Manitowoc's MetroJam: The Melismatics, Saturday, June 17, 2006

I worked as an intern at Minneapolis/St. Paul’s KJJO-104 FM from 1990-1992. KJ-104 was finally the radio station that the Twin Cities had long needed: Modern Rock. Before the popularizing of the term “alternative,” modern rock described the wide-ranging interests of true rock ‘n’ roll fans—sometimes indie, sometimes underground, sometimes popular, sometimes classic.

While watching the Melismatics play at Manitowoc’s MetroJam on Saturday, June 17, it was liking hearing those late 80’s/early 90’s modern rock years compressed into a 45-minute set. Red Kross is the band that truly came to mind, bringing together all of the hard rock potential with the songcraft. I also heard echoes of School of Fish. “Rite Where U Belong” conjures up the Smithereens, who played the very same stage a year ago.

Even more specifically than just early 90’s modern rock, you could also hear the whole Minneapolis sound in the Melismatics, something that lead singer/guitarist Ryan Smith doesn’t deny. “You’re My Habit” finds the Melismatics in a warehouse with Soul Asylum. (The song even has invokes the title of a Soul Asylum rarity, “Draggin’ Me Down). “This is Not My Life” moves along on Ron Caron’s disco beat drum for the chorus, but the song is also like a Replacements’ rocked-up pop song. Elsewhere, when the band launched into heavy guitar riffs, led by Pony, it was combined with that Minneapolis pop rock of the Suburbs.

Of course, the Melismatics aren’t stuck back in the condemned studios of KJ-104. “Waves of Sound,” with its clever lyric (“indie rock prescription glasses”), lands in that skate punk/singer-songwriter blend that Zack Hexum is doing. There’s also some of the Relient K attitude going on as the band wears heart on sleeve while thrashing like they’re dropping in on a half pipe.

The set closed with a dose of 80’s power rock with an extended breakdown section as a send off. Like the controlled chaotic ending of a Soul Asylum show, the entire band worked up the aural dust. However, the effect was a little lost in the outdoor setting, because that big sound meant to overwhelm you was so quickly dissipated in the open air.

The Melismatics’ Turn It On EP and New Infection are out on Susstones, a Minneapolis label known back in the 80’s for releasing mod rock acts. Ed Ackerson has resurrected the label, becoming a great home for acts like the Melismatics.

Thanks to the Melismatics and Susstones for their help. And thanks to the organizers of Metro Jam for another incredible event. If you’re a musician, Manitowoc, Wisconsin, should be on your list of places to play!