New York
In 1968 & 1969, The 1910 Fruitgum Company topped the charts with 1-2-3 Red Light, May I Take A Giant Step, Goody Goody Gumdrops, Indian Giver and their signature song , Simple Simon Says. As the story goes, the group was named by guitarist Frank Jeckell, after finding an old gum wrapper while going through a trunk in his attic. The Group came from New Jersey and were the forerunners of the so called Bubblegum Craze. The group has traveled and performed with top acts throughout the country, and at one time toured with the Beach Boys. Their hit recordings were nursery rhymes put to a rock and roll beat, which started a craze enjoyed throughout America and the United Kingdom. Today, along with original members, Frank Jeckell and Floyd Marcus, the group consists of musicians and vocalists dedicated to ensure a great performance for their audience. The group not only performs the The 1910 Fruitgum hits, but performs some of the best songs of the sixties. The 1910 Fruitgum reappeared in the 90's as Al Bundy's favorite group in the Fox TV series Married With Children. Audiences are in for a great time when the The 1910 Fruitgum is in town.
Inside My Skin -- the 3rd independent release by Singer/Songwriter Aaron Zimmer --is an openhearted and not-so-subtle confession of failure, lost relationships and insecurity. Emotional and honest, the album promises to be the launching pad for the career of this 24 year old from Lincoln Nebraska. The album was Recorded at Lincoln's own Presto Studios by AJ Mogis, who, along with his brother Mike Mogis have been the masterminds behind albums from Bright Eyes, Cursive, The Faint, Desaparecidos, Rilo Kiley, and many more. "Inside My Skin" is an intimate chronicle of the less than desirable aspects of human-nature, the friends we make, and the people we hurt.. From the up-tempo disparagement of "Awake" --the album's opening track, and first single--through the introspective "Good Graces", to the album's 'light at the end of the tunnel' closer "On Your Own", Inside My Skin offers intelligent acoustic modern rock with real-life, relatable lyrics. Its honest music for anyone who's ever felt scorned; soothing consolation to a dying friendship; and a painfully candid confirmation of the healing power of music. Aaron Zimmer began his career by creating a sizable grassroots following in and around his hometown of Lincoln, NE. Beyond a powerful voice and effortless guitar playing, he is a truly engaging performer that connects with audiences in ways few singer/songwriters can. The heartbeat of the music scene in Lincoln, Omaha and surrounding areas is SlamOmaha.com. A columnist from this site offered this review of an Aaron Zimmer performance: "One thing that really struck me about Zimmer was the ease and professionalism with which he executes his onstage banter. He keeps the crowd interested, excited, and manages to keep an air of "I?m the entertainer" about him while still talking to the crowd as if they're all close friends." At 13, Aaron began playing stringed instruments. By the age of 16 he was a regular performer at Lincoln?s legendary Zoo Bar. "I remember playing on a Thursday night and watching my first period teacher in the audience putting away Jack and Cokes all night...it was cool!" laughs Aaron. Following high school, Aaron tried to put college books ahead of his music, and enrolled as a business administration major. But, two semesters in to it, he realized the fight was futile. "I liked college," says Zimmer, "I just wasn?t very good at it." In 1999 he returned to the music scene in Lincoln with a vengeance to create The Aaron Zimmer Band. With this band, Aaron has inked an impressive r?sum?: -Two top-ten songs on GarageBand.com in 2003 as voted by listeners. -Radio play on dozens of college and commercial radio stations in the Midwest. -"Best local band" honors by Clear Channel Communication?s "The Point" 104.1FM, in Lincoln. -Tours of the Midwest, Southeast and East Coast -Three independent CD releases (Aaron Zimmer (1999), "Feverish Dreams"(2001) and "Inside My Skin" (2003). Of "Inside My Skin," L. Kent Wolgomott of Lincoln?s Journal Star newspaper said, "This is solid, acoustic-based rock that highlights Zimmer?s strong emotional vocals and emphasizes his songwriting. He?s really hit his stride here." (Journal Star, 11 April 03) In 2004 Aaron made the bold move to NYC and began work on his fourth release. His show schedule is remarkable for someone with only a few months in The Big Apple, and a tribute to the strength of his songs and performance. His ?do-it-yourself? approach and unwavering motivation has landed his memorable acoustic pop in the minds of many with no help from "the industry." One can only imagine how far these songs will go with some record label muscle behind them. "I?m never gonna be a business man." says Zimmer. "I?ve got too many tattoos, and I've already failed Finance 201. So, I think I'll stick with what I know, playing songs on my guitar. I'm happier that way."
