Biography
Their memorable and unusual name results from a statement made during an early performance describing the band's sound as it ripped through a handful of classic blues with gleeful abandon. It stuck and has become the “strangest name for a blues band, ever” said guitarist, Mark Tomorsky. “But, we like it because it really describes our ability to turn on a dime and add many feels and musical styles to our sound at any moment, all without losing the blues in the process.”
"You never know where we're gonna go," added singer and band leader Al Jacquez.
Heavily influenced by Chicago's classic blues, Detroit's R&B, and the Rock music explosion of the late sixties, you can begin to appreciate their slogan "Somewhere between Detroit and Chicago is.Measured Chaos."
Musically, the band mixes and blends together the sounds they grew up listening to. "It was an incredible time to be growing up and learning to play. There were so many things to listen to. Radio was king. FM was just getting off the ground and there were no play-lists then. Man, what an education," Tomorsky said. "At any given moment you could hear Motown, British Invasion, Blues, White Suburban Punk, Jazz, Soul, R&B, Gospel, Country & Western, Garage Rock, Psychedelic, Indian Sitar Music, Classical, you name it! And it was usually on the same channel!"
"We love taking chances on stage, mixing it up and trying different things," said bassist and songwriter, Mark Gougeon. "We start with the blues and then throw in all the stuff we grew up with."
"We call what we do Blues-Fusion," drummer Bill Gordon chimed in. "As the great philosopher Willie Dixon said, 'Blues are the roots. The rest are the fruits!'"
On their first disc "Measured Chaos LIVE", recorded live in 2003, the Michigan based quartet combines inspired classics and satisfying originals. For example; Willie Dixon's "You Can't Judge A Book By The Cover" has been invigorated by a sassy New Orleans second-line groove. BB King's "The Thrill Is Gone" is wrapped in dreamy intensity and Peter Green's "Oh Well" is played with sheer animal force. The CD's fiery opener, "Spreadin' The News (Not Preachin' The Blues)" written by Al Jacquez, combines a downriver Detroit energy with passionate sentiment. "Six Days Of Sinnin'" is as "down home" Chicago as they come and features a spot-on solo by guitarist Mark Tomorsky. And the jazzy "Night Ridin'", a Mark Gougeon composition, reflects a Kenny Burrell state of mind.
All of it is the Blues. All of it is uniquely Measured Chaos.
Their second disc, due for a Spring 2006 release, will showcase the band as writers with all original songs. Again it will run the gamutwith traditional blues mixed with their more hybrid "blues-fusion" styles. This new CD will be their first studio recording.
“We are very excited about this one,” Jacquez said. “The last disc was a perfect introduction to who we are and what we do. The new disc is taking it up a notch and showing how well we do what we do.”
Along with fusing musical elements, Measured Chaos is incorporating more sonic textures like; Dobro, bottleneck, acoustic guitar, harmonica, and percussion along with its basic pallet of drums, bass, electric guitars and vocals. All four members sing, with Jacquez leading the pack.
Another defining element for Measured Chaos is geography. Jacquez, Gordon, and Gougeon all live in Southeastern Michigan with their families. Tomorsky lives on the West Coast with his family. "It makes scheduling a very important part of our process," Tomorsky laughs. "We don't waste any time when we're together and we communicate all the time. Lots of Email and cell phone calls! Technology, baby. Ain't it great?"
Source: www.measuredchaos.com
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