Spring Break
Flier successful method for Macomb band
Ben Snowden
Issue date: 4/6/07 Section: The Edge
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Several bands use the audition method to find new members, and unfortunately, this procedure often leads to quick breakups. Like many groups before them, Macomb's Transfer to Red found its singer by posting a flier, but unlike other bands, this close-knit quartet stuck together and found success.
In September 2003, an on-campus posting caught the attention of Western Illinois University sophomore Greg Bremer. The flier advertised an audition for a Macomb band looking to fill its vocalist slot. Bremer, a communication major, sang in a group from his hometown of Glen Ellyn but wanted to join a band closer to his college.
After auditioning for bassist Eric Ebbert, guitarist Kevin Breheny and drummer Kyle Hammond, Bremer earned the singing position in Transfer to Red. Before the year's end, the quartet produced and released a demo recording.
In 2004, the members traveled to Evil Monkey Studios in Monmouth, where they completed a self-titled EP. The next year, they released the seven-song "Chapters Make Novels."
"Our music was a lot heavier in the beginning," Bremer said. "(With each release) it got more melodic, and I've gotten more involved in the writing process. I also think our music is becoming more unique and collaborative because everyone in the band puts in his two cents."
As the group's sound mellowed, the band mainly referenced acts like The Deftones, Hey Mercedes, Incubus and Thursday. Its accessible rock sound is complemented by lyrics dealing with hope and heartbreak.
"In the earlier songs, I wrote about getting back into the music scene and being who I was," Bremer said. "It was a lot of optimistic stuff. It's still a personal outlook, but I write some songs about girls and everything not being all right. The words are almost like journal entries."
By combining emotional words and memorable melodies, Transfer to Red has received considerable radio airplay. Two of its songs, "Even the Weather" and "One Bullet for the Bed," were put into the rotation on Macomb's 95.9 WNLF and Western's 88.3 WIUS.
In September 2003, an on-campus posting caught the attention of Western Illinois University sophomore Greg Bremer. The flier advertised an audition for a Macomb band looking to fill its vocalist slot. Bremer, a communication major, sang in a group from his hometown of Glen Ellyn but wanted to join a band closer to his college.
After auditioning for bassist Eric Ebbert, guitarist Kevin Breheny and drummer Kyle Hammond, Bremer earned the singing position in Transfer to Red. Before the year's end, the quartet produced and released a demo recording.
In 2004, the members traveled to Evil Monkey Studios in Monmouth, where they completed a self-titled EP. The next year, they released the seven-song "Chapters Make Novels."
"Our music was a lot heavier in the beginning," Bremer said. "(With each release) it got more melodic, and I've gotten more involved in the writing process. I also think our music is becoming more unique and collaborative because everyone in the band puts in his two cents."
As the group's sound mellowed, the band mainly referenced acts like The Deftones, Hey Mercedes, Incubus and Thursday. Its accessible rock sound is complemented by lyrics dealing with hope and heartbreak.
"In the earlier songs, I wrote about getting back into the music scene and being who I was," Bremer said. "It was a lot of optimistic stuff. It's still a personal outlook, but I write some songs about girls and everything not being all right. The words are almost like journal entries."
By combining emotional words and memorable melodies, Transfer to Red has received considerable radio airplay. Two of its songs, "Even the Weather" and "One Bullet for the Bed," were put into the rotation on Macomb's 95.9 WNLF and Western's 88.3 WIUS.
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