Coming to the Scene: Run Side Down
Madison-based band receives national attention due to copyrighted name
Tara Bannow
Issue date: 3/15/07 Section: Scene
"No two shows are the same," he added. "We don't want to get bored and we don't want the fans to get bored."
Sophomore Brendon Hertz said of the band: "I would say their sound changes from night to night, but it revolves around a bluesy-funk with some catchy elements."
The band pulls from classic writing like that of Led Zeppelin, said Plourde. With lyrics such as, "When can I retire and just watch the big rat race?" and "'Cause I don't have the knowledge or a pocket with a dime," the band tends to promote a worry-free attitude.
"Ultimately, we write songs and try to convey a sort of message or feeling which is decorated by our styles of funk and jazz," Plourde said. "It's a sharing of energy between the band and the fans."
Hertz told about a time he had gotten a chance to talk with guitarist Mike Scieszinski in Madison.
"He's a really down-to-Earth guy," said Hertz. "He had recently changed some stuff in his setup looking for that new sound. These guys know what they're doing when it comes down to details and creating original music, but they also know how to have a good time and improvise."
Run Side Down's drummer, Chicago-native John Reed, was once a member of the Phantom Regiment Drum and Bugle Corps before moving to Madison for college.
Bassist Dan Plourde is a Madison native who attended school in Ann Arbor, Mich., for engineering. He returned home after graduating.
Guitarist Mike Scieszinski grew up in Sturgeon Bay and later studied the jazz guitar at UW-Stevens Point.
Vince Faris, the band's keyboardist, was originally from Green Bay and studied music at UW-Stevens Point. Each band member contributes to vocals.
"These guys are serious musicians," Hertz said. "Their tight sound is an indicator of the passion they have for music."
As all four members hold full-time jobs during the week, gigs have become the weekend bread-and-butter, which have also been known to rake in some sweet jam.
Run Side Down will perform for the sixth time at 10 p.m. on Friday at the Mousetrap Bar, 311 S. Barstow Street.
"People should want to come and check out local music," said Plourde. "Wisconsin has a great music scene that's often under-appreciated. We encourage people to come out and give it a shot."
Sophomore Brendon Hertz said of the band: "I would say their sound changes from night to night, but it revolves around a bluesy-funk with some catchy elements."
The band pulls from classic writing like that of Led Zeppelin, said Plourde. With lyrics such as, "When can I retire and just watch the big rat race?" and "'Cause I don't have the knowledge or a pocket with a dime," the band tends to promote a worry-free attitude.
"Ultimately, we write songs and try to convey a sort of message or feeling which is decorated by our styles of funk and jazz," Plourde said. "It's a sharing of energy between the band and the fans."
Hertz told about a time he had gotten a chance to talk with guitarist Mike Scieszinski in Madison.
"He's a really down-to-Earth guy," said Hertz. "He had recently changed some stuff in his setup looking for that new sound. These guys know what they're doing when it comes down to details and creating original music, but they also know how to have a good time and improvise."
Run Side Down's drummer, Chicago-native John Reed, was once a member of the Phantom Regiment Drum and Bugle Corps before moving to Madison for college.
Bassist Dan Plourde is a Madison native who attended school in Ann Arbor, Mich., for engineering. He returned home after graduating.
Guitarist Mike Scieszinski grew up in Sturgeon Bay and later studied the jazz guitar at UW-Stevens Point.
Vince Faris, the band's keyboardist, was originally from Green Bay and studied music at UW-Stevens Point. Each band member contributes to vocals.
"These guys are serious musicians," Hertz said. "Their tight sound is an indicator of the passion they have for music."
As all four members hold full-time jobs during the week, gigs have become the weekend bread-and-butter, which have also been known to rake in some sweet jam.
Run Side Down will perform for the sixth time at 10 p.m. on Friday at the Mousetrap Bar, 311 S. Barstow Street.
"People should want to come and check out local music," said Plourde. "Wisconsin has a great music scene that's often under-appreciated. We encourage people to come out and give it a shot."
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