This 'Gimmic' is the real deal

When Columbia Falls drummer Willie Baltz was at the Kiwanis Jazz Festival last year, he heard Port Nugent of Whitefish play guitar.

“I need to make friends with this guy, ‘cause he’s super good,” Baltz thought.

The two hit it off and, along with Whitefish trumpeter Eric Holdhusen, they formed a band last July called Gimmic. Needing a bassists after an original member quit, they asked Matthew Perez to join them.

Perez had been playing guitar since he was 5. But not bass. He learned on the fly.

“I’ve been playing bass about four months now,” he said on Sunday as the four practiced at Columbia Falls High School.

They may be just starting, but they’re already getting noticed. Playing a mix of Jazz fusion and rock, they’ve already had a couple of performances at clubs in Whitefish and they’re putting together a hot set for next week in Columbia Falls at Backslope Brewing.

Unlike most local bands, their backbone isn’t covers. You won’t hear “Sweet Home Alabama” from these guys. They write their own songs — collectively — and they’re good. One band member starts in with a riff or a beat and they build upon it.

Nugent started out playing metal, as did Perez, but they’ve broadened their horizons after playing in jazz bands at high school and listening to the likes of Guthrie Govan, Tom Quayle and Chick Corea.

Some of Gimmic’s best tunes have rock roots — think early Rush.

Nugent has already been accepted into the Berklee College of Music and Baltz has plans to study music in college as well.

But right now, they hope to record an album soon. They’ve already compiled about nine original tunes.

And after high school graduation?

Well, likely any good musicians, they’re playing that by ear.

Gimmic’s performance at Backslope is Jan. 24 starting at 6 p.m. There is no cover.