Gingerjake

“Getting asked to play Summerfest is a no brainer,” said Gingerjake guitarist Ian Severson. “You’d have to be smoking crack to pass up the opportunity.”

Gingerjake will be performing at the U.S. Cellular stage at Summerfest on July 6, opening for Chevelle. This year marks the third time they have been asked to play at the event.

“This year we’re direct support for Chevelle, and we’re all looking forward to it. It’s a huge opportunity that everyone in the band is excited about,” says Severson. “Looking back three years ago when we opened for Jerry Cantrell and the Cardboard Vampyres, I never would have guessed we would get the opportunity three years in a row. It’s awesome.”

Gingerjake was formed in Minneapolis in 2002, and is made up of Amanda Harris on vocals, Ian Severson on guitar and backing vocals, Eric Rotter on bass and backing vocals, and Joe Rotter on drums. The band’s unique style of rock has been described by fans and critics as a blend of beauty and brutality, and Severson says he and the band are influenced by anything from Fiona Apple to Slayer.

“That's almost A-to-Z right? If it rocks, we generally nod the head.” Severson says their return to Summerfest last year differed from their first experience in a few ways. “We weren't direct support for P.O.D. We were moved back a slot because Soil was added to the show, but all it meant for us is that we got to play before two kick-ass bands instead of one. It was a smaller crowd as a result of the earlier time slot, but we still rocked and had a blast.”

He adds that being a smaller band performing amongst larger, more well-known bands can be a little stressing. “It can be a little nerve-racking, because while we’re there to have fun, we also want to sound and play great, because we know the bigger bands have that covered. Otherwise, it’s cool just to be there. We’ve met quite a few rad bands and peeps the last two years.”

Besides meeting and performing with other bands at Summerfest, Severson says his favorite part of going to the event is the cheese. “It’s got to be the Wisconsin squeaky cheese. We consume pounds of it both on the drive through Wisconsin to Milwaukee, as well as at Summerfest.” After the cheese, his second favorite part of the experience is the day of their Summerfest appearance. “That’s when I change my phone message to say, in a very Yngwie Malmsteen voice, ‘I can't take your call right now as I'm probably ripping a face melter in front of thousands of people at Summerfest, leave a message.’”

- Maximum Ink (June '07)

The band: Gingerjake

The gig: 9 p.m. Friday at the Rock Nightclub; with Kanser, Absent I, Far From Falling

The new CD: "How to Kiss the Devil Goodbye"

The sound: Slick, radio-ready rock with a charismatic lead singer in Amanda Harris, who sounds like Gwen Stefani (minus the dance numbers) and Evanescence's Amy Lee (minus the goth tendencies).
- St. Paul Pioneer Press/Ross Raihala (June 14, 2007)

Gingerjake
Annex, 10 pm
These Minneapolitans separate themselves from the North Country metal crowd by giving singer Amanda Harris plenty of room to purr and shout. Their CD-release appearance tops a full night of guitar-centric hard rock that also features On a Sun, Malice in Wonderland and Gnomeattic. - The Isthmus, Madison, WI

AMANDA HARRIS

Amanda Harris is the 18-year-old powerhouse vocalist for rockers Gingerjake, who played the main stage of the 93X-sponsored RiverFest this summer and released an eponymous DVD. The band's debut CD is Paralysis E.P. (self-released).


SEAN SMUDA
Most memorable moment: We'd just got done playing a show at the Rock in Maplewood, and this girl comes up, bawling her eyes out. She's like, "You guys have no idea how much you mean to me. I just broke up with my boyfriend, and I listen to your record all the time. You're making me so much stronger." That's what it's all about.

Local heroes: B!--the letter "B" with an exclamation point. They're like King's X meets Lenny Kravitz meets heavy rock.

Helpful hints: We nearly sold out the Quest because we market the shit out of our shows. We have 150 people on our street team. We'll have a big street-team party at our studio and make them feel welcome and comfortable, and then we'll all go out and flyer.
- City Pages/Peter Schultes (April '05)

The last thing I thought would help me outta my winter doldrums this year was a hard rock album. I mean, I still dig old Sabbath, White Zombie, and Pantera cuts when the timing is right, but I’m by no means a “shredder” anymore. Shit, the last heavy metal album I bought was probably a copy of Sabbath’s Volume 4 to replace the one I wore out, so I’m by no means an expert—or even a credible fan of—today’s modern hard rock.

