UAA audience gets just a 'Taste' of JEB


By JOSH NIVA
Anchorage Daily News

(Published: February 13, 2004 )

JEB unveiled its debut CD Friday night, but some among the group's album-depraved fans were disappointed.

The band showed up to Friday's show with Delmag and Brothers Contra at the University of Alaska Anchorage Wolf Den with 65 copies of the eight-song EP "Pre-Revolutionary Taste Test." The CDs sold out at $5 apiece within 10 minutes of the conclusion of JEB's set, leaving a few band devotees empty-handed.

"It was pretty amazing; we couldn't believe that," said guitarist-vocalist Beau Bodnar.

The trio -- Bodnar, drummer Erik Braund and bassist-vocalist Jordan Cash -- promised plenty of copies at upcoming gigs: tonight's Anthropolooza show at UAA Campus Center (see details on Page G-2), Feb 20's show at Mead's Coffeehouse in Wasilla and the band's opening spot at the 36 Crazyfists show Feb. 27 at Egan Center .

In six months, JEB has grown from an underground act to the most popular band on the under-21 scene. The band has rewarded the increasing ac with tons of shows and even merchandise (trucker hats and T-shirts). But fans begged for an album.

"They were hounding us," Braund said. "Hopefully, 'Taste Test' will hold people over for a little while."

Braund and Bodnar couldn't say exactly when the JEB revolution will commence with a full-length CD. For now, there's at least a taste test. The band says contents are what the title implies: a sampling of the band's music and a warning of what's to come from the wild and wacky trio. The EP includes three studio songs, all recorded at Braund's GNP Studios, and five live songs recorded at JEB's December acoustic show at Marston Theatre.

Not included on the album is the highly amusing "The Many Faces of Dan," which fans can only get live for now. On Friday, JEB sent the UAA crowd into hysterics when it performed the song, complete with costumes and marching.

After the show, the band was counting cash and thinking props.

"We've got money now!" Braund said happily, with Bodnar adding, "Let's buy something pink!"

For more information on JEB or "Pre-Revolutionary Taste Test," visit the band's Web site at www.jebonline.com .

Anthropolooza digs up rockers for fund-raiser

When bake sales just aren't cutting the fat checks anymore, bring in the rock 'n' rollers.

The UAA Anthropology Club is taking its fund-raising efforts to another level with Anthropolooza, a five-act musical benefit scheduled for tonight. The all-ages event takes place starts at 7 p.m. at the UAA Campus Center . Tickets are $7 at the door. Acts, in order of scheduled appearance, are Mike Gorder, The Ambition, Stuck in Reverse, Rebus and JEB.

Anthropology club member and Stuck in Reverse singer-guitarist J.J. Tranquilla came up with the show idea, saying the club was trying to upgrade its traditional fund-raising ventures.

Tranquilla said his club isn't the only one benefiting here; local music fans will love the night, too. Tranquilla picked a diverse lineup to ensure there was something for everyone: The Acoustic stylings of Gorder; the mod sound and style of the ambition; rock-funk-groove of Stuck in Reverse and Rebus; and the you've-got-to-hear-it-to-believe-it JEB experience. The gig should also prove a fertile field study of humans and their social activities.

Tranquilla said the acts donated their time, and proceeds from the event will help send UAA students to anthropology conferences and bring anthropology experts to UAA.

AK Soul site launched to share music vibes

If the tales are true, and the average human soul weighs 21 grams, how much does an AK Soul weigh?

The answer to that question is debatable, but clues are available at www.aksoul.com , a new Internet gathering place-promotion site for Alaskans who are stoked on music, art, adventure and having a good time sharing the AK vibe.

Locals Kurt Bunde and Chad Aurentz launched the site Jan. 9 with visions of connecting, informing and entertaining their AK brethren. The site includes news updates, a download area for videos and songs, a photo gallery, a merchandise branch and a popular message board.

"The goal of the Web site is to have a forum for people to showcase the passion that is AK Soul," Bunde said. "Of course, AK Soul is also a production company, so we need a way to promote our events and the company itself."

One of AK Soul's first ventures is a doozy: Bunde is coordinating the massive 36 Crazyfists show, which hits Egan Center on Feb. 27. After that, the AK Soul team organizes the Boarderline Snowboard Series at Hilltop Ski Area, which will mash together the worlds of extreme sports and music.

Bunde said the site already has nearly 100 registered users and had more than 75,000 page views in January. Bunde said that busy site traffic, along with the future outcome of the 36 Crazyfists show and sales of the site's merchandise, is encouraging as the team gauges plans for future events.

Fred Frontier benefit releases 12-song CD

Highlights from one of the most entertaining and memorable recent nights on the local music scene -- January's Fred Frontier Benefit concert -- are now captured onto CD for all eternity.

This week, Bananimal Records released a 12-song compilation from the night called "Live @ the Fred Frontier Benefit," featuring two songs apiece from Crystal Hutchens, Mike Gorder, Wupt, Stuck in Reverse, Fats Tuna Melt and TS Scream.

The CD is $15 and available at Mammoth Music or through mail order (bananimalr@aol. com). Proceeds from the sale of the CD will go to the Fred Frontier Fund, which supports Barbara Klita's search for her son, Fred Frontier, who has been missing since visiting Taiwan last May.

For more information, visit Crystal Hutchens' Web site at hometown.aol.com/bananimalr/myhomepage/profile.html .

Riff competition welcomes all comers

Local guitar gods and wailing wannabes, get your ax ready and brush up on your hair band solos. The 10th annual Great Alaska Riff competition begins Tuesday.

The riff contest takes place at 8 p.m. each Tuesday at Club Oasis (4801 Old Seward Highway) through the finals on March 23. Three finalists will be picked each week. Each contestant gets three minutes to riff, with the set being judged on originality, technique, style and audience response. The top riffmeister wins a $500 Mammoth Music gift certificate and five hours of recording time at Surreal Studios. Last year's winner, Nate Glansbeek of Rebus, was the contest's first bass-playing champion.

Here's the best part: It's free to enter and free to watch, as long as you're 21 and older.

For more information, visit cluboasis.org/10th_great_ak_riff.htm or call 561-9157.

Valentine's Day playlist is dear to the heart

Well, Valentine's Day is tomorrow and I'm sure you've procrastinated. So allow me to play Cupid consultant and provide a funky, 15-song playlist for your upcoming Valentine's affair (complete with a slow jam interlude):

"Happy Valentine's Day," Outkast

"Lady (You Bring Me Up)," Commodores

"PYT (Pretty Young Thing)," Michael Jackson

"Beautiful," Snoop Dogg

"Take My Heart," Kool & the Gang

"Strawberry Letter 23," The Brothers Johnson

"Girl Next Door," Musiq

"Love and Happiness," Al Green

"Nice and Slow," Usher

"Whatever You Want," Tony! Toni! Tone!

"Can You Stand The Rain," New Edition

"Promise," Jagged Edge

"Never, Never Gonna Give You Up," Barry White

"You Got Me," The Roots featuring Erykah Badu

"21 Questions," 50 Cent featuring Nate Dogg

Good luck and Happy Valentine's Day!