Music

MOE. MONEY

A Buffalo band breaks the jam band mold

The first time I saw moe. perform (the band's name ends with a period, so don't be thrown by the punctuation), I was in Buffalo, N. Y., in the middle of the summer. There was an arts festival going on. Picture the Cherry Creek Arts Festival, with 100 percent humidity, 10 or 15 additional beer tents, art that's affordable, and lots of cold Budweiser. moe. hit the stage around 9 p. m., and played to a crowd of dancing, drinking, happy young Buffalonians in a narrow and sweaty bar called Neitzche's. It was 1994.

I remember this so distinctly because I had just decided to move away from Buffalo and come to Denver. The economy sucked, my life sucked, and I was about two sips away from Betty Ford. Musically, the Goo-Goo Dolls played blue-collar rock back then, and Ani DiFranco had left for funkier digs in N. Y. C. On this particular eve, I expected to hear another cover band playing Doors tunes and figured I'd hang out as long as I could stand it, clutching my new objet d'art before finding a cab.

I wasn't expecting to hear the burning, jamming sound that came from the four guys on that dimly lit stage. This was before the words "jam band" meant anything, and before Jerry Garcia's death prompted a long and continuous line of knock-offs. Since its days in Buffalo, moe. has released seven albums, been signed to a major label, toured incessantly, and converted a growing legion of fans who recognize the band's distinctive musical mission.

moe. returns to Denver for a St. Patrick's Day show at the Fillmore Auditorium. The new record, Dither, was released in February, and shows a different stage in the band's development. moe. is known for two specific things: great songs and a blistering live show. On previous records, the band has gone for rather basic recording tactics, using a few "production-type" techniques for background vocals and such, but leaving the tunes alone to speak for themselves. In live performance, these tunes would be reworked, stretched, chopped up and melded into one huge night of musical frenzy.

Dither sounds different, perhaps more mature and deliberate. The band tackled its time in the studio with a new approach. The album includes an appearance by DJ Logic, overdubbing, some drum looping and programming, and a clever variety of tunes, lyrics, and influences. "Captain America" is a funky tribute to the '70s, while "New York City" is a Celtic-rock frolic down memory lane.

Bassist Rob Derhak explained the band's philosophy behind the new album, coming after nine years together: "We released a live album last year (L) and that was great because we really wanted to capture our live sound. We've realized that a studio record and playing live are really two totally different animals. The live show is our show, our thing. The audience makes it what it is, and we feed off of that energy. You can't do that in the studio. So we said, 'Let's think of other ways to come at this. Let's give them something they can't hear live. Let's make it thicker instead of longer. ' Dither is the result."

moe. has been caught up in the live music circuit that includes taping, Internet marketing, and a hit-the-ground-running strategy used by many independent jam bands these days (including String Cheese Incident, Deep Banana Blackout and Fat Mama). Although "jam band" has become a rather innocuous term of late, moe. 's improvisational and musical skill lends them a loose slot in this genre. Picture a sound perhaps inspired by the Grateful Dead's approach to songwriting, but influenced by Rush, Yes and Led Zeppelin instead of bluegrass and folk music. Then, try to figure out how to snag a major label record deal.

"We got signed to Sony 550 in 1995," Derhak said. "They promised us the world and we believed them." moe. received money to make a record (1996's No Doy) which got the band out of debt. "We were able to re-release some of our older records (1994's Headseed) which was great. We were doing okay with our sales, then made Tin Cans and Car Tires in 1998. We realized that all the backing and support we thought we'd get with a major label turned into nothing but empty talk. So we got out of our contract and started our own label, Fatboy Records."

Derhak admits that being on a major label helped boost the band's momentum, and the guys used the opportunity to learn the strange workings of the music business. In the long run, the five members see more money and have more control working on their own. "Ever since we started doing this back in Buffalo, it's always been about change. We love playing music. We're doing better than ever, and Denver on St. Patty's Day should be a great time." --Judy B.

The band is Al Schnier (guitar, vocals), Rob Derhak (bass, vocals), Chuck Garvey (guitar, vocals), Vinnie Amico (drums), and Jim Loughlin (percussion). moe. performs at the Fillmore Auditorium Saturday March 17 at 7 p. m. Boulder's Yonder Mountain String Band will open the show. For more info, see www.moe.org.

