For the vicariously living rock star, road trips, guitars and parties seem like the ideal life. For Milwaukee band The Saltshakers: this stereotype proves only to be skin-deep. “It’s way less exciting[than expected],” said lead singer Chad Curtis. “I guess if we were Pearl Jam or something it might be exciting.”
Lead Singer Chad Curtis, bassist Cory Rawson, drummer Jon Strelecki and guitarist Tim Peck, have come a long way from 2002 when they first started playing together. Known for their distinctive sound, the band describes themselves as “blazing, insistent powerpop – a testament to the joyful escapism at the heart of rock n’ roll.”
“The live performances go above and beyond other bands and they sound better live than other bands that only sound good after they are recorded,” said Allison Curtis, the lead singer’s cousin and a senior in the college of Arts and Sciences.
With their new CD “Up All Night” out in stores, a full touring schedule and a recent front-page feature in MKE Magazine, they are on their way to living the dream.
The band began as a group of friends getting together to play music. They could barely play their instruments. “It’s funny to think how far we’ve all come over just 5 years now,” said Curtis. “I never started a band to ‘make it,’ I just think it’s fun to do.”
Their first live show was at a small bar in Fond du Lac with no stage.
“We opened for a friend’s band and I’m sure we were pretty mediocre… It was a drunken good time, barring a few times when we unplugged each other’s equipment.”
When writing a song, said Curtis, “[I] usually make sure there’s a hook. I want to make the listener hit repeat on the stereo. Once the hook is there the jist of the song is complete… it’s just a matter of streamlining it so there’s no filler.” When finding inspiration, Curtis usually looks to the opposite sex.
“Like many people, I mostly write about girls,” said Curtis. “I sometime write about an experience rather than a person… Going to a good show or really getting into a new album sometimes inspires me to write more songs,” said Curtis.
Although he’s not out to “make it,” Curtis has learned a thing or two along the way.
“Learn how to take criticism. You’re not going to make music that everyone likes, it’s just not possible. The sooner you can deal with the fact that some people aren’t going to like you, the better… If you can take criticism, you’re not only likely to write better songs, but you’re going to last a lot longer as an artist,” said Curtis. Find out more and get their new CD “Up All Night” at the band’s website: http:// www.thesaltshakers.com Their next performance will be on November 3 at BBC bar, located at 2022 E. North Avenue in Milwaukee.
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