Brown Deer Middle School was home to what I consider to be a great many brag-worthy things. When I attended the school, BDMS boasted an award-winning forensics team, enthusiastic (albeit mediocre) athletics and a student rock band that could give any "Battle of the Bands" competition a run for their money. This band, called Daytrip, actually featured quite talented musicians and had a gaggle of fans — mostly female. I was one of those fans. I was the girl who went to the band's every show, the girl who knew every word of each naíve-but-oh-so-true puppy-love song, the girl who begged to be allowed to sit in on practices. It was the practices I liked the most. I loved watching the building process underwent by Daytrip's three amateur musicians and witnessing the inside jokes, improvisation and moments of (at least what I considered to be) musical genius.
Years later, I find myself to still be that girl. Although the object of my middle school affection has since broken up, with its members pursuing other endeavors (most notably the Milwaukee-based band Truth In Fiction), I am still the girl who dreams of being a fly on the wall at one of the countless practices of her favorite rockers. I'd be one happy camper to see Tyson Ritter and Nick Wheeler of the All-American Rejects or Ryan Adams and his band joking, playing and improvising, all within the laid-back and comfortable atmosphere of a rehearsal. Fans are rarely ever privy to the inner workings and goings-on of their favorite musical groups, but if a band is good, really good, then its public demeanor is just as accessible and real as when the band is left to its own devices.
At a recent concert at the Annex, I experienced a show that radiated the laid-back energy thought only to exist in practice rooms. This show was what I imagine to be the equivalent of being at the rehearsal of three of the best acoustic-rock bands around.
The Steven Kellogg and the Sixers, Kyle Riabko and The Profits show was one with so much energy that thinking about it now, more than a week later, still gives me goose bumps.
The night eased into incredible music with Madison's own The Profits. The band played songs off of its newest album, Far From You and Your Everyday Noise, delivering its songs with the usual warmth and familiarity that characterizes the group. The four well-loved members warmed up the crowd with their easiness, involving audience members and creating excitement for what was to come.
The night continued with the impressive and unexpected talent of baby-faced Kyle Riabko. The newly legal musician (he just turned 18) grabbed his guitar and seriously impressed the small audience. Admittedly, I thought Riabko would turn out to be another Jesse McCartney — sugary, heartthrob pop with little musical backbone. I was wrong. Very wrong. Riabko rocked the stage, his bluesy, energetic nature rubbing off on everyone present. Exhibiting real guitar strength and soulful vocals, the musician worked the audience, cracking jokes and capitalizing on the night's relaxed attitude.
The Profits and Kyle Riabko were great, but Stephen Kellogg and the Sixers took the cake with their engaging, hilarious and superb performance. The folk-acoustic rockers, a mix of everything from The Band to Dispatch, presented themselves with a realness and honesty only exhibited by musicians comfortable in their own skin, musicians wanting to be one with the audience.
Starting off on a light note, Kellogg requested a microphone increase, asking for "more Bon Jovi, less tea party." The rock flowed freely for the rest of the set, playing out like a series of episodes, with each song presented as its own special entity. The band was quick to interject various songs with crowd-pleasers — one song included pauses in which each band member would spit out famous lines from popular movies like "Zoolander," "Dumb and Dumber," "Napoleon Dynamite" and "Happy Gilmore."
Throughout the night, Stephen Kellogg and the Sixers (Keith Karlson, Brian Factor and Chris Soucy) made a concerted effort to let their individual personalities — and joking natures — shine through the performance. During a drum solo, the other musicians stood to the side of the stage, aiming at Factor with a plethora of stuffed animals. During several songs, Karlson broke out in laughter, responding to funny comments and jokes made by his band mates.
The musicians' lightheartedness, musical talent and personalities culminated best in the band's performance of "Thirteen." The personable band invited three of the audience's most blatant Stephen Kellogg fans on stage, reenacting a typical middle school dance, complete with the customary two feet of space between young dancing couples. The song, which includes the lyrics, "She was so confident back then / French kissing boys into men," prompted each band member to regale listeners with their own "first kiss" tales. The song ended with Karlson ripping his shirt off and dancing on stage — I'm talking about the kind of all-out Napoleon Dynamite dancing most people only do in the privacy of their own homes. The audience shook with laughter, erupted into cheers and thanked themselves for buying a ticket to that night's show.
With the performance of Stephen Kellogg and the Sixers, I have never seen four people have so much fun onstage. The night was so entertaining — musically and otherwise — that I found myself beaming throughout. I'm smiling as I write this now, thinking about the amazing show and wondering how feasible it would be to contact Kellogg and ask if I could sit in on his band's next rehearsal. Please, Stephen? Please?
The laid-back, engaging and personable nature of that night at The Annex exemplifies the kind of concerts I like most. The three bands that performed exuded an intimacy audiences don't necessarily feel at larger venues. Granted, some shows are better in a bigger setting — Coldplay's "Clocks" would not have had the same effect had the band played at The Annex instead of Alpine Valley this summer — but there is definitely something to be said about smaller shows.
The sets of The Profits, Kyle Riabko and Stephen Kellogg and the Sixers proved to be a night of great music that continued to get better with one top-notch act following another. The warm and personal nature of the night let audiences get a taste of who each band truly is. Although the venue was relatively slim, the small crowd present was in no way reflective of the talent seen on stage. I encourage acoustic-rock fans to check out these three acts and be on the lookout for these artists when they roll through Madison again because those not at the recent Annex performances missed one hell of a show.
Laura Stanelle is a sophomore intending to major in journalism. She's willing to sit in on local band practices. Any takers? She can be reached for question or comment at [email protected].
