WEST VAIL, Colorado — When Bump’s road warrior — a Dodge Ram 3500 white van — broke down in June, it marked the end of an era for the Detroit-based band. The three-member band was headed to the Wakarusa Music Festival in Lawrence, Kan., when their beloved transportation died after logging an astounding 260,000 miles. It was in the small town of Hays that band members Yorg (guitar, vocals and keys), Clint Carpenter (drums), and Chris Steel (guitar, lap steel and vocals), said goodbye to their companion.
Marking the beginning of a new era and a new album, the boys will bring their “new motown sound” to Vail via a new-to-them Dodge Ram 3500 van. They perform Tuesday night at the Sandbar in West Vail.
Dick Dime, talent buyer for the Sandbar, said he is looking forward to an evening of Bump’s irresistible grooves.
“There are bands that are for thinking and there are bands that are for drinking,” he said. “Every once in awhile a band comes along who is a little bit of both. In this case, its Bump.”
Joe Choma, the band’s publicist of five years, says the album the group’s currently working on features a more stripped down sound than the electronic-infused 2006 album, “Incredible Consequences.” Bump’s new sound has been dubbed “progressive low-fi rock.”
“I’ve heard their sound being compared to The Flaming Lips and Band of Horses,” Choma said. “Their new stuff is more accessible than some of the previous tunes and really shows a maturation of their sound. They’ve always had a little bit of that indie or pop element, and its really grown.”
Vocalist and guitarist Yorg said that while their music has progressed since their first album, their basic influences remain the same.
“It’s still what we call our brand of music,” he said. “We feel like every album progresses to something different. Now we have some pretty songs, a kind of different take on production, but there’s still some electronic themes going on.”
From electronic to hip hop to ’60s jazz and reggae, Yorg said that the band draws their inspiration from an eclectic combination of music.
“I can’t even begin to name all of our influences,” he said. “If you looked at our music collections, you’d be surprised at some of the albums we have.”
Blending medias
The band’s MySpace page features a song entitled “Remember to Forget,” a track that has yet to be released and will not be included on their next album, set for release this winter. Instead, the song is a part of a 20-song “sci-fi conspiracy” double album that has been in the works for a while now. The plan is for the album release to coincide with a black and white graphic novel. Each song corresponds to a chapter in the book.
“The graphic novel really looks like a progressive comic book,” Choma said. “We really want to release it at some point, probably in 2009. We had to push it to the back burner because it’s such a huge undertaking. The idea is to start to blend media outlets because album sales in general are down.”
The double album has been put off because Bump wants to release it at the right time, Yorg said.
“We want to do it right,” he said. “We want to wait until we have the right amount of money and support.”
Bump’s upcoming album, which isn’t titled yet, is due out this winter. Attendees at Tuesday night’s show can expect a few tracks from that release, including “Out of Reach” and “Darker Version of Me,” which are both on their Web site, www.bumpgroove.com.
The album, co-produced by Dan Currie (who’s worked with Eminem and the White Stripes) and Josh Epstein of the Silent Years, fuses elements of minimalist rock and indie electro-pop with the band’s “new Motown sound.”
“They really just pull the ideas out of you,” Yorg said about Currie and Epstein. “We finish a song and they just come up with the best way to present it.”
Bump plans to tour in the spring of 2009 to promote the new album. The tour will include a stop at the South By Southwest Music Festival in Austin, Texas in March.
They play to make a few stops in Colorado on their spring tour as well. The band has a large Colorado fan base thanks to all the mid-western transplants living here.
“The guys love Colorado,” Choma said. “This is probably the eighth time we’ve been out there and we have so many friends. The atmosphere and overall attitude is so laid back and very similar to the midwest.”
Yorg said that this tour is all about getting fans excited about the upcoming album, and playing tracks that aren’t on the original album.
“It’s going to be an insane set,” he said.
Dime agreed.
“Bump can move your soul, your mind and most importantly your feet. Their spirit and groove will move you.”
