Go Memphis Stories: Listen Up

Listen Up: The Whiskey Republic

donahue@commercialappeal.com (Michael Donahue) — Tue, 20 Mar 2012 20:11:00 -0000

Members of The Whiskey Republic are used to getting a new song by lead singer/guitarist Dan Larkin on their computers in the middle of the night. "I try to write a song a day and then I'll send it online. Like rough cuts," Larkin said. "I've gotten so many texts at 3 a.m.," said drummer Chris Vickers.

Listen Up: Rehearsals for band Chaos Order go beyond music

donahue@commercialappeal.com (Michael Donahue) — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 00:06:00 -0000

For Chaos Order, the accent is on "Order" during their practice sessions. "A lot of bands will probably get together and play music and drink and get high or whatever they do and that's fine," said Jared Filsinger, bass player and vocalist. "But, for us, we have a little ritual."

Listen Up: Autumn Renee

donahue@commercialappeal.com (Michael Donahue) — Fri, 23 Sep 2011 20:26:00 -0000

Autumn Renee's singing career is progressing by stages -- actual stages. The first stage was when she was 12. "I did an audition at some place in Memphis. ... I kind of froze," said the 17-year-old singer from Brighton, Tenn. "I was really, really nervous. I got on stage and I stood there. I sang one or two verses. I couldn't speak. No words would come out."

Listen Up: Brennan Villines

donahue@commercialappeal.com (Michael Donahue) — Tue, 06 Sep 2011 18:00:00 -0000

The title, “Lot of Livin’ to Do,” from “Bye Bye Birdie” could apply to Brennan Villines, who plays the hip-shaking 1960s egotistical rock singer in Theatre Memphis’ current production of the musical. In addition to acting, Villines, 23, also has been music director on theatrical productions around town. He received an Ostrander Award last year for his music direction of “Blood Brothers” at the University of Memphis.

Listen Up: The Summers

donahue@commercialappeal.com (Michael Donahue) — Thu, 11 Aug 2011 22:09:00 -0000

The Summers are four people. But there are only three Summers. Branson, Wesley and Jared Summers are brothers. Branson, 18, plays drums; Wesley, 16, sings and plays lead guitar; and Jared, 16, is the lead singer and a guitarist. Peter Armstrong, 19, the newest member of the group, sings and plays bass. He’s not related, but he looks like he is, which confuses fans.

Listen Up: Kaleidophonix

donahue@commercialappeal.com (Michael Donahue) — Tue, 19 Jul 2011 21:51:00 -0000

The members of Kaleidophonix don’t want you to know if they’re handsome, ugly or plain-looking — at least not until you’ve heard their music. So, they wear masks during part of their show. “The idea of the masks is that we’re impervious to our own egos,” said Matthew White, 25. “We’re impervious to the judgements. They (audience members) are forced — with us behind those masks — to listen to the music first and judge second.”

Listen Up: The Reverent Hitchhikers

donahue@commercialappeal.com (Michael Donahue) — Fri, 01 Jul 2011 19:42:00 -0000

The Reverent Hitchhikers are hitting the stage with their music, which lead singer Brennan Whalen describes as “country-leaning pop/folk with slight rock and roll influences.” Their first stop will be Neil’s, where they will debut their band tonight.

Listen Up: Impeccable Miscreants

donahue@commercialappeal.com (Michael Donahue) — Tue, 28 Jun 2011 23:27:00 -0000

“Impeccable” means “flawless” and a “miscreant” is “someone who does bad deeds,” said Freddy Hodges, 21, lead singer of Impeccable Miscreants. “In a way, it can mean you’re a perfect sinner,” said Logan Todd, 17, who plays drums in the band that also includes guitarist Aaron Floyd, 19, and bass player Will McGee, 17.

Listen Up: Big City Circus takes on corporate America

donahue@commercialappeal.com (Michael Donahue) — Thu, 19 May 2011 01:06:00 -0000

Greg Herron isn’t an acrobat, but he was 30 feet in the air when he first heard Big City Circus. “I’m a lineman for AT&T, so I’m climbing poles all day,” Herron said. “I was working in their neighborhood. I hear bands in every neighborhood. You have somebody playing drums or guitar. I was up there doing my thing, and I heard them playing. I went like, ‘Wow, this sound different.’”

Listen Up: Modern Slang

donahue@commercialappeal.com (Michael Donahue) — Wed, 04 May 2011 22:04:00 -0000

It's not modern slang, but "scram" was the message to musicians who weren't up to snuff to be in Modern Slang. When they were looking for a bass player, singer and drummer, guitarist Scotty Ogden, 21, and fellow guitarist Kris Sharp, 22, tried to find people who were creative, dedicated and wouldn't -- in modern slang -- flake or not show up to jam, Ogden said.

