One For The Thumb

     The late '70s and early '80s were dominated by yacht rock and The Pittsburgh Steelers.  The "Hey kid, catch." Coca-Cola ad from 1979 featured a mustachioed "Mean" Joe Greene--the last surviving starter from the feared Steel Curtain defense which saw the Steelers win Super Bowls in '74, '75, '78, and '79. Going for Greene's fifth title in 1981, The Steelers' front office backed a marketing campaign called "One For The Thumb in '81."  Unfortunately, The Steelers never got that elusive fifth title for Joe.   
     Fast forward to another glory era for yacht rock--2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, and 2015 all mark years in which Three Sheets to the Wind has been named BEST RICHMOND COVER BAND by readers of STYLE Weekly.  We gratefully dedicate this fifth win to the voters and to Mean Joe Greene!

The ad we printed is a parody of the famous (in advertising circles) "Think Small" Volkswagen print campaign from the '60s. The copy of the original basically recognizes the notion that the innovative look of the Volkswagen "bug" has become comfortably recognizable, but that the experience of driving one is still unique.  We feel the same way about our little yacht rock band in that we aren't so much of a novelty to Richmond audiences as we were when we started six years ago. That said, we're still having fun, and we're still grateful that Richmond is still in on the joke with us.  Stick with us, RVA!  The band is sounding better than ever with the addition of Mister JC Cool on sax. We've got so much more we want to share, and we hope you'll slip into that familiar feeling leisure suit, and check us out again soon!

Think smooth. Our little band isn't so much of a novelty any more. We don't sneak up on you with the unbelievably smooth music we play. No one asks us if Captain Max is a "real Captain." Now everyone just assumes we're wearing topsiders, or that we do, in fact, carry Grey Poupon in the Steely Van. (But of course!) Or that we will play Africa. Or that we will boldly wear white after Labor Day. Or that we will be playing two long sets of smooth music every night. That's because once you get used to some of our eccentricities, you don't even think about them anymore. Except when you don your smoothest nautical attire. Or stroke your fella's smooth beard. Or see Three Sheets play. Think it over.

Think small. Our little car isn't so much of a novelty any more. A couple of dozen college kids don't try to squeeze inside it. The guy at the gas station doesn't ask where the gas goes. Nobody even stares at our shape. In fact, some people who drive our little flivver don't even think 32 miles to the gallon is going any great guns. Or using five pints of oil instead of five quarts. Or never needing anti-freeze. Or racking up 40,000 miles on a set of tires. That's because once you get used to some of our economies, you don't even think about them any more. Except when you squeeze into a small parking spot. Or renew your small insurance. Or pay a small repair bill. Or trade in your old VW for a new one. Think it over.