Syracuse Ska Forum

nice article gents. always good to see some ink for local ska/reggae bands. theres lots of local media oportunities people dont take advantage of. even cheesy things like table hopping eaglenews pennysaver
jamband fanzines. hey its all gravy. take advantage wherever yu can to get the word out. werd to big bird. a

http://newtimes.rway.com/2005/120705/chatter.shtml


Idle Chatter



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Razzle Dazzle
The local ska-rock outfit Razbari Sumthing is putting a lot of effort into making their new independent album The Great Distraction a great success. Their strategy: amass a large amount of insider information about the music business and then use it to benefit promotion. This impetus recently sent RazSum trumpeter Derek Brainard to San Francisco to shop around the record. Brainard is hoping the assertiveness and patience of the collective ensemble will persuade clubs out West to book their upcoming summer tour.

"We need that much time to prepare so it's a quality tour," says Brainard. "We see a lot of bands at our level that want to go on tour, but they do it wrong."

Their tour-planning effort directly reflects the time and resources the band put into creating The Great Distraction. During a seven-day period recording at Go Audio in Allentown, Pa., the septet pulled 16-hour days and camped out in the band van in order to maximize their work schedule. "That kind of project, it eats you up 'cause you want to make everything perfect," says Brainard.

RazSum's ambition took years to develop. It all began in 2002 as a high-school project for guitarist/vocalist Michael Larkin. Originally a five piece, including bassist Rory Edwards, drummer Justin Ezzo and trombonist John Sellmeyer, RazSum got their start playing local gigs and battle-of-the-bands blowouts. The year 2002 also marked their first experience at Go Audio and yielded the punk-inspired amateur EP Sacks on Ball Street. The addition of lead guitarist Chris Markle and second trumpet Vinnie Giarrusso soon after led to their next EP, 2003's Forget the Words.

They didn't discover their sound until late 2004, however, when Ezzo left and Kinyatta King took over on drums. His talent for driving the rhythm, coupled with his business experience as a graduate of Syracuse University's music industry program, encouraged the band to get serious about their first LP and supporting tour. "We pay attention to the music industry and we think we have a chance. We're doing it the most legit way; we're earning it," says King. "There's thought in every aspect of this band."

During performances the guys wear color-coordinated suits to complete their image. Each of the seven members is assigned an identifying color--blue, black, gray, yellow, red, white and purple--a detail expressed on the cover art of The Great Distraction with the arm bands of each RazSum superhero. That attention to detail proves their commitment to making a mark on the national scene, a sentiment also echoed on "PS - To Whom it May Concern" from Distraction. "We're just here to rock the planet/ Give us a chance won't you dammit?/ We've waited this long/ Now I think it's our turn." RazSum will just have to wait and see.

Before they make a break for national stardom, Razbari Sumthing will play two local CD release parties: Friday, Dec. 9, 6 p.m., at the Westcott Community Center, 826 Euclid Ave., and Saturday, Dec. 10, 7 p.m., at Mezzanotte Cafe & Lounge, 658 N. Salina St., with Set Yourself On Fire and The February. The Westcott show costs $7, and Mezzanotte's is $5. For more information, call 478-8634 or 478-7001 or visit http://www.razsum.com.

Yeah, I picked up a copy and saw it and went 'WHOA!' and did a double take.

Eventually I settled down enough to actually read it.
Haha.

Hey thanks! It was a real nice write up, press shot included! That was a nice touch...

I give this album the "Mike Loves it Award"

Seriously guys, I am loving it. I wish I wasn't working tommorow so I could come rock out with you.

Wow not one but two mentions in the SNT today 3/15/06
way to go boyz! a

Hey man.. thanks for pointing that out! I only caught the Cut the Line article, I didn't see the show review. haha very appriciated man. If you didn't say anything, it may have gone unnoticed Thanks again!