Battle royal

April 8, 1999

Daily Staff Writer

Eleven central Iowa bands will usher in a week of live music and celebration at the Veishea Battle of the Bands Sunday at noon at the Maintenance Shop.

The free festival features music of all genres, selected by Veishea music coordinators from over 20 applicants.

Bands will be competing for a first place prize of four hours of recording time at Trifecta Studios in Des Moines. Other prizes include sound equipment and gift certificates.

Always up for supporting the local music scene and Veishea, High Note would like to introduce the performing bands, the best of the bunch, the cream of the crop, the pick of the litter … you get the point:

The Shaggy Boys

Line-up: Matt Anthoney, baritone; Joel Caruth, tenor; Tom Kapaska, bass; Luke Miller, tenor; Brad Seidenfeld, baritone; Devin Sires, tenor

Homebase: Ames

Recordings: “Shaggabego Groove” released in May 1998.

History: Iowa State’s six-man a capella sensation, The Shaggy Boys, was originally assembled in 1997 from members of ISU’s premiere vocal ensemble, The Iowa State Singers.

After the group was established, it wasn’t long before word got out about the group’s talent. Willingly, the boys sang the national anthem at ISU basketball games, background music for formal events and center stage entertainment for various student activities.

Only three months after the group started playing seriously, it decided to make its debut album, named after Anthoney’s original hit song, “Shaggabego Groove.” Since the album’s release in May of 1998, it has sold over 600 copies.

“We sold [the albums] out of my house,” baritone Brad Seidenfeld said. “We sold them to friends, we sold them to friends of friends who heard it.”

The boys’ success continued as they placed in national a capella competitions such as the National Collegiate Championship of A Capella and Harmony Sweepstakes.

But at the end of its successful year, things were put on hold for a while. In May of 1998, original members Jason Price (bass) and Dave Derr (tenor) graduated and took jobs in other cities, and Anthoney took a semester-long internship with the Christian singing group Acapella.

It wasn’t until December of 1998 when Anthoney returned from his internship that the group asked fellow Iowa State Singers Tom Kapaska and Joel Caruth to replace Price and Derr.

Since the group has reunited, it has played concerts around Ames and Cedar Rapids to enthusiastic crowds.

“I think we’ve been surprised in some respects at how popular we’ve been coming back,” baritone Devin Sires said. “During a couple of gigs around [Ames] we’ve had a lot of people show up, and there’s still been a lot of requests for our CD. I think that shows that people still want to come listen to us.”

Self-description: “Just a goofy bunch of guys who like to sing,” Seidenfeld said.

Veishea memory: “Singing on the Taste of Veishea stage last year,” Sires said. “It was fun to see people stop and listen instead of just walk by.”

“In 1997, I remember sitting on the lawn with my roommates all night long and just chillin’,” Seidenfeld said.

— Ashley Hassebroek

The McKenzies

Line-up: Austin Howell, lead vocals, rhythm guitar; James Biehn, guitar, background vocals; Jason Smith, drums, background vocals; Jeremy Pfeffer, bass, background vocals

Homebase: Norwalk

Recordings: “A Collective Sigh of Relief” released in 1998.

History: Buddies James Biehn and Jason Smith started a band back in their prepubescent days of junior high. After making it through the oily face phase, the two peas in a pod were joined by Austin Howell, a friend from music camp.

The trio was the backbone of Tight Rope, but later changed its name to The McKenzies, a name jokingly suggested by Biehn. As movie buffs may recall, the MacKenzies were the family in “So I Married An Axe Murder.”

After going through a series of various line-up changes, bassist Jeremy Pfeffer was added in January of ’98.

The McKenzies differ from a “normal” band in that the members have never all been living in one city at the same time. This tends to cause a struggle for practice time, making the band’s shows its actual “practice sessions.”

This doesn’t take away from The McKenzies’ performances, though. If anything, it adds to the band’s live energy, spontaneity and improvisation.

After playing an average of one show per week for the last three years, Biehn said the band is comfortable with its current situation.

The McKenzies have hefty goals for the future. Pfeffer and Howell will be graduating from college in May, allowing for the band to practice more often and expand its fan base throughout the Midwest this summer.

Self-description: “A four-piece rock band in the vein of The Black Crows, Phish, etcetera, with a knack for songwriting and live improvisation,” Biehn said.

