offbeat sept 99

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MOTORWAY CRUISING

the local artists formerly known as tin star got an unexpected boost when a british band with the same name started getting airplay on local modern rock juggernaut 106.7 the end. "initially it was kind of a bummer,"
admits Pete winkler, bass player and vocalist with the recently renamed MOTORWAY. but we know a couple of dj's on the end, and every time a tin star song would play they'd say, "that's tin star from England, not tin star from here. tin star from here changed their name to motorway."

the inadvertent advertising might have helped motorway build name recognition, but to many local fans their music remains a mystery. that's too bad, because  motorway has become one of the city's best up-and-coming alternative rock bands. if you need proof, look no further than motorway, their just released self-titled debut cd. produced by better than Ezra's tom Drummond, the four-cut ep is a showcase of rootsy power pop, with beatlesque melodies, jangly guitars and sweet harmonies in abundance. lead guitarist Michael blum supplies clever hooks and just enough flash to add a  polished commercial edge.

according to winkler, who previously fronted the post punk power trio of human bondage, it was a desire to write unapologetic pop songs that led him and former blue plate guitarist Colin brown to found motorway in October of last year. "I've always been more of a pop songwriter and I always thought that in of human bondage, I was kind of held back from that, "winkler says. 'I got together with Colin and every time I'd write something that was pop, he'd say, "yea, that's great." I got a lot more positive feedback so that just inspired me to write more and more.'

with all those songs starting to pile up, winkler says that the band hopes to soon begin recording a full-length cd. in the meantime, you con catch motorway at the howlin' wolf on sept 4. head 58, featuring former members of dead pan, is the opening act