Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Atmospheric spaced-out sound worth your time
Atmospheric spaced-out sound worth your time
Jesse White
For The Corner News - Auburn, AL
published March 24, 2009
Detroit progressive rock band Bump opts for a jam approach when performing live.
Bump is a progressive rock group from Detroit. While their songs are widely varied in style, the recurring theme is an atmospheric, spaced-out sound that is deep in mood and advanced structurally. The band will be playing Saturday, March 28, at the Olde Auburn Ale House, promoting their newest record, “Forward.”
The tight composition on the album is put aside in the band’s live shows for an exploratory, jam-heavy approach that showcases the members’ musicianship.
The song “Everyone Knows” has high, U2-esque guitar textures and an ambient background with vocals that tie the track together perfectly, resulting in an almost Radiohead experience. As the album progresses, however, Bump switches to a jazz/country realm and a change in singers to a nasal, Blue Oyster Cult mixed with Drivin’ and Cryin’ vocalist.
On the song “Disconnected” as well as many others, guitarist Yorg Kerisiotis always plays melodic lines that compliment the rest of the group perfectly and avoids ever being over the top, the sign of a musician concerned with well crafted songs rather than stroking his own ego.
Keyboards, occasional forays into rock and jazz, Beatle-esque chord changes and multiple layers are all a part of Bump’s sound. They have tight, well written songs with creative lyrics.
Fans of the Alan Yates Band or Lake Trout will enjoy “Forward;” just like Lake Trout, Bump opts for a jam approach to their songs when performing live. That being said, “Forward” is a great record, but one shouldn’t miss an opportunity to the this band live.
For more on the band, visit myspace.com/bumpband.
Jesse White
For The Corner News - Auburn, AL
published March 24, 2009
Detroit progressive rock band Bump opts for a jam approach when performing live.
Bump is a progressive rock group from Detroit. While their songs are widely varied in style, the recurring theme is an atmospheric, spaced-out sound that is deep in mood and advanced structurally. The band will be playing Saturday, March 28, at the Olde Auburn Ale House, promoting their newest record, “Forward.”
The tight composition on the album is put aside in the band’s live shows for an exploratory, jam-heavy approach that showcases the members’ musicianship.
The song “Everyone Knows” has high, U2-esque guitar textures and an ambient background with vocals that tie the track together perfectly, resulting in an almost Radiohead experience. As the album progresses, however, Bump switches to a jazz/country realm and a change in singers to a nasal, Blue Oyster Cult mixed with Drivin’ and Cryin’ vocalist.
On the song “Disconnected” as well as many others, guitarist Yorg Kerisiotis always plays melodic lines that compliment the rest of the group perfectly and avoids ever being over the top, the sign of a musician concerned with well crafted songs rather than stroking his own ego.
Keyboards, occasional forays into rock and jazz, Beatle-esque chord changes and multiple layers are all a part of Bump’s sound. They have tight, well written songs with creative lyrics.
Fans of the Alan Yates Band or Lake Trout will enjoy “Forward;” just like Lake Trout, Bump opts for a jam approach to their songs when performing live. That being said, “Forward” is a great record, but one shouldn’t miss an opportunity to the this band live.
For more on the band, visit myspace.com/bumpband.
Monday, March 23, 2009
Detroit Music Award Performance Announced!
We are very privileged and excited to have been asked to perform at the Detroit Music Awards at The Fillmore on Friday April 17th. We are set to close the show and will be joined by a slew of our Detroit music scene friends for a big collaboration.
We are also nominated for the following awards:
Outstanding Rock/Pop Instrumentalist
* Yorg Kerasiotis, Clint Carpenter, Bryce Caroll-Coe, and Chris Sterr
Outstanding Rock/Pop Recording
* Forward
Outstanding Rock/Pop Songwriter
* Yorg Kerasiotis, Chris Sterr, and Clint Carpenter
Outstanding Rock/Pop Vocalist
* Yorg Kerasiotis and Chris Sterr
Outstanding Rock/Pop Group
Please visit DETROIT MUSIC AWARDS to vote.
You can also purchase tickets to the show at PURCHASE TICKETS
We are also nominated for the following awards:
Outstanding Rock/Pop Instrumentalist
* Yorg Kerasiotis, Clint Carpenter, Bryce Caroll-Coe, and Chris Sterr
Outstanding Rock/Pop Recording
* Forward
Outstanding Rock/Pop Songwriter
* Yorg Kerasiotis, Chris Sterr, and Clint Carpenter
Outstanding Rock/Pop Vocalist
* Yorg Kerasiotis and Chris Sterr
Outstanding Rock/Pop Group
Please visit DETROIT MUSIC AWARDS to vote.
You can also purchase tickets to the show at PURCHASE TICKETS
Friday, March 6, 2009
No-frills approach to album making
Written by Megan Broyles - Argonaut
Thursday, 05 March 2009
Moscow, ID
Bump, a mellow four-piece from the home of Motown and the Detroit Pistons, has been a work in the making for the past seven years.
Through numerous changes in band members and musical themes, the band has released its newest album, “Forward.”
Bryce Carroll-Coe, Bump’s bassist and newest addition, said the band has had many positive influences that led to the creation of “Forward.” “(This) album is about progression,” he said. “To literally move forward. The focus isn’t on production, but songs to begin with.”
The instrumentals on “Forward” certainly create a stage for the lyrics, which don’t, in some cases, stand out against the ambient sounds. Not by any means unpleasant, the listener can get lost in his or her own head with the aid of these introspective pieces of music.
One of Bump’s interesting features is almost every band member sings. The two “brainchildren” of the band, Chris Sterr and Yorg Kerisiotis, do the majority of the songwriting, Carroll-Coe said, but everyone has an equal voice and contribution.
