Midwest Hype

1-Midwest Hype is following up their sold-out record release show at Schuba's Tavern by supporting wildly popular Sublime tribute band Badfish at House of Blues Chicago on Saturday, Feb. 4. Scotty Don't and Full Service round out the bill. For tickets and more info click here.

Midwest Hype will be Radio One Chicago's in-studio guests on Thursday, Feb. 2 at 7PM CST. - Radio One Chicago

Nothing like a good blast of funk for the first show of a new year. Schuba’s was hoppin’ on a Thursday night with one of the biggest crowds I’ve seen for a showcase of regional bands in like… maybe ever. It was a welcome & impressive sight after seeing so many shows from awesome Midwestern bands with hardly any people in attendance. Honestly, I was really surprised by how many people turned out. But maybe I shouldn’t have been. Midwest Hype has been building steam in Indiana, while Funktion has been blossoming in Michigan, and Otis has been sharpening up right here in Chicago. A large chunk of the region was represented in this show and represented well– this was an exceptionally fun (and unseasonably warm) Thursday night.






There weren’t many people in the room when Funktion started their set but by the end it was slammed. And for good reason: this might be the best show I’ve ever seen from Funktion. Which was even more impressive considering they played almost all new material. Sure, there were a couple of older songs in there, but a major chunk of the set was stuff hot off the presses. What was particularly interesting was how different each of the songs were, yet how cohesive the show was as a whole. There was a pure funk groove with a beastly bassline from Neal Conway, a smooth hip-hop song that busted into some snarling jam guitar, a tropical, reggae chill session, and a sexy R&B number oozing charisma from leadman Andrew Schrock. They covered a stunning range of genres with a new found confidence that I’d never seen before. I had missed their previous couple of shows in Chicago–so it had been over four months since I’d seen them–but that still doesn’t seem to explain the level of maturation I saw from this band. Funktion is a vastly underrated band that will spring open a lot of eyes in 2012.




When Funktion was finished I realized that I hadn’t really turned around at all, because when I did I was shocked to see so many people behind me. Funktion seemed like they would be a really tough act to follow, but the young Chicago-based Otis handled the situation with surprising aplomb. I wasn’t in the room for their entire set, yet I heard enough to realize that this is yet another band really flying under the radar. Their lead singer, Jessica Ott, added a comforting layer of soul into this free-wheeling funk group that almost had too many people to fit on Schuba’s tiny stage (not a slight on Schuba’s… the diminutive stage and generally small room make for one of the most inviting & intimate concert spaces in the city). They even busted out a song I’d only ever heard Lettuce play before: “Breakout.” I’m not sure if it’s actually a Lettuce original (so many funk songs are recycled & remodeled it’s hard to keep track of it all) but for this band I’ve never seen before to kill a song from one of my favorite bands was a mightily impressive thing. I’ll be keeping my ears peeled for more Otis experiences for sure.






So it was up to Midwest Hype to follow two expectation-smashing sets, as well as oblige the rowdy crowd’s chants during their soundcheck. The chanting came as a surprise as I didn’t realize they had such a passionate fanbase. Then again, their incredibly unique blend jam, reggae, and hip-hop seems almost tailor made for a party with a hungry audience. But even though the crowd definitely seemed into the set, it just didn’t impress me the way to first two bands did. Don’t get me wrong, there were some moments where they flexed their muscles and brought a forceful attack (like the video above). But all too often I found myself feeling like they were just coasting on some vocal section when they could have been shredding. It seemed like much of the material from their new album Dayglow was really trying to do something, as opposed to just letting it flow. Many of these songs had this stilted pop music energy that contrasted sharply from their naturally boisterous older material. I kept feeling flashes of awesomeness but inevitably found my mind wandering. Midwest Hype definitely brought some elements that I enjoyed (I would love even more rapping from Ideal) but the entirety of their set left me feeling unsatisfied, like I’d seen better from them. Having Funktion blow my mind out of the gate might have set the bar just a little too high on this night, because I’d be lying if I didn’t say they stole the show.



- Soundfusemag.com

The band opened with their funky, body-moving song “Hard as Smoke, Cheap as Wood”. Midwest Hype is composed of seven members, although they performed this set with just four; George Prellwitz (lead guitar, vocals), Nate Miller (electric bass, trumpet, back-up vocals), Max Kepler (drums, percussion) and Justin Diehl (flows, hype). Even with a less than full band Midwest Hype sounded incredible. Before they could even finish their first song the crowd was already grooving and a few were off their chairs dancing.


