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Big Metal Rooster: Not Your Average Jam Band
Local band Big Metal Rooster has started to make a name for itself and gathered quite a following in the process. Although many would refer to it as a "jam band," these guys take classic rock, bluegrass, and jazz and blend them together to create a style all their own. "You can call it psychedelic rock, you can call it jam, but more than anything you can call it exploratory," said bassist Derek Hein. "It's about taking risks, constantly creating new ideas, and challenging yourself as a musician. Constant challenge is what makes it interesting." The band — consisting of Hein, guitarists Tom Fleming, Luke Henry, and Bill Wassung and drummer Matt Miner — has influences ranging from Phish, The Grateful Dead and Led Zeppelin, to exploratory artists like Miles Davis and Herbie Hancock. Fleming and Hein started Big Metal Rooster, a named inspired by an unusual housewarming gift they received, in the summer of 2000. "We started playing with friends, other local Topekans, as well as people we knew in Lawrence," said Fleming. "We played at parties and began to gather a following of people to see us perform in local venues." After a few years of rotating through different guitarists and drummers, Henry and Wassung came into the picture. "Derek met Luke by random chance at his apartment complex," said Fleming. "They discovered that they both played music, and not long after, Luke was in the band. Wassung had recently left the band he was playing in, Cosmic Egg, when he decided to join up with Big Metal Rooster, about the same time Henry did. After seeing a gig at Bambino's, Miner also decided to come on board, completing the quintet. "I really liked their style of music and I really liked the musicians," said Wassung. "It is a totally equal-part band where even if someone stands out more in a particular jam, any
of the musicians could be the thing that catches your ear. "As Big Metal Rooster played more and more shows, its loyal fan following continued to grow.
In the summer of 2003, the band recorded its self-titled album. Similar in style to and partially inspired by Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon, this live studio recording has six songs that flow together in what ultimately gives the illusion of one long track. Playing at local venues such as the Bottleneck, Fatso's and the Granada, as well as at music festivals such as Wakarusa Music and Camping Festival, held in Lawrence this past summer, Big Metal Rooster is starting to get its name out there. The members agree Wakarusa is their biggest accomplishment to date, and the experience changed them as a band. "Wakarusa was something much bigger than anything we had done before," said Hein. "Having it in Lawrence made it all the more special for us. It just
shows that the music scene still exists here and good things are still coming out of the Midwest." The band has also played shows in Chicago, St. Louis, multiple cities in Colorado and won the Highland Jam Off in Elkins, W. Va., giving it the opportunity to headline the first annual ZENfest. If you are into the local music scene, this is one band you don't want to miss. With its appealing lyrics, original sound and an obvious love for fans, you can be sure to hear a lot more of Big Metal Rooster in the near future. If you want to learn more about Big Metal Rooster, go to bigmetalrooster.com
— Jill Meara
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Jayplay 11.18.04