They're With the Band

2:10 PM -- When Double-Take Software CEO Dean Goodermote takes the stage at Microsoft's TechEd event next week, it won't be as a Redmond partner. Instead, he'll be the bass player in the company band, entertaining customers while they sip cocktails.

The band, aptly named Cluster-Funk, will "inspire you to groove," a company announcement states. "Playing tunes from the '70s through today, the band's musical brew blends bold, strident guitar power with cutting-edge jam sessions to create a medley that stands above other average cover bands."

Of course they stand above others: Vendors never relax, especially at industry events.

The giggin' Goodermote will be flanked by director of professional services Jim Armstrong on lead guitar; Georgia State University student (and his son?) Brandon Armstrong on congas; managers John Feeks and Lynn Shourds (vocals); and "educational consultant" Ben Merendino on drums.

Great marketing. Not only does Double-Take get to stand out at the Microsoft bash, it can serenade customers at the same time. Talk about perfect pitch.It's good enough to catch on. There's a rock-n-roll subculture alive and well in technology marketing. This month in Ottawa, Ontario, for instance, the RAM Hammers of Md.-based Ajilon Consulting won a Battle of the Bands sponsored in part by the Ottawa Centre for Research and Innovation.

The playoff venue was O'Connor's Irish Pub in Kanata, Ontario, and the competition was tough, including the following bands:

We think storage is underrepresented. So we asked some other Microsoft partners why they're not playing TechEd. We might have known what response we'd get, given storage suppliers' penchant for the buttoned down: "EqualLogic does not have a band and doesnt have any plans to play music at TechEd," stated the vendor's rep.

Well, too bad. EMC Documentum reportedly has a band, and there may be another lurking elsewhere in the firm. A spokesman was still confirming at press time, but he'd guess they're named Bachman Tucci Overdrive.

Another supplier tops that: "We should have formed an InfiniBand to play at TechEd," quips Dan Tuchler, senior director of product management at Mellanox.— Mary Jander, Site Editor, Byte and Switch