28,000 watts, motha ucker!!!!!!!

Ben Collins-Hamel | January 8, 2009

Cool times at the Machine Shop in Flint. Where to begin?...???? Seriously, some random stuff went down.

First, a big thanks to Three Peace. They set us up with the show and did a real serious job of jammin' out the reggae tunes.

Hey yo

Ben Collins-Hamel | November 8, 2008

Greetings Red Herring community!

Dave and Ben here (Dave typing, Ben watching Dave type, having a mutual amount of input). Just sitting here, toasting a late-night coffee, thinking of you (not so creepy, really). Well, we're thinking a lot about ourselves too.

Anyway, we had a show last weekend. It was the first one in about...six months? We didn't promote it as much as we would have liked to. It was a house party (Halloween). We were blue - as in blue Smurfs (I don't think they come in any other colors). We also had a new face upon the drum throne. Jeff Elberling filled in at the last minute. He did an amazing job. Jeff had about 36 hours to learn 21 songs (yikes). For all you mathletes out there that's ... one song every 1.48 hours (bam!). Fun show. I mean, we aim to please and overall, we feel we achieved our goal.

Thanks Jeff. A BIG THANKS JEFF. And thanks to all for coming out and having a good time with us.

There will be more shows popping up soon, so keep your eyes and ears alert.

Back to what we're currently doing:

Sitting here at Grand River Cafe, drinking coffee (Ben just got us waters to go along with that). You see, we enjoy late-night coffee runs ( I mean, that sounds weird, ew). *We like running out for coffee late at night. Actually, we prefer driving - I drove. There is a category on this blog thing called "General Rantings" - I'm pretty sure this part of the blog is just that. So, here you go.

Funny story:
Ben hates animals. He killed four squirrels today - w.....Wait. Libel. Blatent libel (btw, this is Ben now). It's obvious that statement isn't true. How ridiculous. Especially coming from someone, who just last week bit the head off a ferret. A ferret!

OK Ben. You're done. And yes, so what if I did? It wasn't raw. I cooked it.

Oh. That's not so bad. I heard Aborigines do that. (Ben again)

OK. Done. We've gone down "a dark, dark road" - Ben's words (Dave typing again here, and from NOW ON).

I could stop here. I could have stopped way back. But, I hope you're glad that I didn't, and don't officially plan on stopping any time soon (Soon, as in, days).

OK. For those of you who continued to read, wow, cool. I'm sorry??
Here's your prize: email us at redherringband@hotmail.com, with the subject "devoted readers", and we'll send you an exclusive video/secret track/hidden treasure... etc. - basically something band-related that you won't be able to get unless you get it directly from us.

THE END??????????

Yea - Dave (and Ben?) Yea.

Replay Entertainment Exchange

Ben Collins-Hamel | October 29, 2007

I need to say something.

The Replay Entertainment Exchange on Michigan Avenue in Lansing is awesome.

We played a couple shows there the past two weeks. Everyone there was super cool. The bands rocked and the atmosphere was just...nice. I can't stress enough how enlightening it is to find a venue that's all about the music. The Replay is a place all about THE MUSIC.

I walked in the place for the first time three weeks ago. I immediately was impressed by their music selection. I should mention to those that haven't been there that the REE is a store/venue. You first walk in the store side, and then there is a room next to it where the bands can set up. There is actually a decent amount of space in the "band" room for an audience.

During shows, the management let's bands select a movie from the store's racks to be projected on the wall behind the "stage" area. That's a really cool idea in my opinion.

The management is extremely chill, yet still very professional. The guys know what they're doing and, like I mentioned before, they seem to be all about letting people get their music out there.

I'm impressed to say the least.

In other Red Herring news...we're recording again. It's sounding great. I am excited for this. We all are. Hopefully we can get it done before we see yet another band member move across the country...or something...we miss you Alan.

But...life is a roller coaster, but that cliche's overused so I'll put it in my holster and say bipolarism is the new sane....


Yours always (and I do mean always as forever)

- Dave

so long

Ben Collins-Hamel | September 25, 2007

Okay, so it's been forever. There hasn't been much news about Red Herring. There hasn't been really anything to rant about either. But now... there are actually things for me to write about.

