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The Backstage Cafe with Bimini Rd.
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In the early 20th century, Edgar Cayce predicted that Atlantis would rise again in 1969. During thi...In the early 20th century, Edgar Cayce predicted that Atlantis would rise again in 1969. During this foreseen time frame, the Bimini Road was discovered in the Atlantic Ocean. I discovered Bimini Rd. at the NorVa on a Saturday night this month, a band that described itself as alternative rock with a "fusion of reggae." I had seen them before at a previous NorVa appearance about a year ago, and met them this time at the Backstage Café, now known as Kelly's Tavern. What struck me first about this meeting was how friendly and likeable these guys were! Adam Watts (drums), Aaron Kuklika (guitar), Tyler Slawson (keyboard), Travis Mansell (guitar), Mike Fischetti (bass/vocals), and their onstage guest, Max Fischetti (percussion), exuded a collective charisma that was magnified on stage.
Bimini Rd., whose first album, "Walkabouts" was released in late November last year, began with Travis and Mike, who in high school set up a "band booth" for a field day activity. These two had what they called a "freelance" band back then, and have since been joined more recently by Tyler and Adam. They began as an alternative rock band, noting that with the addition of Aaron came the "white boy reggae." The music, they say, is a group effort that deals with romance, life experiences, and an overall desire to change the world. In fact, all of the proceeds from their show that night were to be donated to Haiti relief. Again, nice guys.
After hearing that a band's influences include the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Pearl Jam, Sublime, Led Zeppelin, Jimi Hendrix, and Eric Clapton, who wouldn't be anxious to hear their sound? When I walked into the NorVa before Bimini Rd. went on, the standing space of the first floor was already half full and every inch of the rail on the second was taken. Of course, most of these people were anticipating Badfish, but what I didn't expect was that a good portion of the crowd was here for Bimini Rd. When they came on the stage, the house lights went down and the crowd gave them a welcome not often allotted to a local band.
The first word that comes to mind when you see Bimini Rd. live is ENERGY. Front man Mike Fischetti radiated it as he delivered powerful vocals, as did guitarists Travis and Aaron, who were somehow able to jump around the stage and incite the audience while playing complex numbers. All of them meshed well together and made the already upbeat music fun. Everyone in my vicinity seemed to know the words, and those who didn't further back were still swaying and waving their arms to the group's contagious rhythm.
The performance left no doubt in my mind that these guys love what they are doing. They are excited about their new album (which can be accessed on iTunes or at cdbaby.com) as well as their upcoming shows. They tour a lot of college events and venues primarily in Virginia, but occasionally travel to North Carolina, D.C., and New Jersey, so chances are you'll be able to catch a show wherever you are! I am not what you would call the biggest fan of reggae or rock-reggae. In fact, I seldom venture much farther than Damian Marley. But I'm a sucker for happy music with a positive feel and crowds of people that somehow seem to feel like a big family. If you're a fan of that sort of thing, these guys are worth catching live!
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Groove Advisory
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If blues or ambient noise rock aren’t your thing, check out Virginia Beach’s Bimini Rd. performing t...If blues or ambient noise rock aren’t your thing, check out Virginia Beach’s Bimini Rd. performing their reggae tinged rock originals at Chicho’s 29th Street. They’ve spent the last year playing both locally and regionally in support of their debut album, Walkabouts, which they released a year ago, just after Thanksgiving. You can listen to it either at iTunes or cdbaby or sample some tunage here. Catch them while you can, as they plan on hitting the studio once again this winter to start work on their next album due for release in early spring.
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Get Up Stand Up
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Finally, our gracious benefactors, Bimini Rd. hit the stage. They start the set strong with one of ...Finally, our gracious benefactors, Bimini Rd. hit the stage. They start the set strong with one of their well-known songs “Timeline.” With a dazzling display of prowess they mix rock and reggae into a beautiful blend. They go out of their way to make sure their songs have fun twists that you usually wouldn’t expect, or perhaps it just comes natural for them. Either way, the pure joy on Michael Fischetti’s face as he belts out bass and vocals was a perfect expression of the tone the festival had brought to all of the estimated 600 people throughout the day. Travis Mansell and Aaron Kuklica provide the trademark guitar sound as well as vocals, while Adam Watts and Dave Ortiz provide a dazzling display of rhythm on the drums and percussions, respectively. Things get a little wild later on as Sean-Patrick Hickey of Jackmove fame takes to the horns with a passion. At one point in the show, a rapid guitar solo was followed by a bolstering drum section, all melting into a delicious jam that can only be described as amazing.
