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"Trans Atlantic Crush" is an aspiring rock group
that is climbing the ladder fast, taking the town of Boise, Idaho
by storm, and gathering velocity like a thundering tornado, picking
up fans faster than the sinewy vortex with their dynamic burst
of explosive sound.
When radio station Magic 93.1 promoted a CD release party at
Union Block in downtown Boise, the crowd multiplied quickly as
the band began to play, and Magic promoted a "win before
you can buy it Trans Atlantic Crush" weekend. The band's
music has been more popular than most major record label artists
in Boise, and is consistently more requested than top notch artists
such as "Hanson," "Spice Girls," "Lee
Ann Rimes," "Will Smith" and "Matchbox 20"
to name a few. In the partial week after the band's debut album
was released, it was #2 in sales after the soundtrack from "Titanic."
Many labels were at the release party to zero in on this fantastic,
revolutionary, pop/rock package that consists of: Tom Keithly
(lead vocals, lead guitar and bass), Jim Cochell (songwriter,
keyboards and backup vocals), Todd Dunnigan (keyboards, guitar
and backup vocalist) and John Brenner (percussionist and backup
vocals).
Jim Cochell was raised in Salem, OR where he began to play the
piano at age five. He's alway enjoyed playing in front of an
audience, and formed his first band in Salem in the mid-80's.
He continued his band experiences while living in Phoenix, AZ,
then moved to Boise, ID, where he founded TAC in 1994. He is
the primary song writer, and has written nine songs that have
hit #1 on the Magic 93.1 chats in Boise.
Tom Keithly, born and raise in Boise, ID (except for 5 years
in Seattle WA) has played guitar most of his life. He's a natural
performer and loves being the lead singer for the band. Tom has
been with TAC since 1994 also.
Todd Dunnigan was born, raised, and educated in Idaho. He started
playing piano as a child, and playing professionally at age 15.
He had a full scholarship for piano at Boise State University,
and Todd has played in bands for several years. He's toured North
America and Europe with various musicians, and been with TAC
since day one. Todd is responsible for the production of TAC's
music, and has also produced albums for "Built to Spill,"
"Treepeople," "Caustic Resin" and many other
groups. He was recently named Mr. Entertainment in the "Boise
Idaho Statesman."
John Brenner was born in Boise, ID, and raised in Missoula, MN.
He's traveled as a professional drummer in Europe and the USA,
and played drums most of his life. John currently is a drum teacher
at "Boise State University."
The band members have a variety of hobbies and interests ranging
from outdoor sports such as fishing, boating, camping, water-skiing,
bungie-jumping, rock climbing and mountain biking, to colletcting
pets, guitars and Volkswagons. Todd is also interested in theater,
and has participated in Shakesperian productions. Their musical
influences vary, but tend more toward British groups, grunge
and alternative.
Even though "Trans Atlantic Crush" is the U.S.A.'s
own, they have a distinctive British pop sound that resembles
"Tears for Fear" and the "Thompson Twins."
They toured with "4PM" ("Sukiyaki") and played
to crowds of several thousand. Their CD's sell out faster than
they can put them on the local music store shelf.
Listen to "Romantica" and you will hear a very unique
and fantastic sound. The music is millennium state of the art,
visionary, imaginative and appealing to one's emotions. Love
is a theme that is woven throughout the CD. Songs that will grab
you when you are falling in love, touch your heart when you are
deeply in love and bring a tear to your eye when romantic love
is lost. "Romantica" is a collection of songs that
will tug at your heart strings.
The first song on this album, "Beautiful Girls," has
an elusive, enthralling sound that pulls you in deeper and deeper.
It echoes through the chambers of your soul. "The ultimate
subject/ Writes across your lips/ Beautiful girls/ Like beautiful
things/ From beautiful places/ Isn't she beautiful." Their
pop sound continues to echo right into "Scream." The
absorbing guitar sound showcases the unique quality of talent
that this group continues to generate. "Scream" starts
off mellow, breaking into an inviting dance vibration, with lyrics
"Baby, what if I slide a little closer to you/ So I can
see the blue in your eyes," enticing you and your partner
to glide effortlessly across the dance floor.
"Without You" is a beautiful ballad of lost love. "Will
you melt my heart and burn my mind/ When you say goodbye,"
giving tender thoughts to the reason, "Cause if I'm only
living through you/ Maybe I'm the one to blame." This song
was featured on their first album, "Aviator of Love,"
which completely sold out. "Without You" became so
popular, they decided to add it to this album as well.
One of my favorites on this album is "Elderberries & Icicles."
Starting out so delicately with "There is no life in the
winter garden/ If you could just breathe me in," the song
pulls you into the inviting chambers of love. You can almost
taste the surroundings of Medieval Times. "So much love
in your Winter garden/ If you could just let me in/ Like the
love that fills my cold/ A cold so rare it numbs your reason."
The enthralling sound will draw you into an enticing, romantic
garden. A garden so everlasting, you will never want to withdraw.
