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CD features bands that never hit it big
Posted: Apr 11, 2008 in Things to do, Music
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The concept behind new compilation album "Defunct Indiana" is simple.
"There are a lot of bands from Indiana that never really got much attention when they were around," says Karl Hofstetter, who pulled together 17 songs by 17 bygone acts for release on his Joyful Noise Recordings label.
Four of the bands -- America Owns the Moon, Lukewarm Bodies (at best), Intro to Airlift and Big Big Car -- will reunite Saturday to promote the album at Broad Ripple's Spin nightclub.
The fifth band on the bill, the Rooms, features musicians who played in four acts represented on the "Defunct" project: Letters in English, Big Cow and the Prophets, Mara'Akate and the Junekill Ward.
When digging into Hoosier music history, Hofstetter focused on "indie, experimental and hardcore" styles.
He cites Manners for Husbands, a trio that distributed self-burned CDs, as his primary motivation.
"They're one of my favorite bands from Indiana, but they never had a proper release," Hofstetter says.
Musical Family Tree Records is co-releasing "Defunct Indiana" with Joyful Noise. The Musical Family Tree label is an offshoot of Web site www.musicalfamilytree.com -- a living-history clearinghouse of underground music in Indiana.
Many of the musicians have moved on to present-day bands. Ativin guitarist Dan Burton now leads Early Day Miners. Hofstetter, who once played drums in Melk the G6-49, is a member of Lafcadio and the Abner Trio.
Hofstetter doesn't view the compilation as a parade of missed opportunities.
"It's impressive that a small state like Indiana was able to have this really great, innovative musical output," he says. "Even if it doesn't get the attention it deserves, it's still there."
Great idea for a CD...but it's kind of a bummer you won't ever be able to hear new material for most of the bands.
I might have to pick this up.
Shameless plugs - I was in Mara'akate and am not in Thin Fevers, we have a new record out that you can download for free at http://thinfevers.com.
Our drummer Ben was in Letters and English and Rooms as well, and our singer was in Usurp Synapse... Wow, we are a defunct Indiana all star band.
Colin and Derek from Mara'akate are now in Phoenix Bodies as well, so if you pick up the record and like it, you might check us and them out.
Brian
more plugtronic: my name is ben traub and i am on the Defunct Indiana comp four times. needless to say, i dont know, nor do i really care why none of the bands i have been in ever "made it big." making it is more about personal goals and surprising yourself with the work that comes from creativity. the thin fevers record is a great example; no one else has done what thin fevers have done with their latest release.
karl is always on the top of my cool list simply for his keen eye for Art of all sorts, sounds, and shapes. he makes indiana cooler.