Marashino

Photos by Jemitu
Words by Andy Zupke

Amidst the din and smoke, the band took the stage-- hometown heroes who treat every show like their last, and every fan like their best. Friday night at Rooters was no different. Their stage presence is perfectly honed, their image conveying nothing less than pure Rock Star. No introductions were necessary. The crowd knew what was coming, and they waited anxiously. The banner on the stage said MARASHINO.

In the struggling hard rock scene of Milwaukee, few bands have the power to stand out. Marashino is surely one of them. The boys in this band have been touring almost non-stop for the past year, spreading the word the way it should be done. They’ve sacrificed a life of comfort and paying jobs for a life on the road: five sweaty men crammed in a van; several days since their last shower; quick, cheap food in their bellies; and a hope that each show will be better than the one before it.

It’s this kind of drive and endurance that makes a band, and puts to shame all those who sit and wait to be discovered in their hometown. Marashino knows what it takes to get noticed in the music business. They’ve worked hard for their success, and deserve every bit that they get.

Last night I finally had the pleasure of sharing the stage with them. My band, Spiral Trance, opened for Marashino, and it was one of the best shows I’ve ever had. Watching Marashino is truly inspiring. The audience hangs on every word and every note, and they know that the guys in the band know every one of them by name.

Highlights of the night? Two birthday girls were brought on stage so the entire audience could sing "Happy Birthday" to them, and one lucky fan was brought up to sing a song with the band. But the last two songs-- “Decisions” and “Left Behind” (both huge fan favorites)-- stole the show. (Both of which can be heard on Marashino's MySpace page.)

To hear more songs and see their show schedule, visit them online here, and make sure to check them out at Waukesha's "A Taste of Summer" festival June 7th.
- http://fan-belt.blogspot.com/

Marashino is one of those bands that started out of high school, evolving into a seasoned act by the time members reached their early 20's. Four years ago, the Menomonee Falls quintet started doing hard rock and pop covers, but the band has become better known recently for the original music. Their releases include Marashino (2003) and Diseased Room (2004). Their youth and experience, including sharing the stage with major acts such as Seether, will no doubt work to their advantage in the future. - Shepherd Express

Marashino
When Marcus Allen, host of the "Lazer Local Lix" - a weekly program on WLZR-FM (102.9) dedicated to the local music scene - was asked to identify up-and-coming talent, he didn't hesitate with his response: Marashino.

"I love the fact that the guys are young but have some great hooks in their songs - a seriously lost art in the music world. I think they will succeed in the business," Allen said.

What Marashino lacks in age (most band members are barely of legal drinking age) the members more than make up for in the craftsmanship of their songs. Drawing from influences such as Led Zeppelin, Sevendust and the Black Crowes, Marashino effectively couples complex guitar arrangements with lead singer Eric LaBrosse's vocals, which range from soothing to scalding.

While grounded in pop sensibility, Marashino's songs consistently retain a razor-sharp edge. If you threw Alice In Chains' "Dirt" and Pink Floyd's "Animals" into a blender, the result would probably be something close to Marashino.

"After listening to Marashino, you know you've been rocked," drummer Joey Zak said. "When on stage, we all get into the music, and that makes our shows fun to see as well as fun to hear," said Nick Mendini, bass player.

Marashino has risen from playing sparsely attended shows in unheated warehouses to opening for national acts Collective Soul and Seether as well as recording two EPs: "Marashino" in 2003 and "Diseased Room" in 2004. Both recordings have received airplay on local radio stations.

While continuing to play shows and write songs in 2005, Marashino will also be shopping a two-song demo to major record labels. - MKE Magazine