feature

MIDWEST RUMBLINGS

Regional Demo Reviews from Bubbling Under Artists

by Corine Jurgerson

This was a great month all around for music. I received many great local and national albums in my box, and I have to say I’m pretty pleased with the music circulating out there. There was a lot less screaming on the demos I received this month, so a big thank you for that. On another note, I’d just like to remind you that when you send in the demos, make sure that you include some kind of contact sheet with the CD so that I can find out a little bit about your background. Even if its just a card with a link to a website, that helps. I received several great demos this month but couldn’t do much of a write up because I had so little to go on other than the band’s name. Overall, great job this month. Keep up the hard work – I want more great stuff to appear in my box next month!

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

Artist: DITCHWATER

Ditchwater is a tight hard rock/metal band from the ‘burbs of Chicago. The guys have got the traditional heavier Chicago rock sound down to a science, sounding similar to bands like Disturbed and Chevelle.

Sorry to say, I could swear I hear a little Creed influence in there, which might not have been a bad thing four years ago, but might not reflect so kindly these days.

Creed or not, the band is good, good enough that I was surprised that this was a local demo and not a national act.

Ditchwater has already played with national acts such as Adema and Mudvayne – could they, too, be the next big thing?

RATING 3 Stars

_________________________________________

Artist: SOUND HOLE

Sound Hole is a decent 3 piece band from the Northwest Indiana area. Their sound is straight up rock – nothing heavy, nothing too poppy.

Basically, they’re the guys you’d see playing at the local bar or cousin Beth’s wedding. They’re good, but might need to explore expanding their horizons a bit if they plan on taking their act to a national level.

I will say that I enjoyed the opening track of the demo- a slightly slowed down version of Collective Soul’s “Shine”.

While I prefer the quicker tempo of the original, this was a commendable cover. I wasn’t immediately ‘wowed’ by the demo, but I wasn’t completely turned off either. This demo is missing is a track that really “grabs” the listener.

RATING: 2 Stars

_________________________________________

Artist: M. PANCINI

M. Pancini’s The Wandering State is truly an exceptional demo. A variety of instruments are included on the album, including acoustic and electric guitars, banjos, accordions and cellos, just to name a few.

The album seems to combine elements of rock, punk, country and a little new age.

Tom Petty comes to mind when hearing some of the tracks. Overall, the musical arrangements and lyrics are innovative and captivating. I’m even blown away by the vocals.

This is the total package – a gem of a find for the region. Keep up the great work

RATING: 4 Stars

_________________________________________

Artist: NOTCH HOUSE

Notch house is a kick ass blues/rock band from Chicago. You’ve got to hear them to believe them. I was blown away by their explosive sound.

Harmonicas and bizarre distorted vocals make this album “Top Notch”.

Notch House’s high energy, brash blues sound was strong enough to attract attention from people from other parts of my house while I was listening to the demo to review it.

“What is that? That’s great!” was the general consensus from the visitors of Chateau Corine. That said, check out this fab four from Chicago’s “rust belt”. Great stuff!

RATING: 4 Stars

_________________________________________

MIDWEST BANDS…Send your demos to me at:

“MIDWEST RUMBLINGS” c/o Midwest BEAT

P.O. Box 9069 • Highland, IN 46322

Email: corine@midwestbeat.com

Back To Top

Web Design By:
Hungry Mind Design