Whatever Happened to...#10: Stereomud

 Stereomud was an up-and-coming rock band with a very talented roster. I saw them play a headlining show at the now-defunct Del-Win Entertainment Center in St. Joseph, MN the weekend before 9/11. I was impressed by their set and got to chat with the band members a bit that evening. It's too bad that they didn't last very long. 

The band consisted of guitarists Joey Zampella and John Fattoruso, bassist Corey Lowery (Sevendust guitarist Clint Lowery's brother), drummer Dan Richardson and lead singer Erik Rogers. Stereomud began in 1999 and released their first full-length album Perfect Self on Columbia Records in 2001. Singles such as "Pain" and "Steppin Away" were released as the group hit the road to promote themselves.

A sophomore album, Every Given Moment, debuted in 2003. Even though Stereomud had gained popularity by touring with artists including Saliva, Breaking Benjamin, Hed PE and others, Columbia dropped the group from their label shortly after discontinuing their tour support. Stereomud disbanded in July 2003, just 3 months after their second album had been released. There have been a handful of reunion shows here and there, but it's very doubtful that the group will ever reform on a permanent basis. All of the founding members are actively involved in the other bands that they're now in. Time will only tell if we'll see Stereomud announce a national or world tour someday. 

I still listen to Stereomud's albums every now and then and sometimes get lyrics to the songs "Breathing for You" and "Steppin Away" stuck in my head sometimes. That's a nice problem to have when you enjoy music as much as I do. Well, that's all I have for this weekend. Next time, I'll be writing about Revis and Eye Empire. Until then, have a great week, and don't forget to be kind to one another. 

Whatever Happened To...#9: Vyces

 Vyces was a modern rock band that I was fortunate enough to see a few times in concert. They brought a lot of spirit and energy to the stage each time. I became friends with all of the band members, and still see them pop up from time to time on social media.

The group was formed in 2014 by drummer Russell Ray and singer Dave Naruszewicz. Former Breaking Benjamin bass guitarist Mark Klepaski, keyboardist/vocalist Evan Seidlitz and guitarist Shawn Patterson eventually joined the band. Vyces released an EP entitled Devils in 2016 (I still need to track down that CD on eBay or Amazon) and toured in support of their debut recording. 

"Devils," "Paralyzed" and "Thin Luck" were some of the singles that Vyces distributed in 2016 and 2017. They toured regularly around the country and issued other singles, such as "Nocturnal" and "Paralyzed." "Paralyzed" was the last song that Vyces released, on Imagen Records in 2019.

A few founding members have since left Vyces, and the band has been largely dormant since the last single was introduced. I'm not sure if the group will return to recording and touring again, but I wish all of the past and present members the best of luck in their current ventures.

That's all I have about Vyces for now. Next up is Stereomud. Until then, have a great weekend, everyone!

Whatever Happened To...#8: Romantic Rebel

 In 2015, I attended 50 concerts. Romantic Rebel was the first group I saw live in concert that year. They were on the same bill as 3 Years Hollow, Islander, and Red at Pov's in Spring Lake Park, MN. I would see them twice more in MN and WI before they disbanded. I got to know the band members reasonably well due to those shows and social media. Romantic Rebel was another fun band that was gone way too soon.

The band formed in Chicago in 2012. Brother and sister Alex and KT Paige were the group's guitarist and singer, respectively. KT initially went by the stage name Cherry Bomb. Dan Pascowicz joined them on bass guitar and former Morrisey band member Matt Walker rounded out the ensemble on drums. The quartet released a self-titled four-song EP that year and toured regionally to support the release.

Romantic Rebel released a full-length self-titled album in 2014 on Pavement Records and continued touring regularly as their schedules allowed. They joined bands such as Tantric, Seasons After, and other well-known and up-and-coming artists as they pursued their rock and roll dreams.

