from: Waukesha, WI
website: www.bodeans.com
myspace: www.myspace.com/bodeans ?
Jeff isn't exactly the biggest BoDeans fan you'll ever meet, but he still offered to take this preview off my hands. And wow - I didn't realize that they were the band responsible for the Party of Five theme song! That's going to be stuck in my head for a good ten minutes now...
Wisconsin’s BoDeans have had several members pass through their ranks over the years but the core of the group has always consisted of singer/songwriters Sam Llanas and Kurt Neumann. Originally formed in 1983, the band had a strong start being signed to Slash records and releasing 1986’s critically acclaimed Love & Hope & Sex & Dreams (hmmm, wonder where that title came from?..). The well-received folk-rock album was produced by the legendary T-Bone Burnett and helped gain them the “roots rock” moniker along with similar bands of the era such as Los Lobos, The Del Fuegos, and Lone Justice. This classification is something they have tried to distance themselves from at times over the years (beginning with their second album which was produced by Talking Heads member Jerry Harrison) but they always seem to gravitate back due to the songwriting and performing style of gravely-voiced Llanas and smooth-voiced Neumann, who are known for their contrasting vocal interaction and soaring harmonies.
Voted “Best New American Band” in a 1997 reader’s poll, The BoDeans have been slogging it out in the trenches for years with the benefit of major label support and without, from playing small clubs to opening for U2, to releasing solo albums in the late 1990’s. Through their hard work and relentless touring, they have developed a dedicated following and in the fall of last year released on CD and DVD Homebrewed: Live from the Pabst to reward these loyal fans. Recorded in their home town of Milwaukee, the recording represents a good cross section of the group’s work over the years and shows why they continue to be a consistent live act.
The BoDeans were also noted for having their song “Closer to Free” used as the theme song for Fox TV show Party of Five.
"Closer to Free" (from Go Slow Down)
"Good Things" (from Black and White)
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