Midwest Hype continued their set and I began to see the dynamics of such a band. George was sporting a Chicago Bulls jersey as his dreads bounced and swayed with every shake of his head, all the while Nate leaned and rocked his bass in ways that became mesmerizing. To contrast, Justin played support and picked up when needed. He brought a hip-hop feel to the group hitting rhymes throughout the set. Finally Max kept everyone in line while he laid down a solid and at times, technical, drum track. What I began to notice was how this seemingly mismatched band, understood each other. This organized chaos created a sound so unique that it became infectious. Midwest Hype ended their set with “Do or Die” that left the crowd full of life and ecstatic of what was to follow.
- Sean Petykowski, Chicago Jam Scene

The weather had finally broken in Chicago at the third and final day of North Coast Fest. It was beautiful outside, with gem blue skies and enough sun to make the chilly rain of the previous day seem like years ago. It was my goal to make it to Union Park in time to catch Midwest Hype's set on the Magic Hat Stage, and I accomplished that goal... partially. These Indiana boys have been hitting Chicago hard over the past couple of years and I've been lucky enough to see them a few times. They're always a great time, with a smooth R'nB groove to their funk. Combine that with some rapping, as well as the occasional guitar bustout, and it adds up to a very versatile funk band. I only caught the tail end of their set as I settled into my Sunday Funday, but the few songs I heard put a hop in my step. Funk is always a good way to start the day! - Frazier, Chicago Jam Scene

Schuba's Tavern is a venue that everyone in Chicago should check out at least once in while living here. The front bar always has some kind of deal for a cocktail or craft brew, and the back music room has a much smaller capacity than I’m used to. However, it just makes for a more intimate and fun experience. The small stage and cozy environment gave Midwest Hype the chance to interact with crowd on a different more personal level. It gave the feeling of being a part of the show, something you can’t always receive at larger venues. Their horn section--which is always my ultimate weakness--was the perfect touch to an already kick-ass band. George Matthew had lots of energy while playing guitar, feeding off of the smiles and arms flying in the air in front of the stage.

Midwest Hype is a band that does not stick to one genre. If someone were to ask, ‘What are they like?’ or ‘What do they sound like?’ I would have to just tell them to go see them live. Midwest Hype blends reggae, funk, hip-hop, rock and pop. It was pretty ironic to see lead singer, George Matthew, wearing a shirt that said ‘Hip Hop Is Dead’ considering this band sure does like to infuse hip-hop into their sound. From down tempo reggae to high-energy rock and roll, Midwest Hype had a song for everyone on this pleasantly intimate night in a room full of maybe 50 people. Some were getting their groove on in front of the stage while others rested comfortably in their seats at the select few tables scattered around the floor. A solid set of various genres set the tone for the headliners, Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad, a true roots reggae band. - Frazier, Chicago Jam Scene

Midwest Hype has a sound all its own, pulling inspiration from an eclectic pool of musical styles. Although often categorized as a jam band, Midwest Hype plays songs veering from spacey instrumentals and mind-altering sounds. The band focuses on fun lyrics, groovy tunes and the art of staying fresh.

The men of Midwest Hype have spent the last two years successfully spreading their funk across the Indiana music scene. The summer of 2010 has proven to be their most prosperous yet, including high profile gigs at the Indy 500 and Summer Camp Music Festival in Chillicothe, Ill. Notable performances still on the schedule before festival season closes include Head Jamz in Adams, Tenn.; Wuhnurth in Spencer, Ind.; and Knollfest in Indianapolis.

Certainly, it is Midwest Hype’s stage presence that makes their live show so much fun. The on-stage banter and crowd engagement makes onlookers feel like they’re hanging with old pals in someone’s basement, getting stoned and cracking jokes at each others' expense. Frequent collaboration with distinguished local hip hop celebrities (most recently Rusty Redenbacher of Mudkids and Ric Jilla, The Pride of Indiana) adds variety and vocal texture. Furthermore, The Hype’s paramount sense of style (teeming with neon colors, silly graphics and brazen accessories) sets them apart from their bohemian jam band brothers and sisters in the Midwest music network.