We started practicing again. The past few weeks have included some of the best jam sessions we have ever known as a band. Everything has sounded great.

We moved all our stuff into my basement (the "chop house"). The room is really small but makes for a great jam room since it holds in all noise. Once we ignore all the giant spiders, we can get a great rock session going. There are a ton of spiders - I should really get down there with a vacuum.

We've been modifying some awesome tunes Ethan and Ben put together. The Red Herring river of creativity flows once again. This time, it's more fun than ever.

We're hoping to get some shows soon. I can't wait to get back on stage and see us all do our thing. There's been talk of some recording sessions coming in the near future - this is good talk.

Until next time - sooner than four months - keep living the dream everyone... who reads this.

- Dave

Battle of The Bands

Ben Collins-Hamel | April 15, 2007

So friday night was the big battle of the bands. Not much to say about it except that there were some great sets and everyone seemed to be having an enjoyable time. The crowd was really into it the whole night.

We did not place, oh well.

Congratulations to those bands who did.

Thanks to everyone who came out to show their support.

Moving on.

- Dave

Elbow Room

Ben Collins-Hamel | April 12, 2007

Ypsilanti was looking quite gloomy yesterday - as was the entire state of Michigan. It's the second week of April and we're still being threatened by snow - not cool. However, the weather was not about to stop Red Herring and friends from getting together and appreciating some awesome tunes.

It was indie-folk night at the Elbow Room in Ypsilanti. I'm not sure exactly what that means, but it was a fabulous night so I guess I like indie-folk nights.

Our fellow East Lansing-ers Jenn's Apartment made the trip and helped the night work. They played a high-energy opening set. We would have liked to hear the guys play a bit longer for a couple reasons: first, they were tight and rocking well, no surprise there; second, three fifths of Red Herring was still trying to get down to Yspi!! Yikes!!

As Ben and I fretted about whether or not we would be doing the show as a two-some or not at all, we were soon sedated and serenaded by the quirky genious of S'. I would do anything to make sure those guys could stay together. I get to see them live for the first time and now they will be ripped out of my life as quickly as they came into it. Ok, I know, real dramatic, but saying these guys are just plain awesome is an outlandish understatement. Thanks for the CDs guys!

Then, despite my heart's defiance, S' was done - tear. Ben and I had to figure out what to do without Ethan, Alan or Casey there yet. They were on the road and doing their best to show up as soon as possible, but it was time for us to go on whether they were there or not.

We hopped up on stage and popped out a few songs with just guitar and bass. Midway through a lovely, intimate version of open house, Ben and I saw the three walk in - it was a glorious sight. We managed to salvage the show. We rocked out as a full band through a few more songs.

Though it wasn't the ideal way to play a show, I think we ended up doing alright considering the circumstances.

Big thanks to the Elbow Room for putting up with us. Huge thanks to Jenn's Apartment and S'. And another thanks goes out to Kevin and friends who gave us a warm-hearted welcoming to Ypsilanti.

Tomorrow is the Battle of the Bands. Here we go. Fifteen minutes - three songs - to show everyone what kind of sound and stage presence we have. No pressure.

More on that after the show.

Salud!

- Dave

The Rock Spot, Good Friday '07

Ben Collins-Hamel | April 7, 2007

It was a cold April night when Red Herring loaded into The Lansing Rock Spot at around 8 p.m. Friday. The place was ready for the ensuing rockage that Red Herring and friends had in store - even if it did take about ten minutes to get the door open. But the stage was set and the lights were glowing. Friends met friends, some made new friends and all had smiles.

The night kicked off with My Fearless Leader - the artists formerly known as Straight Line Motion. They performed an awesome opening set. The guys were impressive to say the least. It was the perfect way to start the night off.

Then everyone was treated to a tight show put together by the boys from Dearborn known as Paragon. Their high-energy rockage got some people out of their seats. They ran a clinic on the guitar and double guitar solo. The guys really have their stuff together.

At around 11:30 - right on schedule - Red Herring was in the spotlight. After the two inspiring sets performed by the guest bands, it seemed easy to jump up on stage and let the music do the talking.

