Band Line Up @ Wake Wars

My Favorite Highway

SATURDAY 8:00pm-9:00pm
Cincinati - Alternative

Newly signed to Virgin Records, up-and-coming pop quartet My Favorite Highway are riding high as they gear up to release their melody-minded debut album, How To Call A Bluff, on the label in May. But the future didn’t always look so rosy for the Fairfax, VA-based band. Frontman and keyboardist David Cook recalls a key moment when they almost threw in the towel:

“When we were on tour last year, we played at a bar in this deserted town near Lake Erie, which the bartender told us was pretty much famous for meth labs,” David says. “Twelve kids showed up. There wasn’t even enough money for the venue to pay us. The promoter sent his brother to give us $100 out of his own pocket. We didn't even want to play. We were sitting there feeling so down and depressed, like, ‘Are we ever going to get a break?’ We’d been at it for years and were still eating peanut butter out of a cooler in the back of the van in the parking lot. We were ready to give up.”

But sometimes adversity can be just the thing that fuels the fire. In September 2007, the guys decided to channel their frustration into a new batch of songs, all of which appear on How To Call A Bluff. David, the band’s chief songwriter, began writing furiously, crafting a series of hook-filled power-pop anthems anchored by keenly felt lyrics about what they were going through, including “Getaway Car” (about searching for your purpose in life and the frustration that goes along with the process), “Simple Life,” (about not being satisfied with your daily routine and wanting more for yourself), and “What Are You Waiting For” (about doing everything to overcome obstacles and not waiting to get what you want out of life). They were the kind of songs that can only come from digging deep and tapping into a very honest place.

Blue Star Pilot

SUNDAY 7:45pm-9:00pm
Grand Rapids - Alternative

Head Trip

SATURDAY 6:00pm-7:00pm
Grand Rapids - Funk

Head Trip is a funk -rock band based out of Grand Rapids which combines numerous elements from a wide spectrum of genres to form their own take on rock music. Head Trip brings a guitar driven, drum slammin, deep bass groovin', rhythmic and thought provoking lyrical style to venues across Michigan.

While difficult to classify, they are constantly experimenting with their sound and are currently working in their second studio album. For more info on Head Trip, check out www.headtripsounds.com for new music and venue info.

Arcadia

SUNDAY 4:00pm-4:45pm
Flint, MI - Rock

 Arcadia exploits a fun, fresh, & upbeat experience throughout their collection of melodic tunes ranging from acoustic pop, reggae, jazz, and rock. Their most common review is that the music is catchy, fresh, and original.  

 Playing together for 4 years now, they have played across the State of Michigan from coffee shops to music festivals.  Arcadia is ready to be the new hit act of their generation.

Website: www.myspace.com/arcadiami

The Outer Vibe

SUNDAY 5:45pm-7:00pm
Grand Rapids -  Rock

The Outer Vibe is the revival of rock and roll's classic power and free thinking soul. The high energy 5 piece group uses trumpet and keys to color their Led Zeppelin, Queen, and Chicago-inspired music. Their sound is an innovative take on rock music's most timeless elements, which pays tribute to the voice that screamed out in the 1960's and 70's for change and freedom.

The Outer Vibe's most current release the "Monster EP", is the latest addition to their catalog which includes 3 full-length albums, all recorded and produced by The Outer Vibe. The Outer Vibe has sold approximately 1500 CDs in the past year and are currently writing songs for a another full length album.

Monsters & Mannequins

SUNDAY 7:00pm-7:45pm
Kalamazoo - Electronic Rock

Hailing from Kalamazoo, Monsters & Mannequins is an electronic rock band that fuses influences and genres to create a completely unique sound. Driven by hip-hop beats, rock guitars, and layers of intelligent programming, Monsters & Mannequins creates an explosive live performance.

Having formed only a year ago, Monsters & Mannequins is taking southwest Michigan by storm. They're long awaited EP, "Men, the Macabre, and Masks", was just recently released. The unique sound captured on this, their first release, is just a sampling of what's to come from these Michigan natives.

Website:  http://www.myspace.com/monstersandmannequins

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