Lollapalooza :: Last Band Standing 2008

Grand Prize Winner:
The Melismatics

Runner-Up Winner:
Foxtail Somersault

The Melismatics

Those searching for the meaning of rock in 2009 need look no further than the adventurous Minneapolis indie-pop group The Melismatics, who are next in the lineage of great Minneapolis bands before them. A swaggering, super-tight pop band fronted by Ryan Smith (vocals, guitar) and his wife Pony (vocals, guitar, synth), The Melismatics take their own modern vision and sterling hooks and tumble them around with the best aspects of the classics. The onstage chemistry is explosive, and their live shows are unpredictable and dangerous. While reference points stretch from The Jesus and Mary Chain, Husker Du, The Kinks, Supergrass, Devo, and New Order, the catchy and euphoric noise of The Melismatics is theirs alone. The band, which also features Mark Wade (bass, vocals), and Ron Caron (drum set) has been winning devoted fans around the country with their intense live performances. The band's live energy explodes out onto their albums “Postmodern Rock” (2001), “New Infection” (2003), “Turn It On” (2005) and “The Acid Test” (upcoming release). Like great Minneapolis guitar bands before them, The Melismatics create a refreshing mix of energy and hooks, irony and heart, weirdness and melody.

• The Melismatics have recently finished recording their album “The Acid Test” with acclaimed producer John Fields (Cut Copy, Switchfoot, The Jonas Brothers, Jimmy Eat World, Rooney, etc.) who caught their performance at SXSW 2007 and was so impressed he offered to work with the band.
• The Melismatics won “Best Rock Recording” Minnesota Music Award, and had nominations for “Best Rock Band” and “Best Guitarist”
• The music of The Melismatics has been featured on MTV's "The City" and “Laguna Beach,” NBC's “Windfall,” “Thunderstruck 5” extreme snowmobiling DVD, and they licensed a song to advertising agency Leo Burnett
• The Melismatics have toured all over the US. Some venues and events they have played include: First Avenue (Mpls), Mercury Lounge (NYC), Spaceland (LA), Summerfest (Milwaukee), SXSW (Austin), NXNE (Toronto), Double Door (Chicago), and many more…
• The Melismatics released “Postmodern Rock” on their own label, Hygh Tension Records in 2001 to critical acclaim and heavy college radio airplay. Minneapolis king-pin Ed Ackerson (Polara, Golden Smog, The Jayhawks) took notice, and signed them to Susstones Records, on which they released “New Infection” (2003) and “Turn It On” (2005).
• Music attorney Ken Abdo caught the band at a SXSW kick-off party in 2007 and signed on as the band's lawyer. He has since been handling all of their legal work and representing the band to record labels.
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Booking: Craig Grossman - Greenroomcraig@gmail.com
Legal: Ken Abdo - Ken@lommen.com

http://www.melismatics.com

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