Overall, the show went great. More people came out than we had really expected. We saw some new faces in the crowd and were of course flattered to see many familiar ones as well.

It was a great friday night - not just good.

Thanks again to everyone who was there. A big thanks goes out to Paragon, My Fearless Leader and The Rock Spot.

Now, we look ahead to next week. Two shows are on the near horizon. It will be an exciting week as Red Herring makes their debut in Ypsilanti and at the MSU Battle of the Bands.

Cheers to all!!

-Dave

friday baby

Ben Collins-Hamel | April 5, 2007

This friday, April 6, 2007, is a special day. Not only is it Good Friday, it's actually even better - more like great friday...or something. Anyway, we're going to be at The Rock Spot. We know a lot of people will be gone for the weekend, but those who decide to stay will be treated to a great show. So come out, we love you...in a non-creepy way.

Right now, as I type on this cold Thursday afternoon, Ben, Ethan, and I are all going over the setlist at Ethan's house. Thanks to this awesome website Ben found, wheresthegig.com, it's been a pretty fantastic time putting the setlist together. That's about it. I got a hold of Ben's laptop and decided to just type some stuff. Blog - count it. I'll be back to tell everyone about tomorrow's show, and about how sexy Ethan is.

-Dave

Ben's simple songs

Ben Collins-Hamel | January 26, 2007

Ben: Ok guys this one is simple, it has only 4 verses, like 5 different rhythm changes, a bridge, a pre-chorus, but both those change a few times, the second bridge goes into a half-time then followed by a break down and then the 4 choruses are all different progressions, and remember the key change on the last chorus before the outro, and then we'll just jam out into a solo and then back into the original key followed by the first verse and of course back into the original chorus...but its progression is tweeked a bit since we'll end on the C#m instead of an E. Ok?

Dave and Ethan: Aaaaahhhhhhhh...yea...

-Dave

Harpers Show

Ben Collins-Hamel | January 22, 2007

The date had finally fallen upon us. We had been anticipating this show for a long time. It was Friday night, the mood was right, and we were no doubt ready to have some fun. After a month of hours spent in Ethan's basement, hours of Ben's OCD, and yes, hours of my own terrible jokes, we were ready to go in front of an eager East Lansing bar crowd.

We were scheduled to play from 10 pm to about 1:40 am. In that time we played three hour-long sets with twenty minute breaks in between sets. Ok so enough with the numbers and stuff. The place was rocking. We were thrilled to see so many people make it out. Some crazy cats even got up to dance, which of course is always appreciated at a Red Herring show (or not even at a show, just when you're in the presence of the band, we will be grateful for your dancing). We even saw some of the employees tapping their feet. The crowd was diggin' us, we were diggin' the crowd, and the product of all the diggin' that was going on happened to be extreme rockage, with a touch of roll. We rocked, we jazzed, and we unveiled some nineties classics. It was a special night to say the least.

The story of the week was the death of Alan's grandpa a few days before the show. We contemplated canceling. Alan and his family have been in our prayers. So with Alan unable to be there Friday night, we were facing some minor difficulties. However, we decided to do the show and we all stepped it up in order to ensure that the rock would go on, especially our female vocalist/backup keys player Casey Wright. Casey was wicked awesome Friday night. Alan's musical genius and charismatic presence was missed by all, but Casey's solid vocals and superb keys allowed us to go on with the show. With such short notice she was able to learn many songs on the keys which let us keep most of our set in tact. We rocked pretty hard as a four piece. Everyone showed their appreciation with some great applause and enthusiasm.

We'd like to thank all who came out, tried the brew, and stayed for some tunes. Jack Muldowney's artistic abilities helped spread our name a little bit more, in a creative way. His terrific posters were placed around East Lansing and could be seen during the week of the show. They could even be enjoyed in the bathroom at Harpers. Thanks again Jack, and here's some brew for you.

We're ready to do it all again. Maybe we'll be back at Harpers soon. If not, the Red Herring rockage will ensue somewhere else. It just keeps getting better, and everyone is having a great time, which is all that really matters.

-Dave