, getting together, jamming, becoming tight.

Included in this close-knit crew is Sven Holcomb, who Jeff calls the “McGiver, the guy who holds all together” because Sven acts as Tour Manager, Stage and Guitar Tech, Sound Engineer, Producer — name the need and he’s there. Sven even steps in to perform a handful of songs with the band as singer, acoustic guitarist and percussionist. Before they knew it, these guys were a real band sharing their sound in live shows here and there, even making a record, doing videos — and it felt good to play together and it’s obvious they love it. Because they’ve got a good, solid sound that makes it easy to hear that camaraderie in every song.

Jeff & The Abiders are about the music, the connection to the audience and the fact that they get to do what makes them happy with dudes they respect and trust. And, yep, love.

The name may have come as a fluke, a sort of, “What if?” and stuck, but it’s so real and right. The man who played the Dude and his “Abiders” are happy playing their music — a little bit country, a touch of folk and a smidgen of rock. Mix those all together and those are your guys — these guys. Guys making music you want to listen to.