Nicole Inglis can be reached at ninglis@vaildaily.com.
If you go ...
What: Bump
Where: Sandbar Sports Grill, West Vail.
When: Tuesday, 10 p.m.
Cost: $5.
More information: Call 970-476-4314.
Monday, October 27, 2008
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Thanksgiving Eve Tickets On Sale Now! Majestic Theatre w/ The Hard Lessons
Tickets are on sale, they're going to go go go!
PURCHASE YOUR TICKETS HERE!
WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 26th
Majestic Theatre, Detroit MI
w/ The Hard Lessons
9 PM
All Ages
$10 ADV / $15 DOS
PURCHASE YOUR TICKETS HERE!
WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 26th
Majestic Theatre, Detroit MI
w/ The Hard Lessons
9 PM
All Ages
$10 ADV / $15 DOS
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Western Herald Article - Western Michigan University
Bump at Bell’s Eccentric Cafe
By Alyssa Herter
Western Herald
Bump, an electronic rock band native to Detroit, will play at Bell’s Eccentric Café located at 355 E. Kalamazoo Ave in downtown Kalamazoo Friday at 9:30 p.m. The show is 21 and up and cover is $6.
Bump’s music is a mesh of classic motown sound and modern electronic currents; they claim the genre “electronic science-fiction rock.” The band’s influences include motown artists, The Mars Volta, Pink Floyd, The Flaming Lips, Yes, and Eric Clapton; just to name a few.
“I think the people who see us for the first time are just taken back by just all the genres we cover and the overall energy we have. We go all over the place. A lot of people say we just cover the whole history of rock and roll from motown to R & B to techno … that’s something to shoot for,” said front man Yorg Kerasiotis.
“I like them a lot … they have a unique sound … I have never seen them before, but I would definitely be interested in seeing them in concert,” Bethany Alia said, a student at Western Michigan University.
Bump features Yorg Kerasiotis on vocals, guitar, and keys; Clint Carpenter on drums and sequencer; and Chris Sterr on guitar, lap steel and vocals. All three are original members and have been playing together since they started the band in 2001. Bryce Carroll-Coe has joined the band just for this tour, playing bass.
Since their first EP, “The Heart of Cadillac Square,” was released in 2004, the band has steadily continued to produce their music independently. They recently recorded a new album, “Astronomica,” which will be released in early 2009. They recently shot a music video for the single “Out of Reach” in Grand Rapids. The video was shot using a steady-cam that allowed for ultra straight shooting: the entire video was shot in a single take.
“It was awesome … every time I’m not on camera, I’m running behind the camera to set up in a different place,” Kerasiotis said.
Bump’s music has grown substantially in the years they’ve been together, said Kerasiotis.
“We don’t sound like the same band [from album to] album, but you can tell it’s Bump … it’s just a growth constantly,” said Kerasiotis.
Bump has played in Kalamazoo at the now defunct Club Soda as well as at Bell’s Eccentric Café. Their crowds at Bell’s have exceeded 300 people.
“It’s just something about Bell’s. There will be lulls in our careers, but at Bell’s that never really happens and they always treat us well … its just one of those places where it’s never really a miss,” said Kerasiotis.
The band has toured in 35 states and played over 600 shows. Their music has been met by much praise in Kalamazoo, Detroit, and beyond.
“Bump is unlike any other band I’ve come across in the city, and while they might not tuck into one of the handful of genre scenes more prevalent in Detroit, they’ve crafted a fan base that stretches from the state line across the country,” wrote Travis Wright of Real Detroit Weekly.
Kerasiotis has no problem with not conforming to one genre.
“I like it because it allows us to do something totally different all the time and not have to be caged in … I don’t necessarily want to make the same music on every album …We go for something totally different on every album, then live we kinda just incorporate the best of all that,” Kerasiotis said.
Bump plans to kick off their next year of touring with a show at the South by Southwest Music and Media Convention in Austin, Texas this March.
