As chronicled in this column over the past several years, Springfield's Maxxtone has not only managed to somehow juggle multiple, simultaneous careers as an original, cover, karaoke rock and college campus act, they've achieved success in each incarnation.
So when drummer Jon Adams checked in to report that his band had recently signed an exclusive booking deal with national agency On That Note Entertainment of New Jersey, your friendly neighborhood Nightcrawler must admit his delight for the boys was initially tempered by some deep-seated perplexity.
"That's great, Jon," I said. "But I have to ask, what can they possibly do for Maxxtone that you guys can't do yourselves?"
"Basically, they can streamline the whole operation, and they have a lot of connections at colleges, cruise ships and casinos that come to them for bands," he explained. "So we have the opportunity here to play more gigs than ever, and that's exactly what we plan on doing… even if it's two or three gigs at different locations on the same night!"
Taking a page from the The Blue Man Group playbook, Adams says that Maxxtone is currently seeking drummers, guitarists and bassists to essentially become "Maxx-clones"—or second and third incarnations of his established act that can concurrently deliver the patented Maxxtone experience at multiple locales. (For more info on auditioning, visit their myspace at .com/maxxtone).
"We realize it may seem a little odd at first for musicians to be in something that is essentially someone else's band," Adams acknowledges. "But what the Maxxtone name offers in return are regular, large-venue, high-paying gigs—many that include meals, hotels and the like. And that's all pretty hard to come by on your own with a new or relatively unknown band."
As for the division of duties once all the Maxx-acts are in place, Adams estimates that he and core members Aaron Fay (vocals, guitars), Pete Maserati (vocals, guitars) and Nick Cressotti (bass, vocals) would most likely handle the original and straight cover shows and turn over their highly popular "live rock karaoke band" college and club engagements—where members of the audience can try out being a rock frontman or frontwoman and belt out one of nearly 400 tunes in the Maxxtone catalogue—to the new recruits.
To experience the karaoke phenomenon live, catch the Tone-sters at Breakers in West Springfield this Thursday, March 6.
It's the band's last local show before heading down to Atlanta for a multi-gig stint for the Association for the Promotions of Campus Activities (APCA), then it's up to Vermont's Wobbly Barn to play house band for the annual Killington Idol contest.
While John St. Onge and his Swillmerchants may not quite be ready for self-replication, the Valley rockers have secured headlining status at the Iron Horse for the first time in their rapidly ascending careers—topping a March 8 bill that includes Shadowboxer Gentlemen and Curious Buddies.
The affable bassist adds that he hopes the momentum from the high-profile gig will continue into April, when he and his fellow merchants in swill begin recording their new full-length (working title, The Mint Hotel) at Westfield's Zing Studios.
Lastly, WTCC DJ James Fiore was kind enough to give the Crawler loads of information on his new show, Land of Plenty, which will feature local music. Since space in this week's installment is less than plentiful at this point, we'll conclude by stating that Fiore's show airs on 90.7 FM 8-10 p.m. on the second and fourth Saturday of each month. Bands can send their wares to: Land of Plenty, C/O The Rock Department, 1 Armory Square, Springfield, MA 01105 to be considered.?
Send correspondence to Nightcrawler, P.O. Box 427, Somers, CT 06071; fax to (860) 698-9373 or email Garycarra@aol.com.
