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Midwest Rumblings

MIDWEST RUMBLINGS

Regional Demo Reviews from Bubbling Under Artists

by Corine Jurgerson

Lately there’s been an influx of press kits coming my way from great local bands. As I sort through these packages each month, there’s usually one or two that really stand out in the bunch.

Those that qualify as “shining stars” in the pile usually leave me wondering how soon it will be before their talents gets them noticed.

Bands – never underestimate the power of publicity. That old cliché is pretty much true – there really is no such thing as bad publicity (unless Rolling Stone writes up your band as being ‘over’ before you’ve even begun!)

Putting together a strong press kit, which generally consists of a CD, 8x10 photo and a bio sheet, is essential.

Write some press releases on the latest happenings in your band and submit, submit, submit! Send your kits to the weekend and entertainment sections of local newspapers in the cities you plan on playing.

Send them to magazines ala Midwest BEAT. Radio stations, indie record labels, bars… the sky is the limit.

The bottom line is that if you have the talent, people will have the opportunity to find out and will take notice. How do you think Chicago bands like Fall Out Boy and Rise Against got their start?

Music journalists salivate at the opportunity to break the latest up-and-coming band. Why shouldn’t your band be the next to make them foam at the mouth?

Anyway, here’s what arrived in my box for November:

RATINGS SCALE: 1-5 Stars…with 5 being the highest!

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Artist: BOB MUSIAL

The solo endeavor from Planet Strange’s guitarist can best be described as folky, acoustic mellow rock. Artists and bands such as Edwin McCain, Train and even a bit of John Mayer come to mind when listening to Musial’s laid-back melodies.

The entire album is pretty low-key, but that shouldn’t turn you away. Musial has outstanding vocals, which really carry the album from front to back. And while the album won’t have you rockin’ out in your car during the rush-hour drive home, you’ll find it’s the perfect fit for a Sunday afternoon wind-down.

RATING: 2 Stars

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Artist: DIRTYSWITCH

Dirtyswitch is an edgy, funky band from Chicago. Their influences range from The Beatles to Fats Domino to The Everly Brothers.

Dirtyswitch’s six-song EP graced my box this month and I have to admit I was impressed by their originality.

Their songs are upbeat and hip, with that rough ‘garage band’ edge. Hec Moreno’s vocals possess a comical blend of rasp, blues and swank. (You really just have to hear it…) The best song on the EP is “Leather Jacket”, an infectious track about a drag queen. Yes. A drag queen. Enough said.

Check them out live in Chicago. To hear their eclectic sound and nab some visuals of this funky foursome, visit their website at: www.dirtyswitch.com

RATING: 3 Stars

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Artist: SHOTGUN ELVIS

Shotgun Elvis has sent us Somewhere in Chicago and the Valpo punk band falls somewhere between Rancid and Social Distortion.

Who knew that Valparaiso could be so dirty?

You’ve got your typical punk sound: a few chords, choppy vocals and that signature popping rhythm – but one thing is different than the typical “punk” you hear today – there is no presence of that sugary, poppy “Good Charlotte” shit here.

In a nutshell, it’s all about sex, drugs and rock ‘n’ roll for these three guys. Their sound gives a real throwback to some of the forefathers of punk – who I can only guess were a strong influence on the band’s musical maturity.

And although it’s almost unbelievable that a small town like Valparaiso, Indiana spawned these guys – fans of music can now truly say that there is more than corn in Indiana.

Shotgun Elvis finished third out of 550 bands at the popular Emergenza festival – quite a feat considering the pool of talent that turns up there every year. Visit their website at www.shotgunelvis.com for show dates, sample tracks and other information.

RATING: 3 1/2 Stars

MIDWEST BANDS…Send your demos to me at:

“MIDWEST RUMBLINGS” c/o Midwest BEAT

P.O. Box 9069 • Highland, IN 46322

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