Little Marsh Overflow

In researching the Wisconsin-based Little Marsh Overflow - which makes its area debut at the Bent River Brewing Company on January 6 - I learned a lot. Their sound appears to be an unclassifiable blend of funk, rock, blues, jazz, soul, pop, reggae, and hip hop. (What, no polka?) They've been nominated for Madison Area Music Awards for Best Jam Band and, for The Causeway Effect, Best Jam Album. They have cool monikers - "Chicago Bob" Gregory, Wade "The Crusher" Coisman, "Cobra" Kai Anderson, and "Grillin'" Mark Webber. But despite my research, the band's name still puzzles me. Are we talking about the overflow of a little marsh, or just a little bit of marsh overflow, or is "little marsh overflow" a good thing, as in "There's little marsh overflow for this time of year?" Music critics, though, don't seem to care; writing on (http://www.kyndmusic.com), Stephanie Music called LMO's sound "captivating ear ecstasy," and in the Wisconsin periodical Rick's Café, Patrick Stutz wrote that their single "Wilma" is "pure bliss ... the kind of tune best served with the lights out, sprawled out in a La-Z-Boy." Add a gin and tonic, and that's not just ear ecstasy; that's total ecstasy. For more information, visit (http://www.littlemarshoverflow.com). - River City Reader

After interviewing GS, I had the pleasure of watching Little Marsh Overflow (LMO) perform. They are a band after my heart. The dark rhythms of the guitars connect this 25 year old woman with a time during the teenage years when I sat in my bedroom listening to The Doors. This was evident after hearing them play the first song of their set, a new tune still unnamed by the band. My first impression was ‘Www... did you hear that? What was that?’

Members Wade Coisman, bass; “Chicago Bob” Josh Gregory, keys; Kai Andersen, drums; and Mark Weber, guitar could be the product of the love children left behind from Jimi Hendrix, Ray Manzarek, and John Bonham.

To really experience this band, check out their energetic, high output performance as soon as possible. Primarily they can be seen throughout Wisconsin and are expanding into other Midwest venues, such as Minnesota, Illinois and Iowa. They hope to be playing soon in Indiana and Ohio. I expect to see great things from this band, so with a little help from those reading this review, maybe we together can expedite this process. Pick up a copy of their CD, The Causeway Effect, as soon as that paycheck comes in. Make sure you listen to songs “The Weather Breakdown”, “Wilma”, and “Coffee in the Shoes.”

LMO has also been nominated by the Madison Area Music Awards for Jam Artist and Jam Album of the year. For a band that has been together as a foursome for just over a year, that’s quite an accomplishment. It appears celestial forces are working in favor for LMO. Interesting fact: The members met by chance at an open mic night. With so little time under their belt, they have succeeded in the production of a studio album (with help of member Mark, who works at DNA studios) and plenty of gigs. Now they are getting a well deserved dose of PR.

This rock and roll band who tries to escape the label of being strictly a ‘jam band’, will tell you that they have been influenced by many great artists. I asked members, Wade and Mark, to tell me what CD I’d find in their car. Wade responds, “Pat McDonald and The Beatles. The Beatles really are an overall influence for the band. Mark smiles and answers, “AC/DC.” You can definitely feel the rock presence interwoven into their jams, and it’s understandably obvious why after this conversation.

When asked to classify their music, Wade laughs and tells me, “When you figure out how to do that, let me know.” I’d say they are a progressive rock funk jam art form. I certainly can’t fit them into one genre. I only have one more thing to say: thanks for the captivating ear ecstasy.

- KyndMusic.com

Madison loves it's Little Marsh Overflow. The rootsy grooves and power of this phenomenal jam band brings their music to the stage at Cranky Pats in Neenah. This band has become very tight over the past few years, crafting contagious grooves that keep the jam contingent spinning away. The psychedelic style and homey charm make this a must-see local act. - Ricks Cafe / July 06 / Vol 4 - #7