Ever been at a local show and thought to yourself, “Isn’t that guy in another band?” He probably is.

There is an abundance of musical talent in Wichita – so much so that for some, it can’t be contained to only a solo act or one band. I asked several local musicians how and why they do it. Interviewed below are:

• Dustin Arbuckle of Moreland & Arbuckle and Arbuckle & Page
• Scott Allan Knost, solo musician and of Uche and the Crash
• Wayne Gottstine of Split Lip Rayfield and The Sluggos
• Doug Van Es of The Sluggos and Monterey Jack
• Tom Page of The Tom Page Trio, Arbuckle & Page and owner/engineer of TOPTone Records, a local music studio.

How did being in more than one band at the same time happen for you?

DUSTIN ARBUCKLE: It’s pretty much always been that way for me. Almost as long as I’ve been playing in one band, I’ve had another one (at least) on the side.

SCOTT ALLAN KNOST: I had just started performing solo full time in March 2007, when Uche and The Crash asked me to open for them at Kelly’s. I played my set and watched them play their first couple songs. After that, I couldn’t stop hearing these parts, so I grabbed my acoustic guitar and plugged back in, not knowing whether they would appreciate me doing so. But they all smiled and we jammed the rest of the night, after which they asked me if I would consider playing electric for the band.

WAYNE GOTTSTINE: Not sure, I’ve always been in multiple bands.

DOUG VAN ES: I couldn’t say no.

TOM PAGE: It started out as a desire for artistic variation. I was in a rock band, Sunshine Family, in the 90s and I had the opportunity to play acoustic in the Bluegrass Spiders. In that band, I learned to play mandolin and mountain dulcimer. As time went on, the acoustic band became the focus, rather than the rock band. Currently with the Tom Page Trio and Arbuckle and Page, again, I have the variety of artistic expression.

How do you balance practices, shows and your personal life?

DUSTIN ARBUCKLE: It isn’t always easy. You have to set priorities. For me, M & A is my main thing, so pretty much everything else has to work around our schedule. Also, strange as it may seem, playing in bands that have kept a heavy gig schedule has opened up my time for other things. Gigging a lot keeps you tight, so when you’re busy, you really only have to rehearse occasionally to work up new tunes. That can open up off nights for side gigs and personal time. Of course, whatever is going on in your personal life can greatly influence how easy/difficult it can be to juggle all the musical stuff.

SCOTT ALLAN KNOST: It’s difficult; things have to be constantly updated and in the know. Usually Uche or I will be texting, emailing or calling the other person as we’re locking a date with a venue, to make sure the schedules coincide. Things fall through the cracks sometimes, and you just have to fix it. The art of music is very creative and free, but the business end is very much “Type A” stuff, which can be hard to balance. As far as personal life, its important to try and make time to be normal, you don’t have to take every show you’re offered.

WAYNE GOTTSTINE: It’s pretty easy, because I don’t have a regular job.

DOUG VAN ES: Usually it’s not a problem because between the two bands I am in, the Sluggos and Monterey Jack, I average about one gig a month. Both bands have members that either live out of town or are on the road regularly, so we get together and practice whenever schedules allow, which is not all that often.

TOM PAGE: With the Trio, I flex the time with my bandmates because they have children. When the studio was in the “working phase” (during building renovation), it was difficult, it wore me out. With Dustin it’s not so much an issue. Having the studio makes it easier, we have a place to rehearse, etc.

What do you enjoy about being in more than one band?

DUSTIN ARBUCKLE: Lots of things. Playing several different styles of music, the experience of a different creative dynamic, and the supplemental income are probably the main attractions.

SCOTT ALLAN KNOST: I enjoy getting to have a creative outlet bigger than myself. My music is very intimate and personal, but when I play with Uche I get to do the rock and roll thing, it’s a little bit more gutsy. From a business standpoint, it helps if I don’t have a solo show but Uche picks up a band show or vice versa, I am able to fill that date financially.

WAYNE GOTTSTINE: I like playing a variety of music.

DOUG VAN ES: With the Sluggos, I get to play all original music in a band that features two great songwriters. With Monterey Jack, I get to play all covers in a high-energy band that always packs the club and the dance floor.

TOM PAGE: Again the artistic expression and mixing things up help in smaller markets like Wichita. Even with the Trio, there are levels of intensity. We play acoustic and electric. The Trio is working on songs for a new CD. My new slogan is “Dustbowl Rock ‘n’ Roll”!

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2. [listen] J.A.N.E.T. : Defying Definition
3. [listen] Vehicles
4. [listen] Adult Rock Band
5. [listen] Erik Mallory