Artist description Relative was formed as a reaction to the social environment we were raised in andmore importantly, it was formed of and for the love of music of three individuals. Three people with different pasts, different musical tastes, different aspirations, different subjective realities. Where these realities invade each other is where the band resides. We create our music as a group; it is a method by which we attempt to express ourselves. Our hopes, fears, frustrations, love and hatred are all represented here. Our goals are quite simple, to help ourselves understand and cope with our own realitiesmore effectively, and thereby to help others do the same; to stay aware and to helpo others be arew of the world around us; and to try to communicate with ourselves, eachother, our fans, our enemies, anyone who will listen, and especially the people who won't. Our sound is derived from our major influences and the music and songs that are trapped inside our heads. These are the best songs. We just try to translate them. The music is schizofrenic at times, going from light pop punk, to heavy hardcore.

Music Style Post Hardcore / Hardcore/ Emo / Punk / Pop

Musical Influences At the Drive in, Burning Airlines, Fugazi, Planes Mistaken for Stars, System of a Down, Nine Inch Nails, The Cure, Husker Du, Nirvana, Jawbox, Janes Addiction, Descendents

Similar Artists No Comment; See above list of influences.

Artist History Relative started out in 1994 under the name "Toe Jam". The band was formed out of Brian and Josh's longtime friendship and love for music. They met up with Mikethrough Brian's brother Brad, Josh got a bass and they started playing together in Mike's basement. They wrote songs quickley and soon had enough for an album.Thanks to Paul Buddha, the Toe Jam demo tapes were born. They were only 14 when the first demo tape wasrecorded, and thus, it isn't great, but for 14 year olds, it's definitely good. After several years of playing shows in the local areaaround their home town, the band went into a studio in Minneapolis and recorded their first CD. They had multiple producersworking with them on the release and the producers were too busy trying to turn the band into their own project. The band released the CD under their new name "Relative" they weren't very happy with the results of the mix that they had no control over. Since then, Relative has been playing more shows and has been back into the studio to record a new full length album. This time, the band is recordingand producing the album themselves and are much ahppier with the results. The name change came because the band started taking themselves more seriously, integrating more philosophy and politics into their music. They also helped to start an independent record label in their hometown, Last Minute Records (http://lastminute-records.com). The new Relative release will soon be available on Last Minute Records and some of the tracks will be available for download.

Group Members Brian Busenius - Guitar, Vocals Josh Wilcox - Bass, Vocals Mike Thompson - Drums, Vocals

Instruments Guitar, Bass, Drums, Voice

Albums Your Name Here, Ronald Reagan Eats the Holes Out of Cheese, Relative (self-titled)

Additional Info We also appeared on the Last Minute Records Compilation CD, "Gnostic Evoution."

Location Rochester, MN - USA

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