March 29, 2024

The Evolution of One Hot Robot

March 1, 2015

Some old high school friends met up on the Traverse City club scene. All of them were musicians who once played together in various bands and they wondered why they didn’t collaborate anymore.

A decision was made to jam just for fun and the quintet quickly found their old chemistry was there – so was their sense of humor; they played through a list of songs that were "so absurd" they were just for the their own amusement.

"Katy Perry, Ginuwine - songs you just wouldn’t hear a bar band do," guitarist and keyboardist Tim McDonald explained.

That group of friends – which today includes McDonald, guitarist and rapper Eric Wistrand, bassist John Paul, drummer Matt Hunter and singer Mallory Ramage – evolved into the band One Hot Robot, a dance outfit they say will, "drop hot dance music with hooks as catchy as a pandemic breakout."

It’s obvious this isn’t your ordinary local band.

That’s No Bar Band"¦

Things didn’t happen quickly, though. While the initial vibe was good, their evolution took time, starting in a small apartment that Ramage rented on State Street in Traverse City.

"I think I sang through my stereo since we didn’t have any PA gear, and overall I’m sure we sounded terrible," Ramage said. "But, that’s how it all began. The idea was to be a slightly ironic dance band."

"A One Hot Robot show is an exercise in extremes, both in music and levels of absurdity," Paul said. "We’ve worn a whole host of assorted outfits, and the look matches the sound, in that we are all over the map musically – "˜80s pop, "˜90s hip-hop, contemporary synth pop, and dance rock."

"You can definitely expect glitter and flashing lights and groove," McDonald added.

Borrowing their band name from an off-handed conversation about the Japanese anime series "Voltron," One Hot Robot was soon off and running, playing shows at InsideOut Gallery, Kilkenny’s and Union Street Station.

"We’ve tended to stick in the TC area," Paul said. "But, we always draw a crowd who likes to get out and dance."

Dance Dance Revolution

Paul pointed out that "it’s easy to get through a four-hour gig when you have just as much energy coming back as you’re putting out" and perhaps that’s been the secret to One Hot Robot’s regional success so far – the crowds love them.

Well, most crowds. "Some of my favorite shows are the bad ones," McDonald said wryly. "We played one night at a casino and, in between sets, a DJ would play. The casino-goers would get out then and dance, and then as soon as we resumed playing they’d run from us, scattering like roaches in the light."

Fortunately, that’s the exception, not the rule.

A One Hot Robot show is typically accompanied by lots of dancing and folks in a party mood, which the band said is really the point of the whole endeavor. They’re known as a band that can really get the crowd moving.

"We want to have fun playing and to force our audiences to have fun, too," Hunter laughed.

Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes

Much like the occasional bad gig every band has experienced, all band’s go through challenges. The latest for One Hot Robot is the soon-to-be departure of Ramage as their lead singer.

"For a small town northern Michigan singer, I hit the jackpot being invited to play all the major venues in the area where I grew up watching my favorite musicians," Ramage said. "Something happened to me when I performed with this band. I suddenly had confidence. It was like a light bulb turned on and I realized this is what I’m made to do."

Ramage is so confident that she’s departing for Nashville where she will bring her new demo recording and immerse herself in a new music scene.

"I’ve grown heaps and bounds just from being with this band. I’m forever grateful that they stuck this out with me and supported me," she said.

"I will play music with Mal whenever," Hunter said. "The five of us have great chemistry and I’d be excited to play together again in the future. We wish her the best of luck!" What happens to the rest of the Robot in the meantime?

Anybody Wanna Be in a Band?

"The plan is to focus on getting a solid set back together, auditioning new singers and playing gigs," Paul said. "And we’re using this change to incorporate new material."

The Ramage-less One Hot Robot are rebooting their songs so the four of them can cover their old repertoire while adding new songs – an effort to retain the sound their fans love while they carefully seek out their new fifth member.

"When someone wants to come in and sing with us, we’ll get an opportunity to evolve and challenge ourselves again," Mc- Donald said.

Ramage envisions One Hot Robot’s future as bright as she sees her own.

"I’m excited to see what they do," she said. "Those dudes are ridiculously talented and they’ll probably surpass anything we did while I was an official member."

With goals that include continued live shows and recording their original music, the band’s focus – having fun – hasn’t really changed.

"We’re looking forward to a summer of playing music together. That’s really the key," Hunter said. "You’ll hopefully come away from one of our shows thinking those ridiculous people really love playing music! And they dress well! And I’m tired from moving so much!"

Find One Hot Robot at facebook.com/One- HotRobot and follow Ramage’s musical journey to Nashville at facebook.com/MalloryRamageMusic. One Hot Robot’s next gig will be at Kilkenny’s in Traverse City on Friday, April 3.

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