Artist Information
Biography
AREA 15 LIVE is the result of three talented sidemen who burned out on performing homogenized, cookie cutter, cliched music for uninspired band leaders.
While packing up their equipment one night after a lounge gig, they mutually agreed that they should get another gig together and play with reckless abandon.
The drummer, Ben Makinen, scored the gig.
The guitarist, Mitch Chmara, inspired the naming of the group with his sensitivity towards the outer limits.
The bass player, Eric Thorin, had a mile-wide grin that challenged anyone to throw any chord and any groove his way at any time.
Area 15 takes its influence from Miles Davis, Jimi Hendrix and Led Zeppelin. Area 15 will use any song as a vehicle for improvisation.
The first four tracks on AREA 15 LIVE happened in one take, on one night, after no rehearsal. The fifth track happened the same way-only three months later at a different night club.
With Mitch's originals (the first two tracks) he simply told the guys what he had in mind, a couple chords and a feel, and then he said,"Just follow me..."
The standards were treated as launching pads for contemporary improvisation/conversation.
Instrumentation
Mitch Chmara-guitar
Eric Thorin-bass
Ben Makinen-drums
Discography
"AREA 15 LIVE" for sale at cdbaby.com/area15
"Lost Lullaby" for sale at cdbaby.com/makinen
Official Website
Video
Photo Gallery
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AREA 15 at the bar
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Ben Makinen
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AREA 15 LIVE CD Cover
Download print quality (high-res) version (Right Click -> Save As)
Press
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Garageband.com Awards AREA15 With Track Of The Day
[+ Show ]
AREA15's live performance of Blues In Flat Nine has been awarded The Track Of The Day - 7/27/05 - b...
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A Full-fledged Fretboard Fantastique !
[+ Show ]
The pure love of playing is showcased in a masterpiece performance! Fretboard fire and frenzy in a f...
Setlist
Originals and standards from all genres: Varies according to gig and audience.