To find out more information about Bump, visit their Web site at http://www.bumpgroove.com.
For more information about Bell’s Eccentric Café call (269) 382-2332 or go to their Web site at www.bellsbeer.com.
By Alyssa Herter
Western Herald
Bump, an electronic rock band native to Detroit, will play at Bell’s Eccentric Café located at 355 E. Kalamazoo Ave in downtown Kalamazoo Friday at 9:30 p.m. The show is 21 and up and cover is $6.
Bump’s music is a mesh of classic motown sound and modern electronic currents; they claim the genre “electronic science-fiction rock.” The band’s influences include motown artists, The Mars Volta, Pink Floyd, The Flaming Lips, Yes, and Eric Clapton; just to name a few.
“I think the people who see us for the first time are just taken back by just all the genres we cover and the overall energy we have. We go all over the place. A lot of people say we just cover the whole history of rock and roll from motown to R & B to techno … that’s something to shoot for,” said front man Yorg Kerasiotis.
“I like them a lot … they have a unique sound … I have never seen them before, but I would definitely be interested in seeing them in concert,” Bethany Alia said, a student at Western Michigan University.
Bump features Yorg Kerasiotis on vocals, guitar, and keys; Clint Carpenter on drums and sequencer; and Chris Sterr on guitar, lap steel and vocals. All three are original members and have been playing together since they started the band in 2001. Bryce Carroll-Coe has joined the band just for this tour, playing bass.
Since their first EP, “The Heart of Cadillac Square,” was released in 2004, the band has steadily continued to produce their music independently. They recently recorded a new album, “Astronomica,” which will be released in early 2009. They recently shot a music video for the single “Out of Reach” in Grand Rapids. The video was shot using a steady-cam that allowed for ultra straight shooting: the entire video was shot in a single take.
“It was awesome … every time I’m not on camera, I’m running behind the camera to set up in a different place,” Kerasiotis said.
Bump’s music has grown substantially in the years they’ve been together, said Kerasiotis.
“We don’t sound like the same band [from album to] album, but you can tell it’s Bump … it’s just a growth constantly,” said Kerasiotis.
Bump has played in Kalamazoo at the now defunct Club Soda as well as at Bell’s Eccentric Café. Their crowds at Bell’s have exceeded 300 people.
“It’s just something about Bell’s. There will be lulls in our careers, but at Bell’s that never really happens and they always treat us well … its just one of those places where it’s never really a miss,” said Kerasiotis.
The band has toured in 35 states and played over 600 shows. Their music has been met by much praise in Kalamazoo, Detroit, and beyond.
“Bump is unlike any other band I’ve come across in the city, and while they might not tuck into one of the handful of genre scenes more prevalent in Detroit, they’ve crafted a fan base that stretches from the state line across the country,” wrote Travis Wright of Real Detroit Weekly.
Kerasiotis has no problem with not conforming to one genre.
“I like it because it allows us to do something totally different all the time and not have to be caged in … I don’t necessarily want to make the same music on every album …We go for something totally different on every album, then live we kinda just incorporate the best of all that,” Kerasiotis said.
Bump plans to kick off their next year of touring with a show at the South by Southwest Music and Media Convention in Austin, Texas this March.
To find out more information about Bump, visit their Web site at http://www.bumpgroove.com.
For more information about Bell’s Eccentric Café call (269) 382-2332 or go to their Web site at www.bellsbeer.com.
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Music Video Thank You!
We set out to record a one shot video for "Out of Reach," the new single off our untitled album due out later this winter. The idea is to utilize one continuous shot with ZERO edits. It's a very difficult process and the littlest things can ruin the shot. Fulvew Productions absolutely killed it! Keith and Chris did an amazing job with the shoot, the choreography, and managing the entire day. The shoot went off without a hitch, except for a little disturbance from an idiot in the Circle who didn't want to cooperate and was eventually arrested by GRPD.