Merengue's New Sound: Alberto Flash - Whether you tune into Latin radio and tv stations or are visiting latin parties in your area, chances are that you already got a taste of Alberto Flash's music. His new album released under Protel Music, Alberto Flash - "Pa Mover la Colita" brings a fresh sound to the industries' growing market of Tropical dance music. Packed with some of his best party-rockin' hooks to date, this 2004 release has projected great success among Latinos and Americans who enjoy latin style clubbing. "Crossing Borders" Already a top pick within my Merengue collection, Alberto's new album has been an industry breakthrough of sorts in that he has integrated the english language tastefully in just about everyone of his songs. Other groups, such as Oro Solido and Kinito Mendez have begun to include the english lyrics in this Dominican-grown music style as young US-born hispanics and the rest of the North American youth culture continue to fuse musically. The combination of the band's fast-paced rhythm and Alberto's cleverly placed melodies continue to delight listeners whether in the car or in the middle of a sweaty Merengue set at the club. Merengue Music The Artist & Producer Alberto Flash hails from the Cibao region in the Dominican Republic in which he developed his love and curiosity for music since an early age while participating with regional acts. Since 1993 to the present day he has worked in the production of some well known tracks with various local and international artists. Slowly gaining more knowledge and interest in the trade he continues to arrange and compose for the following: ? "La Magia" on Cutting Records" ? "July July" on Montano Records ? "Latin Profects" on BMG ? "Grupo Flash" on Discomania ? "Z banda" ? "Andy Andy" para BMG ? "Cocodrilo" on Primiun Records ? "El Karamelo" ? "Mambomba" on Universal Records ? "Merengue en la calle 8" on Universal Records ? "Trampolin Del Merengue" on Protel ? "Domingo Tropical Vol 4" on EMI Latin in Europe ? "Regaton De Ny -vs-Puerto Rico" on Protel ? "MC-50" ? "Karina" ? "Grupo Dinastia" ? "Grupo Consentido" on J&N Records among others. 2003 ended as a very successful year for Alberto Flash as he was able to reach the top of the charts with his Merengue hit "ERES MI CHICA SEXY", immediately followed by "TU CINTURA", "GO-SHORTY", "VETE PA' LA PISTA" and "MUEVETE UN POQUITO MAS" from his debut album 1 800 ALBERTO FLASH. Now on 2004 he proves once again that his music and talent are here to stay. His new album, "Pa' Mover La Colita" (recommended!) is by the far the best of his work to date and is a great example of cheerful, sexy and even somewhat amorous Merengue that those unfamiliar with the genre can groove to at any time of the day!
If you can for a moment, take the concepts of the vocal and song writing style of Seamus, forged with the special ambiance influence of guitarist, Nadeem Ahmed, and times that by 10 fold, with the brilliance of members like, Charles, ?Trey? on percussion marking in as the most unique drummer around in New York with his intricate jazz style and Charles Javier, playing bass/strings, ?a music theory minister?, at the age of 16. "You can come to a plane where 4 musicians from 4 different worlds, within worlds, within lovely long Island, have come together to shake up the levels and send this world into a tail spin... That's where you'll find Apophenia...disaster zones are sort of a collection of memories for us...but sometimes accidents are quite beautiful when you bump into the right walls and forced to stop, look around and unwind