"Lies" is another catchy dance beat. A distinctive
disco sound, with a strong burst of energy, generating in the
chorus, "Lies, tell me lies/ I don't want to know the truth
about you/ Tell me your lies."
"I Believe" shares the pains of lost hope and faith.
The bridge envisions a soft rose petal of love falling with the
painful words, "Falling down, on the way to nowhere/ Did
you forget the one who made you real," exhibiting the delicate,
tender touch of a heart breaking. And while you are still feeling
the rejection, it's time to say farewell to the love that no
longer exists in "Baby Goodbye." The percussion is
an echoing heartbeat as it builds the courage to say, "Baby
Goodbye/ Giving up the fight, don't care who's wrong or right."
Hearing a "voice inside with pride," knowing that life
can and will go on.
"Leningrad Mail Order Bride," another one of my favorites,
envelopes the classical score of an everlasting, enchanted love.
Totally different than any of the other tracks on this album,
this song will carry you away. Close your eyes and you will feel
your feet pick up off the ground. You'll be swept into the depth
of your imagination. TAC feels "an album should play like
a soundtrack to an imaginary movie," and they definitely
have captured the enchanted animation of the mind. "Ebenezer
Johnson is changing his life," and so will you.
As one focuses on oneself, they turn inward, soon believing they
are "God." This tune has an eerie sound, channeling
you into the realms of "... God, ruler of the Millenium/
I'm knower of all/ Yes I'm all consuming." "Never Feel
Again" is uniquely, and tastefully composed, and showcases
the 20 some students of the "Boise High School Orchestra."
Many gifted talents were captured on this gorgeous, exquisite
ballad. Not only did this song turn out beautifully, but it was
also an exceptional learning experience for those students.
"Romantica" is a variety of music that showcases the
depth of TAC's exceptional talent. "Trans Atlantic Crush"
has produced hit after hit in their local area. Many have expressed
the enjoyment of the astounding impact that this band has. If
you can purchase a CD before this group goes "big time,"
you'll likely have a collector's item. As one listener puts it,
"I think these boys WILL rock the world, so watch out! Their
music appeals to a wide range of listeners and I give them two
ears for providing us REAL ear Candy." Put this album to
your ear and I'm sure you will agree.
Keep your eyes and ears on "Trans Atlantic Crush."
They're going places.
INTERVIEW WITH TRANS ATLANTIC
CRUSH
1/25/98
AMZ: First of all, what is the
genesis of the band? How did you guys get together?
TAC: O.K., here's the deal from
the top. A couple days after Jim moved to Boise he happened to
be at a bar where he was introduced to Todd. Jim said he had
some songs and was looking for a singer. Todd suggested Josh
Crookham. So that lineup recorded the "Aviator of Love"
album. After the band had had some success they added Tom Keithly
on guitar, and a percussionist. That lineup recorded the "Discovered"
album. After the "Discovered" album Josh and the percussionist
decided to try their luck in New York. At that point it was thought
that Tom would take over the vocals, but he was having some success
with another band so he declined. Jim and Todd tried working
with some other singers when laying the initial tracks for "Romantica"
but they just weren't working out. As luck would have it, Tom's
other band broke up and he agreed to join up on vocals and guitar.
John Brenner was then added just to beef up the live sound, but
proved to be such a valuable element to the band, he was made
a full member.
AMZ: What are you musical influences?
There seems to be a British pop feel like "Tears For Fears"
or "Thompson Twins" in your music.
TAC: It's hard to say about
influences because, although we mostly agree we do sound similar
to those bands, I don't think anyone in the band actually owns
albums by those bands. We certainly don't make any sort of effort
to try to sound like anyone, we just kind of play, and lay down
tracks that sound good to us, tracks that we ourselves would
like to hear. As far as what influences us, we would probably
list things that we're in more direct contact with, for instance,
"Built to Spill" would be cited as a big influence,
not that you would hear it in our music, but because Dug Marstch
played on the album, and working with him directly gives us a
chance to......I don't know ......listen through his ears, and
know how he would approach certain things. Ned Evett would be
another in that same category. "Lovesick" and "Tecknolgi"
(local bands that we work and hang out with). Being around them
influences us much more than bands we hear on the radio or something,
because we know them personally.
AMZ: I know it's tough for a
band to get noticed, but it must be especially tough to garner
attention out in the Pacific Northwest. What kind of reception
do you get outside the local area? Have you toured at all?
TAC: Getting noticed in the
Northwest is difficult, but getting noticed anywhere is difficult.
There are millions of people living in the heart of the entertainment
industry and not getting noticed. Fortunately with tools like
the Internet making the world a little smaller it's easier than
it used to be. As far as playing outside the area, we've always
been really well received wherever we've played. It's worth noting
that we choose shows carefully. We try to make sure that if we're
going to go somewhere to play that we will be in front of people
that are likely to enjoy what we're doing. Opening for "Garth
Brooks" would put us in front of a lot of people, sure,
but I think we'd probably decline. We did a tour with "4PM"
(remember, they had a hit a couple of years ago with "Sukiyaki")
that was decent, 1,000 - 3,000 seat venues, and they drew an
audience that would like us.