Listen Up: Wampa

donahue@commercialappeal.com (Michael Donahue) — Thu, 21 Apr 2011 20:15:00 -0000

No matter what’s going on, the members of Wampa meet every Wednesday. “Ryan writes the song,” said Ari Morris, 22, co-lead guitar player referring to Ryan Proctor, 31, guitarist/songwriter. “(He) comes to us with the lyrics and chords for the most part. It’s kind of our job to un-Wilco the tune at that point. It’s gonna sound very Ryan and very Jeff Tweedy.”

Listen Up: Jon Taylor Yarbrough

donahue@commercialappeal.com (Michael Donahue) — Thu, 24 Mar 2011 17:36:00 -0000

If he can find the video, Jonathan Taylor Yarbrough can prove he began performing as a child. "I was dressed in a Barney costume with my dad's acoustic that he never played, he just had it, singing 'Mickey Mouse!' at the top of my lungs," said Yarbrough, 19. "Just screaming 'Mickey Mouse!' over and over again."

Listen Up: Deadfall Road records chilling movie soundtrack

donahue@commercialappeal.com (Michael Donahue) — Wed, 16 Mar 2011 21:13:00 -0000

Deadfall Road experienced a windfall when they were asked to perform the soundtrack for the upcoming movie, “Shattered Hopes: the True Story Behind the Amityville Murders.” “It was really kind of a shock,” said Blake Leonard, 17, guitarist in the band that includes guitarist and lead vocalist David Hoffman, 16; drummer Eric Graham, 16; and bass player Preston Jones, 15.

Listen Up: Musician/Artist taps his foot to a different tune

donahue@commercialappeal.com (Michael Donahue) — Wed, 05 Jan 2011 02:09:00 -0000

The first thing you notice when you see Paulus Bunion perform is the tambourine attached to his right shoe. He's shaking it while he's playing the bass drum with his left foot, the guitar with his hands and, when he's not singing, a harmonica with his mouth.

Listen Up: The Doorknobs

donahue@commercialappeal.com (Michael Donahue) — Wed, 22 Dec 2010 02:32:00 -0000

Nobody could play their instruments and the singer didn’t know how to sing when they formed The Doorknobs two years ago. “We started from the roots together, not alone,” said Jesse Wilcox, 15, lead singer/rhythm guitarist in the band that includes drummer/backup vocalist Nick Riley, 16; lead guitarist Kenneth Piper, 15; and bass player Bobby Landman, 16.

Listen Up: Fallen Angel carries on while seeking figurehead

donahue@commercialappeal.com (Michael Donahue) — Wed, 24 Nov 2010 23:01:00 -0000

Fallen Angel is looking for a lead singer. “We want a singer who has the looks and the pipes to match,” said guitarist Nathan Phelps. They have interviewed at least a dozen candidates, including women, but haven’t found the ultimate lead singer. Age doesn’t matter, either. “How old is Sammy Hagar? He’s still got the golden pipes."

Listen Up: BFC raps about the 'hood -- Germantown

donahue@commercialappeal.com (Michael Donahue) — Mon, 11 Oct 2010 18:17:00 -0000

Rapping was natural for the four Germantown teenagers who make up BFC. "We all just have a bunch of of energy and we all run around screaming stuff anyway when we're hanging out," said Troy "Mr. Troy" Stewart, 16. "So, why not focus all that on flowing and spitting cool verses and stuff?" The band will release its first CD, "38138," at the Make-A-Wish Benefits Concert Saturday at Faith Presbyterian Church.

Listen Up: Eldorado and the Ruckus still rowdy

donahue@commercialappeal.com (Michael Donahue) — Wed, 29 Sep 2010 22:53:00 -0000

Eldorado and the Ruckus are back on the Memphis scene with a bang. Make it two bangs. Several of their songs are featured in the new movie, "Savage County," which will premier at 7, 7:30 and 9:30 tonight at Malco's Studio on the Square. In addition to songs with lyrics by the band's lead singer/guitarist Eldorado del Rey, the movie features a score written by Ruckus guitarist Jason Freeman.

Listen Up: Cooper Nichols

donahue@commercialappeal.com (Michael Donahue) — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 19:51:00 -0000

Cooper Nichols likes a good challenge. “Every time that I’ve taken a risk or a challenge or whatever, it’s usually paid off for me,” said Nichols, 17. First there was acting, then learning guitar and joining a band, then his solo act. Tonight, he performs from 7 to 10 p.m. at Rain Premier Sushi Bar & Bistro, 1250 N. Germantown Pky.

Listen Up: Crushing Juliet

donahue@commercialappeal.com (Michael Donahue) — Wed, 02 Jun 2010 23:36:00 -0000

Alan Doty was driving around in his Chevy Malibu the first time he heard music by Crushing Juliet. A friend had told him the band was looking for a bass player. (He) sent me tracks in an e-mail and I plugged them into my iPod and listened to them,” said Doty, 21. “I was tapping my foot and singing along. I wasn’t near a bass, so I went to Guitar Center with my iPod and I started playing along. I think I picked up a Fender Precision.”