Terminal Vanity

Supergroup. It brings to mind CSN&Y, Cream or Blind Faith of the 60's, Journey or Bad Company in the 70's and 80's and Velvet Revolver, Audioslave or Hell Yeah for the current era. But it’s's not a moniker many in Milwaukee think of when talking about local talent. Well, perhaps it has come time for Milwaukee to have a supergroup to call our own. With numerous WAMI nominees in the songwriting core, tens of thousands of miles of U.S. and European tours logged among the band and no less than a half-dozen indie record contracts, not to mention 5,000+ records sold between the bunch, Terminal Vanity might not stack up too high next to the lot listed above, but for Milwaukee, it is a hell of a good start.

Terminal Vanity, with what's in a name, brings to mind a brash, cocky and self-assured collection of self-proclaimed rock stars in training, that stop at nothing to bring the in-your-face hooks, stomping dance floor rhythms and searing instrumental work you would expect from a band with something, no, everything to prove.

Beginning right out front with the WAMI-nominated vocal skills, and stage-presence of a much healthier David Lee Roth, Susie Lohse (ex-Reaching Scarlet/Out of line) directs traffic and will keep your eyes and ears focused, showing you that in the upper-echelon of “front-men” is not just a boy’s club.

At the core of the song-writing and production base comes the dual-lead guitar attack of Michael T. Grace and Adam Nikolas. Both veterans of the mid-west punk and metal scenes, Michael and Adam both easily prove they are not “one-trick ponies”. With song structures including guitar and melody lines sitting firmly in his lap, MTG shows beyond a doubt, it is he who has that led his previous band, Eighty-D to a indie contract, numerous Summerfest appearances, massive record sales for a band with no major label distribution and a rabid following that has seen fans come from hundreds of miles away to hear just one hour of the music this mad genius has concocted.

In Adam we find a not-so-silent enigma. Taking the creative energy of those around him and turning it into an unstoppable force of emotion and melody. With his former band, Suite 13, Adam had a solid taste of what success brings in this area, bringing many coveted opening spots for major bands at major venues, including a 8:00 p.m. Friday night spot at Summerfest 2002 and a WAMI nomination, as well as Shepherd Express awards in 2002/03 and also with Stygian and Under Darkest Skies, he learned what sticking to your heart, and never compromising on your craft can bring, rising to the top of not only the U.S. but also the European doom and black metal scene without the slightest inclination of major label support.

Rounding out the line-up is Neil Zacharek, former drummer of European-styled black metal phenomenon, Destiss, as well as Chicago metal mainstays, Jungle Rot, and live synth prodigy, Peter Merril. Both showing that with a sense of melody, the most extreme of all music can catch anyone of guard. Terminal Vanity shows that, while past success pushes you in the right direction, if you have the talent and motivation, you very well may cause a sudden memory lapse in fans and critics and find yourself in a far better place than you ever imagined.