FIRST MADISON-AREA SHOW FOR ALTERED FIVE SINCE RELEASE
OF CRITICALLY-LAUDED “GOTTA EARN IT,” AT THE HODY BAR – FRIDAY, JANUARY
11
(Middleton) – Talented
Milwaukee-based blues ‘n’ soul band Altered Five, riding high on the heels of their critically-lauded new album “Gotta Earn It” (Conclave Records), perform their first Madison-area
show since the record’s November release at The Hody Bar, 1914 Aurora
St., Middleton, Friday, January 11. 9 p.m. Free. Info: (608) 831-1901 or https://www.facebook.com/pages/Hody-Bar-Grill/165219870211648.
Altered Five: Earning Great Reviews For Their
New Album “Gotta Earn It:”
“Original,
rib-sticking blues numbers tossed with a little R&B soul…Taylor’s voice
supplies the sweetness, while guitarist Jeff Schroedl brings the
spice.” JOURNAL-SENTINEL
“…A hybrid of stomping blues and
pure Memphis soul, driven by the powerfully earthy voice of frontman Jeff
Taylor…” SHEPHERD
EXPRESS
“Mix of traditional blues with a healthy dose of
R&B…” ON MILWAUKEE.COM “Jaw-dropping,
intoxicating cocktail of original blues-rock fusions.” MAXIMUM INK
Proclaimed “a staple of the Midwest’s band scene” and “a festival favorite” by
the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel, Altered Five’s delectable brew of blues and soul
has a wide audience taking notice. The group’s sophomore album, Gotta
Earn It, is a ten-song set featuring seven originals. According
to the Minneapolis Star Tribune, front-man Jeff
Taylor’s voice is”gloriously gritty.” The Shepherd Express simply states
he sounds like “a voice from Stax/Volt 45s.” Altered Five formed in 2002 and
quickly gained a reputation for its inventive arrangements and distinctive
sound. Isthmus magazine called the band “a rising blues unit”
and OnMilwaukee.com declared, “The group delivers the element of
surprise.”
On the quintet’s new release, “JT” Taylor’s powerful voice anchors the sound and
drives home the message in songs likethe brooding ballad “Three Wishes,” the
wistful, burning blues of “Older, Wiser, Richer,” and the yearning “Mona Lisa.”
The rhythm section of drummer Scott Schroedl and bassist Mark Solveson grooves
hard and enjoys telepathic interaction with keyboardist Ray Tevich and guitarist
Jeff Schroedl. Guitar World raves that Schroedl has “hi-tech chops” and
contributes “superlative solo work.” The group also puts its stamp on
three covers: a driving, blues-ified take on the early Marvin Gaye hit “Ain’t
That Peculiar”; a revved-up reading of Buddy Guy’s 1961 Chess recording “Watch
Yourself”; and the cool, sassy groove of another Motown original, “You’ve Got to
Earn It.”
It’s been said that “the blues is a feeling,” so when the Minneapolis Star
Tribune states that the band is a “righteous blast,” you know they play it
right.