The group put out an independent EP called Begin Again in 2016. However, by the time I could track down this release online, Romantic Rebel had already broken up. I can't imagine how difficult it can be to continue to be an independent rock band without any major label support. KT and Alex were the core members of the band, with several other musicians filling the drum and bass guitar spots during their tenure. I know that the brother-sister duo isn't involved in making music anymore, but I wish them and all of their former musical collaborators the best of luck in their new ventures. 

I got a photo with Romantic Rebel after seeing them at Pov's for the first time (took me a while to find it in my social media photo archives). Please forgive the look on my face, I was tired after a long day and battling a head cold. 

That's all for this weekend. Next week, I'll resume this series with Vyces and Stereomud.  Until then, have a great weekend, and don't forget to be kind to one another.

Whatever Happened To...#7: Wilson

 Wilson was a hard rock band that didn't take themselves too seriously. Several years ago, I saw them open for Trivium and Tremonti at a defunct club in Minneapolis. I remember their energetic performance and walked away with good memories and a Wilson guitar pick and a band poster. That poster is still on my rock wall in my guest room.

The group got started in 2010 and released its debut EP Standing on the Reel that year. Their first full-length album, Full Blast Fuckery, was issued by New Damage Records in Canada and Easy Killer Records in the United States. Wilson began to grow in popularity as radio stations started playing "If You Ever Leave Me...Better Off," "Strictly Doods (Better Off)" and "College Gangbang" from that album. 

The band's comical nature and energetic sets left fans wanting more. Drummer Matt Puhy, bassist James Lascu, singer Chad Nicefield and guitarists Kyle Landry and Jason Spencer returned to the studio in 2015 to record their follow-up effort. Right to Rise was released that year on the Razor and Tie record label, and Wilson continued their frenetic tour schedule.  Wilson even had their first headlining tour in Europe in 2016.

A third album, Tasty Nasty, came out in 2018 on the group's third different record label. Wilson distributed this disc via Sony RED not long after the single "Like A Baller" was released. "Fuck Up My High" and "Dump Truck" were other singles from the album that were promoted as the band embarked on tours with Steel Panther and Theory of a Deadman. 

The beginning of the end started in June 2019, when Landry announced that he was leaving Wilson to spend more time with his family and pursue other interests. The group announced in November 2019 would be on December 28th of that year. 

Even though Wilson isn't around anymore, they're still very fondly remembered. They were five guys from Michigan who loved making music and sharing their creations with anyone who would listen to them. I'm hopeful for an eventual reunion, but I think that several years will elapse before that happens if it ever does.

Well, that's all for now. Next up is Romantic Rebel, another personal favorite of mine. Until then, have a great weekend, everyone!

Whatever Happened To...#6: Seasons After

 Seasons After was an Upper Midwest band that I got to know pretty well over the years. I saw several of their shows in Minnesota and Wisconsin and formed friendships with the band members over the years. They aren't around any longer, but the memories will still live on for me and many of my fellow concertgoers.

The group originated in 2006 in Wichita, Kansas. Seasons After was founded by rhythm guitarist Chris Dawson, drummer Tim Rails, guitarist Steve Frank, bassist Michael Byers and singer Chris Schlichting. They recorded their debut album Through Tomorrow by themselves in 2008. The album was re-released by ILG/Warner in 2010, who signed Seasons After in 2009. 

Seasons After toured regularly, including the Taste of Chaos and Vans Warped Tour festivals. Schlichting left the band in August 2010 and was replaced by Tony Housh. The band went through a lengthy dispute with their record label before releasing their sophomore disc Calamity Scars & Memoirs independently in 2014. Album tracks "So Long Goodbye," "Weathered and Worn," "Lights Out" and "Wake Me" were distributed as singles as the group continued to tour and self-promote.

Their third album Manifesto debuted in November 2016. "Fighter" was the only single from that record, and the band continued to tour regionally. Seasons After split up in 2017, as the members decided to pursue other interests. Guitarist Chris Dawson continues to record and produce for other bands, sometimes with his former bandmate Jimmy Beattie becoming involved in the process. 

