OURS

08/10/2009

Visulite Theatre (16+ must have id - under 16 with parent only)

Doors Open: 7:00 - Headliner Begins: 9:00

BEER SPECIAL $2.50 KILLIANS DRAFT

Ten years after signing with Dreamworks... Having never sold many records...perceived as uncompromising and difficult...Four record companies later...Why has Rick Rubin made Ours a priority at Columbia records? 

Raised just outside of New York City, having grown up on so many different kinds of music, Jimmy Gnecco had a desire to be a part of that world that had inspired him, and give something back to it.  Five years after he began to sing and write his own music, Gnecco formed Ours in 1992.  Looking to surround himself with like-minded others, he began his search.  

"Songs were always at the forefront of my mind, but I also wanted to have a band that created a distinct sound as a vehicle for the songs. I wanted to push the limits of structure while still having a love and appreciation for a simple well-written song. I could hear it all in my head. The only problem was that I couldn't always find people to commit, so I had to learn to do much of it myself. Having this singular vision, and calling the band Ours may have seemed conflicting, but the hope was to have a unit that could create and experience music as one, with each other, and the audience. I wanted to make people think as well. Sometimes I could do this by singing about the cold truth, other times by using examples of extreme beauty vs. bitter ugliness. "Songs of hope that transcend people's pain. Sounds like a bunch of bullshit, or even a waste of time, but I couldn't help trying."  

The search for the right people would prove to be a longer and harder process than some would have imagined. "I met, and played with so many great people and musicians, but we just couldn't seem to get everything lined up at once." During this search Gnecco would go on to suffer rejections from many record labels.   

He eventually signed with Dreamworks Records in 1997 "Many would see this signing as a success, but this is where all of the hard work actually began. I still didn't have a band, though I had strong ideas about who I was, and ultimately what was right for me. With that came much resistance, both from my standpoint, and the label's, who were trying to turn art into profit. It was a nightmare for us all, and a very delicate balance. We never really could see eye to eye"   

After ten years of struggling with the industry, with 2 critically acclaimed records under his belt, and an army of dedicated supporters.  Gnecco, disheartened and tired pulled back from the music business.  "What has happened to me? I got caught up in my own struggles. I've allowed too much negativity to creep into our work, and lost the plot." While wondering if I would ever make music for myself or another record company, Dreamworks Records would eventually fold.  Geffen Records would then inherit the Dreamworks roster and decide who they would keep. Seeing this as an opportunity to make things right, Gnecco picked up the pieces, and began working on songs for another record. This was when 

he began to play with Static and Locke who restored much of his spirit.  "Drop me, leave me alone, or let me make a record with Rick Rubin," were the options that he proposed to Geffen. Months later the band would begin to work on their third record, this time it would be with Rick Rubin. 

"This record wasn't to be full of complaints. I needed to deal with my own issues, not point fingers, and grow from my mistakes. I needed to give hope, not take it away. It had to be everything that I had originally dreamt it would be. Unfortunately, there was still much work that I needed to do on myself. I really needed to crash hard in order to grow, and get some hope in my life, because without that I had nothing."  

With only positive energy flowing through them, Ours spent the next few 

years working on the record. Gnecco would go on to fall into insurmountable personal debt to assure that every detail of the record felt right. "Our message must be clear, bold, and potent."  I feel like we did just that, and when we thought we were finished...Were we?" Almost upon completion, Geffen would decide that they weren't interested in putting out an Ours record. They couldn't get their heads around how to market this band. Interscope Records would then inherit the band who would also decide, no Ours.   "I've always felt that the key to marketing this band is not marketing it. Support it, put it out there and let the music speak for itself, let it exist. I needed to find a company that shared my philosophy." 

In September of 2007, ten years after originally wanting to sign Ours, 

Rick Rubin signed the band to his American/Columbia Record label.  "We are so proud of this record because we finally reached our initial goal.  A group of people working together with a unified vision. Rick Rubin was a part of that. He supported us, provided guidance where needed, and helped to make it all possible.  

"You see, we've always aspired to be much more like Bruce Lee than we 

did rock and roll clichés." 

Ours third record Mercy...Dancing for the Death of an Imaginary Enemy, 

five years in the making, and produced by Rick Rubin, comes out in 

April 2008. 

Ours is Jimmy Gnecco, Static, Locke, Race and Pit. 

PUBLIC RADIO

Start Time: 7:45

The main writer, mark mathis, formed 'Public Radio' in late 2006 as another creative musical outlet and to escape the 'singer/songwriter' pigeonhole. The band went through several members and musical transformations as they toured 200+ dates in 2006 and 2007. Once the original drummer rejoined the band in mid 2007, public radio decided that they needed a fresh new sound to go with the new lineup. The band traveled to Regensburg, Germany to record their first ep with longtime friend and producer, nicolas balachandran. It was in the rolling hills of southern Germany that Public Radio glimpsed what could be. The resulting music catapulted them to the forefront of the Charlotte live music scene with its unique blend of electronica and rock 'n roll. The band is in the middle of showcasing for multiple labels and management with a deal to be announced soon.

 
Instrumentation
mark mathis - guitar,programming, vocal
luke hill - drums, programming,vocals
jeremy smith - bass,vocals
jessie mathis - piano, vocals
matt podesla - guitar, vocal

Discography
sweet child - 2008

www.myspace.com/publicradiomusic