Expectations. A college band that stays together for an entire year supersedes most. The primary objectives of this endeavor are limited to abusing some accessible substance(s), hard rockin' with friends and the improbable chance of booking live shows. The latter requires ambition and persistence of a band that sees a future beyond the bounds of basements and buddies' backyards. Run of the Mill's rise from a few friends with musical interests and natural talent to the best original band in Bloomington accurately illustrates the progressions of a college band making an impact in a college town. The best band of 2003 notes the struggle of the original music scene in Bloomington, as they continue to evolve as a band and acknowledge musicians in town that might actually be better than them.
CHRIS ISOM. LYRICS. VOCALS. GUITAR.\nI met up with Chris, an IU alum, while he was napping on the couch after finishing up an early dinner -- or most likely, a late lunch. I make light of the fact that his band dominated the original music category in this year's poll, drifting to the point of his nod as best male vocalist. A sly smile appears as he admits he's just glad he wasn't voted worst male vocalist. \nWe get to the current condition of Bloomington's music scene and things start to liven up. Justin (yeah, they're roommates, along with Will) is on his way to a gig with one of the seven bands he floats between. He lets me know he better not get any "what are my biggest influences and when did I start playing" questions when he finds time to grant me an interview. Knowing I just lost all my A-material, I chuckle. \nChris resumes the music scene topic without me knowing. \n"There are a lot of good bands, but the venues need to make money, so there are a lot of cover bands," he says. "That is not a music scene. That is a jukebox scene." \nHe acknowledges The Swell is the best original band around. Apparently, it is rocking and rolling harder than others.\nChris often refers to the famous Nick Wyatt, The Swell's bassist, in idolatry fashion, quoting him with zero prodding, seemingly in agreement. \n"There ain't no thing like music," he says. He flows down a bi-surging stream half serious about the bands development and aspirations, while casting humor-ridden quotes regarding his personal fancies on entirely random subjects. \nAn all-encompassing summary: He doesn't believe in reincarnation -- especially as cows. He's deathly afraid of meteors and likes green, but once in a while he find himself in a blue mood. He goes on ...
WILL LOY. BASSIST. \nI speak with Will, donning his latest hair fashion, a mohawk, as I am leaving The House (the appointed name of their abode) and we set something up for later that night after his Beatles class. Will, a junior, has apparently been enrolled in nearly every rock and roll class offered at IU -- and it shows. He has extensive knowledge of those that preceded his endeavors in the field.\nOver a few extra-stout Guinnesses we discuss his involvement as the band's newest member, replacing graduate Christian Peterson last summer. Evidently, Run of the Mill is a completely different band from its inception -- and from the release of its CD last year. In fact, they don't even like giving it out anymore. \n"Our style has changed to not as much hop, (but) much more rock based jam," Will says. The writing is now more country with vintage rock and roll undertones.\nWill says he's solely on board to rock out as hard as he can. He channels his passion for music, harnesses it maliciously during performances and expels it through his intense stage presence. He looks angry at his guitar when he plays it. He often catapults himself around his menacing instrument as he whales out the kick of the song, hitting the vocals with equal energy; he finds, makes and creates opportunities to rock out harder.\nBEN HANDEL. VOCALS. PERCUSSION INSTRUMENTS. DJ?\nBen, a senior, pulls up as Will and I are enjoy an unseasonably warm evening. Ben is on his way to meet up with his brother Jeff, who is on a break from the touring act, BLAST, and in town visiting. \nJeff has sat in with the band on occasion and will eventually replace Ryan on keys at the turn of the year, thus sprouting another arm in the evolution of Run of the Mill.\nAs we head in, I bring to Ben's attention that he captured the number two spot for best DJ in town. Quickly and humorously he assumes that, "the term DJ is loosely applied as I have never DJ'd in my life." \nThe majority of Ben's "DJing" involves manipulating electronic instruments, looping live effects and lyrics while occasionally supplying raps with Chris. Musically speaking, Ben sees himself in a conductor's position as he arranges the songs stylistically with their instrumental accompaniments upon their introduction in the practice room. This is not a solo act. Experimenting instrumentally is what they strive toward -- and the only question lies in what direction they will grow.\nBen grabs a Guinness as I pose a few questions of his initial expectations of the band. He has found that being in the band is a lot harder than he expected. Of course, he says, performing shows is a great time -- epitomizing the good times he sought from the beginning -- but the hardwork and business side of the band is trying.\n"Everyone now has so many commitments. It's hard to just play. Life gets in the way," he says.
JUSTIN SHAW. DRUMS. \nI slide into the busiest (musically speaking) band member's schedule somewhere between a jazz studies course, a performance in David Baker's jazz ensemble and a recording session with another local band Dixxxon. I should also mention that Justin, a senior, was voted best local instrumentalist and he performs with The Leonard Brothers, who were voted Bloomington's best cover band. He suggests taking advantage of the time of day and hit up Kilroy's for happy hour. I agree.\nWill, ridden of the Mohawk, and joined by his girlfriend Sarah, head out before us. Upon seating ourselves outside, Ryan approaches and signals his intensions of joining. This is fortunate for me, as I had yet to contact him for an interview. In this informal setting, the conversation centers around Ryan's previous evening at The White Stripes show. Settling for no less than front row center stage, Ryan elaborates on the physical strain he endured throughout the uninterrupted two-hour set. \nJustin eventually focuses on the task I present and immediately delivers a quote. \n"I would like to thank Nick Wyatt, Jonzo West and Rock Chick #1 for reaffirming that there is still rock and roll in the world," he says.\nThis is another tribute to The Swell, including their frontman West, while proclaiming his desire to see more women emerge in Bloomington, like Rock Chick #1 of the band Dixxxon.
RYAN BRUICK. KEYBOARD. BRIT VOCALS.\nWith shorter hair than in previous days, Ryan is well dressed after a day of student teaching -- a prerequisite for his future plans. Continuing to relive the moments of last night's "rock concert extraordinaire," we drift into discussing people's musical appreciation in Indiana and throughout the Midwest. \nThe overall tone of the conversation is an under-appreciation of music, fostered through people's apathy -- taking whatever's thrown in front of them rather than seeking available good music. \nBut is it always available? A real music scene defines a spectrum of original sounds, styles and attitudes that engage spectators and encourage additional musicians to emerge. This is the ideal. \nThe inevitable issue of cover bands is spawned. They infiltrate the scene on weekends and leave little room for the local talent to get out there. \n"It is the known versus the unknown," Justin adds.\nClub owners don't want the risk involved with filling their bill with local music that may not pack the house and move the booze.\n"It's a pop-culture thing," Justin says. The development of one's musical tastes goes as far as they allow themselves to drift from the splatter of the pop-culture excrement on the pavement. Getting outside the scope of the spoonfeeding media warrants a reward … discovering something new. \nThe importance of a band's image becomes incorporated into the presence of a music scene and the association these images portray to fans. Although Run of the Mill believes its image-less, there is some theory that defines the "without" as having just that -- thus becoming "with." Over another round of pitchers, Ryan articulates that, "either you have an image or the talent to compensate for it." \nRun of the Mill definitely has the talent, although hey concede that imaging is still in developmental stages. As I pay my tab and exit, Chris joins them. It really enjoys the music and it shows. There's certainly nothing run of the mill here.
