6 • THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
LOCALMUSIC
THURSDAY, JANUARY 16, 2003
Heard on the Hill
"Celine Dion in Las Vegas and Tech N9ne."
Lindsey Evans
St. Louis freshman
Which concerts do you plan to attend this year?
"Hot Sauce if they are playing and Day on the Hill."
Tobi Dawodu, Baltimore senior
The Elevator Division plans summer tour
By Matt Beat
mbeat@kansan.com
Jayplaywriter
In a basement in Kansas City, Mo., members of The Elevator Division are hard at work every Monday and Thursday night practicing and recording their work.
Formed in January 1998, The Elevator Division is a four-piece rock band composed of members James Hoskins (singer/guitarist), Paul Buzan (bassist), Jeremiah Gonzales (guitarist) and Samuel Hoskins (drummer).
Taylor Pratt, Andover junior, saw the band at The Bottleneck in December with The Casket Lottery, Salt the Earth, Coalesce and Saved by Grace.
The band's sound is dark, melodic, pop/rock. James Hoskins' voice is similar to Thom Yorke of Radiohead and the melodic guitars are reminiscent of U2 and Our Lady Peace. Samuel Hoskins, who is James Hoskins' cousin, is an aggressive drummer whose sound is similar to Jimmy Chamberlin of the Smashing Pumpkins.
"They were the unfamiliar band that stole the stage among many local bands I already knew about," Pratt said.
"I think we would like to be known as both a good live band and a good studio band." James Hoskins said.
The band has played shows throughout the Midwest. Members are planning for a more extensive tour this summer.
In the meantime members are in the midst of writing a full-length album to follow their EP, Whatever Makes You Happy, released last year. The group already released two full-length albums in addition to the EP. Right now, The Elevator Division produces and distributes all of its own material, but members are hopeful they'll be signed to a major label someday.
UPCOMING SHOWS
January 24 The Brick, 1727 McGee, Kansas City, Mo., with The People and The Belles
January 25
January 25 The Madrid Theatre,3810 Main St., Kansas City, Mo., opening for Shiner at Shiner's last show
Members said they fit into the local music scene well.
"Overall, there seems to be a growing sense of community with the bands around here," Buzan said. "All of them support each other."
The Elevator Division was a three-piece ensemble until Gonzales joined about a year ago. Members agreed that the additional guitar improved their live sound.
"After I joined the band, I think it allowed us more space and gave us more of a full sound with two guitar parts to compliment each other," Gonzales said.
But like other local bands, The Elevator Division has also experienced frustrations.
"I wish there were more fans at our shows that weren't people who are in other local bands." James Hoskins said.
For more information on The Elevator Division, check out the band's Web site. www.the-elevator-division.com.
— Edited by Erin Chapman