Artist description Central Basement was formed in 1997 by Michael Kingsley and Tim Brennan while the pair were attending Babson College in Boston, MA. After playing a number of gigs in the Boston area, bassist Keith Lewis was introduced into the band. Keith came to the attention of Central Basement while playing with Room One, a Boston-based funk-rock band. With Keith came his brother, and rhythmic partner, Chip Lewis. While establishing themselves as one of Boston's best cover bands, Central Basement experimented with a number of lead guitarists until they found their man in Tom Furdon. Tom joined Central Basement in May, 2000. The name "Central Basement" comes from the band's original rehearsal space, which was the basement of Park Manor Central, a Babson College dormitory. The Park Manor Central basement produced not only a name, but a band that has continually proven themselves to be excellent showmen and musicians. This excellence has earned them gig after gig at New England’s best live music venues, including The Harp, Waterworks, The Big Easy, Black Brimmer, The Beachcomber, The Mill Hill Club, Funway Cafe, Sugarloaf USA Ski Resort, and Town Line Lounge, where they continue to play to capacity crowds. Additionally, their massive fan base has earned them the "house band" gig at The Rack every Friday night for over 2 years, and also at The Bell in Hand every Thursday for over 3 years. Central Basement's aggressive schedule of performances (over 160 shows each year) has brought them to the attention of music industry professionals such as KISS 108's Billy Costa, who has dubbed Central Basement "The Best Band in America". Additionally, the band performed at the prestigious KISS Concert After Party at the Hard Rock Cafe in June 2001, and Matty’s B-Day Bash at The Roxy on March 27, 2002 where they received rave reviews. Central Basement has earned themselves a reputation as one of Boston's hardest working bands, and "Boston's Best Party Band" and this notoriety yielded the band opening slots for: 10,000 Maniacs, Uncle Kracker, Evan and Jarron, Rustic Overtones and The Mighty Mighty Bosstones, and played with Hoobastank. On March 28th 2001, Central Basement performed four original songs on the WB 56 Morning Show, and recently (June 20, 2002) headlined the 9th Annual “Block Party” in Faneuil Hall where over 6,000 people were in attendance. On October 4th, 2002, Central Basement was asked to perform in front of 2,000 people for the Lenny Zakim Bridge Dedication Ceramony where the band not only made the Channel 5 News, but performed prior to Bruce Springsteen’s appearance. Keep your eye out for the Food Network’s “Best of” television series, airing in Spring 2003, where you will see the band performing at The Rack. Central Basement was twice nominated "Artist of the Month" on www.bostonbands.com (December 2000 and August 2002) and a feature on the Boston.com homepage, where two of the band's original songs reigned as the #1 and #2 downloads for several weeks on BostonMP3.com, placing the band in BostonMP3.com’s “Hall of Fame”. The band just finished recording an all-original EP, which was produced by the 8 times gold and platinum producer Anthony J. Resta (Collective Soul, Shawn Mullins, Duran Duran, Full Devil Jacket, Guster, Megadeth, and many more). The EP was mastered by the infamous Bob St. John and was released December 20, 2002. As a result of Central Basement’s popularity with KISS 108 DJ’s and crew, the band was invited to go on the “Matty in the Morning Show” on November 27, 2002 to not only play their new single on the air, but to promote the new EP to the stations’ massive audience. On December 14th, 2002, the band’s newly released single “Turn” makes the Top 30 Countdown on KISS 108. Central Basement is the ONLY unsigned band to EVER receive airplay on KISS 108. The EP is also receiving airplay on Bangor Maine’s Z-107fm and The River 92.5fm in Boston. To begin 2003 with a bang, the Band was asked to open for Avril Lavigne at The Orpheum to play in front of 3,000+ people on January 8, 2003.