Before my last Seasons After concert in Wisconsin, I sat in the band's tour bus with a buddy as we watched the rough cut for the "Fighter" music video that my friend and I were in. They asked their fans to contribute short video clips explaining why they're fighters. The video is still available on YouTube and can be found easily. I still love the song for its positive message. It definitely motivates me when I'm feeling down. 

I was glad to participate in the video and do my part to support my friends in the band. I still encourage them in their new ventures whenever I see them on social media. I'm very appreciative for the friendships and the memories that I've made because of Seasons After. Can't thank them all enough. 

Well, that's all for now. Next weekend, I'll resume this series with the band Wilson. Until then, have a great holiday weekend and keep rocking!

Whatever Happened To...#5: Default

 I saw the Canadian band Default perform live in concert at St. Cloud State's Halenbeck Hall back in 2004 with Atomship when both groups opened for Evanescence. Neither opening act was on the concert's original bill. The show had been postponed a couple of months after founding guitarist Ben Moody abruptly departed. I had already known about Default after their debut album The Fallout was released, but I haven't seen them since.

Default formed in Vancouver, Canada in 1999 by drummer Danny Craig, vocalist Dallas Smith, bass guitarist Dave Benedict and lead guitarist Jeremy Hora. Nickelback frontman Chad Kroeger co-produced the band's first two albums after they were signed to TVT Records. The Fallout sold more than one million copies in both Canada and the United States.

The group toured regularly before taking a break in 2013. They got back together in 2018, but haven't released any new music since their fourth studio album Comes and Goes was released in September 2009. Default has not been active since 2020. 

I don't know if Default will reform, but they were definitely an act to remember. I still have copies of The Fallout, their third release One Thing Remains and a Best Buy exclusive CD with an acoustic version of their single "Count on Me." Time will only tell if they return to concert stages again.

That's all for Default. Next up is Seasons After, a personal favorite of mine. Until then, have a great weekend, everyone!

Whatever Happened To...#4: Atomship

 Atomship is a concept band that I saw perform live twice in 2004. They opened for Evanescence at St. Cloud State University's Halenbeck Hall and opened for Sevendust at the Del-Win Ballroom in St. Joseph. I remember thinking that they were different but very good. I learned quite a bit about their backstory by researching the group for this article.

The band was initially known as Watership Down and was founded by drummer Chad Kent, guitarist Nathan Slade, and bassist/singer Derek Pardoe. Pardoe eventually stepped away from recording their debut album due to anxiety. Session vocalist Joey Culver was brought in to sing on the album. Atomship's members were fascinated with aliens, which explains why their album was named The Crash of '47, a nod to the supposed extraterrestrial incident in Roswell, New Mexico. The group went on tour after hiring Roy Williams to play bass for them on the road. Wind-Up Records dropped Atomship late in 2004, and the band broke up after disagreements with Culver raised tensions.

The group resurfaced as AtomshipDown in 2007 after reuniting with Pardoe. They announced plans to release a pair of albums at the same time, which have yet to see the light of day. Slade passed away in 2009 because of an accidental prescription medication overdose. The band changed its name back to Watership Down in 2010 and added guitarist Jesse Duncan. 

Watership Down was largely silent until 2017 when Pardoe announced that he was leaving the group. Williams, Kent, and Culver were reuniting as Atomship and had added Nathan Slade's brother Jared as their guitarist. No news has been released on the group since the unexpected death of Culver on December 31, 2020.

Whether or not Atomship releases albums or tours again remains to be seen. I liked their commitment to their concepts and thought they were a fun band that was very well worth seeing. If any updates are posted, I'll be sure to amend this article accordingly.

That's all I have about Atomship for now. Next up in this series is Default next weekend. As always, please feel free to leave any comments, questions or feedback. I appreciate it all. Until next time, have a great weekend and don't forget to be kind to one another. Have a great holiday weekend too!