HAPPY AND THEY KNOW IT

Sad Star Café's new direction is all smiles.

Chances are if you haven't heard of local band The Sad Star Café, you will soon. In fact, just turn on KTCL to hear the first single, "Too Far," off of the band's upcoming album, Happy. Right now lead singer Mark Sundermeier, bassist Scott Renick, drummer Steve Faucette and guitarists Kirk Schneider and Todd Renick are gearing up for a CD release party. I sat down with Sundermeier to discuss Sad Star Café's recent success and plans for the future.

Sad Star Café was originally formed in 1998 as a recording project for Epic Records. In mid-1999 it hired a bassist and drummer and put together the first album, Memoirs From the Sad Star Café.

"Although it was primarily a recording project for Epic," Sundermeier said, "nothing really flowed from it as far as a national release goes, so we focused all of our energy on becoming a name here in Denver."

The band became quite a presence in the local scene, playing such venues as Herman's Hideaway, The Soiled Dove and The Bluebird, to name a few. Then, midway through last year, the band split due to musical differences and Mark focused on putting together the vision he'd always had for the band, which is centered around the college pop/ rock sound.

"In October of last year," he said, "the current lineup came into effect when Kirk, Scott and Todd joined the group. We instantly clicked and began focusing on writing, and it is quite frankly the best it's ever been."

Happy came out of this new collaboration. The guys spent a lot of time writing new songs and working in the studio.

"Although a few of the tunes have been played out live for a while," Mark said, "most of them are brand new. We even wrote one of the songs in the studio. There are so many parts to all of the songs that were recorded on a whim that it really kept the creative process interesting."

Mark said he is very satisfied with the way the new album came out in comparison to their past albums.

"This album has a much more raw, college rock, poppunk feel," he said, "where our first album was more contemporary and funky. Our producer, Ben Tanley, played a big part in making that happen. He helped out immensely by always offering up different takes on things such as harmony arrangements and vocal effects, to push the boundaries of the songs and recordings."

Now, all of the hard work in the studio is paying off. The band's first release is getting a lot of airplay on KTCL, which Mark refers to as "the true supporters of local music." They are also getting ready to play a big show at Herman's Hideaway on March 30 in honor of the release of their new album, Happy. Opening acts Rubber Plant, The Good Sirs and Paint will also be performing for a cover of only $6. Free tickets are also available in advance on The Sad Star Café web site, www.sadstarcafe.com.

After the CD release party, it's back to hard work for The Sad Star Café. Mark is working on building up his local recording label, Fall Of Order. He's keeping his eyes open for any new talent to sign. The Sad Star Café is in talks to open for The Tories on their west coast tour in the early summer, and they are also set to be headlining at the Hard Rock Café on April 19.

With so much going on for the band, Sad Star Café is finally getting the recognition they've been working for. Sundermeier summed up all of the members' feelings on their new-found success when he simply said, "In the end, we've all turned out very ... happy!" --Elizabeth Beeson

FRESH SALMON

A new lineup has Leftover Salmon fans hungry for this year ’s festival season.

With the first day of spring upon us, thoughts of upcoming music festivals can't be far behind. One of the new and more successful festivals last year was a creation of local favorites Leftover Salmon. The Boulder-based quintet-- which at last year's Planet Salmon Fest consisted of Drew Emmitt, Vince Herman, Mark Vann, Jeff Sipe and Tye North-- has been a stable force in the Colorado music scene for more than ten years. Yet the rumors spread like wildfires through bluegrass at last year's festival when Salmon fans realized that two of the band members were leaving.

Vince Herman (vocals and acoustic guitar) offers an explanation. "Some of that might be due to the fact we are not all that web conscious. I know a lot of rumors started on the web that we just kind of let run. It is a strange form of communication that whole device is, you know. I myself am helpless ... I am totally serious." By helpless, Vince means he had avoided ever being online until late last year. Thanks to help from his wife, who would print out needed information and reply when necessary, Vince was able to completely ignore the Internet revolution ... until last December that is. "Now that I am so web savvy, I am sure everything will be different," Vince joked.