Music Style Top 40 Pop/Rock

Similar Artists Barenaked Ladies, Toad the Wet Sprocket, Sublime, Goo Goo Dolls, Creed

Artist History Founded March 1997

Group Members Mike Kingsley Vocals Mike has a natural talent that sets him apart from other vocalists. His range and vocal adaptability is matched only by his stage presence and drive. He wrote the lyrics to "Around the Garage" as well as "Beer is Good for You", and cowrote "Far Away". Mike is a graduate of Babson College, along with Tim, and is the band's manager. So if your looking for a business card or booking information, Mike is the man to talk to. Tim Brennan Rhythm Guitar, Acoustic Guitar, Vocals As a rhythm guitarist and back-up vocalist, Tim executes complex vocal harmonies, which add significantly to the signature Central Basement sound. Tim also is a prolific songwriter, who has written numerous original songs for Central Basement, including crowd-favorites "The Way", "A Part of You", and "Lucid Dreams", and cowrote "Far Away". Tim is also the webmaster for the website, maintaining a freelance webmaster/graphic designer side-job. Keith Lewis Bass, Vocals His job is to groove, and along with his brother Chip, he does his job well. Keith is one of Boston's best bassists, and consequently one of the busiest. In addition to holding down Central Basement's bottom end, Keith assumes much of the band's sound engineering and teaches bass on the side. He is often hired for recording sessions by many well-known artists, and has written, recorded and produced the soundtrack for an independent film entitled "Sidewalk". Keith wrote the music for "Far Away" and is a graduate from Dean College with a degree in music theory. Tom Furdon Lead Guitar Tom is often described as a "musician's musician" because he is an extremely talented guitarist, who has the ability to play with ease in nearly any style. Influenced by jazz, funk, rock, and the newer jazz fusion, he has a sick sense of combining all to produce a sound so unique and attractive to those who are in his presence. Tom is a graduate of Dean College, where he studied music theory. In addition to his lead guitar duties with Central Basement, Tom also maintains a full teaching schedule as a private guitar instructor. Chip Lewis Drums, percussion, vocals Chip is one of the most talented persussionists in the Boston music scene. His style is well-rounded stemming from funk, jazz, and rock. His ability as a stand-out drummer is also complimented by excellent song-writing ability which is shown in "Before", a Central Basement crowd favorite. Chip is a graduate from both the University of Miami, with a degree in Music, and Suffolk Law School. While maintaining the beat, Chip also serves as Central Basement's legal counci

Instruments PRS Guitars, Ibanez Guitars, Fender Guitars, Parker Guitars, Ayotte Drums, Shure Wireless, Warwick Bass, Marshall Amps/Cabs, Fender Amps, EAW speakers, PRS guitars