Midwest Hype’s 2009 debut album, fresh Colorful Love, presents a generous collection of 14 songs alternating from laid-back dub to quirky pop. It’s funky rock with a little hip hop, finished with a pinch of jazz.

Midwest Hype is currently preparing for studio time this winter to begin work on their sophomore album. They’ve already met with three prominent producers who specialize in various genres and they will meet with one more while in Tennessee for Head Jamz. The close of festival season will signify new music and studio time for the seven-piece band from LaPorte. - Danielle Look, nuvo.net/musicblog

The race for second place, however, is where this story gets interesting. Midwest Hype, which had to deal with playing next to last, put in a good set of high-energy ska-flavored rock and ultimately walked away with second place and bragging rights, along with Emerson Rose, of moving on to the next round. But where things get fuzzy is when you check the score sheet at battleofbirdys.com. It clearly shows third place band Hustler as bringing in the most second place votes and an astonishing 56 first place votes versus the 18 garnered by Midwest Hype. In this case, the secret judges gave most of their points to Midwest Hype, swinging them from fourth place in audience votes to second overall. - Nuvo.net

Imagine the most beautiful, warm day you can remember. Now, turn that day into a full blown week filled with crowds, swimming, music, parties, fireworks, and, of course, the BEACH! That's the backdrop of Midwest Hype's first music video titled, "Party's Just Begun."

With the go ahead from Midwest Hype's sponsor, the band crashed landed at a beach house only yards away from the sandy beaches and inviting waters of Lake Michigan. Set in a prime location within view of the outreaching Michigan City pier and with Chicago just beyond the lake's horizon, the stage was set for the Fourth of July week of 2006. With a forecast of heat, droves of beach loving folks made their way to lay out and enjoy the sun soaked shores of Lake Michigan.

For those beach bums lucky enough to saunter past the Midwest Hype beach house, one could have strolled in and just hung out with the band. The vibes that the members of Midwest Hype exuded were just as laid back and easy going as their music. There's no doubt that each member has his own unique style and demeanor. With the band's breadth of diversity, they've all fused their talents to bring out their own blend of funk, jazz, hip-hop, rock, and reggae. Sometimes while sitting back and relaxing, the band would strum a few chords and then bust out into song. You could just see and hear their passion as they shared a common love for music.

With the vigor of independence brought upon by the Fourth of July and the immaculate beach weather, the music of Midwest Hype completed the aura of a perfect summer. If one was able to enjoy the live shows performed by Midwest Hype during the week, one could just listen to their music again and return to the lively atmosphere that the week encompassed.

As for the "Party's Just Begun" music video, the video was aimed in an attempt to capture the "fun" mood of the weeklong summer festivities. The video was originally scripted to contrast between the helpless boredom of being trapped at a summer job and the freedom of the beach that allowed one to dress down and relax. However, due to time constraints and scheduling, the script was "thrown out" and the video shoot took on the dual role of creating a music video while documenting the band's week long experience.

Along with playing music, skim boarding, sunbathing, swimming, volleyball, boating, barbecues, jet skiing, fireworks, and being with friends were the top priorities of the band and everyone else. Those leisure activities were glazed upon by the "Party's Just Begun" music video, but in the style and music of Midwest Hype. Hopefully, Midwest Hype's music video is able to bring back anyone's fond summer memories of the beach and the fun of a Fourth of July weekend.

p.s. If you get a chance to see this band perform, definitely meet these guys. They're some of the most approachable people.

- r2videopro.com

They might be the band and you might be the audience, but if you’re partying together it’s all the same to Midwest Hype.

After recording an album, shooting a music video, and being sponsored by the beverage company Four, the LaPorte, Indiana, group Midwest Hype have been living up to their name. And although those past accomplishments are “old news,” says drummer Max Kepler, they have helped them prepare for the “next step.” Especially with a new record in the works.

“We’re at that stage where we are asking, ‘What do we want from this album?’” says Ben Morrissey, saxophone player for Midwest Hype. “We want to entertain with our recorded music but we’re artists and performers. We’re musicians playing for people but we’re all part of the same party.”

Their infectious blend of funk, reggae and hip-hop—with punchy horns and tropically reminiscent guitar—has these college-aged musicians ready to make it big. Even if it takes one party, or show, at a time.

