Big Sounds

Feb. 15, 2006

Just as cabin fever was about to get the best of us, local venues have come to the rescue with a power packed line up of national touring acts. It starts February 15 with Canadian rockers Default and continues for the next 30 days when the King of Funk, George Clinton (Parliament/Funkadelic) brings his mothership to town, full of some 30 funk musicians, on March 17 for what surely will be the funkiest St. Patrick’s Day Northern Michigan has ever seen.


Here is a highlight of the happenings over the next week.
 
DEFAULT: 
These Platinum rockers from Canada will bring their melodic yet hard rock sound to Streeters Ground Zero stage Wednesday, February 15. Since bursting onto the scene seven years ago the band has several hits “Wasting My Time,” “Deny,” and Taking My Life Away.” In 2001 they released their album “The Fallout,” (went Platinum 15 months later) and the band seemed to just stay on the road.
“Really, we started touring in 1999 and continued nonstop well into 2004,” said Dallas Smith, vocalist. “It was hard working on a new album on the road. So we took a year off and worked on a new album and now we are back.
That new album is “One Thing Remains,” and it hit the stores last October. It got off to a slow start but sales are picking up.
“We took a different approach this time. We wanted to keep that melodic sound but we wanted things to be heavier,” said Smith. “Plus it has been over four years since we released an album so it takes time to get people reconnected. We brought a lot of people in to work with us and we are happy with the sound.”
So is Chad Kroeger who discovered the band and brought them out on the road with his band Nickelback. Kroeger co-wrote “Count On Me,” and dismisses critics comparison of Default (often cited as B-team protégés) to his own band.
 “These guys have established themselves and have their own sound,” said Kroeger. “You don’t sell a million records imitating someone else, the music buying public is quick to identify musical frauds. Default is definitely first-team and they have proven that for many years now.”
Default’s new sound is definitely edgier than their peers. While many post-grunge bands are pursuing a commercialized sound to satisfy label execs, Default has chosen to go in another direction. Catch Default and their old-school hard rock sound with Oliver Black and Blisstripp. For advance tickets visit www.streetersonline.com or call the box office (231) 932-1300.
 
TRAPT:
Apparently Doug Street at Streeters likes musical snowstorms because he has booked national act after national act into his Ground Zero literally within days of each other. TRAPT will take the stage on February 17 just two days after Default rocks the house.
TRAPT will be making their fifth appearance at Streeters since the release of their debut album in 2002. The self-titled album has gone Double-Platinum powered by the hit song “Headstrong” and the group despite their international status loves coming to TC, even if it is in the middle of winter.
“We love it up there. Doug Street booked us early in our careers. He was loyal to us,” said lead singer Chris Brown.
The band is currently on a major arena tour with Nickelback but is jumping off the tour to perform in Traverse City.
“Sure a few nights before we will be playing for 20,000 people but we like the intimacy of the small venue,” said Brown. “In many ways playing in front of  twenty thousand people in Northern Michigan is like playing in front of 20,000 somewhere else. Those f**kers up there are wild and crazy and we love them.”
The Brian Schramm Band will open with Thousand Foot Crutch. For advance tickets visit www.streetersonline.com or call the box office (231) 932-1300.
 
BUCKCHERRY:
Formed in 1995 when singer Joshua Todd and guitarist Keith Nelson were intrduced to each other by their tattoo artist. They started hanging out and writing songs together. Eventually they recruited a drummer and bass player, named themselves Buckcherry and started playing on the tough to crack Los Angeles scene.
By 1999 these hard rockers were kings of the scene and signed a label deal with Dreamworks. Their self-titled debut rendered modern rock hits “Check Your Head,” “For the Movies,”and their major hit “Lit Up.” The album quickly went Gold earning them a spot on the national touring circuit. In late 2001 they released their second album “Time Bomb” and while critics panned the album it was good enough for them to be the opening act on the AC/DC tour.
The band went into hiatus in July 2002 when vocalist Todd left. They decided to regroup last year and go back in the studio. Next month they will release their new album “15,” it is currently available as an import and the song “Crazy Bitch” is available for download.
The hiatus for the band seems to have paid off, early reviews on the new album are positive and the band has new energy.
“At first I thought maybe it was a mistake when I left,” said Todd. “But in retrospect it turned out to be the right thing. I got that solo thing out of my system and Keith and I completely committed to Buckcherry.”
Early reviews of their concerts show that the fans are still committed to Buckcherry as well. Buckcherry performs at Streeters Ground Zero February 18, for advance tickets visit www.streetersonline.com or call the box office (231) 932-1300.
  
MELVIN SEALS: 
Keyboardist Melvin Seals has been a fixture on the music circuit for 35 years with a long-established reputation as a performer, recording artist and producer. He has played with legends such as Chuck Berry, Charlie Daniels and Elvin Bishop. But, perhaps, Melvin is most revered for his powerful and high-spirited Hammond B-3 organ and keyboards in the Jerry Garcia Band (JGB), adding his gospel-soul touches to the rhythm and blues base of the JGB. Melvin continues to treat music lovers to his unique brand of melodic flavor with his latest projects, Vitamin B-3 and The Mix, Melvin Seals JGB Band and Melvin Seals Rhythm Factory.
Seals is popular on the jam band circuit and his friendship and performing with Jerry Garcia attracts many Deadheads to his shows. Seals feels an obligation to keep Jerry’s musical spirit alive.
“I was with Jerry just before he died and he was giving an interview and was asked the question about his music and what would happen to it after he died. Jerry responded that ‘he hoped his music was bigger than him.’ Those comments stayed with me,” said Seals. “When Jerry died a few weeks after that all of us who were close to him were in a state of shock but I took those words to heart. Music is bigger than all of us. It will carry on and it carries us on.”
Seals will come to the Traverse City Opera House Saturday, February 18 as part of winter/spring concert series to be hosted by Grassroots Productions (organizers of Dunegrass). For additional information www.leelanau.com/dunegrass/ or call the box office 231.882.9502.
 

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