Band Members: Don Clark, Paul Bergevin, Tom Waldrop, George Alfs
Tech Industry Affiliations: Don works for the Wall Street Journal. Paul, George, and Tom work for Intel.
Friend of the Devil
SVR: Tell us about your band. How did you get started? How long have you been playing?
Spin Control: All of us have been in various bands since the last century. We’ve played together at various events, but this benefit, and the cause that it supports, is of interest to all of us, so we decided to join forces formally for this.
SVR: Who are your major influences?
Spin Control: We are all over 29+, so we tend to like a range of groups that have been around for a while, anything from John Coltrane to Grateful Dead to Beatles.
SVR: When did you form your band? What inspired you to make music together?
Spin Control: A few of us have played together off and on, casually, for some years, and played similar benefit gigs in the past involving journalists and PR types—such as Kevin Maney’s yearly benefit. In the current form, we played together this summer for the first time, and when this benefit came up we jumped at it.
SVR: What’s your ultimate direction for your band? Are you seeking fame and fortune—at least in the music business?
Spin Control: To successfully get enough songs together to do this gig 
SVR: What’s your day job?
Spin Control: Don is a tech reporter for the Wall Street Journal. The rest of us work for Intel PR. Paul runs the PR group.
SVR: How does your music influence your work or vice versa?
Spin Control: For the Intel PR guys, having music in common is wonderful; it gives us a chance to talk about something beyond microprocessors. For Don, it gives him something to think about besides what these guys tell him.
SVR: Why is music education important?
Spin Control: George: I have a son and daughter who attended public school. The music programs have been wonderful; we contribute extra on our property taxes to ensure a continued arts program. We think anyone interested should have access to a great music program. Don: The PTA at my kids’ public school helped add music programs that otherwise would not have been available; not all kids are so lucky. Paul: My middle son Charlie is a tenor in the classical choir in his high school, an internationally recognized choral group. This program in his public high school aims for genuine excellence, and is supported by the community. Tom: I’ve been around long enough to remember when Prop. 13 gutted the music programs in public schools, lots of friends lost their jobs as school music teachers, and kids often had to go 100% private instruction for music—which many couldn’t afford. I believe music should be a critical part of education.
SVR: What was your own experience learning music as a kid? Who flipped that switch your brain?
Spin Control: Rock and Roll! George: I didn’t have access to a great music program as a kid, but my parents bought me guitar lessons and I loved it. Don: I had a pretty inspirational choral teacher in junior high school, and loved hearing the high school band play. But great 60s rock, aided by private guitar teachers, was my biggest spark. Tom: My mother took me to the symphony when I was in grade school, and we had a piano and good recordings at home. It was 60s rock that set the course, though.
