While luminol is a luminescent chemical compound, another definition might be "a Milwaukee pop band that flies under the radar."
While Luminol has some members that have been a part of the local scene for a long time, the quintet -- which grew out of the ashes of Your Indentured Servants in 2006 -- has a relatively low profile here. It's most recent gig was at the Brew City debut of the International Pop Overthrow festival at Linneman's.
That should change when the band's debut disc, "Songs for High Volume," gets heard. The seven-song record is sparky, poppy, guitar rock ‘n' roll. It was produced by STaLL's Kelp Chofs, so that might provide a bit of a clue for you, too.
We talked to drummer Mike Koch and guitarist Mel Blann -- other members are singer Ken Alburg, guitarist Greg Barta and bassist John Hunt -- about how the band started, making "Songs for High Volume" and the future.
OMC: Tell us about the band members and how the band got together?
Mel Blann: Greg, me and Mike were part of Your Indentured Servants along with Chicago Cubs TV broadcaster, Len Kasper. Greg and I hatched the idea of a spin-off band from YIS and twisted Mike's arm to join citing loyalty and friendship. Ken and I work together at US Bank, and John answered an ad I posted for a bass player.
Mike Koch: Yes, Greg, Mel and I played together in Your indentured Servants, and when I went to Berlin for a year in 1998, Greg, Mel and Len went on to form The Knowledge. You know the bands I've been in over the years; most recently Dorian Gray and Eric Blowtorch and The Inflammables -- both of those for about 4 or 5 years from 2000.
OMC: What was it like working with Kelp Chofs at his studio? Pretty low-key, casual?
MB: Very relaxed. Kelp has some fabulous tools. Kelp really knows how to get the sound you're after. He's also is a great coach who can turn your half-baked idea into a great sounding song. We're very thankful for his guidance. He made us sound great so I think that pretty much sums up his enormous talents as a producer.
MK: My answer here is likely to be a bit skewed, as Kelp is one of my best friends. Yes, he is a devoted producer and engineer, currently expanding his expertise into mastering. He still plays actively with The Gleasons (keyboard) and was the anchor (on bass guitar) with STaLL for several years. He devours new software all the time. He's one of those producers gifted at making his suggestions seem like the band itself had them. He's cautious with egos, yet is able to channel activities and attitudes productively. He's accommodating, and we know him well, having recorded the two CDs of Your Indentured Servants with him at Shane's (Bobby Peru Recording).
OMC: It looks like nearly everyone in the band contributes songs to the band. Does that lead to a lot of material for the band? Is it hard to decide what to use and what to shelve for now?
MB: Ken is responsible for all the lyrics, me and Greg come with all the musical ideas, and Mike tells us how to put it all together so it sounds like a real song. John always comes up with great ideas on the low end.
MK: Mel's answer simplifies the matter somewhat, although it is not an inaccurate description of how things have settled in among us. I wish we met for rehearsal more frequently so that we could better develop the many ideas that Greg and Mel have. Personal, professional (and) family priorities often get in the way. We do not have a shortage of material; it's a shortage of time to work on it properly.
OMC: What are the band's hopes for the record? Will you promote it beyond Milwaukee, play gigs out of town, etc.?
MB: We'd love to get out of Milwaukee and play some shows, but family and work really take up a lot of our time. We're really happy to play Milwaukee area clubs. We'd love to do more festivals and benefit shows for sure. We think it would be great if our music would somehow end up on a movie soundtrack, a commercial, or bumper music somewhere. I really hope that we eventually have posable action figures made in our likeness and possibly make a movie ... something along the lines of "Luminol meets the Phantom."
MK: This is the stumbling stone of the moment, Bobby. We want to and would need to dedicate more time to Luminol, but we all have other priorities. We DO plan to have a CD release, but not until late summer at the earliest. Personally, I would love to play more out of town. Performing live is so invigorating -- and exhausting. I also believe that our material could find appropriate employment in some film or TV show or advertisement.
Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., where he lived until he was 17, Bobby received his BA-Mass Communications from UWM in 1989 and has lived in Walker's Point, Bay View, Enderis Park, South Milwaukee and on the East Side.
He has published three non-fiction books in Italy – including one about an event in Milwaukee history, which was published in the U.S. in autumn 2010. Four more books, all about Milwaukee, have been published by The History Press.
With his most recent band, The Yell Leaders, Bobby released four LPs and had a songs featured in episodes of TV's "Party of Five" and "Dawson's Creek," and films in Japan, South America and the U.S. The Yell Leaders were named the best unsigned band in their region by VH-1 as part of its Rock Across America 1998 Tour. Most recently, the band contributed tracks to a UK vinyl/CD tribute to the Redskins and collaborated on a track with Italian novelist Enrico Remmert.
He's produced three installments of the "OMCD" series of local music compilations for OnMilwaukee.com and in 2007 produced a CD of Italian music and poetry.
In 2005, he was awarded the City of Asti's (Italy) Journalism Prize for his work focusing on that area. He has also won awards from the Milwaukee Press Club.
He has be heard on 88Nine Radio Milwaukee talking about his "Urban Spelunking" series of stories, in that station's most popular podcast.