“Clint Carpenter, our drummer, wrote ‘Tricks’ on this album,” he said. “Clint will come to us with complete songs. He’s very meticulous in the songs he writes.”
Outside influences come to the band to diversify sound as well. Josh Epstein, a fellow songwriter, came together with Kerisiotis for the last track on “Forward.” Epstein has a heavy Beatles influence, Carroll-Coe said. Listeners should be able to hear a Beatles-esque sound in the song, bringing a different dimension to the album.
“There aren’t a whole lot of thrills on this album,” Carroll-Coe said. “We couldn’t be picky for the sake of being picky when we were recording. We just let the music happen.”
Bump was forced to cut the completion deadline for the album to five-and-a-half weeks to allow for the start of a cross-country tour, which started Feb. 5. Bump is a band on the move, Carroll-Coe said. Prior to his joining, the band has played 600 shows in 43 states. No matter where they play, though, Carroll-Coe said the experience is almost always the same.
“The stage is always in the same place,” he said. “No matter where we are in the country, when the music starts, it’s like home.”
Bump’s voyage around the U.S. started in Grand Rapids, Mich., and will close in Indianapolis April 11. Sweeping through the Northwest, the band will make stops in two Idaho locations — John’s Alley Tavern in Moscow and in Boise the day before. Carroll-Coe said the band has become accustomed to playing an average of six days per week and the crowds, no matter how big or small, have begun to affect the band’s performance or outlook.
“It’s all about the music, man,” he said. “It’s corny but true.”
Carroll-Coe said something is beginning to happen with Bump’s latest album, which seems to be true. The tracks are clearly thought out and placed with intent. Mistakes don’t seem to have a place on “Forward,” and the band makes an effort to show it is a legitimate musical act on its way in the industry.
It is only beginning. The band isn’t there yet. Something is starting, and the world will soon see if Bump is going to be a player in whatever that is.
Thursday, 05 March 2009
Moscow, ID
Bump, a mellow four-piece from the home of Motown and the Detroit Pistons, has been a work in the making for the past seven years.
Through numerous changes in band members and musical themes, the band has released its newest album, “Forward.”
Bryce Carroll-Coe, Bump’s bassist and newest addition, said the band has had many positive influences that led to the creation of “Forward.” “(This) album is about progression,” he said. “To literally move forward. The focus isn’t on production, but songs to begin with.”
The instrumentals on “Forward” certainly create a stage for the lyrics, which don’t, in some cases, stand out against the ambient sounds. Not by any means unpleasant, the listener can get lost in his or her own head with the aid of these introspective pieces of music.
One of Bump’s interesting features is almost every band member sings. The two “brainchildren” of the band, Chris Sterr and Yorg Kerisiotis, do the majority of the songwriting, Carroll-Coe said, but everyone has an equal voice and contribution.
“Clint Carpenter, our drummer, wrote ‘Tricks’ on this album,” he said. “Clint will come to us with complete songs. He’s very meticulous in the songs he writes.”
Outside influences come to the band to diversify sound as well. Josh Epstein, a fellow songwriter, came together with Kerisiotis for the last track on “Forward.” Epstein has a heavy Beatles influence, Carroll-Coe said. Listeners should be able to hear a Beatles-esque sound in the song, bringing a different dimension to the album.
“There aren’t a whole lot of thrills on this album,” Carroll-Coe said. “We couldn’t be picky for the sake of being picky when we were recording. We just let the music happen.”
Bump was forced to cut the completion deadline for the album to five-and-a-half weeks to allow for the start of a cross-country tour, which started Feb. 5. Bump is a band on the move, Carroll-Coe said. Prior to his joining, the band has played 600 shows in 43 states. No matter where they play, though, Carroll-Coe said the experience is almost always the same.
“The stage is always in the same place,” he said. “No matter where we are in the country, when the music starts, it’s like home.”
Bump’s voyage around the U.S. started in Grand Rapids, Mich., and will close in Indianapolis April 11. Sweeping through the Northwest, the band will make stops in two Idaho locations — John’s Alley Tavern in Moscow and in Boise the day before. Carroll-Coe said the band has become accustomed to playing an average of six days per week and the crowds, no matter how big or small, have begun to affect the band’s performance or outlook.
“It’s all about the music, man,” he said. “It’s corny but true.”
Carroll-Coe said something is beginning to happen with Bump’s latest album, which seems to be true. The tracks are clearly thought out and placed with intent. Mistakes don’t seem to have a place on “Forward,” and the band makes an effort to show it is a legitimate musical act on its way in the industry.
It is only beginning. The band isn’t there yet. Something is starting, and the world will soon see if Bump is going to be a player in whatever that is.
Detroit Bump City: Tales of prog rock, artful pop and paint huffing from across the country
The Source Weekly, Bend OR
Written by Mike Bookey
Wednesday, 04 March 2009
Chris Sterr and his band, Bump, are based out of Detroit. He says the city isn’t as bad as the death-and-despair rap it often gets, but the former automotive capital of the world has definitely provided the prog-rockers with a few stories.
This is just one of those:
“We used to play these gigs downtown at this old venue called Fifth Avenue,” Sterr recalls. “It was a house gig every Tuesday and every night we’d be loading out and these homeless guys would flock around us and they’d be grabbing our gear to help us so we’d pay ‘em. A couple of these guys would have silver or gold on their lips and face because they’d been huffing paint. It was crazy.”