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Bimini Rd 'And Then Some' Album Review
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When people hear the word “Bimini Road” they don’t think of a Southeast Virginia beach band pounding...When people hear the word “Bimini Road” they don’t think of a Southeast Virginia beach band pounding drums and wailing riffs. They’re likely thinking of the underwater rock structure off the coast of the Bahamas. The structure itself is called “Bimini Rd” – as it appears the rocks create a road or wall of some kind. The origins of the underwater structure are still debated today – with a few believing it belonged to the ever elusive Atlantis.
While this version of Bimini Rd is not nearly as hard to find as the lost city, their music is equally magnetic.
The group hails from Virginia Beach, Virginia and brings a brand of beach rock that is sure to keep you whistling harmonies for days on end. The group has been active since 2008 and includes members Travis Mansell (Guitar & Vocals), John Wilkens (Keys & Vocals), Aaron Kuklica (Guitar), David Ortiz (Drums) & Mike Fischetti (Bass & Vocals). The group has two previous releases including a full length album titled Walkabouts in 2009 and the single “No Frustrations” last September. Well they’re at it again with the recent release of And Then Some, an EP sure to find itself on a lot of summer playlists.
The album kicks off with what turned out to be our overall favorite song on the album titled “Rhyme and the Rhythm”. A silly drop at the beginning leads in to a wicked distorted guitar solo that simply pumps you up. The rock-reggae beat kicks in with some nice guitar and the off beat keys. But the thing to be said about this song is not only it’s catchy beat but killer vocals. A great use of effects in certain spots goes along nicely with the already amazing voices of Bimini Rd. A little more distorted guitar and a sprinkle of hip hop makes this the apple of our eye for this album. But wait! There’s more, much more..
“Rhyme and the Rhythm” is followed by “Dreamer”. A slower but still highly likable song. In fact it reminded us a lot of a few songs by another favorite of ours, The Movement. It slows down at times, and speeds up – takes you on a ride. That’s what we like. Every album a journey, every song a leg on the trip.
The third song on the album is “San Juan” – another of the band’s popular tracks. The ladies in our group were huge fans of this song. Raspy vocals with a bluesy dub vibe gets the girlies every time. The dudes were pretty impressed too. A good way to describe this track would be The Black Keys meets 311 – and Pink Floyd stops by for a drink. In fact, that may be a good way to describe the band itself if it weren’t for the amount of other influences heard throughout this album – and their own uniqueness.
”Photos” is the fourth track on the album and is an upbeat beach jam with some ballad style hard rock thrown in prior to the song’s finale. A finale filled with a skater’s dream of hard beating drums and punk guitar.
The next song is “No Frustrations” – the single we mentioned earlier. This fifth and final song is a great choice for a closer. Instead of drooling all over it, we’ll just let you listen.
In the end Bimini Rd has put out a solid EP and has a lot to be proud of and look forward to. The group has become a staple in the Hampton Roads/VA Beach area and recently played with the like of Fortunate Youth and Tribal Seeds among others. Look out for Bimini Rd as they look to take their reach to the next level in 2012.
Just like the rocks – these guys are here to stay.
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Local Band Bimini Rd. in the Fast Lane to the Top
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Local Band Bimini Rd. in the Fast Lane to the Top
Posted on 24 October 2012. Tags: Bimini Rd., Mu...Local Band Bimini Rd. in the Fast Lane to the Top
Posted on 24 October 2012. Tags: Bimini Rd., Music, reggae
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Local reggae/alternative-indie rock band, Bimini Rd. will perform at Old Dominion University on Oct. 27.
The band will be performing during a tailgate party for the home football game versus the University of Delaware to promote their new album. Their latest album “And Then Some,” has a unique blues-indie-reggae fusion feel.
“We want the college kids listening to our music. We want to promote the local music scene,” band member Travis Mansell said.
The band was born in Virginia Beach and has been active since 2008. Band members Mike Fischetti, Travis Mansell, Aaron Kuklica, Dave Ortiz and Jon Quan are a group of music veterans that channel fresh sounds into the Hampton Roads area.
The band has played with popular reggae artists including The Green, John Brown’s Body, The Expendables, King Yellow Man, Easy Star Allstars, Rebelution, Pato Banton and most recently with The Wailers.
