Spring Break
Bangarang strives to create memorable identity
review
Melissa Crowe
Issue date: 2/22/08 Section: ARTS & LIFE
Yes, it is a Dallas band. Yes, it uses orchestral instruments in its songs. However, there will be absolutely no comparing Bangarang to the Polyphonic Spree.
Guitarist and pianist Jason Ferguson pointed out that even though it has worked closely with Mark Pirro of the psychedelic Dallas band Polyphonic Spree, Bangarang is its own entity.
The three boys from the Dallas based band have been at it for four years and are currently releasing their first CD. Recorded at the Echo Lab in Denton, Puzzlebits for Personal Assembly is available free, via download, from the band's Web site www.bangarang.us. Each month throughout the year, a new song from the album will be introduced to the public.
"You're supposed to write music for people to enjoy, not for people to take on the burden of purchasing," Ferguson said.
The band advocates digital music and file sharing. Lead singer and drummer Randy Cochran said he projects music will go even further into the digital realm and away from "disposable media," like compact discs and cassette tapes, but record albums will always be a classic.
"A lot of people don't even check out music if they have to buy it," Rockwall freshman Clint Rowan said.
Rowan enlisted in the band more than a year ago as guitarist and rain stick master
"I would say we don't sound like anyone else; we sound like Bangarang," said Andy Greatorex, stand-in bassist and Middletown, N.J., freshman.
Cochran, Ferguson and Rowan make up the core of Bangarang.
The trio will perform at 10 p.m. Friday at the Double Wide in Dallas. Joining them will be Southlake freshman Bryan Clancy on saxophone, Greatorex on bass, Chris Irek on trumpet, Sly Jefferson on trombone and Arlington freshman Rachel Taft on violin.
"Each of the three main people brings something different," Taft said. "They complement each other."
In the past Bangarang functioned as a four-piece rock band until adding the string and horn instruments to change its sound.
"The sound is so much bigger," Cochran said.
Bangarang expects Friday's performance with El Gato and the Kristin Leigh Project to be a "revolution of the mind," and thinks attendees will get "the whole shebang" Cochran said.
"It's going to be pretty tricked out," he said. "Visually, it is exciting to see us play; there are so many instruments and we all like to rock. There won't be lasers but there will be good vibes."
The group hopes music lovers will take away something positive from this weekend's show.
"It's what it is all about," Ferguson said. "Listening to music and associating it to a great memory."
Guitarist and pianist Jason Ferguson pointed out that even though it has worked closely with Mark Pirro of the psychedelic Dallas band Polyphonic Spree, Bangarang is its own entity.
The three boys from the Dallas based band have been at it for four years and are currently releasing their first CD. Recorded at the Echo Lab in Denton, Puzzlebits for Personal Assembly is available free, via download, from the band's Web site www.bangarang.us. Each month throughout the year, a new song from the album will be introduced to the public.
"You're supposed to write music for people to enjoy, not for people to take on the burden of purchasing," Ferguson said.
The band advocates digital music and file sharing. Lead singer and drummer Randy Cochran said he projects music will go even further into the digital realm and away from "disposable media," like compact discs and cassette tapes, but record albums will always be a classic.
"A lot of people don't even check out music if they have to buy it," Rockwall freshman Clint Rowan said.
Rowan enlisted in the band more than a year ago as guitarist and rain stick master
"I would say we don't sound like anyone else; we sound like Bangarang," said Andy Greatorex, stand-in bassist and Middletown, N.J., freshman.
Cochran, Ferguson and Rowan make up the core of Bangarang.
The trio will perform at 10 p.m. Friday at the Double Wide in Dallas. Joining them will be Southlake freshman Bryan Clancy on saxophone, Greatorex on bass, Chris Irek on trumpet, Sly Jefferson on trombone and Arlington freshman Rachel Taft on violin.
"Each of the three main people brings something different," Taft said. "They complement each other."
In the past Bangarang functioned as a four-piece rock band until adding the string and horn instruments to change its sound.
"The sound is so much bigger," Cochran said.
Bangarang expects Friday's performance with El Gato and the Kristin Leigh Project to be a "revolution of the mind," and thinks attendees will get "the whole shebang" Cochran said.
"It's going to be pretty tricked out," he said. "Visually, it is exciting to see us play; there are so many instruments and we all like to rock. There won't be lasers but there will be good vibes."
The group hopes music lovers will take away something positive from this weekend's show.
"It's what it is all about," Ferguson said. "Listening to music and associating it to a great memory."
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