STIR
Stir
1996 Capitol Records

Grade: A

I know you often see a band in this section that hasn’t been a household name, and I will say something like; ’This is one of the most underrated bands’. Yeah, I know I tend to do that a lot, but I honestly feel that way about a lot of the bands that I pick to put in this section.

Stir is no exception. Songs like, “Looking For”, “Nothing’s Wrong”, “Until Now”, and “Don’t Understand” all hold up strong to the music of today when it comes to good, solid rock oriented music. There isn’t a dull moment on this CD as the group fuses its own style of smooth bass licks with great guitar driven rock and unforgettable vocals.

This St. Louis based band enjoyed some recognition in the late 90’s for their exceptional songwriting skills and musical talents. Unfortunately, the band was largely overlooked by the likes of MTV and their own record company (Capitol). But if you like bands like 3 Doors Down, Nickelback, or Jars of Clay then you should already have Stir in your musical collection; if not add them now.

Q. How did you come up with the idea for the Midwest Music Compilation, and who else is involved with you behind the scenes on it?

A. I wanted to have an outlet to help other St. Louis bands get exposure and since 105.7 The Point has not done a Pointessential in quite sometime action needed to be taken. I hooked up with another local start up label, Code 5 Records; Kevin Gagnepain, longtime St. Louis musician (Stir, Joe Dirt, Tobi Kai and the Strays); MDZ's tour manager, Joe White; and our Web/Graphics go to guy Chris Hanks; along with our own imprint and started finding some noteworthy bands to launch the compilation immediately.

Q. How often are you planning on releasing the compilations? Do you want to do a couple a year, one yearly, or does it just depend on how the first one goes over?

A. I feel the first one was already a success so there is definitely more to come. I would like to put out at least two a year but very possibly even more. The plan is also to expand this through the entire Midwest including Chicago, Minneapolis, Nashville, Kansas City, etc.

Q. I saw where you were accepting submissions for the next release. How can a band or artist get in touch with you about doing so?

A. The bands simply need to submit their information to www.midwestmusicexplosion.com or send an email to info@midwestmusicexplosion if they have any questions.

Q. Do you think that this will just be a collaborating effort between Code 5 Records and Bullet 339 Records, or is there a plan in possibly getting other record labels involved?

A. Right now the plan is for Code 5/Bullet 339 to continue this effort but we are open to anything if the opportunity is right.

Q. The list of bands on this CD is pretty impressive. Did you contact them, or how did you go about getting the bands lined up for the disc?

A. This one initially was all bands we have worked with previously and bands that we knew were working their asses off. About 3/4 of the bands were placed by Bullet 339 and the rest a collaboration of everyone involved.

Q. Seeing how the disc focuses on bands from the Midwest, what is the geographical limit as far as accepting bands, or are there any?

A. An American Music Explosion would be phenomenal. But I don't want to get too far ahead of myself. But right now I think a 600 mile radius would probably do the trick with MO, IL, KY and KS as the focal States right now.

Q. Is there anything else you'd like to tell us about Bullet 339 Records or the Midwest Music Explosion?

Q. Who are you and what do you do in the band?

A. I’m Jon Heisserer, and I sing and play guitar.

Q. How did you come up with and decide on the name Building Rome?

A. Back in the day, I wrote a bunch of songs and decided to start a band. I put up flyers everywhere advertising for musicians, and even made a demo recording in my basement with Brian Jenkins on drums (who now happens to be our bassist). I tried out countless musicians, none of whom were working out for one reason or another, and started to get disheartened. I was on the verge of giving up when a friend of mine told me, ‘Keep trying, Rome wasn’t built in a day!’ I decided to call my new band Building Rome because of that.

Q. How would you best describe Building Rome's style to someone who hasn't ever heard the band?

A. Our style has been compared to many bands, including Nerf Herder and Jimmy Eat World. There is a song for every mood in our set list. We have angry Nirvana-esc songs and Something Corporate-type ballads, mixed in with songs like “Belly Dancer Girl“, which is about a chimpanzee on ecstasy. Oh, and we also have a rap song about a self-conscious gangster rapper man.

Q. Who would you say is one of your biggest influences both musically and non-musical?

A. I didn’t start getting into music at all until my junior year in high school. I was really into Third Eye Blind and decided to start playing  the guitar partially because of Kevin Cardigan’s guitar playing. Later on, I got really into Weezer. There was a time that I could play and sing every Weezer song note for note. I am also a big Kurt Cobain/Dave Grohl and Beatles fan.

Q. If you could be anyone in world history who would you be and why?

A. I would be the guy who invented toilet paper.

Q. What are you listening to these days?

A. I listen to a lot of early 90’s alternative and grunge. Lately I’ve been getting into piano-based bands like Waking Ashland. This is a hard question because the CD in my player changes about 10 times a day.

Q. Is there anything else you'd like to share with us about Building Rome?

Building Rome
P.O. Box 29474
St. Louis MO 63126

Q. Who are you and what do you do in the band?

A. I'm Tobi, and I sing lead vocals.

Q. What would you like to tell us about the CD, "Gutter Kitten"?

A. "Gutter Kitten" is demonstrative of what is possible when talents are allowed to run free. The mix of writers using their own distinct styles to form one cohesive style make this a very unique record. I feel very lucky to have been able to work with any and all of the musicians on "Gutter Kitten".

Q. If you had to pick a 'favorite' song off of the CD which one would it be and why?

A. I don't think I could, there are too many parts and pieces I favor about each!

Q. I read somewhere that you have been entertaining some offers and having some meetings with a few 'major' labels. Is there anything that you can share with us about that at this time?

A. Probably not...

Q. Who would you say is one of your biggest influences both musically and non-musical?

A. Musically and non-musically together would have to be the women pioneers of in your face music, Joan Jett, Wendy O, Pat Benatar, the list goes on. They broke the ground and built the foundation.

Q. If you could be anyone in world history who would you be and way?

A. Oh for f**k's sake... Probably Sharon Osbourne, she's a killer. I'd probably kiss her feet if I ever met her!

Q. What are you listening to these days?

A. My iPod on shuffle? You're going to think I'm weird; this is what I just heard... Snake River Conspiracy, Prince, Alice Cooper, and The Cure...