“We make music for your everyday person kind of songs, like San Juan. It’s an Emotional connection were trying to seek. We want to have people’s brains turning. We have romantic songs and party songs, we have many genres,” Mansell said.
Playing to crowds from Delaware to North Carolina, Bimini Rd. is eager to expand their music to broader audiences with the release of their latest E.P. “And Then Some”. According to a national press release from the band, the album was recorded by Jocko Randal.
The band is managed by Mike Fischetti and Travis Mansell and is signed with C&A Media.
Mansell, backup vocalist for Bimini Rd., is an ODU graduate majoring in history and has had a passion for music since he was a kid.
“It’s kind of crazy. I personally, I was never much of a music listener but I really enjoy playing music. Mike [and I] have been playing music for fifteen years, since we were young. John is our newest addition. He’s really good at improvising. We kind of just came back together to do music,” Mansell said.
Bimini Rd. has been compared to the sounds of Slightly Stoopid, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Pepper, Jason Mraz and O.A.R.
According to the band’s website, in the late ‘60s Dr. J Manson Valentine discovered a disputed rock formation off the coast of the island of North Bimini in the Bahamas, hence the band’s name, Bimini Rd.
“It’s me and mike, the guitarist and backup vocalist, Aaron, and the vocalist and keyboard player, John. John and I used to work together at the surf shop. We all hung out together and know each other, so the chemistry comes natural.”
Although they are just finding their mold in the music industry, they are already making ground. After a lot of work and commitment, Bimini Rd. is putting themselves on the map.
“We have two EP’s (Extended Play) online right now that dropped this summer and is now available on itunes. We have sold about a thousand of those. We have opportunities coming to us right now, which is good.”
The band has aspirations to hit the regional festival scene throughout the spring and summer of 2013.
For more information, follow Bimini Rd. online at http://www.biminird.com and on Facebook.
By:Kadedra Holmes
Staff Writer
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Bimini Rd. Bimini Rd.
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Virginia’s Bimini Rd. has a perfect mid-summer beach party vibe. Their self-titled album is filled w...Virginia’s Bimini Rd. has a perfect mid-summer beach party vibe. Their self-titled album is filled with roots reggae one drops, fat bass lines, and some catchy melodies. Made up of Travis on vocals and guitar, Aaron on guitar, Mike on vocals and bass, Ortiz on drums, and Wilkens on keys, it’s a classic reggae band set-up. The songs sometimes dip into philosophy and break beyond good vibes, and the songs certainly come off more rounded than your classic SoCal reggae bands lamenting over girls and getting wasted.
All of that has its, place of course, as does roots reggae teeming with Rasta culture, with politics, with revolution. In between is Bimini Rd. Mike’s voice is part of this condition. Deep, tight, his voice sounds somewhat 3 Doors Down. Okay, nothing wrong with that. Just be prepared. Therefore, the songs have a more Mighty Mighty Bosstones sound than The Green.
No worries. Songs like the opener, “A Fool’s Lament”, are delicious. “I tried to jump the shark/ but I slipped into that fall,” Mike says before the poignant chorus: “Patience is a virtue/ just not one of mine.” The bass n’ drums throughout sound great. They use the right amount of roots counter riddims and bits of rock n’ roll.
For instance, “Shoot ‘Em Up”, which features Aaron Lipp, of Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad fame, on keys. This song, on top of having signature organ blitz, feels slightly biker boy in a reggae fashion. Strange combo, I know, but Bimini Rd. does it well. Because of this, they are refreshing reggae music. The chorus is a call and response that’ll get you dancing.
Ultimately, that’s what this album can do: get you moving. It’s not much of a get irie, sit, and mellow kind of thing. It’s pulse pounding. “Rhyme and Rhythm” is a good example. The electric guitar has a cool sound to it and the lyrics go, “You keep on dancing/ We’ll keep on living.” It grooves and pitches and rubs you in all the right places.
There is a lot of sex and love on the album too. “Black Dress” is an absolutely gorgeous song- worth the price of admission alone. “We don’t need no electric light,” goes the chorus; “We’ll dance by the moonlight.” It’s sweet and funky. Two good things.
The album is mixed well. You can hear most of the words. Instruments never vie for attention. The closer, “San Juan”, is a perfect bookend, getting slightly Sublime. Bridging some genre gaps, Bimini Rd. needs to continue harnessing their potential and get more global. However, this album is far from a disappointment, and well suited for a barbeque, boat ride, or when the swimsuits come off in the bed of the cabana.
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