By Chris Broussard
Revelry Writer
After popular New Orleans band Of Human Bondage called it quits last year, the group's singer, bassist and chief songwriter Pete Winkler knew he wanted his next project to reflect the more melodic and pop-oriented sound that he had been suppressing for so long. His only problem was finding a group of musicians to help him bring his ideas to life.
At the same time, former Blue Plate guitarist Colin Brown was going through a similar situation. So when the two hooked up, they realized they were on to something and quickly began writing songs together that came as close as anything had before to capturing the sound they had both been striving for.
When it came time to make the project an actual band, Winkler recruited his old Of Human Bondage partner Eric Padua to play drums and Mike Blum, who had played with James Hall, Deadeye Dick, Flux and G Love, was brought in on second guitar. The group was originally called Tin Star and developed a strong New Orleans following, but there was already a band in the U.K. with that name, bringing Motorway, who will play at The Bayou in Baton Rouge on Friday, Nov. 19, to life.
"It's Radiohead meets The Replacements with a little bit of Cheap Trick," said Winkler about Motorway's sound, which he calls "power pop." Winkler isn't kidding as songs like "Caroline" and "Ever After" flow from the speakers with a melodic, emotional catchiness, highlighted by Winkler's unique voice.
Other songs like "Yonn," which was recently picked out of over 30,000 entries to be included on an MP3.com compilation CD, and the Oasis-like "Padagonia" hit a little with an alternative rock edge, while still remaining true to the band's pop nature.
The band, however, isn't afraid to experiment a little, as evidenced by the spacey "Satellite," which Brown calls "ethereal," and even goes a little country with the upbeat "Say Anything."
Motorway has wasted no time finding local friends to help them make a name for themselves.
Better Than Ezra bassist Tom Drummond produced their current 4-song demo and the group will open for BTE at the House of Blues in New Orleans on Thursday, Dec. 16.
The band has also shared the stage with such acts as Blessed Union Of Souls, Mary Lou Lord, The Continental Drifters, James Hall, Tom's House and did a mini-tour this summer with Cowboy Mouth.
According to Winkler, the band shares a great rapport with other local acts and feels that by working together, instead of against each other, and by playing as much as possible, each group will benefit.