Veishea Memory: “I definitely have to go with the riot,” Biehn said. “Even though it was a bad thing, it still represented the fact that [Veishea] is more or less in the students’ hands. Even though they should have taken a left when they took a right.”

— Adam Jonas

Mr. Plow

Line-up: Nick Pearson, vocals; Dan Fjelland, vocals; Sam Johnson, vocals, bass; Ben Harrelson, bass, guitar; Paul Thacker, guitar; Ubong Stowe, drums

Homebase: Huxley

Recordings: Entering a Minneapolis studio in May to record debut.

History: Mr. Plow is the New Kids On The Block of the Ames music scene, but not because the band is new and its members are all under 20.

Nick, Dan, Sam, Ben, Paul and Ubong bring the same excitement and personality Danny, Donnie, Joe, Jon and Jordan brought to the stage a decade ago, only they have spiked their musical Kool Aid with Beastie rhymes and Funkadelic grooves.

Stemming from the Ballard High School band Grrr, Mr. Plow made its Ames debut Homecoming weekend at Togetherfest 2 and has been the band-to-see since.

Under the diverse wings of local pals 35″ Mudder and Medulla Oblongata, Mr. Plow has graced the People’s Bar and Grill stage enough times to lay the foundation for a following of its own.

With the recent departure of John “Juan Flow Dawg” Flotho, Johnson has stepped up to the mic and the song book, where the group just penned a tune about James Bond … the video game.

Self-description: “Take rap and funk and put it together and you have Mr. Plow,” Pearson said. “We try to get the crowd involved as much as possible.”

Veishea memory: “I always liked going to the parade when I was a kid,” Fjelland said. “I liked the candy. One time, I wore an Iowa Hawkeyes shirt and Cy picked me up and scolded me.”

“I had a good time at Rock Veishea last year,” Pearson said. “Tonic was cool, they really surprised me.”

— Corey Moss

The Prairie Dogs

Lineup: John Stickney, vocals; Mike Belshan, guitar; Aaron Cook, bass; Jeff Kodis, drums

Homebase: Ames/Des Moines

Recording: A demo CD containing three originals and one cover.

History: Each of the members of the Prairie Dogs has Midwestern roots, hailing from Chicago, South Dakota and Iowa. Formerly known as Dorian Gray and Mr. Id, original members of the Prairie Dogs found the chemistry they had been looking for when drummer Jeff Kodis was added to the group a year ago.

With a new set of goals in mind, the Prairie Dogs set out to establish a cutting-edge acoustic rock sound, play more originals and, most importantly, do these two things in front of people.

The Dogs have taken their high-energy live performance to surrounding cities Minneapolis, Omaha, Iowa City and Vermillion, S.D.

Self-description: “We’re acoustic rock,” John Stickney said.

Veishea Memory: “My Veisheas have been pretty mellow,” Stickney said. “I’m a grad student so I just hang with the old guys. Nothing too crazy.”

— Kyle Moss

Grubby Ernie

Line-up: Matt McClurg, guitar, vocals; Brad Thoen, guitar, vocals; Yuta Naganuma, bass; Joel Nott, drums

Homebase: Ames

Recordings: Recorded a split 7-inch record with 35″ Mudder and recently sent another 7-inch record of its own material to be pressed.

History: Grubby Ernie formed in August of 1997 when the band members met through various connections.

The raucous punk/ska-core band draws influences from such bands as NOFX and the Misfits.

The band is rapidly gaining a strong fan base through power-packed shows and its consistent determination to please.

Drummer Joel Nott said he is just pleased to see the local music scene expand.

“There’s a lot of bands and there are pretty diverse types of music that you can go out and see,” he said.

Nott also wants everyone to know that a Grubby Ernie show is a fun experience because of the band’s attitude toward playing music.

“We’re basically just having fun onstage instead of trying to be all serious about it,” he said.

Self-description: “We’re your basic punk/ska-core band. There’s a bunch of them around here,” Nott said.

Veishea Memory: Brad Thoen, along with the rest of the band, had an interesting experience with Veishea last year when the guys played a prank on the campus radio station KURE.

Apparently, a couple of KURE DJs were hungry for Pokey Sticks, but couldn’t remember the number for Gumby’s Pizza, so they asked listeners to call in with the number.

“We called in and gave them our number,” Thoen said. “They called here and ordered.”

When the “order” was ready, the band delivered the rest of its prank.

