Cosmosis

Cosmosis Beats Back the Cold

7-Member group warms up the crowd fast with music that can rock


by Karen Rivers - South Bend Tribune 2-18-07

When the founding members of Cosmosis set out to put a band together, creating a rather ginormous ensamble wasn't their goal. It just sort of happened. "We asked ourselves what we wanted to do, what we wanted to play, and (from that) we knew we needed a full band," Cosmosis member Adam 8 says. "It just kept building. If I had it my way, we'd have a 16 member band."

Hence the crowded stage on a recent saturday night at The Phoenix in Mishawaka. As things stand, there are 7 members in the Goshen group, and quite a few are pulling double duty (or more) by playing different instruments.

Cosmosis reached it current full capacity in June 2006. The members include - Debi Gleva, Nate Sohar, Adam Hart, Alberto Lopez, Garrett Butler, Jeff Sanders, and Adam 8. The strength in numbers and diversity of instruments allows Cosmosis to create a setlist that fused a number of sounds.

Its a particularly blustery and snowy night, but by the time Cosmosis is onstage and ready to groove, The Phoenix has managed to draw a sizeable crowd. The band starts off with a couple of covers and its immediately clear that Gleva has a great voice - warm smooth and easy.

Cosmosis soon branches out into more interesting territory, offering, for instance, a rather rockin redition of Umphrey's McGee's "Phils Farm." The band then plays the first original of the night: Bolero (for the lovers)." Its a fun, funky little number with a slowed down, grooved out chorus. The brass and woodwind section quickly proves it can tear it up, while Hart adds some skillful basslines. They go on to tackle more familiar hits, with Gleva's voice shining on the Cardigans "Lovefool" and No Doubts "Just a Girl". Hart proves himself a more than capable vocalist as well when they take a number of silly, fun pop rock tunes including Cheap Trick's " I want you to want me" and Weezers "Beverly Hills". Lopez takes over on vocals as they break out another original, "Empty Pockets." Although this one can be heard on their myspace page, it feels a whole lot more robust live at The Phoenix. The evening continues with covers of Geenday, Guns 'n Roses and Wild Cherry's "Play that Funky Music."

Taking a breif break between sets, band members chat a bit about their influences (everything it seems like) and their original music before tackling the most important question of all.
Whats up with the "8"?
This elicits a round of responses. "It will be a mystery for a long time."
"Nobody actually knows."
"Its a good way to differentiate (between the Adams)."
"Thats the story at least."
And that, unfortunately, is the only one we can tell.
- South Bend Tribune 2-18-07