Artist description Tweeky, melodic, Beatlesesque but still edgy as hell. A melodic, emotional vocal approach and great arrangements give Butterfat an undeniably unique sound.

Music Style Rock/Pop

Musical Influences Hendrix, Beck, King Crimson circa 1973, Beatles, Dead Kennedys

Similar Artists Beatles, Kinks, Nirvana, Primus

Artist History Butterfat Mastermind was formed in 1996 by Steve Sunner and Rob Elrick when they moved to Chicago after leaving the Berklee College of Music in Boston. Matthew Moore joined in November of 1998 shortly after arriving in the U. S. from his native New Zealand.

Group Members Steve Sunner- Guitar, Vocals, Keyboards.Rob Elrick- Bass, Trombone.Matthew Moore- Drums

Instruments Guitar, Bass, Drums, Keyboards, Horns, Kazoo

Albums Yellow Album, Slaveplanet Diaries

Press Reviews Who the heck knows? Butterfat Mastermind may well be one of the best shows in Chicago now that Michael Jordan has unlaced his sneakers for the last time.... The three-peice outfit (drums, bass and guitar) sounds something like Primus or the early Nirvana behind Bleach.... The bass lines make you want to bounce and the guitars growl.... [Stephen Sunner’s] voice is not unlike Kurt Cobain’s, angry and emotional, hurt and experienced.... “Walrus Sized Hole,” “Grass” and “Old and Grey,” the last three songs on the record, are powerfully, throbbingly catchy, especially the first two. They showcase Sunner’s vocals and guitar work and Rob Elrick’s bass. And stay tuned for a secret song at the end featuring this refrain: “If the drugs don’t kill you, the women surely will.”” -JAM MUSIC MAGAZINE“A cool name and eclectic style are reasons enough to support this Chicago act. Add to that a knack for making the listener sing along to odd-ball lyrics and groove to rock backbeats tinged with jazz, folk, psychadelia and punk.” -DAILY SOUTHTOWN“For a long time I made the mistake of grouping Butterfat Mastermind with the legions of bar bands that seem to curse me. My bad. Butterfat Mastermind is a Chicago trio who apparently are way into sub-genre-jumping rock. “Slaveplanet Diaries” runs a gamut from straight-forward melodic pop (“Can’t Feel My Legs”) to trippy Kyuss-like protometal (“I am God”). Most of guitarist, lead vocalist Stephen Sunner’s string work is loud and heavy, distorted in the vocal-free gaps for a Hendrix effect, but primarily low-tuned. The band is at its best when it’s rowdy- “Control” stands out despite clocking in at more than six minutes- and I would urge rock fans of all sorts- from June of ‘44 to Hendrix- to give Butterfat a chance live.” -NEW CITY“This Chicago based trio gets a big sound considering their diminutive instrumentation. Elrick and Perry create a nice rhythmic bed for Sunner to rave about such topics as his favorite culinary tastes in “Peice of Pie, Pt. I and II.” The trio rocks hard on “TV Land” and “Walrus Sized Hole,” and gets clever with 4/4, 7/8 time signature shifts on “I am God.” This is well written modern rock, with an agressive, funk bass foundation. You’ll get a rise out of the band’s clever use of angst. Elrick plays with a thunderous attack throughout the CD. His bass lines are big, funky, melodic passages. The lagato poppin’ and slappin’ bass lay a wide foundation for this “Beastie-style” trio. This is well-written modern rock that has clever hooks and phat groove.” -BASS FRONTIERS

Location Chicago, IL - USA

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