That being said, I can still suss a genuine, ass-kickin’ rocker of a record when I hear one, and local outfit Gingerjake have created just that with their debut EP, Paralysis. The first thing ya notice that separates these cats (and kitty) from their commercialized, cookie-cutter contemporaries (please don’t make me even say the names—no, no, noooo!!), is that they employ a musically-savvy, serious female vocalist. This isn’t ha-ha funny psuedo-punk-metal with some scuzzed out junkie hag screeching for shock value. And it’s not the over-emotive, gutteral poo you hear pimply fourteen-year-old boys blasting while they stick firecrackers up a dog’s ass, either.

It’s clear right up front that the band uses each member’s unique and eclectic musical tastes like a finely-tuned aural weapon, and that combo gels into a sound that’s so patently their own that I hesitate to compare ‘em to anybody. They are what they are, and guitarist Ian’s tenure as doorman at St. Paul’s home of musical eclecticism, The Turf Club, surely hasn’t hurt them either.

Gingerjake lays down biting, savage, honest metal with what can only be called an inviting edge, courtesy of vocalist Amanda, from-the-gut musicianship, and superior production techniques. But don’t take that to mean they cut any corners or soften their music in any way—these folks are writing, singing, and playing some of the tightest hard rock I’ve heard in a coon’s age, and from the reactions of their steadily-growing fan base, I’m not the only one who’s found a satisfactory solution to my winter doldrums this year. The band played X-Fest last year, and recently won the 93X Cage Match contest, beating out scads of their local compadres, many of who have been around a lot longer and, presumably, are more well known than they are.

Like I said, I’m no expert on all things hard rock these days, but man, once I throw this disc in the player, I’m transported to a different level—a level where I don’t need acid, or mindless adventures, or needless destruction to soothe the savage beast in my head. I can crank ‘er up on the headphones, kick back, and put my feet up. Gingerjake does all the work for me, and I’m glad. I’m too old to mosh anywhere but inside my skull, and thanks to this E.P., my brain hasn’t stopped bouncing, swishing, and bopping long enough to realize that sucky ole February is almost over!! Yay!! Thanks, gang!

As for the rest of you down-and-out, seasonally-afflicted music nuts, my best advice is to zip over to http://www.gingerjake.com and check out the band’s website. There, you’ll find info on the E.P., lots of pics, the band’s accomplishments and ambitions, and updates on their forthcoming gigs. They recently played Lexington, Kentucky, and have a whole shit-load of shows scheduled for the next few months. The E.P. release party is set for Sat., Mar. 6, at the Quest in Minneapolis. Check it out! Me, I’m goin’ back to my tattered copy of National Lampoon’s Truly Sick And Utterly Morally Bankrupt Jokes, Volume 2, and a nice cup of hot tea. I’ll see ya after spring break, ya knuckleheads!! That’s it for me this week, girlz an’ boyz. Until we meet again—make yer own damn news. - The Pulse/Tom Hallet (March '04)

BY ROBERT MORAST
rmorast@argusleader.com
Back in the 1930s prohibition era, ginger Jake could cause partial paralysis and even death.
Presently, Gingerjake just causes tinnitus.
A hard rock/metal quartet from Minneapolis, the female-led Gingerjake takes its name from the prohibition-era medicinal tonic that also served as an alcoholic relief to prohibition-thirsty drinkers.
Made from a Jamaican ginger extract, Jake was 70 percent alcohol and not harmful until the 1930s, when the toxic chemical tri-ortho-cresyl phosphate was added to dilute the mixture.
Unfortunately, the addition of the tasteless phosphate had damaging effects on Jake fans. Many experienced partial paralysis, which gave them a "Jake" walk, characterized by a high-stepping and flat-footed gait. Some Jake fans died from the tonic.
When Gingerjake performs at the Oaks Convention Center for a 6 p.m. New Year's Eve celebration, people likely won't be Jake walking. But they may be banging their heads to the band's heavy sounds.
Appearing with Gingerjake, will be Skywind, Light in the Addict (formerly Hessian) and Greenhouse. The show carries a $10 cover. Advance tickets can be purchased at Ernie November.
While Jake drinkers became recognizable for their walks, Gingerjake easily is recognized by its female singer Amanda Harris.
Still a novelty in the hard-rock and metal genres, female musicians grab a ton of attention for bands that dare to be heavy.
"It comes with the territory because there aren't a lot of female rock singers," Harris says. "But oh my gosh, obviously the music is the most important thing. I just happen to be a girl."
Only a year old, Gingerjake came together through a mutual entertainment lawyer. Harris had been trying to do her own project, and the guys in her band were in a group called Two Ton Crutch.
Both projects fell apart, an entertainment lawyer introduced them, and they've been jamming ever since.
Harris says Gingerjake's sound basically is "heavy, but it's with a female vocalist."
That reason alone is enough for plenty of guys to check out the band's sound and Harris' appeal.
"It makes you feel good and stuff," she says. "But it also makes you realize how big of pigs guys can be."
Livin' la Loud and Local
Not to give all the attention to Gingerjake and Harris, the show at the Oaks is more than just a New Year's Eve shindig. It's also the third anniversary of "Loud and Local" on KRRO.
The Sunday night radio show, which features local music acts, has been a benefit and great promotional tool to area musicians - or, at least those of the rock persuasion. Hopefully, the show continues for three more years.
And if you're wondering what happened to Bobaflex, it didn't fall into the Sarlac pit.
The hard-rock band was advertised on the Oaks New Year's Eve bill, but the band's manager said Bobaflex canceled the date, along with other area shows, due to winter weather.
Reach reporter Robert Morast at 331-2313.
If you go
What: New Year's Eve bash with Gingerjake, Skywind, Light in the Addict (formerly Hessian) and Greenhouse
When: 6 p.m. Wednesday
Where: The Oaks Convention Center
Cost: $10. Advance tickets available at Ernie November.
- Argus Leader (2004)

