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.