Tim Casey & the Martyrs
Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States | SELF
Music
Press
It’s a Friday night in mid-March at a Polish functions hall with various hipsters watching Gophers hockey and drinking beer. The bands play on a stage in the main room, around the corner from the bar.
About 10:00 p.m., Tim Casey & The Martyrs step up. The sound is rich, even if the sound system doesn’t do Casey’s vocals justice. (How hard can it be for local clubs to employ an equalizer and some talent on the sound board? Live vocals don’t have to always sound like they’re coming from a faded AM radio.) Casey and The Martyrs play all originals, but we hear a collection of references peak through — the Stones, the Replacements, John Mellencamp, even the Tubes or a hint of Queen. It’s vocals-driven rock, with strong, entertaining hooks. The kind of music that’s naturally brewed in towns like Minneapolis, Detroit and Chicago.
The band’s foundation is heavy and unpretentious. Robb Burnham (drums), Lee Rosenblum (guitar) and Kent Peterson (bass) honor the code of roots music, but know how to hit the hooks with just the right notes.
Casey takes full advantage of this architecture. His songs follow predictable rock formulas, with appreciated emphasis on inventive harmonies here and there to keep you guessing. The bridge and chorus of “If I See Your Face” offers a nifty hook and orchestration. “Don’t Give It Away” delivers a similar vibe later in their set.
Kris Brauninger’s Hammond organ and backing vocals offers a pleasing balance to Casey’s lead vocals and guitar. Casey’s long experience as a sideman has honed his guitar chops and maturity. He can shred, but he doesn’t feel the need to prove it on every song.
Casey’s growling lead vocals on “Love Conquers All” demonstrated the more compelling part of his range, amidst another strong arrangement.
The hipsters are numbering at least 50 by the end of the set. The TV is playing to an empty bar.
http://www.perfectporridge.com/2008/03/17/tim-casey-the-martyrs-stasius-friday-march-14-2008/ - Tim Brunelle at Perfect Porridge
Chicago native Tim Casey has lived in Minneapolis for more than a decade and has spent much of that time working on his debut CD "Boom." Credited to Tim Casey and the Martyrs, the disc is filled with sparkling power-pop numbers low on attitude and big on melodies. Chances are clubgoers have caught Casey at some point, as he has been playing out since 1999, but tonight he'll be at the Varsity to headline a CD-release gig for "Boom." He's also stacked the evening with a whopping five other bands: Atomic Flea, 30 Lbs of Blue Jeans, the Humbugs, Ten Ton Bridge and Mighty Fairly.
http://www.twincities.com/alllistings/ci_13514328?source=rss - Ross Raihala, music critic at the St. Paul Pioneer Press
Discography
Tim's guitars can be heard on recordings by Minneapolis-based bands including: the Lovejoys, The Humbugs, The Situation, Amy Fabry, Twin, and August Everywhere. The Martyrs debut CD, Boom, will be available in late fall 2009 through CD Baby, iTunes, Rhapsody, Amazon, and locally in Minneapolis.
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Bio
Tim Casey & the Martyrs stand out from other bands because the songs are so good: they are the kind of songs that you sing along with the first time you hear them; the kind of songs that stick in your head for days; the kind of songs you have to replay because you connect with them right away; the kind of songs you tell your friends about; songs with great melodies, great hooks, lyrics you instantly connect with...and great rock'n roll guitars. That's great songwriting - that's Tim Casey & the Martyrs. Listen for yourself, and you’ll agree!
The band has a classic recipe for R&R: guitars, bass, drums, a Hammond organ, and great songs! The debut CD, Boom, gushes with strong musical and vocal hooks; muscular, soulful grooves; fun, witty and insightful lyrics; power pop and timeless rockers! Veteran rockers in Minneapolis call the Martyrs “the cities best kept secret”, and “the best band in town”, and they’ve called Casey “the best songwriter in town”; pretty good feedback from icons of the local rock scene. Another reviewer said: "Tim Casey & the Martyrs play all originals, but we hear a collection of references peak through — the Stones, the Replacements, John Mellencamp, even the Tubes or a hint of Queen. It’s vocals-driven rock, with strong, entertaining hooks. The kind of music that’s naturally brewed in towns like Minneapolis, Detroit and Chicago." Another reviewer said, “Boom is filled with sparkling pop rockers heavy on melody, light on attitude.”
The Martyrs spent 10 years proving it all night to audiences locally and in Chicago, and now it's time to move on - to reach out to larger audiences. Join us at the next gig; the Martyrs are making converts at every show!
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