Maybe it’s these sort of instances that keeps the band on the road for several months of hard-driving touring each year, like the band’s current excursion that takes them to the Silver Moon on Tuesday and then to Southern California before finally ending in Florida in early April. Sterr says that isn’t so and that the Bump has a warm place in its heart for the Motor City.
“When you travel, you see how unique Detroit really is. You don’t see that when you live there your entire life,” Sterr says. He then goes into the current state of Detroit’s music scene, an environment that currently fosters quality acts ranging from hardcore to blues and jazz. He never mentions Eminem once during our conversation on an afternoon where Bump is preparing to play part of a two-night stand in Denver.
Bump’s current cross-country quest is in support of the band’s recently released album, Forward, a disc that Sterr believes builds on the band’s ability to write solid songs and is their most “focused” effort to date. Sterr describes Bump as having graduated from the jam band scene in recent years, shifting more to a style that showcases their songwriting skills.
“When we started playing we were sort of a jammy Grateful Dead, Phish sort of thing but we slowly began to realize that A: you need to forge your own path and B: you need to find your own sound and that’s what we’ve been doing for the past five years,” Sterr says of the quartet’s gradual stylistic evolution.
Bump offers up a sound that isn’t directly akin to Detroit’s most known sounds, Motown or garage rock, but they do pay homage to their city’s roots. In fact, in 2004, the band released a now-out-of-print EP entitled The Heart of Cadillac Square, which was a tribute to the band’s Motown heroes.
But Motown isn’t the aim of Bump these days as they have built a style that’s essentially a melodic take on prog rock that can be both spacey and poppy yet manages to showcase the band’s instrumental prowess – something they kept from their jammier days. The idea of Midwest progressive rockers with jam roots might bring to mind Chicago prog heroes Umphrey’s McGee, and sometimes Bump shares some of that live technical vibe, but for the most part Bump is in a different class. Perhaps the main difference being that, at least with their new material, Bump seems concerned with creating a solid pop rock song. And that’s not necessarily a bad thing.
After all, you can’t blame a band for leaning a bit toward pop after having to deal with paint-huffing volunteer roadies.
Bump
8pm Tuesday, March 10. Silver Moon Brewing Co. 24 NW Greenwood Ave.
Written by Mike Bookey
Wednesday, 04 March 2009
Chris Sterr and his band, Bump, are based out of Detroit. He says the city isn’t as bad as the death-and-despair rap it often gets, but the former automotive capital of the world has definitely provided the prog-rockers with a few stories.
This is just one of those:
“We used to play these gigs downtown at this old venue called Fifth Avenue,” Sterr recalls. “It was a house gig every Tuesday and every night we’d be loading out and these homeless guys would flock around us and they’d be grabbing our gear to help us so we’d pay ‘em. A couple of these guys would have silver or gold on their lips and face because they’d been huffing paint. It was crazy.”
Maybe it’s these sort of instances that keeps the band on the road for several months of hard-driving touring each year, like the band’s current excursion that takes them to the Silver Moon on Tuesday and then to Southern California before finally ending in Florida in early April. Sterr says that isn’t so and that the Bump has a warm place in its heart for the Motor City.
“When you travel, you see how unique Detroit really is. You don’t see that when you live there your entire life,” Sterr says. He then goes into the current state of Detroit’s music scene, an environment that currently fosters quality acts ranging from hardcore to blues and jazz. He never mentions Eminem once during our conversation on an afternoon where Bump is preparing to play part of a two-night stand in Denver.
Bump’s current cross-country quest is in support of the band’s recently released album, Forward, a disc that Sterr believes builds on the band’s ability to write solid songs and is their most “focused” effort to date. Sterr describes Bump as having graduated from the jam band scene in recent years, shifting more to a style that showcases their songwriting skills.
“When we started playing we were sort of a jammy Grateful Dead, Phish sort of thing but we slowly began to realize that A: you need to forge your own path and B: you need to find your own sound and that’s what we’ve been doing for the past five years,” Sterr says of the quartet’s gradual stylistic evolution.
Bump offers up a sound that isn’t directly akin to Detroit’s most known sounds, Motown or garage rock, but they do pay homage to their city’s roots. In fact, in 2004, the band released a now-out-of-print EP entitled The Heart of Cadillac Square, which was a tribute to the band’s Motown heroes.
But Motown isn’t the aim of Bump these days as they have built a style that’s essentially a melodic take on prog rock that can be both spacey and poppy yet manages to showcase the band’s instrumental prowess – something they kept from their jammier days. The idea of Midwest progressive rockers with jam roots might bring to mind Chicago prog heroes Umphrey’s McGee, and sometimes Bump shares some of that live technical vibe, but for the most part Bump is in a different class. Perhaps the main difference being that, at least with their new material, Bump seems concerned with creating a solid pop rock song. And that’s not necessarily a bad thing.
After all, you can’t blame a band for leaning a bit toward pop after having to deal with paint-huffing volunteer roadies.
Bump
8pm Tuesday, March 10. Silver Moon Brewing Co. 24 NW Greenwood Ave.
Sunday, March 1, 2009
Tour Diary: Sterr from Denver, CO
2/27/09 - Denver, Colorado
As the first leg of this tour winds down, I feel the need to take stock in the last 3 weeks and reflect. So far, I've only lost my camera once.... but it was quickly located at the Library in ....Laramie, WY, and is hopefully being shipped as I write this. I've misplaced my phone once, but was quickly found as well shortly before the bus left....
But in all seriousness, so far this tour has been quite fun and successful. The five of us know our roll (for the most part - lol) and make it a point to get the job done night in and night out. Touring is the best because you very quickly become a finely tuned machine... all the parts working together to make the whole a monster of a force to be reckoned with. It’s a great feeling.
