The First Line is a young music group from Seattle comprised of Jake Linde, Tyler Morgan, and Joey Shaw. Joey grew up in a musical family and started playing piano at a young age. But when he picked up a guitar, piano lessons soon became a thing of the past. Tyler was born into folk music with his family band, The Cutters. He started playing bass guitar at nine years old. Tyler and Joey had known each other since early childhood as students in the same school, but were finally able to connect through music.
In 2003, Tyler and Joey began playing music together regularly and ended up busking on the streets of downtown Seattle. They played the music they loved, from Bob Dylan to Santana. They played it for friends, family, and complete strangers, and they began to develop a distinct style. Hearing more and more of their own sound made them realize what was missing: percussion.
Jake Linde was a friend of Joey's at Seattle's Garfield High School, but he was only known as the Jazz Band’s trombone player. Jake introduced his drumming and it was exactly what Joey and Tyler had been looking for. When the three of them blended their musical histories together, what they found was The First Line.
The First Line started out covering bands like Creedence Clearwater Revival and The Jimi Hendrix Experience, learning from each other's music and poetry. Their oldest song, "Timebound Boy," was written in 2005 and was followed by several others that would soon form their debut album, "First Flight." The release of "First Flight" in April, 2007 became a testament to The First Line's commitment to music.
The First Line is known locally for performances at NW Folklife Festival, MOHAI, Othello Park, Fisherman's Restaurant, Comencement Bay Maritime Fest, and more. Their songs are influenced by the artistic quality of the music of the sixties and seventies. The First Line’s music is poetry, humanity, spirit, and rock & roll.
"Aside from fulfilling my hunger for music, playing with other musicians opens up human connection on a whole new level. Every time I play music on my own, I learn something about my instrument. Every time I play music in a group, I learn something about the people." --Joey
"The person who has influenced me the most is my current band teacher Clarence Acox. To play jazz in his band is such a rare opportunity and I feel very fortunate. Playing jazz teaches me a lot about rock drumming as well. The drummers of jazz such as Elvin Jones, Buddy Rich and Art Blakey are the best drummers who have ever lived. They outplay Neil Peart and John Bonham by far, whether you want to believe it or not." --Jake
"I don't create music just because it's fun or entertaining, I actually need it." --Tyler