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Photo by Mitchell Miller
Photo by Mitchell Miller
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BiographyProclaimed “a staple of the Midwest’s band scene” and “a festival favorite” by the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel, Altered Five’s delectable brew of blues and soul has a wide audience taking notice. The group is set to release its sophomore album, a 10-song set featuring seven originals, in summer, 2012. According to the Minneapolis Star Tribune, frontman Jeff Taylor’s voice is “gloriously gritty.” The Shepherd Express simply states he sounds like “a voice from Stax/Volt 45s.”
From day one, Altered Five dared to be different. The quintet formed in 2002 and quickly gained a reputation for its inventive arrangements and distinctive sound. Isthmus magazine called the band “a rising blues unit” and OnMilwaukee.com declared, “The group delivers the element of surprise.” Within a few years, Altered Five caught the ear of Cold Wind Records and, in 2008, signed a recording contract with the Minneapolis blues label. The debut album featured the band’s penchant for putting an earthy spin on numbers; the aptly titled Bluesified included roadhouse versions of songs by the Rolling Stones, Prince, Sting, and six others. The group performed live on three television morning shows and honed its sound playing regular club, festival, and concert dates. Altered Five soon turned its attention to being more than just a cure for the common cover band. After nearly a decade of molding the music of others into their own image, the group began to apply its sound to original songs and other lesser known blues and soul tunes. The new album, entitled Gotta Earn It, puts an exclamation mark on Altered Five’s steadfast determination. The self-produced release stays true to the band’s soul-rockin’ signature yet takes a major step forward in forging a new musical frontier. “JT” Taylor’s powerful voice anchors the sound and drives home the message in songs like the brooding ballad “Three Wishes,” the wistful, burning blues of “Older, Wiser, Richer,” and the yearning “Mona Lisa.” The rhythm section of drummer Scott Schroedl and bassist Mark Solveson grooves hard and enjoys telepathic interaction with keyboardist Ray Tevich and guitarist Jeff Schroedl. Guitar World raves that Schroedl has “hi-tech chops” and contributes “superlative solo work.” The group also puts its stamp on three covers: a driving, bluesified take on the early Marvin Gaye hit “Ain’t That Peculiar”; a revved-up reading of Buddy Guy’s 1961 Chess recording “Watch Yourself”; and the cool, sassy groove of another Motown original, “You’ve Got to Earn It.” It’s been said that “the blues is a feeling,” so when the Minneapolis Star Tribune states that the band is a “righteous blast,” you know they play it right. # # # |
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Testimonials
“As authentic as a tangy Memphis soul stew, Altered Five breathes fire into deep groove, original R&B and blues. Led by the passion and polish of barrel-chested singer Jeff 'JT' Taylor and the explosive, fret-bending guitarist Jeff Schroedl, the five blues brothers play vital music that nurtures the spirit and moves the body.”
—Dave Rubin
2005 Keepin the Blues Alive award winner
in Journalism
"Jeff Schroedl's high-wire guitar reaches the high bar of mixed invention and fluidity."
--Downbeat magazine
"Tight, state-of-the-art band, with some of the coolest music to listen to!
—Dave Johnson
Host of nationally-syndicated Blues Deluxe
radio program
"A blend of Chicago blues and classic Motown... Dynamite!"
—LA Examiner
"One of the more entertaining new recordings that I've heard... a really strong release."
—Bman's Blues Report on Gotta Earn It
"An intoxicating cocktail of original blues-rock fusions"
—Maximum Ink Magazine
"Altered Five’s smokin’ and fun-filled 2008 release, Bluesified,
makes a strong case for turning the whole Hot 100 into roadhouse fodder… a
righteous blast, a reasonably fresh concept pulled off
beautifully.”
--Tom Surowicz
Minneapolis Star Tribute
"A great and powerful recording"
-—BarrelhouseBlues.com on Gotta Earn It
"This recording blew me away--great group."