AMZ: Have you ever considered
relocating to gain greater exposure for the band?
TAC: There's been some talk
of it rumbling around, but nothing serious yet. We're enjoying
some success in Boise, and Boise is a great town, so for the
time being . . .
AMZ: We understand you've attracted
attention from some labels. Without naming names how is that
going?
TAC: Frustrating. We've delivered
what we feel is a really signable package, and the labels won't
tell us "no," but they won't say "yes" either.
Honestly I think the labels are watching each other waiting for
one to make a move, and then they're all going to make a move.
One of them will make a move eventually, and we're looking forward
to being able to say "no" to a label for a change.
Just to be totally clear, I wouldn't say it's this band's dream
to be on a major label. The label is just a means to an end,
that "end" being the opportunity to COMPLETELY focus
on making the best album we can. Unfortunately, like most other
musicians, we have day jobs. That's 40+ hours a week that we
can't focus on music, but we need money, so we have jobs. The
money a major label can provide frees us from the day job so
we can concentrate on ONE thing . . .making a great record. The
label isn't the dream, the great record is. I don't think any
of us relish the idea of sitting in an office discussing "points"
and planning marketing strategies. We could get jobs doing that
kind of stuff right now if we wanted too. I think we should put
up a sign in the studio that says "It's the record, stupid."
AMZ: You managed to work the
band name into the cut "Scream." Any particular reason?
TAC: I'd love to give you a
clever answer to this, but basically it was a lyric that fit
and we thought it was kinda cool.
AMZ: Where do the ideas for
songs like "Leningrad Mail Order Bride" come from?
TAC: We think that an album
should play like a soundtrack to an imaginary movie, and songs
like that are there to thicken the plot. Just when you think
you've got the album figured out, along comes this song to throw
you for a loop, make the story a little more interesting, so
to speak. The actual lyrical ideas were worked out in the studio.
Tom had the basic story idea down and we just improvised vocals
to tape, and started formulating ideas and lines and honing it
'til we liked it. Musically, Jim had a piece sequenced into his
keyboard, we laid that to tape, the rest of us added stuff to
it, and, well, that's that.
AMZ: Whose idea was it to do
"Never Feel Again" with the Boise High School Orchestra?
Who handled the additional orchestral arrangements?
TAC: Pretty much Todd's. He
also handled to orchestra arrangement by printing out parts using
his computer. He wanted to use an orchestra for the song, but
when we called around to hire players it was just way too expensive.
So, since Todd owns the studio, he went to the high school and
offered to do some recording for the orchestra if they would
play on this song. The teacher was also able to use this as a
valuable learning experience for the kids - coming to the studio,
doing a session, seeing what that's like. It also helps build
sales. With 20 some kids in the orchestra there are a lot of
parents and grandparents buying the album.
AMZ: "Lies" has a
"disco" feel. Is dance music your strength? This song
also seems to be very similar to "Scream," almost a
varation on a musical theme?
TAC: We all like dance music,
and I suppose it could be called a strength, but we try to do
more than that. If we considered ourselves in just the "dance"
genre I think we would make a very different album. We have more
of an "anything goes" approach as long as we can make
it relevant to the overall context of the album.
AMZ: If you went on tour and
could pick a band to open for which one would it be?
TAC: Garth Brooks, of course!
That's a tough one, because when you're doing the opening gig
you're in front of people who came to see someone else. It's
always a fun challenge to try and win them over, but generally
you come away overshadowed by the headlining act. I think we
would prefer to headline smaller shows, rather than open for
bigger shows. Smaller shows give you a chance to connect with
the audience better. I mean, how are you REALLY connecting with
that guy on the 50 yard line, when you're in the end zone? Especially
when you're the OPENING act. You're just there to give them targets
for their eggs. But as for the answer, I guess I'd have to say
"Lovesick," "Tecknologi," "Memory Garden,"
or some band that we know, so our concern is not for just our
set but for our friends' sets as well. That prevailing attitude
makes a better overall show. Any one band which has a similar
audience, and is nice to us, that's who it would be.
AMZ: When you're not making
music do you guys hang together? Are your interests similar?
TAC: One important element
to the success of this band is the chemistry between the members.
When Jim and Todd were on the search for a singer the question
we asked first and foremost was "Is this someone we want
to be holed up in a studio with for weeks on end?" We would
take someone with lesser talent if he or she was fun to work
with, because ultimately that attitude is reflected in the album.
If someone is with people they are comfortable with, they will
take more chances, stretch themselves more, and deliver a better
performance. Tom and Todd are going on 10 years of playing together.
We were all friends with John before he was our drummer. It's
important.
AMZ: And for our female readers
- who's the band's ladykiller?
TAC: The one who has hair.
AMZ: How did the debut party/concert
go?
TAC: Pretty well. Some people
who've been to all of our shows said it was our best show ever,
which was nice. We got to play music with guys we like in front
of people who respond positively to it. It doesn't get any better
than that.
AMZ: Thanks for talking with
us. Good luck with "Romantica" and hitting the big
time. |
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