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.... aproot are a new band, & remind me of Limp Bizkit, except that
these guys are better! There's a difference between a band that will distract
you, entertain you, make you smile for five minutes, and a band that can make
you want to listen to them forever. The sounds of Taproot, from Ann Arbor,
Michigan formed in late 1997, will leave you wanting more. The band includes
singer Stephen Richards, guitarist Mike DeWolf, bassist Philip Lipscomb, and
drummer Jarrod Montague.
.......Taproot has been paced
under the blanket label of rap-core, although the group does have heavy riffs
and a singer who occasionally raps during verses, the term fails to do the band
justice. With one foot firmly placed in heavy music and the other lost in
experimentation, the group creates music that crushes, soothes, excites, more
often than not, in the same song." Their artful restraint enhances the
ultimate power of their reflective, expressive music.
....The four members of the
band are driven by the special connections they have made to other people's
music and are inspired to create their own unique music that can have a
profound impact on listeners. Taproot's music has this enduring quality,
sparking emotion so charged with energy that it captures, intrigues, and
inspires. The connection they make creates a depth of feeling capable of
revealing unexpected insights .
......While Taproot as a band is not easily
defined, their introspective, thought-provoking style suggests that there is
much below the surface to explore. Their CD "Gift" has earned the band rave
reviews for their aggressive rap core sound that doesn't wholly abandon
intelligence and melody. Intention definitely seems to be Taproot's
distinguishing attribute as the band's name itself is heavy with import:
"It's the main root that others stem off of," recalls Stephen
Richards, "and I was really excited because I know that in earth medicine
of native tribes, taproot means soul/spirit, which is a major subject in my
lyrics."
.... What I saw seemed very
tight, the band had their stuff together, they seemed poised to take over as
the newest face of hard rock, & with a slot on the Korn/Papa Roach tour in
a few weeks, I would tend to agree that this band will be the next big thing in
Hard Rock Music. Their music is heavy, scruffy rock with a mix of Korn &
that new school metal sound without forgetting their roots.
.... Apparently this band was
supposed to sign a deal with Fred Durst's record company, but opted for another
record deal & Fred went on to threaten the band, etc. I asked the bands
guitarist about that ordeal & he laughed it off saying that things just got
too out of hand too quickly they have no ill will towards Fred, but If I were
them I would feel differently .The story was that Taproot, who upon signing
their first major label deal with Atlantic Records, soon discovered the
ruthlessness that often rises in the business of rock. Almost before the ink
had dried on the contract, Taproot front man Stephen Richards received a phone
message from his soon to be former mentor, Limp Bizkit mouthpiece Fred Durst.
The message essentially castigated the band and Taproot was soon to be known as
the band that "dis'ed" Durst.
......In their live show at the Crest theater in
Sacramento. The first thing Steve (the lead singer) did when they got on stage
was jump right into the Pit. It was surprising and it was really cool. They
just got the crowd going crazier . Steve was extremely energetic running around
the top of the theatre singing Day By Day, moshing, and then jumping. Still
seemed like there were a lot of people in the crowd that didn't know about
Taproot, but after last night I think they've been hooked. The set was awesome
(in order): Mirrors' Reflection, Dragged Down, Day
By Day, Again & Again, Now, Comeback, I, Smile, Emotional Times.
He even jumped off towering speakers into the crowd ,wow glad they
caught him. By Randy
Cohen
........This is the Official Rock Publication Web Site
All photos and written material courtesy of Rock Publication
.Copyright © 2001
E-mail at
Rockpub@aol.com
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Members of the Band Are: !
Stephen Richards: vocals * Michael DeWolf: guitars *
Philip Lipscomb: bass * Jarrod Montague: drums
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.....1/29/01
Sacramento
