In a student house like any other on the UW campus, four friends lounge together in their quirky and cozy living room.
The friendship between Nathan Schaefer, Krista Rasmussen, Tom Teslik and Ben Knollenberg didn’t blossom from neighboring freshmen dorm rooms or a high school clique. The close friends and members of Meteorade met through MySpace, shared classes and mutual friends. It was through a mutual love of bands such as Weezer and The Pixies that the group united back in 2007. What started as a simple jam session transformed into a unique and passionate band within days. And so, the indie-alternative band Meteorade was born.
“I think we have all changed our idea of what’s cool based on two years of playing together,” said Schaefer, a recent UW graduate who shares the vocals for the band, along with guitar and synth. “There used to be very sharp distinctions, but everyone’s music tastes have blended together.”
Playing together in Knollenberg’s basement, the band recorded demos off their laptops, channeling the alternative rock style reminiscent of 90’s bands.
“The decade you grew up in has a big impact on you,” Schaefer said. “You just can’t say you’re a ‘rock band’ now.”
Teslik, now a UW senior, added, “If you turn on the rock radio stations, it’s Nickelback–or the twelve bands that sound like Nickelback.”
One problem the band faces today in the post millennium music scene is the inevitable conotations behind the “alternative indie” band, which has proven frustrating in trying to make a name for themself. And while the band claims they “don’t sound like a Wes Anderson movie soundtrack,” they pride themselves in being musicians whose purpose is to play their instruments without distracting gimmicks or elaborate show tricks.
Often compared to bands such as Pavement, Stereolab and Built to Spill, the band’s sharp vocals, impressive variety of guitar riffs and refreshing lyrics on Shaking Strangers shows the dedication and diligence the group put into their debut album.
Over time, as music tastes and individual styles melded, the band channeled some of their favorite artists as inspiration. Knollenberg, a UW senior who plays guitar, bass and trumpet, in addition to vocals, incorporates a more broody, metal sound with favorite bands like Nine Inch Nails, Queens of the Stone Age, Meshuggah and Jimi Hendrix. Rasmussen, a UW senior majoring in Religious Studies and Languages and Cultures of Asia enjoys a “garage band” sound with favorites The Kinks, The Sonics and Supercharger.
Having played over 70 shows in and around Wisconsin, the members of Meteorade are now comfortable as performers and certainly enjoy having fun with one other on stage. Whether watching fans enjoy homemade cupcakes made with love by Rasmussen, or making their audience jump rope as a massive group, they enjoy adding a personal aspect to their performances.
“We’re not angry or bad-ass,” Schaefer said. “We don’t encourage people to elbow each other in the face. We’re just there to make good music.”
And good music they will make at their album release show, Friday at 10 p.m. at The Frequency. One of their favorite venues to play at — SO to owner Darwin Sampson, who Meteorade describes as “the real deal” — their excitement and anticipation for this show is sure to bounce off the walls and seep into the audience. The friends’ pride and excitement surrounding the release of their debut album, Shaking Strangers, is irrefutable.
Unfortunately, the band has found that many students tend not to branch out into the greater Madison area.
“We do have a pretty hard time getting students outside of the group of people we know to come out places,” Schaefer said. “I think people would enjoy it a lot if they went out and hit Capital Square every now and then.”
So Madisonians, come jam out and support a fellow UW student generated band whose energy and love for music will make for a great performance.
Meteorade will perform at their album release show on Friday, January 22 at 10 p.m. at The Frequency.