“We called them back and said, ‘Your pokey sticks are here, wanna meet us at the arches?’ We obviously weren’t there and they called us back all mad,” he said. “We said the delivery guy got arrested for trying to break into a girls’ floor.”

— Kevin Hosbond

Medulla Oblongata

Line-up: Chris Rohret, vocals, drums; Jason Sturges, bass, vocals; Chinmoy Panigrahy, guitar, vocals

Homebase: Ames

Recordings: Recently home-recorded a CD, making only a handful of copies. The band members refer to the untitled project as “the mystery Medulla floating bootleg.”

History: Heralding from the heart of West Ames, certain members of Medulla began their musical endeavors in elementary school. While attending Sawyer Elementary, Panigrahy began fooling around with Metallica and Guns ‘N’ Roses riffs.

Continuing to play throughout elementary and junior high, Panigrahy teamed up with Rohret and the two played together consistently.

While attending a Grandma Mojo’s Moonshine Revival show at the Maintenance Shop, the duo met Sturges, who had been playing music for the shows.

With no long-term intentions, Panigrahy and Rohret invited Sturges to a jam session in Rohret’s basement, which would soon become the unofficial Medulla Oblongata headquarters.

The trio meshed instantly, forming the group’s improvisational style. Rohret and Panigrahy asked Sturges to stay on as their permanent bass player and Medulla was formed.

“We kinda knew within the first two seconds of playing together,” Rohret said. “It was almost like ‘OK, we’re gonna be a band. We’re gonna make a million dollars.'”

Two years later, Medulla has played numerous gigs in Ames and surrounding states. Hitting the road this summer, the band will tour both the East and West Coasts.

Self-description: “I guess you could say we’re taking jazz, funk and rock and throwing it in a blender,” Rohert said. “Only you’re putting it on ‘high’ and leaving it for four hours.”

Veishea Memory: “I guess the music was halfway decent last year so that was pretty cool,” Rohret said. “But I think it’s lookin’ to be even better this year. We’ve got some good bands here, and the Battle of the Bands is going to be a great time.”

— Sam Johnson

Pookey Bleum

Line-up: Aaron Hefley, vocals, guitar; Melissa Sorbo, vocals, bass guitar; Jeremy Johnson, drums

Homebase: Ames

Recordings: Released self-titled debut album in fall of 1998.

History: Pookey Bleum originated out of Newton about two and a half years ago. The musicians were friends in high school and decided to combine their talents to become a band.

After finishing its demo CD and playing a music festival in Newton, Pookey Bleum was ready to tackle more gigs and promote its new album.

The trio has made several appearances in Ames and has tried to expand its parameters outside of the city.

Hefley boasts that the band has quite a few fans in Sibley.

Self-description: “We are kinda like the Barenaked Ladies, Ecstasy and maybe Frente,” Hefley said. In three words Hefley described Pookey Bleum as “powerful, future, pop.”

Veishea Memory: “I don’t have one. I guess I just wasn’t paying attention,” Hefley began. But after more contemplation, he decided Veishea ’96 was all right. “In ’96 we opened for Local H.”

— Adam Jonas

Mitey Felix

Lineup: Ben Hawk, guitar, vocals; Aaron Hefley, bass, vocals; Scott Bryant, drums

Homebase: Newton/Ames/Des Moines

Recordings: Several demos in Hawk’s basement with a four-track recorder.

History: Summer of 1996 marked the birth of Mitey Felix.

Conceived in the small town of Newton, the band was faced with a problem that stood in the face of their teenage community — boredom.

In an attempt to keep themselves occupied, Hawk and Bryant began writing short songs in the basement and playing them out. Hefley later added his bass and vocal expertise to complete the Mitey Felix sound.

In the summer of ’97, Mitey Felix made its first public appearance at Bowlapalooza, a local music festival held in Newton. The band has since moved to Iowa State and played shows all around Ames and in Iowa City.

Self-description: “We have a punk/pop sound,” Bryant said.

Veishea Memory: “This isn’t very exciting, but I’m only a sophomore,” Bryant warned. “During Veishea last year, I came down with mono.”

— Kyle Moss

Spooky Mojo

Line-up: Gabe Jones, vocals, harmonica; Shayne Wad, guitar, vocals; Chris Schmitz, bass; Jared Wingert, drums, vocals

Homebase: Fort Dodge

Recordings: “Barefoot Customers” released in July of 1998.

