Concert Preview: Bell's features Ann Arbor band
Janine Phan
A&E Writer
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"We always get a good crowd in Kalamazoo," Eichinger said. "We have a good amount of fans there, and if people want to hear progress from the last time, and high energy, then they should come check us out."
The quartet, who has been together since 1999, just returned from Colorado, and according to Eichinger the visit was well worth it.
"Colorado's great, we've been there four times and everyone, even if they haven't heard of you, really welcomes you," he said. "It's a good scene for new music, and people really want to see our improvisational stuff. We played Aspen, and Carbondale is probably our favorite place to go. It's a really 'community' kind of vibe there. Even in Denver it seems like the scene has a sense of community."
The album was recorded in April, and Eichinger says it's a good justification of their live show experience.
"We were in a transition period of bass players, so we have two on the record," Eichinger said. "A lot of the songs on the album aren't on the first album, and if they are, they're a lot different this time. Even now, the songs have progressed and taken different forms."
The band, classified with Phish and the Grateful Dead in terms of improv music, admits they'd love to open for Phish.
"Our main goal is to play in front of as many people as possible," Eichinger said. "Personally I like Dave Matthews Band and Counting Crows. But we'd want Phish's fans to see our music. We're just all about trying to get our music out to the people. We feel we have what it takes, we just want people to hear it."
Lead vocalist James Sibley, a graduate of University of Michigan along with Eichinger, sings the majority of the tunes, but all of the members sing certain parts. Jacob Chmara has been with the band for about three months and provides harmony. Chuck Newsome, who studied jazz at Wayne State University, handles guitar and also helps with vocals, while Eichinger sings lead and backup.
"Jacob studied classical saxophone at UM. He's really dedicated and we're starting to gel with him our live shows," Eichinger said.
Eichinger says there are many reasons to attend the show.
"A lot of jam bands tend to think about the jam first, but we try to put together a really good song, then a more drawn out section after we have a really good core of a song," Eichinger said. "We don't say, 'hey we have three chords, let's throw out some funky lyrics!' That's why our fans like us so much." he said. "We take a lot of pride in the songwriting respect."
The band, who has shared their jazz, bluegrass and Latin rock infused music on-stage with many bands, isn't looking to shop these songs to major companies.
"We'd rather do it the grassroots way," he said. "Any band needs a lot more money, but this is more what we'd like to do. We have a booking agent now, and we're looking to play more in Michigan and Ohio, in the future. We're trying to build more of a home base."
Smokestack also encourages sharing of their performances and music.
"If anyone wants to come and tape the show, they can get in for free," he said. "We just try to encourage people to listen to our music."
Smokestack's CD release party will be today at Bell's Brewery, located at 355 E. Kalamazoo Ave.