FRESH FACES:  Rising National Artist Profile 

by Tom Lounges

Ever notice that certain geographic regions just seem to have something in the water that results in a surplus of powerful rock ‘n’ roll talent? 

The Memphis area in the ‘50s was the fertile ground for rock’s early architects via the legendary Sun Records recordings.    The ‘60s saw a blue collar port city in England spawn the “Mersey Beat.”  Later, nearby Birmingham became the springboard for a wealth of heavy metal bands... 

In the late ‘90s, the sun-baked Southern California region became the spawning ground for aggro-punk and nu-metal that has clawed and scratch its way up from the underground to become the benchmark of modern heavy rock. 

 Joining the ranks of Pennywise, Incubus, Linkin Park and others are –– HOTWIRE –– the latest break out band from sprawling land of shopping malls and skateboard parks. 

They are melodic and ear-appealing like fellow Cali combo, Alien Ant Farm, but edgier and more dynamic. Hotwire is being pegged by some media folks as one of the real“break out bands” of this summer’s OZZFest. 

Previous groups tagged as such during past OZZFest tours, have included Godsmack and Chicago’s Disturbed. Good company to keep!  

 “We’re totally aware of how important OZZFest can be to a new band,” said vocalist/frontman Rus Martin.  “We see this as a means of getting our music in front of a lot of people.”  

The group are utilizing their 25-minute set on Ozzy’s traveling freak show to promote their first full-length album for RCA, “The Routine.” 

     Released last month, the album follows up a self-titled EP. 

According to RCA, that 4-song EP from 2001, had found a wide enough audience and generated a favorable enough media response to warrant their investing the necessary time and money to record and market “The Routine.” 

This 12-song set was deftly produced by Matt Hyde (Monster Magnet, Porno For Pyros), who seems to have a real affinity for the band’s music and an understanding for their need to forge their own sound and explore the nuances of the studio environment.   

To promote the album and to warm up for their OZZFest run, Hotwire spent late winter and early spring on the road with such bands as Adema, All American Rejects and Death By Stereo.   They also spent a good deal of time visiting Modern Rock radio stations to lay the ground work for their first national single, “Not Today.” 

Road trips supporting their earlier EP had previously brought Hotwire to Chicago, where they performed shows at The Metro and The Fireside Bowl.    

 “Both experiences were great,” said Martin.  “Chicago fans are serious about their music and are open to hearing new music I think. At the Metro, we played with Five Pointe-O.  At first, I think [Chicago] fans were a little taken aback by us.  They were like – ‘What is this?’  It took them a while to grasp us, but overall I think our music was greatly received and that the people there enjoyed us.” 

Martin thoroughly enjoyed the band’s Metro experience and said he would love for Hotwire to come back and headline there once OZZFest wraps up. 

Hotwire came together in 1999 after Martin parted ways with a regional hardcore band called Eyelid, that had attained a rather strong level of success out on the West Coast. 

The impetus for forming Hotwire was his meeting guitarist Gabe Garcia and bassist Chris Strauser.  Both were veterans of a national touring group called Countervail, that had spent the better part of two years crisscrossing the United States playing clubs and honing their respective chops.  With the addition of drummer Brian Borg, the pieces fell into place. 

 “Pretty much it was just getting out there and playing a lot of shows in the Hollywood area and working to develop a buzz about the band,” said Martin of how they got RCA to put a contract on the table. 

 “There’s a lot of bands trying to make it and you have to work hard to get noticed,” he said.  “Eventually, the labels started coming around and making offers.  It came down to either going with Arista or RCA and we felt the A&R guy from RCA had the look in his eye that we wanted to see when he heard our music and talked about the band.”

 Though rooted in punk, Martin said they will never limit or label themselves. “We don’t feel we have to subscribe to writing a certain way. Diversity is the key,” he preached.   

      That is the only preaching he does though.  Unlike a lot of punk bands, Hotwire are not political reactionaries out to  change the world. 

 “I don’t write songs to tell people stuff,” said Martin.  “I don’t tell people to change or that we need to legalize weed.”   If Hotwire rebels against anything, it is boredom.   “We’re just about playing loud music and having fun.” 

 To that end, they have adopted as their band mantra, a line made famous by the legendary jazz drummer Buddy Rich ––  “If you’re not having fun, fuck you!” 

Catch Hotwire on the Second Stage at OZZfest on at The Tweeter Center on Sunday, July 20.

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