After almost a year of practice, the band currently known as The Clams, can play 41 songs, but they’re still a little iffy on their name.

“There have been thousands of ideas,” said singer and guitarist Michael Bartholomew. “Wolfie’s daughter thought of Rainbow Waterfall. That was probably my favorite. She’s 8.”

But the laid back band of four is more concerned with their jam sessions than making a name for themselves.

The group is something of a company band. Bartholomew, guitarist David “Wolfie” Wolf and vocalist Raven York formed the band after working together at Burr Brothers Boats in Marion.

“I think all companies should have a band. It promotes good camaraderie at work,” said Wolfe who formerly played in a band at Concordia Yachts in Dartmouth.

The band mates have a mix of musical experience.

“It’s a really awesome jumping off point for people who want to learn,” said Bartholomew.

“We’ve been meeting once a week for almost a year, and we’re actually starting to sound good. It’s cool.”

Vocalist Raven York attributes that, in part, to Bartholomew’s arrival.

“This guy showed up, and he’s a musical guru,” he said. “He kind of helped us pull everything together.”

Bartholomew, a Marion native and graduate of Boston’s Berklee College of Music, has played in several New York City bands as well as a local jazz funk quartet.

For York and drummer Morgan Douglas, The Clams is their first foray into music.
“The whole singing bit was a happenstance thing,” said York.

“I’ve always enjoyed singing in the shower and at home but I have no experience singing with a group or in front of an audience.”

Douglas, manager of The Black Dog Tall Ships on Martha’s Vineyard and longtime friend of Bartholomew, ferries in to the band’s Wednesday practices each week.

“He’s so into it even though he’s only been playing for a year,” said Bartholomew.

Practicing in a Burr Brothers building, The Clams set list has a definite emphasis on rock and roll with classic folk and modern songs like Adele’s “He Won’t Go” mixed in.

They’re also working on a few original songs.

“We play a mixture of stuff, depending on what we’re in the mood for,” said Wolfe.
“That’s what’s nice about music. It can vary depending on what mood you’re in.”

So far, the band has done one public performance but Bartholomew said, “We’re going to play some parties at the boatyard this summer and hopefully do some other stuff too.”

In the meantime, York is working through a little stage fright.

“I’m painfully shy,” she said. “I don’t even like singing in front of these guys sometimes.”