Artist description Veteran musicians bringing together a synthesis of what makes Rock great.

Music Style Straight-ahead rock with a little romance and a few disorders

Musical Influences Lou Reed, Stones, Pontiac Brothers, early Bowie,

Similar Artists Velvet Underground was airwrecked in the swamp, rescued by Iggy Pop and given nutrients imported from the West Coast..

Artist History Formed in June 1999, by three veteran musicians as more or less a "hobby-band", the quality of the songs and the drive for more demanded an aggressive approach. Soon, ambitions for World Domination flourished and "Sonic" reinforcement was called in.A seven-track CD was recorded and all plans for expanding the band's dominion are being executed in rapid order. Or maybe not so rapid order.... Our new CD is almost done. 1/2 a song is left to be mixed and then we will return to a more vigorous live-performance schedule will begin. George Harris of Panda Studios is playing guitar in the band and the new CD will show different aspects of the band.

Group Members Michael Burger: Vocals, Guitar, Songwriter and Visioneer.John Henson: Vocals, Bass, Songwriter and Insurrectionist.Joe Larson: Drums, Vocals, Counter-Revolutionary Tactics.Ron "Sonic" Bales: Guitar, Vocals, Bomb Slinging Anarchist. On the new CD: Same line-up sans Ron "Sonic" Bales and with George Harris on guitar.

Instruments Two really nice guitars, bass and drums. What you want more?

Albums Shortcut to Freedom

Press Reviews From Jam Magazine Issue #300 http://www.floridajam.com/ The Flapcats Shortcut To Freedom Imagine a cross between The Doors and The Cult and you'll get the idea. Fronted by Michael Burger, these cats lay down dark, balls-out, ‘80s L.A. rock that is full of meaty bass lines, full-frontal guitar walls and deep-throated, off-key vocalizations of 21st century beat poetry. Dig lines like "I've been driving all night just to get to you/ yeah I pay my tolls and I roll right through" and "I've been in love seven times babe/ I remember the second time" from the noirish "Payback." There's a raw, amp-buzzing immediacy to the recording, evident in the stark opening to "Sleeping On The Edge," another tune that paints a vivid picture of high humidity and sordid thoughts. There's a gritty feeling prevalent in the stories and in the performances; maybe they were recorded drunk for maximum grunge effect. Whatever. The Flapcats are cool. Bing Futch from Focus Magazine 4-14-2000 http://www.eatmag.com/ The Flapcats "Shortcut To Freedom" (7-track CD-R, recorded at Atlas Recording Studios, Valrico, FL, mastered by George Harris, produced and arranged by The Flapcats, Michael Berger (guitar, vocals), John Henson (bass, vocals), Joe Larson (drums, vocals), Ron "Sonic" Bales (guitar), 30:49) According to the snarly guitarwork and heavy-slanted riffing, it would be a stretch to refer to The Flapcats as rootsy, let alone lumped in with the amorphous Americana genre. Yet, the band’s foundation in the classic conditions of rock, country, and soul yield a sonically powerful treatment. Just like the brooding, minor-keyed country blues ("Payback") that kicks off their debut album, given the wicked twist of a tribal beat by sticksman Joe Larson and a leathery guitar lick from "Sonic" Bales. If it’s country with some amps and a little attitude, then it’s a stance once grounded by the underrated Rank And File (featuring ex-Dils, Chip and Tony Kinman), where twang and crunch first collided. However, The Flapcats are not given to just repeating a brief portion of musical history, preferring to branch out and create some of their own, while adding some unexpected touches along the way. Like the strutting, Stonesy swagger of "Loser," where some precious Keith Richards-like lickage kicks in prior to the anti-Beck sentiment in the chorus ("I don’t want to be a loser anymore"). Or the trashy, Royal Trux-inspired chordal slurring for glam slam of "Feet To The Fire," where David Bowie’s glittery dreams finally fall to earth, then are loaded into the cab of Creedence Clearwater’s pick-up. Without sounding locked into a retro state of mind, The Flapcats, however, are mindful of rock’s most potent performers (Stones, CCR, etc.), and magically graft them together. Recommended to classic rock traditionalists.

Location Tampa, Florida - USA

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