The Chad Sipes Stereo

By Regis Behe, March 30 2006

If you want to listen to some of the best new music in Pittsburgh, Sipes is also your guy.
The ex-SodaJerk bassist has turned away from that band's alt-country leanings and penchant for writing songs about the heartbreak of relationships and the alcohol consumption that often ensues in the wake of such dissolutions. Instead, he follows the timeless writing adage to write what one knows.
"Someone once said that my songs were a (Joe) Grushecky thing, writing about the working man theme," he says. "But it's really not so much about that as it's about me and my day-to-day experiences."
Many of the songs seemed to have passed directly from Sipes' toolbox to his guitar.
In "Looks Good" he sings "Take a break, not for too much longer. The world can't wait for you to drop your hammer." "Can't Push a Chain," a rocker worthy of John Hiatt, was inspired by a comment made by one of Sipes' co-workers.
"I didn't want to be indie rock or alt-country or rockabilly or anything," says Sipes, adding that he hopes the band evolves into an E Street-like aggregation of musicians. "I just wanted to see what happens when I'm just being a songwriter, seeing where I fit in. And hopefully, I do fit in somewhere."
- Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

THE CHAD SIPES STEREO
The sound: The singer-songwriter side of the power-pop revival.
The record: Produced by Sipes and Rick Witkowski, "A Working Life" is packed with catchy well-sung melodies, making the most of the bandleader's range on the mike and his musical chops on a number of different instruments. Cirelli turns in an amazing lead on the opening track that picks up where The Knack left off on "My Sharona."

On arriving at his sound: "I wanted to make sure that whatever I put out, it didn't pigeonhole itself. When you come out and say, 'We're glam' or 'We're alt-country,' you get stuck in that. I wanted to let the music just speak for itself."

How the live show compares to the studio record: "Definitely more rock," Sipes says, adding, "I don't think if you enjoy the record and you come to see us live, you'll be shocked with how raucous and loud it is."

ED MASLEY, March 30 2006
- Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

With the release of thier first full-length CD, The Chad Sipes Stereo hits our town with roots in another "Berg". The familiar pop styles found on this record show obvious influences of Paul Westerberg and the Replacements. Noticebly on Track two, 'Looks Good,' the poppy guitars and up-tempo melodies hint at Westerberg's "Waiting for Somebody".
Yet Sipes' tone binds the contemporary rock sound of the Goo Goo Dolls with Toad the Wet Sprocket's attention to lyrical melodies, exemplified by the opening track, "Sell Me a Reason." "Flood Song" stands out with Sipes' hooky "It's such a strange thing/ we all go on/after the flood's gone." "Roger Roger is also a hit with its mandolins and memorable riffs.
Overall, A Working Life is well-balanced and admiriably written. A ine debut album from a promising talent.

MArch 2006 Music:Underground Magazine - Music:Underground Magazine

The Chad Sipes Stereo: A Working Life

"After years working in local bands Chad Sipes stepped into the spotlight in 2006 as a solo songwriter and studio musician. A Working Life is a musical rendering of everyday life that raises mundane existence to a universal experience. Catchy hooks, smart, thoughtful lyrics, and a well crafted studio sound make this a proud debut." - WYEP