Another cool thing about being on tour is when somewhere along the line you realize that you are very, very far from home and there's no way that you are going home anytime soon... this happened to me while driving from Jackson Hole to Laramie, WY. As we crossed the Togwotee Pass, going from a very cold and wooded, snow covered geography to an arid, red rocked, quite warm environment it was like entering into a different world... a world very different from not only the previous, but one that is very unlike the humid, cold, flat confines of Detroit. Going through Lander is always a treat (home of the best second hand clothing store in the country), but as soon as we got through this great little town it quickly became what I would imagine it would be like driving through a lunar mountain range of solitude. Check out the couple pictures that I took while driving... they aren't great being that it was getting dark and they were shot through the windshield as I drove, but they'll give you an idea. So it was at this point where I realized that I was very, very far from home. It was also at that point that I was wrapped with a simultaneous feeling of piecing excitement of the constant movement and being able to professionally do the thing that I love the most, and an overwhelming urge to see my wife, family and dogs... but this catch 22 to me is a metaphor for life and no matter what you do... there is something wrong if you don't wake up everyday and make a sacrifice here or there... whether it be having 2 hard boiled eggs for breakfast instead of a gigantic bowl of Cinnamon Toast Crunch in order to achieve a "heroin sheik" body for SXSW, or skipping a shower to finish "Top Gun" before load in even though you know that Maverick really is the best of the best (as well as that Kelly MgGillis will never make a movie worth watching again... or Tom Cruise for that matter), and Berlin's "Take My Breath Away" still gives you goose bumps).... Sacrifice... that's the name of the game...."To sing the blues you've got to live the dues... and carry on..." (thanks to my man, Stephan Stills).
So to conclude, as we enter the second leg of tour, I look forward to the continued travel and playing (duh) and meeting/seeing people/fans new and old. Come check us out when we come to your town, and check out the new album, "Forward". It's a little something we threw together last minute so we felt like we had a purpose or reason to go on tour again..... (yawn).... it's available on iTunes, Amazon, CD Baby, available atall of our shows on tour. See ya there!
Chris
As the first leg of this tour winds down, I feel the need to take stock in the last 3 weeks and reflect. So far, I've only lost my camera once.... but it was quickly located at the Library in ....Laramie, WY, and is hopefully being shipped as I write this. I've misplaced my phone once, but was quickly found as well shortly before the bus left....
But in all seriousness, so far this tour has been quite fun and successful. The five of us know our roll (for the most part - lol) and make it a point to get the job done night in and night out. Touring is the best because you very quickly become a finely tuned machine... all the parts working together to make the whole a monster of a force to be reckoned with. It’s a great feeling.
Another cool thing about being on tour is when somewhere along the line you realize that you are very, very far from home and there's no way that you are going home anytime soon... this happened to me while driving from Jackson Hole to Laramie, WY. As we crossed the Togwotee Pass, going from a very cold and wooded, snow covered geography to an arid, red rocked, quite warm environment it was like entering into a different world... a world very different from not only the previous, but one that is very unlike the humid, cold, flat confines of Detroit. Going through Lander is always a treat (home of the best second hand clothing store in the country), but as soon as we got through this great little town it quickly became what I would imagine it would be like driving through a lunar mountain range of solitude. Check out the couple pictures that I took while driving... they aren't great being that it was getting dark and they were shot through the windshield as I drove, but they'll give you an idea. So it was at this point where I realized that I was very, very far from home. It was also at that point that I was wrapped with a simultaneous feeling of piecing excitement of the constant movement and being able to professionally do the thing that I love the most, and an overwhelming urge to see my wife, family and dogs... but this catch 22 to me is a metaphor for life and no matter what you do... there is something wrong if you don't wake up everyday and make a sacrifice here or there... whether it be having 2 hard boiled eggs for breakfast instead of a gigantic bowl of Cinnamon Toast Crunch in order to achieve a "heroin sheik" body for SXSW, or skipping a shower to finish "Top Gun" before load in even though you know that Maverick really is the best of the best (as well as that Kelly MgGillis will never make a movie worth watching again... or Tom Cruise for that matter), and Berlin's "Take My Breath Away" still gives you goose bumps).... Sacrifice... that's the name of the game...."To sing the blues you've got to live the dues... and carry on..." (thanks to my man, Stephan Stills).
So to conclude, as we enter the second leg of tour, I look forward to the continued travel and playing (duh) and meeting/seeing people/fans new and old. Come check us out when we come to your town, and check out the new album, "Forward". It's a little something we threw together last minute so we felt like we had a purpose or reason to go on tour again..... (yawn).... it's available on iTunes, Amazon, CD Baby, available atall of our shows on tour. See ya there!
Chris
Tour Diary: Yorg from Laramie, WY
Mangy Moose Lodge
I want to give a big shout out to the Mangy Moose in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. We played three HUGE shows there starting on Saturday night of last week and they were phenomenal. If you look out the side of the windows while you play you will see skiers gliding down the mountain directly to the back door of the Mangy Moose. I though I was in "Hot Dog the Movie!" We played to a crowd of 500+ people during our Sunday day show from 4pm-6pm. The crowd was filled with skiers who were just finishing up their day. We brought our Detroit swagger to the stage and ripped through some of our most rocking tunes including some highlights from our new album "FORWARD." A big shout out goes to everyone from Marquette, Michigan who attended the show, some of these people hadn't seen us play for 3 years. After we were done there it was straight off to Laramie, Wyoming for a Mardi Gras party at THE LIBRARY. Touring during a recession is damn better than being unemployed during a recession. Keep the dream alive and RAWLK AWLN!!!!!
Yorg
P.S.
Slider, you stink!
