"Someone once told us 'If people in Milwaukee don't like what you are doing, then you must be doing something right,'" states James Redding, lead vocalist and guitarist of local band Union Pulse.
Why would local music fans not appreciate what Union Pulse is trying to accomplish? One reason is the type of music they play, which is derived from such early '90s alternative rock such as the Gin Blossoms, Live and Soul Asylum, specializing in honest, heartfelt lyrics and melodies that do not require an image.
"My heart is my music," says Redding, "It knows what it is and it knows what it isn't."
Redding's lyrics come from the heart as well. "Lyrics come from anything that I see and that I am affected by," he says, "It hurts to be affected by things."
Redding and fellow band-members percussionist Andy Franzen and bassist and vocalist Ian Kleats, all students at the UW-Milwaukee, started the band in February 2002. Redding was looking to rebuild a band after many failed attempts before, and called on friends Franzen and Kleats to help him with his vision. Recently the band experimented by adding a keyboardist to the mix, but found that the sound was much stronger as a three piece.
It is Redding's dedication and stubbornness about his music that keeps the band moving along. They are crawling toward the completion of their debut CD, which is tentatively titled "Eine Kleine Rockmusik." The band says that it "is well aware that the upcoming 11 tunes on a plastic disc will not change anyone's lives, nor should anyone feel the need to fear or hate the band's work. It will simply be some words sung over some music, and recorded for anyone who can enjoy it."
As for the local scene, the band, and Redding in particular, finds that they are surrounded by listeners who don't want to give them a chance simply because they offer the audience a no-frills live show, laced with melodic music instead of the three-chord punk songs other bands would rather have you hear. "There are two reasons why I play melodic music," Redding says, "One: Screw images! I don't want to paint myself to be something I am not. Two: I am not afraid. Punks seem to play about fear. I am not scared."
While their attitude seems more punk than most punks, their music is quite the opposite, and people are starting to take notice. They recently won the first round of the Milwaukee Original Music Battle of the Bands, which allowed them some free recording time for their upcoming album, and local radio stations have begun playing Union Pulse on local-themed broadcasts.
Not to bad for three guys living in a town where people don't like what they are doing. Guess they must be doing something right after all.
Union Pulse plays Fri., June 13 at WMSE's Friday Night Freak Show at The Times Cinema, 5906 W. Vliet St., Showtime is 11:30 p.m., with a film to follow at midnight. Call (414) 453-2436 for more info.
