Artist description Muscular, melodic, "smart" rock and roll with a toe tappin' groove. Often compared to the "New Zealand" sound.

Music Style rock

Musical Influences jeff buckley, slovenly, minutemen, ac/dc, thin lizzy, miles davis

Similar Artists Big Star, REM, XTC, Replacements, Neil Young and AC/DC, among many others

Artist History Once called "Stamen," then "40k," this band has finally reached its plateau as the "Ether Frolics."

Group Members Brian Welsh - guitar, bass, vocals / James Warden - guitar, bass, vocals / Matt Mayes - drums / Steve Fransen - guitar, bass, vocals / Wally Rozak - sax, vocals, keyboards

Instruments electric and acoustic guitars, bass, drums and percussion, piano, organ, trombones

Albums 40k

Press Reviews "The best local surprise this year is the debut of the sweet but muscular rock quartet the Ether Frolics. This album recalls the lush mood rock of early R.E.M., or at times, like on 'The Upright Clerk,' the blustery power pop of Big Star and XTC... Their stinging give-and-take is restrained but remains very tuneful. The winning arrangements on '40k' are also densely textured but never overblown. Even when dueling horns surface over the stormy instrumental 'Eleven,' it's not so much a surprise but another rich element by this engaging new band." - Mark Guarino/Daily Herald. "What we have here, people, is an EP of hard edged, intelligent pop music made by ... well, musicians. As worthy of radio play as any of the pop/pap your standard Matchbox 20 / Third Eye Blind brands are producing for the airwaves, but don't forget, there is no justice in the world." - PC Jones/Reglar Wiglar. "Hailing from Chicago, the quartet Ether Frolic have released one of the most endearing, out-of-nowhere releases in recent memory. And out of nowhere is how it hits you, creeping up like a gentle caress and quietly etching its sprawling melodies and chiming jangle into your brain. Ether Frolics are masters of subtlety, an all too forgotten attribute lost on too many young bands today. While there is a kinetic energy to the entire record (reminiscent of The Feelies), the majority of the album is beautifully sleepy and mid-tempo, the textured guitars rising and falling like an invigorating deep breath." -Mike Breen/Cincinnati City Beat.

Additional Info 40k is the old name of the band, which we decided to change due to a popular video game.

Location chicago, IL - USA

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