I want to give a big shout out to the Mangy Moose in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. We played three HUGE shows there starting on Saturday night of last week and they were phenomenal. If you look out the side of the windows while you play you will see skiers gliding down the mountain directly to the back door of the Mangy Moose. I though I was in "Hot Dog the Movie!" We played to a crowd of 500+ people during our Sunday day show from 4pm-6pm. The crowd was filled with skiers who were just finishing up their day. We brought our Detroit swagger to the stage and ripped through some of our most rocking tunes including some highlights from our new album "FORWARD." A big shout out goes to everyone from Marquette, Michigan who attended the show, some of these people hadn't seen us play for 3 years. After we were done there it was straight off to Laramie, Wyoming for a Mardi Gras party at THE LIBRARY. Touring during a recession is damn better than being unemployed during a recession. Keep the dream alive and RAWLK AWLN!!!!!
Yorg
P.S.
Slider, you stink!
Monday, February 23, 2009
Missoula Independent Review
Bump
Forward
By: Erika Fredrickson
Posted: 02/12/2009
The ’80s synth and angular guitar riffs of Bump’s “Everyone Knows” almost make this Detroit-based band sound something like Oasis meets generic jam band meets Don Henley. Forward overflows with twinkling keyboards, emo lyrics and pop hooks, though it all feels more on the order of a bland CW soundtrack—“One Tree Hill,” or “Gossip Girl”—than anything even ironically engaging.
“Darker Version of Me” proves the quartet can harmonize, but “Back Door” uncovers the bands mostly vapid and clunkily rhymed lyrics as in, “And I don’t mind squeezin’ on your hand so tight, and I wish I could say that it would all turn out alright. Late in the night, lookin’ for your light. Keep it cool, just a fool…” “Disconnected” festers with the same awkward lines, though the idea of being disconnected works well here since you can appreciate the instrumental deftness and still not feel anything.
The musicians clearly know how to play and Yorg Kerasiotis’ warbles with enough prettiness and enough edge to make his vocals gorgeous. Problem is, most of the angst and passion on Forward seems manufactured, or at least doesn’t seep through the overly careful composition, which makes this album destined more for box store-dom than anywhere remotely independent. (Erika Fredrickson)
Bump plays the Girl Talk after party at the Elks Lodge Thursday, Feb. 19, with Delta Function at 9 PM. $5.
Forward
By: Erika Fredrickson
Posted: 02/12/2009
The ’80s synth and angular guitar riffs of Bump’s “Everyone Knows” almost make this Detroit-based band sound something like Oasis meets generic jam band meets Don Henley. Forward overflows with twinkling keyboards, emo lyrics and pop hooks, though it all feels more on the order of a bland CW soundtrack—“One Tree Hill,” or “Gossip Girl”—than anything even ironically engaging.
“Darker Version of Me” proves the quartet can harmonize, but “Back Door” uncovers the bands mostly vapid and clunkily rhymed lyrics as in, “And I don’t mind squeezin’ on your hand so tight, and I wish I could say that it would all turn out alright. Late in the night, lookin’ for your light. Keep it cool, just a fool…” “Disconnected” festers with the same awkward lines, though the idea of being disconnected works well here since you can appreciate the instrumental deftness and still not feel anything.
The musicians clearly know how to play and Yorg Kerasiotis’ warbles with enough prettiness and enough edge to make his vocals gorgeous. Problem is, most of the angst and passion on Forward seems manufactured, or at least doesn’t seep through the overly careful composition, which makes this album destined more for box store-dom than anywhere remotely independent. (Erika Fredrickson)
Bump plays the Girl Talk after party at the Elks Lodge Thursday, Feb. 19, with Delta Function at 9 PM. $5.
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Billings, MT Show Review
Bump at Bones
By Jaci
Feb 19th, 2009 in Music
Tags: Bones Brewery, Bump
Photo by Casey Riffe of the Gazette staff
Five minutes into Bump’s second set Wednesday night at Bones Brewery, the lead vocalist asked the audience if they were up for some space rock. The Detroit rock band had already blown through most of the songs off their new CD “Forward” and now they were digging into 8 years worth of original tunes to fill out the night. They’d already shown us some stellar three-part harmonies and what fine players they are, but this second set was incredible.
Whether it was a mood swing or a reflective moment for Bump, the four-piece band spouted this other-wordly experimental rock that the crowd (I use this term loosely since there were only 25 or 30 people there) pretty much went nuts for. It was an abrupt shift from the melodic pop sound of their new songs and it showed where Bump’s roots are. Eventually the 10-minute jam turned into the Who’s “Baba O’Reilly.” Earlier in the evening, they did an amazing cover of Led Zeppelin’s “Good Times, Bad Times” that fit right in with their jam-band vibe. The band annnounced that Zeppelin is their favorite band to cover — a Herculean task that these guys managed to pull off.
Next stop for Bump: Missoula’s Elk’s Lodge tonight at the after-party for Girl Talk. If you’re up that way, check them out, they’re worth an hour or two of your time.
By Jaci
Feb 19th, 2009 in Music
Tags: Bones Brewery, Bump
Photo by Casey Riffe of the Gazette staff
Five minutes into Bump’s second set Wednesday night at Bones Brewery, the lead vocalist asked the audience if they were up for some space rock. The Detroit rock band had already blown through most of the songs off their new CD “Forward” and now they were digging into 8 years worth of original tunes to fill out the night. They’d already shown us some stellar three-part harmonies and what fine players they are, but this second set was incredible.
