Music
The best kept secret in music
Press
April 22, 2004
By Thomas Harper
The Review
“Upbeat, not depressing – with lots of horns.”
That’s the way Tim DeStefano describes The Set-Ups. DeStefano of Carrollton is part of the seven-piece, “horn-driven” ska band that was formed in Akron in 1999.
DeStefano, a Mount Union College senior, was actually not part of the original group.
It started with four members of the current group who were high school friends and three other players. Their band was called Emanon and its first gigs were for house parties.
In 2000 Emanon made it to the finals of the annual High School Rock-Off at the Odeon in Cleveland , winning studio time to record a song for a compilation album.
Changing its name to The Set-Ups – there was another band called Emanon – the group faced a break-up when members went to different Ohio colleges.
Three original members dropped out. Originals Neil Keating , Anders Eskesen, Matt Matheny and Chad Boigigrain remained, with DeStefano and Drew Thornberry coming on board.
More exposure followed at another High School Rock-Off and at the KicKit Extreme Sports and Music Festival in Dennison. New material was created.
In the fall of 2002, DeStefano began a year’s study abroad, and Aaron Thornberry, Drew Thornberry’s older brother, filled in. When DeStefano returned, Aaron remained and the band was back to its seven-member roster. There was a successful homecoming concert at the Highland Theater in Akron .
DeStefano said that The Set-Ups were influenced by Reel Big Fish, a group based in Orange , Calif.
“We do some punk every once in awhile,” he noted. “But the group has always been a ska band,” playing the Caribbean-influenced sounds that characterize ska.
“We draw a middle school crowd at The Pit in Cleveland where there is no alcohol or tobacco. But we like to play mostly in bars to an older crowd. We got older people because the brass reminds them of Chicago . I don’t think so; they just like the brass.”
The Set-Ups played last weekend for a volleyball marathon at the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity house at Mount Union College . The group is scheduled for The Pit this Friday. The Pit is located on the third floor of a building at 4309 Lorain Ave. on Cleveland ’s west side. The doors will open at 8:30 p.m.
The Set-Ups have also played at The Agora and Peabody’s Down Under in Cleveland , The Hi-Fi in Lakewood , The Robinhood Inn in Kent , and The Bier Haus and Mangos in Alliance .
DeStefano hops the group will stay together. “But I may get a job in Japan and stay for a year,” he said.
An international business and Spanish major at Mount Union , DeStefano has played trumpet since he was 6 years old. His musical tastes also include classical, jazz and techno.
Two other Mount Union students are part of The Set-Ups. Neil Keating , a business administration major, learned guitar at age 16, inspired by Chuck Berry. He also sings lead vocals, plays trombone and writes music.
Drew Thornberry began his love affair with drums by banging on kitchen pots and pans. He contributes backup vocals and lyrics to the group and is an early childhood education major.
Drew’s sibling, Aaron, a former member of the Turnstyle Jumpers, graduated from Mount Union , where he studied computer science and business administration. He was influenced by trombonists J.J. Johnson and Fred Wesley. Aaron plans to study at Berklee College of Music.
A business student at Kent State University , Matt Matheny plays trombone for The Set-Ups. He also writes songs and horn parts and has performed in a wide range of ensembles.
Rounding out the band’s four-piece horn section, tenor saxophonist Chad Boigigrain has also playing in several groups. His other instruments include guitar, bass guitar and keyboard. He is studying mechanical engineering at The University of Akron.
Anders Eskesen majors in audio production at Ohio University in Athens . His musical influences range from John Entwistle of The Who to Elvis Presley. Eskesen adds his bass guitar riffs and backup vocals to The Set-Ups. - Alliance Review
Discography
Demo - 2002
Photos
Feeling a bit camera shy
Bio
It all started in 1999 when high school band mates and current members Neil Keating [guitar/vocals], Chad Boigegrain [tenor sax], Matt Matheny [trombone] and Anders Eskesen [bass] started a band under the influence of so called “3rd wave ska” that was receiving mainstream attention at the time. After high school, when The Set-Ups parted ways to pursue higher education, a lineup shuffle took place and resulted with the addition of Tim DeStefano [trumpet] and Drew Thornberry [drums]. More songs were written and more shows were played as the band was growing in popularity. The Set-Ups also made their first recording, a 6-song demo produced by bassist Eskesen. The time came for Tim to study abroad for a year in Spain and Japan . Aaron Thornberry [trombone], formerly of Turnstyle Jumpers, was brought in to round out the horn section. The band continued to compose new songs as well as sharpen old material while maintaining a busy schedule with shows throughout Northern Ohio . Now, with college days in the past and degrees under their belts The Set-Ups are ready to take their music to the next level and attack the Ohio Ska scene with nuclear force. DeStefano’s departure for a second year in the Land of the Rising Sun leaves the lineup at six members, 3-deep in the horns. More than enough manpower to continue winning new fans and spreading the ska wherever they go!
After high school, when The Set-Ups parted ways to pursue higher education, a lineup shuffle took place and resulted with the addition of Tim DeStefano [trumpet] and Drew Thornberry [drums]. More songs were written and more shows were played as the band was growing in popularity. The Set-Ups also made their first recording, a 6-song demo produced by bassist Eskesen. Tim decided to study abroad for a year, which created a hole in band. Aaron Thornberry [trombone], formerly of Turnstyle Jumpers, was brought in to round out the horn section.
The band continued to compose new songs as well as sharpen old material while maintaining a busy schedule with shows throughout Northern Ohio. Now, more focused than ever, The Set-Ups are ready to take their music to the next level and attack the Ohio ska scene. The current lineup stands at six members, 3-deep in horns – More than enough manpower to continue winning new fans and spreading ska wherever they go. They offer a full line of merchandise and have shared the stage with national touring acts such as Streetlight Manifesto, I Voted for Kodos, MU330, The Suburban Legends, The Toasters, The Suicide Machines, New Blood Revival, Arrogant Sons of Bitches and The Slackers. The Set-Ups are currently recording their yet-untitled debut full-length album at Mind Rocket Studios in Sharon, PA.
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