We really appreciate all the help everyone gave us during the shoot for "Out of Reach." From the production assistants, to the extras, and all the "randoms" who happened to walk by and participate in their own special way. A big thank you goes out to the Grand Rapids Police Department and the City of Grand Rapids for letting us take over Rosa Parks Circle for the entire day.
FOX 17 came by and ran a news feature on the filming of the video. You can check out the video by visiting: HERE and finding "MUSIC VIDEO" on 10/12/08 in the news tab in the player.
Also, a big thank you goes out to Angie and Incognito of Royal Oak for providing the awesome fashions for the video! We never looked so good.
We really appreciate all the help everyone gave us during the shoot for "Out of Reach." From the production assistants, to the extras, and all the "randoms" who happened to walk by and participate in their own special way. A big thank you goes out to the Grand Rapids Police Department and the City of Grand Rapids for letting us take over Rosa Parks Circle for the entire day.
FOX 17 came by and ran a news feature on the filming of the video. You can check out the video by visiting: HERE and finding "MUSIC VIDEO" on 10/12/08 in the news tab in the player.
Also, a big thank you goes out to Angie and Incognito of Royal Oak for providing the awesome fashions for the video! We never looked so good.
Friday, October 10, 2008
So...You wanna be in our music video?
Come one, come all! We're inviting EVERYONE to come out this Sunday October 12th to be in our music video for "Out of Reach," the new single off our new album due out later this winter.
We're looking for extras and assistants to help us out!
WHO: We're looking for extras to be in the video. It's simple, easy, and a ton of fun! This is going to take a lot of choreography and coordination to pull this video off so we need everyone sober, alert, focused and hitting their marks every time. You will help create a busy street scene during the filming of the video. We're also looking for assistants who will help us coordinate and organize some pretty intensive behind the scenes choreography. We're closing down some streets and will need your help! Please note, if you cannot commit for the entire duration of the filming we cannot use your help. We only need those who can donate a full day.
WHAT: Bump's music video for "Out of Reach."
WHEN: Sunday October 12th
Assistants: 10:30 AM (Must be committed to 10:30 am - roughly 6:30 pm)
Extras: 1:00 PM (Must be committed to 1:00 pm - roughtly 6:30 pm)
WHERE: Downtown Grand Rapids, MI - The sidewalk between the Art Museum and Rosa Park Circle (where the ice skating rink is located during the winter months) You can view a map HERE
If you are interested in being in the video, please email our manager Joe Choma at joe@grandcircusmedia. com.
Please include your full name, cell phone, and which part in the video you are interested in. Feel free to spread the word and get all of your friends involved.
Later in the week we will get back in touch with you regarding some more specific information for the shoot, so if you're interested please respond ASAP!
We're looking for extras and assistants to help us out!
WHO: We're looking for extras to be in the video. It's simple, easy, and a ton of fun! This is going to take a lot of choreography and coordination to pull this video off so we need everyone sober, alert, focused and hitting their marks every time. You will help create a busy street scene during the filming of the video. We're also looking for assistants who will help us coordinate and organize some pretty intensive behind the scenes choreography. We're closing down some streets and will need your help! Please note, if you cannot commit for the entire duration of the filming we cannot use your help. We only need those who can donate a full day.
WHAT: Bump's music video for "Out of Reach."
WHEN: Sunday October 12th
Assistants: 10:30 AM (Must be committed to 10:30 am - roughly 6:30 pm)
Extras: 1:00 PM (Must be committed to 1:00 pm - roughtly 6:30 pm)
WHERE: Downtown Grand Rapids, MI - The sidewalk between the Art Museum and Rosa Park Circle (where the ice skating rink is located during the winter months) You can view a map HERE
If you are interested in being in the video, please email our manager Joe Choma at joe@grandcircusmedia. com.
Please include your full name, cell phone, and which part in the video you are interested in. Feel free to spread the word and get all of your friends involved.
Later in the week we will get back in touch with you regarding some more specific information for the shoot, so if you're interested please respond ASAP!
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