Albums Extended Play

Press Reviews Boston Herald January 9, 2003 Music Review 'Avril Lavigne with Central Basement at the Orpheum, Wednesday night' Lavigne revels in the limelight. Boston pop troupe Central Basement, best known as the Friday night band at The Rack, opened. Boston Herald CD Review Central Basement - Extended Play (cdfreedom.com): Polished, personable and poppy, Boston's Central Basement sounds fabulous on its debut EP, 'Extended Play.' The band - Tim Brennan (rhythm guitar, vocals); Tom Furdon (lead guitar); Michael Kingsley (vocals); Chip Lewis (drums, percussion); and Keith Lewis (bass) - plays like a combination of the Goo Goo Dolls, Red Hot Chili Peppers and Spin Doctors. It's a successful formula -- catchy grooves, honest vocals and ideally suited for modern FM radio. Central Basement, one of the Hub's most popular live acts, pepper their tunes with fine hooks and mid-tempo stylings, allowing an opportunity for extended jams or brief segues. There are never moments of boredom or pomposity and the musicians play as a unit without devolving into 'solo wars.' The three songs on 'Extended Play' are tuneful and sharp. 'Turn' is mellow and poppy, anchored by a lush vocal part. 'Behind Those Eyes' is honest and tight while 'A Part Of You' settles into a fine upbeat groove. It's obvious that Central Basement has a major radio hit (or five) in its future. Tonight at The Rack (14 Clifton Street, Faneuil Hall), Central Basement - along with KISS 108's Billy Costa -- will host a CD release party, beginning at 6:30. GRADE: 8.5 (out of a scale of 10) For more information on Central Basement, please go to www.central-basement.com. The Rise of Central Basement Southborough musicians find success in Boston clubs By Josh B. Wardrop, News Staff Writer, Metrowest News, July 1, 2001 When you have a regular gig at a Boston nightspot known for attracting celebrity clientele, you never know who's likely to be checking out the show. Just ask Tim Brennan, Southborough native and rhythm guitarist for the band Central Basement. "It can be surreal. One night we're up there in the middle of a set at The Rack and suddenly the Playboy Playmate of the Year jumps up onstage and starts dancing," he laughs. "We thought it was pretty weird - even weirder because she didn't even know the words to 'Pour Some Sugar On Me.' Not even the chorus." Brennan knows the song. It's his job after all. Central Basement has carved out a very successful reputation as one of the region's top cover bands, currently holding down regular weekly gigs Thursdays at The Bell in Hand and Friday at The Rack, both at Faneuil Hall in Boston. The band, in existence only since March of 1997, have become known throughout Boston for their versatility and their ability to start a party, anytime, anywhere. "We do write a lot of our own stuff," says Brennan, "and we work a few songs into the set everytime we play. But, basically, we do a lot of Top 40 rock, pop…whatever's on the radio at the moment." While some may turn up their noses at cover bands, deriding them as unimaginative hacks who slavishly devote themselves to what's come before rather than create anything new, the truth is there's a lot of hard work involved in being a cover band - particularly a good coverband that experiments with different styles of music. Anyone who doubts the musicianship involved should consider the last time they heard a third-rate bar band commit unspeakable acts on a favorite song. According to Brennan, Central Basement - whose other members include fellow Southborough natives Chip and Keith Lewis on Drums and bass, as well as lead singer Mike Kingsley and lead guitarist Tom Furdon - work long and hard at ensuring that they don't disappoint their audience, desecrate the music they play, or embarrass themselves. "We make a point of rehearsing as a band every week - which isn't always easy between three or four shows a week and full-time day jobs - but we also work on all of our parts separately, so that when we get together we pretty much know a song". Is there any particular band or style of music that the audiences particularly get into? "When we do stuff by Limp Bizkit, it just blows people out of the water," Brennan says. "People who come to see us a lot have come to look forward to it, and we'll get people coming up to us saying, 'Did we miss it?'" The Basement was formed by Brennan and his college chum, Kingsley, when they were attending Babson College. The original rhythm section - other Babson acquaintances - didn't pan out, and that led Brennan to think about a pair of childhood friends, brothers Keith and Chip Lewis, who he'd jammed with when they all attended Algonquin Regional High School together."I grew up with Keith and Chip," says Brennan. "And all my life, I remember them being in local bands, like Jack & Present Co., and Room 1." Soon, the Lewises were filling in with Central Basement, and eventually the pair joined the band full time in August of 1998. "When I first joined the band," says drummer Chip Lewis, "I honestly wasn't sure how much I'd enjoy it. I always thought that they (Central Basement) were a good band, but I was coming from a band where we were doing all our own originals. But now, what I love about being in this band, as a drummer, is being able to play so many different styles. It keeps things from getting boring. "Plus, it was great being in a band that was developing a following," Chip laughs. "I mean, both me and my brother can tell you stories about playing in front of crowds of three or four people - and a couple of those people being waiters that had to be there."These days, Central Basement find themselves drawing way more than three or four people. An average Friday night show at The Rack is usually packed, and in recent months the band has found itself moving up to even more high-profile gigs. They recently entertained at the after-party for the annual KISS concert put on by KISS108, and next month they'll be appearing twice at Boston's Hatch Shell - on July 7 opening for former New Kid Joey McIntyre and on July 21 opening for Blessid Union of Souls. "Things have just been going incredibly well," says Brennan. "We have our own sound guy right now, who's dedicated exclusively to us, and he's always saying, 'The kettle's hot, you know?' And it's true, things just keep happening.""The success has been great," Lewis concurs. "The coolest thing about it, for me, is that we have 'regulars' now. We have people who come out constantly to see us at The Bell, or The Rack. We've really made a lot of friends, and we're so fortunate to have that kind of support on such a regular basis." As their profile on the Boston club scene increases, it, ironically, makes it harder for the band to take their show on the road.Though Brennan and the Lewis brothers have all moved outside of Southborough (Brennan to the South end, the Lewises to Charlestown), they still retain their connections to the town through family and friends. And Lewis credits his time growing up in Southborough with putting him on the path to musical stardom. In the near future, the band does plan to take that next step forward and record their own CD. In the meantime, the members of Central Basement plan to continue what's earned them their popularity: covering current pop tunes and ushering in the weekend at The Rack.

Additional Info Release date: 12/20/2002

Location Boston, MA - USA

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