Whether it was a mood swing or a reflective moment for Bump, the four-piece band spouted this other-wordly experimental rock that the crowd (I use this term loosely since there were only 25 or 30 people there) pretty much went nuts for. It was an abrupt shift from the melodic pop sound of their new songs and it showed where Bump’s roots are. Eventually the 10-minute jam turned into the Who’s “Baba O’Reilly.” Earlier in the evening, they did an amazing cover of Led Zeppelin’s “Good Times, Bad Times” that fit right in with their jam-band vibe. The band annnounced that Zeppelin is their favorite band to cover — a Herculean task that these guys managed to pull off.
Next stop for Bump: Missoula’s Elk’s Lodge tonight at the after-party for Girl Talk. If you’re up that way, check them out, they’re worth an hour or two of your time.
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Revue West Michigan Review
Take a look at the above video. Anything look familiar? Not only was Bump's video for "Out of Reach" filmed in the wonderful city of Grand Rapids, it was done in one take. Bet you Kanye isn't even that talented.
The "Out of Reach" video is just a representation of this Detroit-based band, whose second full length album "Forward" is available this month. They don't need glitzy special effects, production, or even a myriad of instruments to stand out. Their music is simplistic, focusing on soothing vocals and hypnotic rhythms.
"Everyone Knows," the first track on "Forward," sounds like a perfect spring rain, only upping the intensity during the chorus. "Everyone Knows" segues into "What Was All the Fuss About," with an industrial-sounding melody complete with shades of Bowie-esque glam (a plus in my book).
Bump may reconsider calling "Darker Version Of Me" "The Song Talking Heads Wish They Wrote." The strong ballad focuses on flat vocals during the verse, which works perfectly for the sound Bump is attempting to achieve.
Pop in this CD for a chill atmosphere. It won't put you to sleep, but it's perfect to listen to while you're thumbing through a quirky indie rag.
Bump will be touring America in the next couple months, but make sure to check them out on their May 16 date in Detroit.
The "Out of Reach" video is just a representation of this Detroit-based band, whose second full length album "Forward" is available this month. They don't need glitzy special effects, production, or even a myriad of instruments to stand out. Their music is simplistic, focusing on soothing vocals and hypnotic rhythms.
"Everyone Knows," the first track on "Forward," sounds like a perfect spring rain, only upping the intensity during the chorus. "Everyone Knows" segues into "What Was All the Fuss About," with an industrial-sounding melody complete with shades of Bowie-esque glam (a plus in my book).
Bump may reconsider calling "Darker Version Of Me" "The Song Talking Heads Wish They Wrote." The strong ballad focuses on flat vocals during the verse, which works perfectly for the sound Bump is attempting to achieve.
Pop in this CD for a chill atmosphere. It won't put you to sleep, but it's perfect to listen to while you're thumbing through a quirky indie rag.
Bump will be touring America in the next couple months, but make sure to check them out on their May 16 date in Detroit.
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
High Plains Reader Article
Bump: Always Moving Forward
Who: Bump
When: Monday, February 16, 2009, 9 pm
Where: The Nestor, Fargo
Michigan pop/rock band Bump will be at the Nestor in Fargo on Monday, Feb. 16, touting their new album, “Forward,” which was released at the end of January. Bump hit the music scene eight years ago, releasing their first studio EP, “The Heart of Cadillac Square,” followed by a five-song demo with selections from that disc and some new reggae-tinged tunes. Their first full-length album, “Incredible Consequences,” was released on Beechwood Records in 2004 and was a fine example of their technical expertise and Jorg Kerasiotis’s skilled voice. It was polished, sometimes moody, and had enough instrument layers to make it interesting. They made an appearance at the 10,000 Lakes Festival in Minnesota and the Bele Chere Music Festival in North Carolina in 2005 and were named by Jambase as one of the top bands to see in 2005.
Their new CD is quite remarkable, considering how often sophomore efforts are plagued by overconfidence and second-choice material. Bump, however, has overcome that by creating an album of strong writing, tight vocals, and commanding instrumental backup. But more importantly, Bump has something to say. “I think that if you listen to “Incredible Consequence,” it was good,” Yorg said in an interview this week, “but there was a lot of standard stuff in it.” It was the kind of writing that many young songwriters go to, mainly concentrating on love songs.
But a lot of life has happened in between that first effort and today. “Being on the road, the hard times, all of the stuff you have to put up with, life in general, all of the stuff that’s been going on—just flew out of us,” Yorg explained. Some of that “stuff” was the normal road weariness that happens with a touring band, but in their case it was heightened a bit more. Right after that first album came out,
guitarist Chris Sterr was bedridden for two months with a ruptured spleen at the beginning of their tour, and they had $40,000 worth of equipment and belongings stolen from their home while they were on the road. Though nothing so catastrophic has happened since, the band, needless to say, has matured.
Most of the writing for “Forward” was done by Yorg and Sterr. “But, everyone in the band is encouraged to write,” Yorg said. “Once the songs are brought in, we’re very selfless; we just want the songs to take on the right feel. We both know that maybe it will take someone else to make the song better than it was intended.” But even then, there could be some glitches. “Obviously, once the song is there, you can go in any direction. We say sometimes that we have ‘option anxiety.’”
To smooth out those kinds of difficulties, Bump enlisted producer Dan Curry. “He let us do a bunch of stuff and when we did the right thing, he would tell us what it was and that we should go with that,” Yorg added. “We concentrated more on making sure each part breathed like it had its own place but it fit together. We were meticulous when it came to trying to fit a vocal melody and not clutter it.”
Though their work has a pop sound, there are reggae influences, rock influences, some funk, and lots of jazz. They’ll do dance music and will even stretch into an extended jam once in a while. There is a faint reggae delivery in some of the vocals, such as “Darker Version of Me,” and a British invasion sound with “Everyone Knows.” They are trying to pack in a wide spectrum of musical styles. “It’s hard,” Yorg admitted, “and, be true to yourself, too.”