History: The name Spooky Mojo says it all.

Drummer Jared Wingert said the name is influenced by the late Jim Morrison’s anagram “Mr. Mojo Risin’,” and is a result of Spooky Mojo’s “weirdness.”

The band formed in late 1993 and began playing original songs as well as some favorite tunes by The Beatles, The Doors, Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton and Cream.

Wingert prides his band on the fact that the group has its own P.A. system, so the band can travel anywhere and provide its own sound.

The band enjoys playing at frat parties and added a plug to play more.

Spooky Mojo is known up north for its ability to work crowds.

“We get on their level,” Wingert said. “We play what they want to hear, and we don’t play what they don’t want to hear. We’re just like the crowd, only we’ve got some instruments strapped on us.”

Self-description: “I would call our band a party band — a beer-drinking band,” Wingert said.

Veishea Memory: “It’s good for the community and people need to realize it’s a tradition,” Wingert said. “It should be a way for Iowa State to show how proud it is.”

— Kevin Hosbond

Deviant

Line-up: Curt Daniels, vocals; Troj Brown, bass; Landon Burg, lead guitar; Johnny-O, rhythm guitar; Quinn-Dogg, drums

Homebase: Ames

Recordings: Plans to record at Junior’s Motel in Otho this summer.

History: Deviant’s formation began when Troj Brown and Quinn-Dogg were living in the dorms.

“Down the hall I found this guy who was listening to the same music I did,” Brown said. “Eventually, he moved in with me and set up his drums in our dorm room, and we started jamming.”

After adding Johnny-O to the lineup, the guys moved off campus and started holding auditions for a lead singer and lead guitarist.

Burg amazed the band with his axe-slinging talent. So after Burg was added to the lineup, the band only needed a lead singer.

“Curt came over and auditioned and blew us away. He just started rolling around, flipping all over the place and breaking stuff,” Brown said. “He just went crazy and we were like, ‘Oh my God, this is the guy.'”

Deviant draws influences from bands like Korn, Limp Bizkit, Marilyn Manson and Pantera.

Self-description: “An original blend of metal and hip-hop,” Brown said. “I don’t think Ames has ever heard anything like us before. Even if you don’t like our style of music, we’re definitely worth the watch.”

Veishea Memory: “I was here when you could drink. We loved those days,” Brown said. “This dry thing kind of sucks. I just think people have more fun the more liquored up they get.”

— Kevin Hosbond

W.A.D.

Line-up: Trent Malvin, vocals; Derrin Fischer, drums; Erich Tran, guitar; Joe Shields, bass

Homebase: Des Moines

Recordings: A short demo to give to friends and a recent demo done on a four-track recorder.

History: Only together since last September, the four members of W.A.D have been busy writing original songs, while looking for their musical niche.

The core of the band formed when Fischer and Shields began holding frequent jam sessions.

After experimenting with different styles, the two looked to complete the group. A hometown friend of Shields, Tran was added to the line-up to play guitar.

The nearly-complete group auditioned numerous people to try to fill the vocal slot. While at a bar, Malvin was introduced to Fischer through an ex-girlfriend.

“He looked at me and said, ‘You look like a lead singer,'” Malvin said. “They said they had been trying out vocalists for their band and asked me to try out.”

Malvin filled the slot and the group wrestled its way into a heavier sound.

Playing a handful of gigs, W.A.D is ready for some exposure.

Self-description: “Progressive alternative,” Malvin said. “We’re a heavier band. There’s some definite Tool and Korn influences, crossed with your modern day hard rock.

“Each song is a little different because we’ve been experimenting with a lot of different stuff. It’s good variety, but we’re looking to kind of settle into a slot.”

Veishea Memory: “A friend of ours came down for Veishea,” Malvin laughed. “I don’t know why, but he came down and stole a stuffed beaver from the police station. I don’t why you would steal a stuffed beaver from a police station. I don’t even know why a police station would have a stuffed beaver. It must’ve been confiscated evidence, or something.”

— Sam Johnson

Veishea Battle of the Bands schedule:

Sunday – Noon

Maintenance Shop

12:00 – W.A.D.

12:35 – Deviant

1:10 – Spooky Mojo

1:45 – Mitey Felix

2:20 – Pookey Bleum

2:55 – Medulla Oblongata

3:30 – Grubby Ernie

4:05 – Prairie Dogs