RiverFest '04, hosted by 93X, marks the opening of the summer concert season with a two-day feast of fist-pumping rock from such acts as Anthrax, Papa Roach, Sevendust and Twisted Sister, a band whose evil clown makeup and now-innocuous hit "We're Not Gonna Take It" had parents shaking in their topsiders in 1984.
For fans who want to wax nostalgic while glimpsing the future between the blurs of head-banging, Riverfest promises a showcase of the future of rock bacchanalia, games and gadgetry for freaks and geeks alike.

But before you pack your Gameboy and Metallica "Kill 'Em All" tee, remember these tips to ensure you'll be pumping your fist throughout the entire encore of "We're Not Gonna Take It."
1. Ian (who doesn't like it when people use his last name; it's Butler-Severson) plays guitar for the up-and-coming local hard-rock act Gingerjake, offers one main recommendation for music fans who have their sights set on Somerset: "Don't drink and drive. Or at least bring doughnuts to bribe the cops." Ian and his band played the second stage at Riverfest last year. This year, they step up to the main stage as second-day opening act.
2. Expect the unexpected, like things falling on your head. "Last year, Flipp dropped pounds of down from helicopters," Ian says. Also beware of plastic water bottles, chicken bones and flailing limbs.
3. If you get bored, don't head back to camp. That's lame. "There's always tons of cool merchandise to check out," Ian says.
4. Don't take your aggressions out on your neighbor. If someone falls into you, spilling your drink on your Metallica tee, walk away and take out your anger in the Alley, where loads of interactive games are calling your name.
5. You can scream "I Wanna Rock!" as loud as you want, but if you're beet red and stiff-armed from sunburn, no one's going to believe you're capable of it. Best to bring that sunscreen so, at the end of the night, you can wail like Dee Snider instead of heading home wailing in pain.
-- What: RiverFest '04
-- When: 3 p.m. today-Saturday
-- Where: Float-Rite Park, 710 Spring St., Somerset, Wis.
-- Tickets: $35 (camping and concert, $60)
-- Call: 651-989-5151.
- Pioneer Press/MOLLY PRIESMEYER

How come every single type of music gets mentioned in guitar magazines except death metal? What about Alex Webster of Cannibal Corpse? Deicide? Mordid Angel? Six Feet Under? Goatwhore? How 'bout some Gwar, Carcass, Massacre, Brutal Truth, or Venom? What about some metal chicks like L7, Kitte, Gingerjake, Drain STH? What about Sean Yseult of old White Zombie? She fucking ruled!

Where's Les Claypool? More Cliff Burton. No more Jaco! May be some old Motley Crue!

- Rev. WIlliam Hofhenke
South Dakota

- Guitar World's Bass Guitar (April, 07)

Gingerjake How to Kiss The Devil Goodbye –CD
The lead singer Amanda Harris has an early Gwen Stephani vocal style but with more grit. The music is hard punk alternative and has punch as well. Just about all the well produced tunes have a certain rawness to them but are catchy enough to make you want to dance. They verge a bit into the pop end of the spectrum on the tune “Concrete”, but they get back into the guts on the final tune “Alphabetacaine”.
- The chickenfishspeaks.com - Mite Mutant 2007