The Beat Seekers
Omaha, Nebraska, United States | SELF
Music
Press
It's fair to say that this Omaha, Nebraska band has studied it's homework. It was recorded at Gravity and Full Motion Studios in Chicago, IL with producer Matt Opal, using both analog and digital techniques, to get across the theme of an AM radio show. The clean sound of "All Dolled Up" recalls the Del Amitri, The Elvis Brothers and Farrah. The album's title track is a fast paced toe tapper and the guitar on "Cinderellas Demise" has a wonderful jangle rhythm. The Rembrandts-like guitar strum and light chorus are recalled on "Passerby." But the album hits a home run with "Lipstick Crush Delight" a wonderful melodic song full of strong riffs and harmonic perfection. The other tracks try to be as tight, and nearly succeed with hook filled middle eights and minor chords all over "Anything Wont Do." Even the country twangs of "Save Tonight" keep up the energy level here. The near acoustic ballad "Better Days" remind me of Extreme's "More Than Words" a little bit. The band tries a little too hard for "Solutions M.I.A." but that can be forgiven with this superb 14 track effort. This is a band to keep on your radar for sure. - Powerpopaholic
It's fair to say that this Omaha, Nebraska band has studied it's homework. It was recorded at Gravity and Full Motion Studios in Chicago, IL with producer Matt Opal, using both analog and digital techniques, to get across the theme of an AM radio show. The clean sound of "All Dolled Up" recalls the Del Amitri, The Elvis Brothers and Farrah. The album's title track is a fast paced toe tapper and the guitar on "Cinderellas Demise" has a wonderful jangle rhythm. The Rembrandts-like guitar strum and light chorus are recalled on "Passerby." But the album hits a home run with "Lipstick Crush Delight" a wonderful melodic song full of strong riffs and harmonic perfection. The other tracks try to be as tight, and nearly succeed with hook filled middle eights and minor chords all over "Anything Wont Do." Even the country twangs of "Save Tonight" keep up the energy level here. The near acoustic ballad "Better Days" remind me of Extreme's "More Than Words" a little bit. The band tries a little too hard for "Solutions M.I.A." but that can be forgiven with this superb 14 track effort. This is a band to keep on your radar for sure. - Powerpopaholic
This Nebraska band has a classic power pop sound that reminds me of fellow Midwestern power pop bands The Backroom and Ash Avenue as well as retro-poppers like The Rubinoos. Standouts include "All Dolled Up", which closes in a burst of frenetic energy, the infectious and pulsating title track, the "Lust for Life"-inspired "Passerby" and the mod sounding "Anything Won't Do". These guys put some rock'n'roll in their power pop, and they'll keep your toes tapping. - Absolute Power Pop
This Nebraska band has a classic power pop sound that reminds me of fellow Midwestern power pop bands The Backroom and Ash Avenue as well as retro-poppers like The Rubinoos. Standouts include "All Dolled Up", which closes in a burst of frenetic energy, the infectious and pulsating title track, the "Lust for Life"-inspired "Passerby" and the mod sounding "Anything Won't Do". These guys put some rock'n'roll in their power pop, and they'll keep your toes tapping. - Absolute Power Pop
Omaha band the Beat Seekers have been flying under the radar here in town for the past couple of years. This is completely out of character for the former members of bands such as the Fonzarellies, Split Second, 8th Wave, the Miscasts and others. In the past these were some of the most outspoken members of the local music community. Their bands demanded attention and their bands got it.
The members of the Beat Seekers were a part of one of Omaha’s most popular scenes playing in punk bands locally during a revival of that genre in the early part of this decade. All grown up now, these musicians feel like they are in the project that they were destined to be in. The Beat Seekers sound is based in their punk influences but also in ‘60s pop and ‘80s mod, and it resembles a lot of the brilliant Brit-pop of the ‘90s as well.
These are the some of the best songs being performed on stage here in town, but studio delays and some other issues have kept the band from pounding this music into our heads. That will all change shortly as the band will be releasing their debut disc this Friday at the Slowdown with special guests Shiver Shiver, Rock Paper Dynamite, and Surreal the MC. The band is also embarking on a major tour this summer that will take them through the Midwest, Texas, California and other areas of the country all based around a performance in Los Angeles for the International Pop Overthrow festival. - Omaha City Weekly
Omaha band the Beat Seekers have been flying under the radar here in town for the past couple of years. This is completely out of character for the former members of bands such as the Fonzarellies, Split Second, 8th Wave, the Miscasts and others. In the past these were some of the most outspoken members of the local music community. Their bands demanded attention and their bands got it.
The members of the Beat Seekers were a part of one of Omaha’s most popular scenes playing in punk bands locally during a revival of that genre in the early part of this decade. All grown up now, these musicians feel like they are in the project that they were destined to be in. The Beat Seekers sound is based in their punk influences but also in ‘60s pop and ‘80s mod, and it resembles a lot of the brilliant Brit-pop of the ‘90s as well.
These are the some of the best songs being performed on stage here in town, but studio delays and some other issues have kept the band from pounding this music into our heads. That will all change shortly as the band will be releasing their debut disc this Friday at the Slowdown with special guests Shiver Shiver, Rock Paper Dynamite, and Surreal the MC. The band is also embarking on a major tour this summer that will take them through the Midwest, Texas, California and other areas of the country all based around a performance in Los Angeles for the International Pop Overthrow festival. - Omaha City Weekly
Discography
"Dead Air Radio" (LP)
"Dead Air Radio" (Single)
"Passerby" (Single)
"Somewhere in Forever" (LP)
"Ratrace" (Single)
"LOUD AND F**K!NG CLEAR" (LP)
"Pitch Black Colored Lens" (Single)
"One Thing Keeps Me Hangin' Around" (Single)
"Trails of Tragedy" (Single)
Photos
Bio
Rock n' Roll aint dead, It's just waking up. In a watered down glass of phony indie pop and cookie cutter rock, The Beat Seekers bring you a shot of genuine American Rock n' Roll. The band is centered around prolific lead singer, guitarist, and songwriter Keith Fertwagner and has made three records since the bands conception in 2009. The newest release "LOUD AND F**K!NG CLEAR" displays a wide array of influences and subject matter that is not easy to define, but definitely easy to swallow. The songs go from Guns N' Roses style riffing to punk rock anthems with a dash of twang and 70's rock, while still maintaining a modern edge and pop sensibility. Let's just say if music were soup, this batch wouldn't lack ingredients, and it would taste pretty fucking good.
Throughout the Beat Seekers existence, hardships, setbacks, and dumb luck have only made the fire burn hotter for Keith, and there is a flat out refusal to go away quietly. While there's been no shortage of adversity, there has also been no shortage of the need to overcome it. Some people make music because they want to, but some people do it because they have no other choice. In a world where everything is shiny and plastic, The Beat Seekers offer a healthy dose of something heartfelt and meaningful. The Beatles wanted to hold your hand. The Stones wanted to burn down your town. The Beat Seekers want to hold your hand while burning down your town, taking over the airwaves, and starting a revolution.
Keith's songs have been featured in television shows such as 90210, One Tree Hill, Shameless, and Big Love to name a few, as well as movie trailers, video games, and the movie "Warrior". He has also shared the stage with Social Distortion, Joan Jett, Rancid, John Doe, Sum 41, AFI, and many more.
Links
