| | |
 |
|
| 11-13-2003 | Previous edition: 11-12-2003 |
        
     |
Printer-friendly version Smokestack to make area debut with Saturday showBy Tim ShierStaff Writer Ann Arbor jam-band quartet Smokestack will bring its own brand of "energetic grooves" to the Lafayette Brewing Company Saturday night. "We cover anyone from TLC and the Bangles to Weather Report and Garaj Mahal," said guitarist Chuck Newsome. Other band members are James Sibley on keyboards, Jacob Chmara on bass and Dan Eichinger on drums. The band got its start in an old barn with a wood burning stove where it used to practice. "The stove had a single metal chimney of sorts that stuck out the roof to allow smoke to go out," explained Newsome. "Neighborhood kids would come over, and one time they yelled, 'There's smoke coming out of the smokestack.'" And the name stuck. Smokestack broke onto the national scene after spending the late '90s playing numerous small clubs around the Ann Arbor area. It has since performed with well-known names such as the Jerry Garcia Band, Umphrey's McGee and The Slip. Last year alone it played more than 150 gigs across the country and in Canada. It's a nonstop lifestyle for the four-man band. "When on the road, we generally drive all day, get to the venue around 7 p.m. and carry all the equipment in," said Newsome. "Then after setting up and sound checking we'll usually eat some dinner and get mentally prepared to perform. Shows usually go until about 2 a.m., at which point we'll pack up and head to someone's house to crash. Typically, we'll get up around noon and drive all day to do it again." The band has already completed four tours out to Colorado and back, as well as a tour of the East Coast. "We plan to continue touring and building our scene in a natural way as the crowds and the music continue to grow," said Newsome. Independent labels have offered Smokestack record deals, but the band has turned them down because of the deals' terms. All four members of Smokestack are professional musicians, a feat few jam-bands can boast. They describe their music as equal parts songwriting, composing and improvisation. "Stylistically, there are elements of funk, rock, Latin, reggae and bluegrass in our originals and we like to pick obscure covers," said Newsome. Smokestack will be performing at 10 p.m. Saturday at the Lafayette Brewing Co., 622 Main St. Admission is $5 at the door. "We're very excited to make our debut at Purdue," said Newsome. "We've been looking forward to a stop there for a couple of years now." Printer-friendly version |
|
Front Page | Campus | City | Features | Opinions | Sports | Classifieds Advertising | Archive | Links | About us | Letter Submission Form To report any errors with or to give ideas on how we can improve the online edition of The Exponent contact Online Production |
