See the next big thing before they hit it big

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See the next big thing before they hit it big

MOBfest might just get Chicago-area buzz bands a major-label record deal

Sunday, June 15, 2003

By Vickie Snow
Staff writer

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Some of Chicago's hottest bands have become national and international rock stars with record deals initiated at MOBfest, the annual Music Over Business showcase.
MOBfest turns the stage over to bands who have hit the pavement running, creating a buzz big enough to draw representatives from Warner Bros. Records, Columbia, Roadrunner, Arista, Maverick, Sanctuary and others.

Disturbed, Dovetail Joint, From Zero, Kill Hannah, the Blank Theory and Assassins are among the bands to land major record deals by wowing the bigwigs with performances at MOBfest in recent years.

This year's festival will run Thursday to Saturday at clubs in Chicago and at Oasis One-Sixty and Champs in the south suburbs.

Some 150 bands - not just from Chicago, but D.C., New Jersey, Indy, Cleveland, Baltimore, Las Vegas and Canada - will vie for attention from talent scouts in a market already too saturated for its own good.

Created by Roger Jansen of KMA Management, MOBFest was initially designed to better the artists he was managing and, admittedly, better his own career. He also wanted to prove Chicago has talent worthy of a look-see.

"Chicago's not known as a big music mecca, like New York or L.A.," Jansen said. "It's a weekend to force attention on Chicago.

"It's been very successful with some great signings," he said. "It's small and manageable, it's cool and has a great vibe."

The Metro, Double Door, Elbo Room and other renowned clubs will host concerts. But just because a band's on the bill at any given place or time doesn't guarantee a label rep will be there as well. And just because clubs in Chicago Heights and Burbank have joined the fest doesn't mean A&R folk will be willing to take the cab ride.

"They come already with an idea of who they want to see," Jansen said. "They don't just stumble around. Bands don't get a deal on a fluke. The key is to build a buzz."

Just a few years ago, Disturbed - the south suburban multi-platinum metal quartet whom Jansen once represented - made a name for itself showing up outside after dozens of concerts and handing out 5,000 cassette tapes.

"Now you walk out of a club and there's 15 kids with two CDs each," Jansen said. "If you don't have 5,000 free samplers, you're not even going to compete. Now you need 15,000 ... and CDs, not tapes."

Members of Grigori3, who will play Saturday at U.S. Beer Co., 1801 N. Clybourn, said Chicago is inundated with more and more bands fighting for the same spotlight.

The gothic rock band from the south suburbs has built a bit of a buzz of its own by touring the East Coast and Midwest, having material on a compilation album ("The Best of Gothic Radio Vol. 1"), hooking up with DJ Scary Lady Sarah and using a dedicated street team decked out in band T-shirts.

"We look at MOBfest as a friendly competition and a chance to make contacts," said guitarist Ray Wise of New Lenox. "We're trying to get as many people there as possible."

"We're looking to switch to a major label," said vocalist Gwen Bartolini, a graduate of Tinley Park High School. "We want to be the best band there. It's gonna be tough."

Together since 1999 and named after fallen angels and the cycle of completion, Grigori3 is participating in MOBfest for the first time.

"This year, more people are in tune to it," Bartolini said. "People in the industry recognize the Chicago scene has something to offer."

"I think it's the changing of the guard, too," Wise said. "People want something new. Everybody's starting to sound the same."

Indeed.

"It's too oversaturated," Jansen said. "The percent of return on your investments is slimmer. There was a time when you could expect a 5 to 10 percent return on your investment. Now it's 2 or 3 percent."

Companies are looking at that bottom line and who to bank it on.

"In today's climate, it is so difficult for a label to break a band," he said. "We've got to start thinking outside the box. And bands need to rethink themselves."

What bands need to get noticed, how to create a buzz and more will be covered Saturday as part of MOBfest. In addition to strutting their stuff on stage, musicians can learn about the professional side of the music business and possibly get an on-the-spot critique.

At Metro, 3730 N. Clark St., musicians can register for panel discussions with label representatives, managers and critics and cross their fingers their bands' demo gets played and reviewed during "Demo Demolition."

"It's a harsher name than it really is," Jansen said.

Last year, the "Demo Demo" became an arduous task resulting in somewhat of a waste of people's time.

"It felt a bit overwhelming having 300 people dropping off CDs," he said. "We ended up playing some really horrible music."

Ouch!

Singers who are off key or bands that do covers will likely be tossed. About 30 demos will be "arbitrarily picked."

"We don't want to waste the A&R people's time," he said. "Nowadays, if you don't have a good-sounding demo, there's no excuse."

What's in a name?

Won't Chicago be so proud if the next hometown band to make it is named ... Urinalmintz? Or Brain Chiggers? Those are just two of the acts taking part in this week's MOBfest showcase of unsigned bands. Here are some others who might catch your ear - before you even hear their music.

Underfed: Not in Chicago, baby.
Gnome Attic: So that's where they go.
The Bizarbies: Bizarre Barbies - An oxymoron?
Pinch: Where? (And how hard?)
Jesus and the Devil: Couldn't decide?
Empty Set: Next challenger to the No One award.
Chocolate Covered Karma: I want one!
Born Against Time: Angry and bitter that life sucks the second you leave the womb.
Van Go: About a crappy band vehicle, not art.

- Vickie Snow

Want to go?

WHAT: MOBfest.
WHEN: Thursday to Saturday.
WHERE: Beat Kitchen, Bottom Lounge, Double Door, Elbo Room, Gunther Murphy's, Martyrs, Metro, the Note and Subterranean in Chicago; Oasis One-Sixty in Chicago Heights and Champs in Bridgeview.
INFORMATION: (773) 282-7700, (312) 829-2431 or www.chicagomobfest.com.

Highlights

Oasis One-Sixty, 160 Joe Orr Road, Chicago Heights; (708) 756-0600 or www.oasisonesixty.com. Doors open at 5 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday; $5 cover. Egnaro headlines Thursday after seven bands. 50 Caliber headlines Friday after 10 bands. Among the 17 bands on Saturday are Homage Sun, Dumpstar, Neotribe, A.D.D. and Lifter.

Metro: The Tossers, J. Davis Trio, Sign of the Fox, Torben Floor and Kevin Tihista at 9 p.m. Saturday; $10; 18 and older.

Double Door: Lovehammers, American Motherload, Waste and Ivory Wire at 9 p.m. Friday; $8.

courtesy of : Vickie Snow

www.GRIGORI3.COM
www.chicagomobfest.com