Things are different now on stage as well as the web. "Tye (bassist) recently got married and wanted to move back to Portland and spend a bit more time at home, do a couple of other musical projects more along the jazz line I think. Jeff Sipe (drummer) just had a baby and wanted to do more home time.

He is teaching a whole lot in Atlanta now," Vince said. Apparently Salmon fans never really had anything to worry about. "Tye and Jeff told us 4 or 5 months ahead of September that they were going to bow out, you know, so we had plenty of time to think about the transition and all that kind of stuff," Vince said. One result of the shakeup is there is a larger school of Leftover Salmon touring now, with some new yet familiar faces in their lineup.

Vince's introductions: "The new players. Greg Garrison, bass player from Boulder, great player and writer. [He] sings and all that kind of stuff so we're real psyched about that. He had played with Tony Furtado and Dave Watts and The Motet. He has played with everybody around town ... has a degree in bass from up in Greeley, UNC, [a] really on top of it guy with a really twisted sense of humor ... so it all works out. Jose Martinez [is] on drums. We met him at the High Sierra Festival. He sat in with us out there and we really liked his playing. [We] also added to the Salmon scenario Bill McKay on key-boards. Bill has recently been with the Derek Trucks Band ... many years ago he lived here in Boulder and played with Band de Jour. So we have known him for a long time and it just kind of worked out. He was free while we were going through this reorganization and we kinda took the opportunity and ran with it."

Run with it they have. Leftover Salmon has just completed a winter tour of the western states and this new lineup is not to be missed. The keyboards add a wonderful new dimension to their music and the rhythm section has brought a bit more rock and roll spice to the "Polyethnic Cajun Slam Grass" fans have come to know and love as the sounds of Salmon. For those worrying that with the new blood the playful stage antics might be tempered, never fear. There are still plenty of fish flying around in the audience and Bert (of "Sesame Street" fame) is still making stage appearances. At a recent show the large stuffed Muppet was playfully batted back and forth between band members and the audience during an impromptu ball game where Vince's guitar doubled as a bat.

The band will be touring the east and southeast in the spring and this summer will again hit the festival circuit. "In the 11 years of doing this we have kind of figured out that festivals are what we do best, and so we are going to start making some of our own ... we were psyched with how the party went [last year] and we want to do it again, and try to bring that whole community kind of feeling that was so evident there to a bunch of different places of the country," Vince said. The band is planning to host two festivals this year-- the first to be held June 29 to July 1 at Bear Cat Getaway outside St. Louis. They are still looking around the front range for a suitable site to hold the second Salmon Fest this fall. For up-to-date information on the band and their festivals check out their website at www.leftoversalmon.com.

--Jessica Vogelgesang

BEAT DIET

Mad Monkey began as a graphic design and advertising company called Havoc Worldwide, and has now evolved into two separate entities: the graphic design sector, and a massively ambitious promotional tool called Mad Monkey.

Mad Monkey Inc. is a small, developing Internet company with a few simple goals in mind: to inform the Denver metro area about local artists (DJs, graphic artists, fashion designers, bands, etc.), to allow its patrons access to local music and special events, and to provide a forum for local artists so they can help each other survive in today's demanding marketplace.

Mad Monkey can offer your venture promotion and a fully functional website for a flat rate of $25 per month (basic service). This price is offered as a thank you for your faith in this fledgling company. Mad Monkey will design you a website which will be integrated into their main site, and each Mad Monkey page will be designed using the latest Flash and Javascript technology. Before the Mad Monkey site goes live, all those selected for a user interface testing will have the opportunity to view the site and make sure that all information is accurate.

For those aspiring musicians out there, Mad Monkey plans to make the painstaking tasks of booking gigs, selling albums (and other related paraphernalia), and increasing your fanbase much easier and more effective. If you have the drive, Mad Monkey has the resources.

--orange peel moses

For more information on Mad Monkey Inc., give its info line a buzz at 303-625- 1150 x. 2405 or visit them in cyberspace at www.havocworldwide.com, or www.madmonkeyinc.com