The lead singing is spot-on, with great harmonies and sometimes with overlapping vocals. Yorg, Sterr, and new bassist Bryce Carroll-Coe share vocal duties. Instrumentation is provided by Yorg on keys and guitar, Chris Sterre on guitar and lap steel, Bryce Carroll-Coe on bass, and Clint Carpenter on drums and sequencer.
Bump always delivers a fine stage show, so come on down to the Nestor on Monday night.
Posted 3 days, 11 hours ago by Janie Franz | Email Janie Franz | View Janie Franz's profile.
Who: Bump
When: Monday, February 16, 2009, 9 pm
Where: The Nestor, Fargo
Michigan pop/rock band Bump will be at the Nestor in Fargo on Monday, Feb. 16, touting their new album, “Forward,” which was released at the end of January. Bump hit the music scene eight years ago, releasing their first studio EP, “The Heart of Cadillac Square,” followed by a five-song demo with selections from that disc and some new reggae-tinged tunes. Their first full-length album, “Incredible Consequences,” was released on Beechwood Records in 2004 and was a fine example of their technical expertise and Jorg Kerasiotis’s skilled voice. It was polished, sometimes moody, and had enough instrument layers to make it interesting. They made an appearance at the 10,000 Lakes Festival in Minnesota and the Bele Chere Music Festival in North Carolina in 2005 and were named by Jambase as one of the top bands to see in 2005.
Their new CD is quite remarkable, considering how often sophomore efforts are plagued by overconfidence and second-choice material. Bump, however, has overcome that by creating an album of strong writing, tight vocals, and commanding instrumental backup. But more importantly, Bump has something to say. “I think that if you listen to “Incredible Consequence,” it was good,” Yorg said in an interview this week, “but there was a lot of standard stuff in it.” It was the kind of writing that many young songwriters go to, mainly concentrating on love songs.
But a lot of life has happened in between that first effort and today. “Being on the road, the hard times, all of the stuff you have to put up with, life in general, all of the stuff that’s been going on—just flew out of us,” Yorg explained. Some of that “stuff” was the normal road weariness that happens with a touring band, but in their case it was heightened a bit more. Right after that first album came out,
guitarist Chris Sterr was bedridden for two months with a ruptured spleen at the beginning of their tour, and they had $40,000 worth of equipment and belongings stolen from their home while they were on the road. Though nothing so catastrophic has happened since, the band, needless to say, has matured.
Most of the writing for “Forward” was done by Yorg and Sterr. “But, everyone in the band is encouraged to write,” Yorg said. “Once the songs are brought in, we’re very selfless; we just want the songs to take on the right feel. We both know that maybe it will take someone else to make the song better than it was intended.” But even then, there could be some glitches. “Obviously, once the song is there, you can go in any direction. We say sometimes that we have ‘option anxiety.’”
To smooth out those kinds of difficulties, Bump enlisted producer Dan Curry. “He let us do a bunch of stuff and when we did the right thing, he would tell us what it was and that we should go with that,” Yorg added. “We concentrated more on making sure each part breathed like it had its own place but it fit together. We were meticulous when it came to trying to fit a vocal melody and not clutter it.”
Though their work has a pop sound, there are reggae influences, rock influences, some funk, and lots of jazz. They’ll do dance music and will even stretch into an extended jam once in a while. There is a faint reggae delivery in some of the vocals, such as “Darker Version of Me,” and a British invasion sound with “Everyone Knows.” They are trying to pack in a wide spectrum of musical styles. “It’s hard,” Yorg admitted, “and, be true to yourself, too.”
The lead singing is spot-on, with great harmonies and sometimes with overlapping vocals. Yorg, Sterr, and new bassist Bryce Carroll-Coe share vocal duties. Instrumentation is provided by Yorg on keys and guitar, Chris Sterre on guitar and lap steel, Bryce Carroll-Coe on bass, and Clint Carpenter on drums and sequencer.
Bump always delivers a fine stage show, so come on down to the Nestor on Monday night.
Posted 3 days, 11 hours ago by Janie Franz | Email Janie Franz | View Janie Franz's profile.
Monday, February 16, 2009
Tour Diary: Yorg from Aberdeen, SD
Valetine's Day in Aberdeen, SD
Congratulations Aberdeen, SD. For the rest of my life I will praise Aberdeen as one of the coolest towns we've ever played. Zack, our promoter, filled up an the Aberdeen Eagles Hall with a huge amount of insanely enthusiastic music fans and party animals. After our second encore and an endless amount of applause from the audience, one of Aberdeen's own invites us to a HUGE after party along with everyone else at the show. Ted, the bouncer, offered to help us load out and ride with us to the party. By the end of the night I was having flashbacks of the parties from "Uncle Buck", "Almost Famous" and "Dazed and Confused." We sold a ton of new albums and hope to keep in touch with everyone we met. I can't get into just how crazy the party got but I think I started getting freaked out when I suddenly realized I was trapped in a small weird bedroom with 60 other people singing the theme songs to "Family Ties" and "Full House."
