60th Cycle.com

For all press releases, please check www.60thcycle.com under the Bio link. Here is the latest article written about our band:


Music preview by Dan Newman

CUTLINE: 60th Cycle in the studio for their new CD, out Nov. 23, with a
release party at the Scott Street Pub Saturday, Nov. 26.

Hard and soul
*Quarter Life Crisis *marks the return of the lyrical, rockin' band, 60th
Cycle


Last year, local rock band 60th Cycle was one of Scott Street Steak and
Pub's house bands, and for good reason — they're considered one of the best
and most original ensembles in the area. They've been laying low, taking
this year off to record their first CD, which will drop on Wednesday, Nov.
23, with the CD release party the following Saturday.
It took a lot longer than expected — partly because the studio itself had to
be completed — so the three guys of 60th Cycle now refer to themselves as a
new band, even though they've been together for around four years. And after
the grueling, exacting process of honing their musical skills for the
recording, 60th Cycle is sure to sound even better on stage than before.
The trio came together and just "clicked," then went on to create melodic,
soulful yet rocking original songs that stick in your head for long after
you see them live. In other words, 60th Cycle is exactly the kind of band
whose appeal translates well into a recording. Their CD, *Quarter Life
Crisis,* contain songs already familiar to fans, as well as some new tunes
to groove to. The intent for this CD was, from the start, to make the most
professional album they could produce.
The band looked to Marty Cheyka to accomplish that task. His newly completed
White House Recording Studio was where they went because, as Cass says, "He
is the real deal." It's a professional-quality studio, with isolation booths
for the vocalists and everything else you'd expect.
60th Cycle took off so much time for the record because they had to. It can
get a little cumbersome to haul all of your instruments and gear in and out
of the studio every time you have a gig. And, says front man Ryan Cass, "We
all work, so going into the studio after a nine hour day can be a little
grueling."
During the wait for the studio, the band members kept themselves familiar
with the stage by filling in with other bands, doing acoustic sets, and
other projects. The process of recording the album served the band members
well in that they were forced to kick up their musical skills a notch or
two. For the first time, they were able to analyze every aspect of their
performance.
The first step was to get percussionist Mattie Mai in the studio and lay
down his drum tracks, which took 29 hours to accomplish. "I really had to
reach down and push myself for that first three days," says Mai.
Bassist Aric "Sheek" Chil'-Cote' says that this marked his final transition
from guitar to bass player. "I've always been a really busy player, so I
learned to slow it down a bit."
Playing live, on stage, Cass says, "you can get away with a lot of stuff,
but in the studio, it's gotta be money every time. I think we are a way
tighter band now that we all know what everyone else is playing." In the
studio, the band members heard things they couldn't pick up while on stage,
making it possible to work out the little, but crucial details of their
music. Hearing all those details also allowed them to add some artistry and
harmonics where they hadn't seen the opportunity for in the past.
Of the recording process, Cass says, "I don't know if it was a learning
experience, but it was a sobering experience."
Cass plays lead guitar and delivers the vocals. He has been playing guitar
for 18 years and giving lessons at Wausau Music Center for about 5 years.
Cass says, "Singing and playing [guitar] has always been a part of me."
"Sheek" says all he knows was self taught, he claims his father as his
inspiration. Sheek's father played guitar, harmonica, and sang in bands for
years. Mai was trained musically in percussion. Through school, Mai was
always playing drums, even if all he had available to him was Quaker Oatmeal
cans and tinker toys as drumsticks.
After the studio work was done, Cass and Cheyka traveled to Atlanta to
Rodney Mills Mastering House. Rodney Mills has 40 years experience in the
recording industry and has earned 37 gold and platinum records over the
years. His client list includes Pearl Jam, .38 Special, The Gregg Allman
Band, and way too many others to list.
60th Cycle's CD was titled *Quarter Life Crisis*, in reference to maturing
from young adult to adult. That philosophy is best stated on their website:
"It is when you stop going along with the crowd and start realizing that
there are a lot of things about yourself that you didn't know and may not
like," written by Alexandria Robbins.
It's evident on the CD that a lot of time and thought was put into these
songs before the band hit the studio. The mix of rhythms and pacing move
from hard rock riffs to softer, more melodic segments, only to open up into
full blown jam sessions. The guitar work is airy in parts where you really
need to concentrate on the lyrics, and heavier during the chorus.
Intricate finger work is the norm with Cass at the helm. He has his own
style with the guitar and his vocals flow with the music. Sheek's bass is
weighty and never transparent, with the throbbing feel expected from a heavy
metal band. Mai's drums are powerful and up front throughout the disc. The
sound is full, yet not overbearing and doesn't wear on you.
This disc is well worth the money. And it's a safe bet that the CD release
party at the Scott Street Pub Nov. 26 will be packed. The disc will
obviously be for sale there, but if you can't wait, it's also available on
the 23rd at Inner Sleeve, Wausau Music Center, or through the band's website
at www.60thcycle.com <http://www.60thcycle.com/>. Mai says, "And we're also
selling the CD out of the back of our cars."
60th Cycle hopes to cover a wider area in the future, to travel outside the
100 mile radius they've stuck to in the past. As of now, there are no plans
for a tour, and even with an outstanding recording under their belts, the
band plans to take things day by day for now.
- City Pages