The Mines
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The Mines

Grand Rapids, Michigan, United States | Established. Jan 01, 2004 | SELF

Grand Rapids, Michigan, United States | SELF
Established on Jan, 2004
Band Rock Alternative

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Music

Press


"Forkster Review of Quest"

Midwest region, stateside quartet The Mines are a riveting rock n’ roll that ‘jump and jolt’ out snappy, crisp upbeat music drives of indie rock, indie pop rock, alternative rock and blues rock charms. The magnificent musicianship flights launch splendidly with ‘captivating and gravitating’ soulful vocal stances, riff ignitions that really wallop mighty in guitar edge body and ‘ready and steady’ rhythm charges that floor it all out with marvellous rock/pop appeal. This was a ‘jumping and pumping’ diverse indie rock listen and I expect their sound to enthusiastically flight huge with ear rock appreciators globally, ‘big indie rock sound’. - Forkster


"Grand Rapids Press "Metropolis" Review"

The Mines' singular and inventive rock has an infectious and rhythmic quality that matches the best indie-rock has to offer, only with a spiritual component.
- The Grand Rapids Press


"Revue "Metropolis" CD Review"

Grand Rapids band The Mines has put out a full-length CD that any rock lover would like. The music fits well with the great vocals and there's great songwriting throughout. Particular standouts here are Safe & Sound and the insightful What It Means. And the two bonus tracks, The Beach and The Dawn, are no mere afterthoughts; they're as good as any other song on the CD. So pack your bags and head to Metropolis. You'll listen to it more than once. - Revue Magazine


"Recoil "Metropolis" CD Review"

The Mines are a quartet of fine musicians and crafty songwriters. The two lead singers trade vocal and lyric-writing duties, resulting in this 13-song exploration of novel-like confessions and character portraits. The instrumentation is solidly played and expertly recorded. The record itself was actually completed by three of the Mines: Todd Hoek, Greg Lockwood and Ethan Nickerson. Troy Hatfield, a recent addition, will have to learn a long set of tasteful pop rock symphonies which draw from Jeff Buckley, Coldplay and everything in their CD collections. - Recoil Magazine


"Revue "Metropolis" CD Review #2"

This smooth concoction of melodic tunes and upbeat rhythm goes down easier than Leonard Cohen on a slip and slide. In this debut album by The Mines, eccentric pop is discreetly intertwined with positively spirited lyrics and beats, to produce a sound that’s addictive to say the least. From the first track entitled Gyroscope, we are whisked away to a non-existent land where one would expect to find Jeff Buckley belting out his favorite tunes from Zelda. From start to finish, they keep the surreal fantasy alive with refreshing songs such as Compass and Dust People Disco. The Mines hit the local scene hard and haven’t slowed down. It’s musical talent like this that brings Grand Rapids even closer to Seattle status in terms of musical madness springing up like dandelions. If you haven’t seen them live yet, you can catch up with them in the Pearl Room on April 7th, or check out their Myspace at www.myspace.com/themines for updated show times.*(Similar Tastes: Coldplay, JGET, Electrilux, Arctic Monkeys) - Revue Magazine


Discography

Singles Project (2015-2016)

Fear Is Easy (2011)

People Music (2008)

Metropolis (2006)

Photos

Bio

The Mines are a 4 piece independent alternative indie rock band from Grand Rapids, Michigan. The band was formed in 2004 and has released two full-length CD's and one EP. The band's latest release, The Mines Singles Project, produced by producer/engineer/musician Joel Ferguson, (The Verve Pipe, Papa Vegas), is being released one song at a time throughout 2015 and 2016. The first single, Quest, was released on 10/1/2015.

Previously, the band released Fear Is Easy (June 3, 2011). This album was their first collaboration with Ferguson. Joel added additional production experience and an outside voice to the project. The CD was recorded and mixed over the course of nearly 2 years at Ferguson's Planet Sunday Studios, before the band and producer were satisfied.

James Morse produced a music video for the first single from Fear Is Easy, Runningman. The video was recorded at The Mines performance at Frederik Meijer Gardens, August 9, 2011.

A video for the song Promenade was released in 2014 and features footage captured at a number of outdoor concerts during the summer of 2013. A flash mob was organized by the band's drummer (Todd Hoek) - (unknown to the rest of the band) at the Frederik Meijer Gardens Amphitheater.

The band formed in 2004 as a four-piece, before the line-up settled as a trio – Todd Hoek (drums), Greg Lockwood (guitar, vocals) and Ethan Nickerson (bass, vocals) – to record their 2006 debut, Metropolis. Filled with novel-like confessions and character portraits, the self-produced album gave hints to fans of the diverse directions still to come. Adding guitarist/keyboardist Troy Hatfield in ’06 helped the band realize wider musical soundscapes in a live setting, paving the way for the subsequent 2008 release, People Music. 

People Music's lead single, Valley, gained the GR quartet local attention, thanks in part to a professionally-made video to accompany the energetic and melodic show opener.

Band Members