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By ALAN K. STOUT
MUSIC ON THE MENU
Friday, January 28, 2000 Page:
Nothing makes this sometimes jaded music journalist happier than when I get a
quality release of original material from an exceptional regional band.
It happens all too infrequently, but when it does, it’s well worth writing
about. And such is the case with “Welcome to Your Life,” the new CD from
Allentown’s Sweet Brother Rush. The strong 11-track collection is loaded with
edgy rock, catchy melodies, bright lyrics and some blistering soul.
Simply put: It’s got good tunes.
Based out of the Lehigh Valley and formerly known as The Honey Buzzards, Sweet
Brother Rush includes the members Breeze on lead vocals and guitar, Michael
Rauscher on lead guitar, Kevin Soffera on drums and Garry Lee on bass.
Substance seems to be the key to the band’s new CD: It is an album with tracks
that have smooth melodies and punch, but crystal clear vocals.
“Every song I’ve written is from my life’s experiences,” says Breeze. “I
try to write songs that people can identify with – where they may have gone
through the same thing.
“Basically the message in my music is that as much pain as you’re going
through in your life, you always have another chance to get up the next day
and do something about it. If you don’t like the world we’re living in, you
can change it. If you don’t like your job, quit and do something else.
“A lot of stuff also comes from relationships,” he adds. “The one song,
`Letter To My Brothers,’ I wrote for my adopted brothers and sisters.”
Guitarist Michael Rauscher, formally of the Armadillos, is also a strong
contributor to the CD. Throughout the album, his work is both tasteful and
vibrant.
“It was refreshing and new for me to be a part of an earthy record, in
comparison to projects of the past,” says Rauscher. “I’m proud of the
performances that we gave during those sessions, and just the vibe of the
record. For this particular album, I tried – in my songwriting and
co-songwriting – to emulate the sounds and feelings produced by Bob Dylan and
The Rolling Stones.”
The album was produced by Benjy King, who had previously worked on an early
recording of Live. Breeze says having King behind the console was a wise
choice for the band.
“The studio can be tedious, and I wanted to get this thing out and couldn’t
wait for people to hear it,” he says. “I thought the songs were really good,
but there was a good balance between my enthusiasm to get it out and Benjy’s
patience at making it great.”
The album, particularly the track “Fighting Gravity,” has received
substantial airplay on WZZO-FM in Allentown. The band also has several
upcoming showcase shows in New York in which they’ll perform before executives
from major record labels.
Breeze says the band changed its name from The Honey Buzzards to avoid any
possible problems after he discovered there was a British group from the ’70
that used the same moniker. Sweet Brother Rush, he says, carries a special
meaning.
“It’s from a book by Virginia Hamilton called `Sweet Whispers Brother Rush,’
” he says. “She’s an African-American author that writes about the
inner-city black experience. I have black bothers and sisters that my parents
adopted – all under the age of 12 – so it kind of had a little significance
for me.”
In addition to original material, the band also offers a set full of covers
which includes the music of The Rolling Stones, Counting Crows, Matchbox 20,
The Wallflowers, Tom Petty, Barenaked Ladies and The Beatles. Fun, says
Breeze, is what the group’s live show is all about.
“We do this because we enjoy it and we love it,” he says. “Everyday that we
go to work, we want to have fun doing it. We go up there with the approach
that no matter what, we’re gong to enjoy ourselves – and hopefully people will
come along for that ride.”
Stout can be reached at 829-7131
WHO: Sweet Brother Rush WHERE: Whistles, 126-132 Franklin Ave., Scranton
WHEN: Saturday, 10 p.m. to 2 a.m.
COVER: $5
INFO: 341-7427
For an audio excerpt from Big Brother Rush’s CD, go to
www.justgo/com/leader