Chasing the Sky: Best of GR
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I’ve had more opportunity than most to witness how uncompromisingly awesome the Grand Rapids music scene is. Those hours when I’m not scrawling notes behind a desk in a GVSU class room, or half-assing my way around a bass guitar fretboard, I write about West Michigan entertainment. This month I got to cover one of our city’s most successful bands, La Dispute, who have toured with Thursday and Thrice and are now on their own nationwide headlining tour. But there are also plenty of other artists in the area who haven’t yet gotten the recognition they deserve. Here are just a few I’ve had the pleasure of working with. I only had room for three, so expect more later.
JuxTApose
I may be biased when it comes to this band. Trevor Atkinson (the sleek, sexy front man/guitar god) and Cassidy Warner (that awkward nerdy chick behind the keyboard) perform in Chasing the Sky as well. But don’t let that fool you. JuxTApose sounds nothing like CTS (and I’m not going to lie, they’re 100 fold better). Imagine Maroon 5 injected with Jimmy Hendrix. Throw in some hyperactive keyboards and bass lines that on their own make bassist Jared Williams the sexiest man alive (not to mention that jaw line and cold, stern James Bond attitude). They recently released their debut EP, “World of Trouble.” Quite possibly the best thing you’ll hear coming from GR.
Christopher Andrus/Bless You Boys
Even before I was in the studio recording my parts for Chasing the Sky with Chris Andrus as producer, he probably the local musician I idolized most. His former band, Bless You Boys, kicked out two incredible albums (“Armed to the Teeth” and “The Still Life,” with the former being my favorite.) I’ve never heard anyone with a voice more suited to carry high-energy, arena-rock ballads. Hell, I’ve never met anyone with a more suitable voice for any sort of music.
Heavier Than Air Flying Machines
On listening to HTAFM’s debut album, “Siam,” you may think it’s members are absolutely out of their minds. The album is much like Christmas with your extended family — noisy and utterly chaotic. Maybe it’s punk. Maybe it’s hardcore. I heard a guy call it nu-punk. So I guess we’ll go with that. The bass is constantly grabbing your attention by the throat and holding it within inches of suffocation. Vocalist Jaymes Pyne shouts and wails his over-the-top lyrics (“The equinox is heightened at the zenith of a paradox”). Oh yeah, and he sometimes sings too. Oh yeah, and these guys actually aren’t crazy. They’re pretty nice dudes. At least I haven’t seen them try to stab anyone yet. Buy “Siam” on iTunes. It’s worth it. Oh, you should listen to Chasing the Sky too. I hear that band’s great, even if they’re complete jerks.
kvanantwerpen@
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Pictures of the Year 2012-2013
Courtesy Photo/Joe Kargula and Erik Peterson run the Marathon leg of the Ironman Triathlon
GVL / Robert Mathews Quarterback Heath Parling (12) leading the offense past Notre Dame College.
GVL / Eric Coulter Senior Jake Isaacson placed eigth in the Spartan Invitational. Isaacson's time of 25:04 was the highest among Division II athletes.
GVL/Jessica Hollenbeck Student Senate President Jack Iott speaks to the assembly during Thursday's meeting.
Courtesy / gvsu.edu President Haas and Montcalm Community College President Robert C. Ferrentino sign the transfer agreement
Courtesy Photo/ GVSU Athletic Department Sophomore Chris Cunningham lines up a putt at a past match.
Courtesy Photo / GVSULakers.com Andrew Darrell prepares to return the serve earlier this season.
GVL / Jessica Hollenbeck President Haas cooks pancakes during Family Weekend's "Pancakes with Presidents".
GVL / Jessica Hollenbeck President Haas cooks pancakes during Family Weekend's "Pancakes with Presidents".
GVL / Archive Forward Briauna Taylor (31) chases down a lose ball in a game last season
Courtesy Photo / Dean Breest Sophomore Allyson Winchester was named the GLIAC Women's Cross Country Athlete of the Year after finishing first with a time of 20:48.8.
GVL / Archive GVSU's Breland Hogan rises and fires over three defenders last season.
GVL/Bo Anderson Briauna Taylor leads the fast break during a game earlier this season.
GVL / Robert Mathews Associate Vice President for Facilities Planning, James Moyer, leading a walk through of the Mary Ideam Pew Library
Courtesy Photo / GVSU DII Men's Hockey Jeremy Christopher chases down a puck during a matchup last season.
GVL / Bo Anderson Students and faculty danced under the spectacular light show in the Devos Place Ballroom
GVL / Robert Mathews Martin L�wenberg, holocaust survivor, speaking at the Genocide Awareness Night presentation in the Grand River Room.
Courtesy / Dean Breest Senior Sam Lockhart finishes her indoor career with two individual national championships in weight throw and shot put at the 2013 National Championships.
Archive / Robert Mathews Giancarlo Brugnoni (40) rounding the bases during a previous game.
GVL/Bo Anderson Seniors Christ Koppenaal, Bill Madsen, and Mitch Weber measure the exterior of the Wesley House as part of an energy audit.
GVL / Robert Mathews Senior Anthony Campanella pitching against Tiffin University during the Lakers double header.
GVL / Eric Coulter Brother Jed Smock, a member of Campus Ministry USA, speaks with fervor to a student. Many students, all with differing views, came to watch the Campus Ministry members speak.
GVL / Sean Mouton A passing walker stops to admire some recently constructed pieces of Art Prize 2012.
GVL Archive Senior Nick Gunthorpe follows through and watches his shot at the Ardenson last year. This weekend the team will be playing in South Haven.
GVL / Bo Anderson GVSU's Katie Martin points to her teammate after safely reaching second base.
GVL / Robert Mathews Mary Idema Pew Library Learning and Information Commons under construction.
GVL / Archive The Grand Valley Rowing Team during Spring Training in Florida last spring.
GVL / Robert Mathews Judge Glenda Hatchett, keynote guest for Monday's King celebration, speaks in the Grand River Room in Kirkhof.
GVL / Robert Mathews Judge Glenda Hatchett, keynote guest for Monday's King celebration, speaks in the Grand River Room in Kirkhof.
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