"This recording blew me awareat—Bob Decker, WNRB Radio " Bob
"One of my favorite new bands of 2012."
—Bruce Edwards, hots of Texas Blues Show
"Gotta Earn It shines in its lyrics."
—Victoria Espinoza, Blues Rock Review
"Enough to make the hair on your arms stand at attention."
—Melissa Martinez, Rock Over America
“Spectacular arrangements and an unerring feel for hooks… very soulful. You guys rock from here to Maine!”
—Steve Bramer
President, Sleeping Dog Records
“Jeff Taylor sings with power, confidence, and authority… the group delivers the element of surprise”
—Jason Keil
OnMilwaukee.com
“(Jeff Schroedl is) a blues-based player with hi-tech chops… superlative solo work.”
—Mike Vaney
Guitar World magazine
“A rising Milwaukee blues unit… Who knew “Brass in Pocket” could groove this hard?”
—Al Copland
Isthmus magazine
“A refreshingly earthy spin on numbers… Jeff Taylor sounds like a voice from Stax/Volt 45s.”
—Jamie Lee Rake
Shepherd Express magazine
"One big blues party."
—Jim Santella
Southland Blues magazine
"JT Taylor's 'chiseled for the blues' voice grabbed me. This cat can sing! I highly recommend this CD."
--Blue Monday Monthly magazine
"They are perfectly in sync and groove marvelously"
--Blues Blast magazine
—Dave Rubin
2005 Keepin the Blues Alive award winner
in Journalism
"Jeff Schroedl's high-wire guitar reaches the high bar of mixed invention and fluidity."
--Downbeat magazine
"Tight, state-of-the-art band, with some of the coolest music to listen to!
—Dave Johnson
Host of nationally-syndicated Blues Deluxe
radio program
"A blend of Chicago blues and classic Motown... Dynamite!"
—LA Examiner
"One of the more entertaining new recordings that I've heard... a really strong release."
—Bman's Blues Report on Gotta Earn It
"An intoxicating cocktail of original blues-rock fusions"
—Maximum Ink Magazine
"Altered Five’s smokin’ and fun-filled 2008 release, Bluesified,
makes a strong case for turning the whole Hot 100 into roadhouse fodder… a
righteous blast, a reasonably fresh concept pulled off
beautifully.”
--Tom Surowicz
Minneapolis Star Tribute
"A great and powerful recording"
-—BarrelhouseBlues.com on Gotta Earn It
"This recording blew me away--great group."
"This recording blew me awareat—Bob Decker, WNRB Radio " Bob
"One of my favorite new bands of 2012."
—Bruce Edwards, hots of Texas Blues Show
"Gotta Earn It shines in its lyrics."
—Victoria Espinoza, Blues Rock Review
"Enough to make the hair on your arms stand at attention."
—Melissa Martinez, Rock Over America
“Spectacular arrangements and an unerring feel for hooks… very soulful. You guys rock from here to Maine!”
—Steve Bramer
President, Sleeping Dog Records
“Jeff Taylor sings with power, confidence, and authority… the group delivers the element of surprise”
—Jason Keil
OnMilwaukee.com
“(Jeff Schroedl is) a blues-based player with hi-tech chops… superlative solo work.”
—Mike Vaney
Guitar World magazine
“A rising Milwaukee blues unit… Who knew “Brass in Pocket” could groove this hard?”
—Al Copland
Isthmus magazine
“A refreshingly earthy spin on numbers… Jeff Taylor sounds like a voice from Stax/Volt 45s.”
—Jamie Lee Rake
Shepherd Express magazine
"One big blues party."
—Jim Santella
Southland Blues magazine
"JT Taylor's 'chiseled for the blues' voice grabbed me. This cat can sing! I highly recommend this CD."
--Blue Monday Monthly magazine
"They are perfectly in sync and groove marvelously"
--Blues Blast magazine