This is only the second week of our 3 month tour so there's a lot more to come!
yorg, BUMP
Congratulations Aberdeen, SD. For the rest of my life I will praise Aberdeen as one of the coolest towns we've ever played. Zack, our promoter, filled up an the Aberdeen Eagles Hall with a huge amount of insanely enthusiastic music fans and party animals. After our second encore and an endless amount of applause from the audience, one of Aberdeen's own invites us to a HUGE after party along with everyone else at the show. Ted, the bouncer, offered to help us load out and ride with us to the party. By the end of the night I was having flashbacks of the parties from "Uncle Buck", "Almost Famous" and "Dazed and Confused." We sold a ton of new albums and hope to keep in touch with everyone we met. I can't get into just how crazy the party got but I think I started getting freaked out when I suddenly realized I was trapped in a small weird bedroom with 60 other people singing the theme songs to "Family Ties" and "Full House."
This is only the second week of our 3 month tour so there's a lot more to come!
yorg, BUMP
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Forward Available Online!
You can now purchase our new album "Forward" at CD Baby and Digstation. The album will also be available on iTunes, Rhapsody, Amazon, and a bunch of other sites, as well as our own website and myspace in the coming weeks. Pick up a copy and let us know what you think!
BUY FORWARD:
CD BABY
BUY FORWARD:
CD BABY
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
New Album, Listening Party, and Spring Tour
For the last two months we've kept a low profile. With the exception of some nice time with family and some vacations up north and to Philly, we've been locked in "The Bunker" recording our second full length album. This album means a lot to us; it's a culmination of three years of insesent touring, heart ache, a whole lot of joy, and a ton of maturing as both individuals and as a band. For the first time we brought in an outside voice of reason, Dan Currie, to come in and not only record and mix the album, but also produce it. Dan brings years of experience from both running live sound and from working as a studio engineer at the famous Rustbelt Studios (Kid Rock, Uncle Kracker, and Sponge). It's also the first time we've had a chance to jump into the writing process with our new bass player and dear and old friend Bryce Caroll-Coe.
The goal of this album was to layer and compose an album that is both complex, yet accessible. A lot of the emotion from the last two years comes out in some of the most introspective and emotional writing we've done in our careers. We feel strongly that this is an album that will continue to help pave the way up that long winding road known as our careers. We're pretty proud of the end result, the initial responses have been strong from those both within and outside of our organization. Yesterday evening 107one FM in Ann Arbor debuted three songs in support of our show at the Blind Pig this weekend. Without further adieu....FORWARD!
FORWARD
1. Everyone Knows
2. What Was All the Fuss About?
3. All Out War
4. Disconnected
5. Out of Reach
6. Darker Version of Me
7. Tricks
8. Back Door
9. Wrong, Right
FORWARD LISTENING PARTY - THIS SATURDAY - OLD POINTE BAR
This Saturday January 31st we'd love for all you Metro Detroiters to join us at one of our favorite local hang outs, Old Pointe Bar, for the official "Forward" debut and listening party. As a bit of a sweetner we will offer all you can drink Coors Light from 11 PM - Midnight for just $8.00. That's right! For the duration of the album you can enjoy the best deal in town! For those of you who aren't into participating in the Coors Light binge, admission is only $3.00. We're very excited to have our good friends The Back Off immediately after.
Saturday January 31, 2009
"FORWARD" Listening Party
Old Pointe Bar, Grosse Pointe Park MI
9:00 PM Doors
$3.00 / $8.00 (all you can drink from 11 PM - Midnight)
MAP TO OLD POINTE BAR
FRIDAY NIGHT IN ANN ARBOR W/ GREAT DIVIDE
As a bit of a tour warm up we're playing at The Blind Pig on Friday January 30th. We're playing with new friends Great Divide. This will be the first opportunity to hear some of the new material live! We go on at 10:15 PM and will play until around 11:40 PM, so don't be late!
Friday January 30, 2009
The Blind Pig, Ann Arbor MI
w/ Great Divide
9:30 PM Doors
$7 / Under 21 $10. 18+
BIG SPRING TOUR
With any album release, you have to head out on the road! We're excited to embark in a 9 week tour that will bring us back to some of our favorite places around the country, plus some never before played markets! It's a big one so if you know anyone in any of these towns be sure to tell them we're coming to town armed with the new album and an all new exciting live show!
2.5.09 | Billy's Lounge, Grand Rapids, MI
2.6.09 | Bell's Brewery, Kalamazoo, MI
2.7.09 | Martyrs, Chicago, IL
2.8.09 | Mr. Roberts, Madison, WI
2.11.09 | Stone Cellar, Appleton, WI
2.13.09 | Downtime, Minneapolis, MN
2.14.09 | Eagle's Club, Aberdeen, SD
2.16.09 | Nestor Tavern, Fargo ND
2.18.09 | Bone's Brewing, Billings, MT
2.19.09 | Top Hat, Missoula, MT
2.20.09 | Zebra Cocktail Lounge, Bozeman, MT
2.21.09 | Mangy Moose, Teton Village, WY (9:30 PM)
2.22.09 | Mangy Moose, Teton Village, WY (4:00 PM Apre Ski Set)
2.22.09 | Mangy Moose, Teton Village, WY (9:30 PM)
2.24.09 | The Library, Laramie, WY
2.25.09 | Conor O'Neills, Boulder, CO
2.26.09 | Dulcinea's 100th Monkey, Denver, CO
2.27.09 | Dulcinea's 100th Monkey, Denver, CO
2.28.09 | Private Event, Denver, CO
3.1.09 | Old Town Pub, Steamboat Springs, CO
3.2.09 | Weaver's Tavern, Grand Junction, CO
3.4.09 | Terrapin Station, Boise, ID
3.5.09 | John's Alley, Moscow ID
3.6.09 | Wild Buffalo, Bellingham WA
3.7.09 | Luckey's, Eugune, OR
3.8.09| Ash Street, Portland, OR
***MANY MORE TO COME! VISIT WWW.MYSPACE.COM/BUMPBAND FOR MORE DATES
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