“We’ve been trying to build up our fan base,” Kepler says. “We have it up from about sixty people at a show to three hundred in Muncie where most of us go to school. Now, we’re trying to focus on Chicago after playing a showcase there this summer.”

The group plans to record a new album and possibly a performance DVD in the near future. The band has grown, but they still want the Hype to be like the very music they play: fun.

http://www.visitshoremagazine.com/ - Shore Magazine Nov/Dec 2007

CD

MIDWEST HYPE

Colorful Love

(Sapphire Productions)

Eclectic is a risky adjective – especially when applied to music. This all-guy band of twentysomethings from La Porte, Ind., takes a risk by creating a bold (and dare we say, eclectic?) blend of Jazz, Hip-Hop, Funk, and Reggae. Fortunately for the listener, the guys hit the mark. The group’s latest album is a funky fusion of upbeat tempos and laid back sounds in the vein of Jack Johnson. The seven-piece ensemble features a bevy of instruments – guitar, drums, bass, saxophone, keyboard and trumpet – that blend together to produce a fun, mature sound. The disc makes for great party tunes or easy listening on a summer road trip; you may find yourself bopping your head to “Gone” or singing along to “Sunset Living.” The guys sport an unpretentious vibe; they play gigs at hip downtown venues as easily as they would a college lawn party. See what the hype is about with a live show on Friday, June 20, at Chicago’s Museum of Contemporary Art.

Bottom line: Fun, fresh and friendly on the ears, Colorful Love is worth the risk.

–Derek Smith - Lake Magazine

Midwest Hype may be this area’s next Umphrey’s McGee. The band’s that good and, maybe, that driven.
Based in LaPorte and Muncie, where most of its members attend Ball State University, Midwest Hype blends funk, jazz and hip-hop into an exhilarating, dynamic mix of styles to create a refreshing, complex sound.
“That’s just what we like to listen to, so that’s what we like to play,” drummer Max Kepler says by telephone Tuesday on his lunch break from his summer internship with a booking agency. “A lot of our songs don’t have just one sound to them.”
“Gone,” for example, begins with a reggae tempo, modulates into funk and winds up in ska territory. “Something Beautiful” features jazz-influenced solos from the band’s horn section, while “Sunset Livin’ ” is a straight-up rap song on its verses and — aided by guest harmony female vocals — a pop song on its choruses.
“A lot of the songs are like that,” Kepler says. “They don’t have just one vibe, and that’s our vibe, too: We don’t want to hear just one thing all the time.”
Elements of Earth, Wind and Fire, Parliament Funkadelic and Sublime surface in their music, and their covers include EWF’s “September,” Bob Marley’s “I Shot the Sheriff” and a jazz version of Notorious B.I.G.’s “Big Poppa.”
In keeping with the band’s good-time emphasis on funk and reggae, singer Wayne Gillon says, the band’s lyrics are “usually about partying or girls, mostly women, the beach, just having a good time. … If you could put it into one word, it would be fun.”
Like the generation that discovered the blues through Eric Clapton, The Allman Brothers and Led Zeppelin, the members of Midwest Hype backtracked their way to the ’70s funk sound that’s at the core of their music.
“A lot of it came from our liking the beginnings of gangsta rap,” Kepler says and refers to Snoop Dog and Dr. Dre as prime influences on the band. “Eighty percent of their albums are sampled from old funk. Listening to a lot of music is how we got into it and finding out where that stuff came from. A lot of the things we listen to are a bit older than any of us.”
The band’s seven members range in age from 20 to 24, and five of them grew up in LaPorte, where Kepler and Gillon formed the first version of Midwest Hype as high school students.
“We were the guys who were in band class that were partying after school,” Gillon says. “We naturally gravitated to each other, having fun, being musicians.”
After Kepler transferred to Ball State midway through his junior year at Purdue University and another member moved to Muncie “to keep the band together,” Midwest Hype became active again on a full-time basis. By 2006, its horn section had solidified, with saxophonist Ben Morrissey and trumpeter/keyboardist Kevin Krizmanich joining trumpeter Nate Miller and Kepler, Gillon, guitarist George-Matthew Prellwitz and bass player Chris Bendix.
"The people were there who were able to play and were interested in playing," Kepler says about adding the horn players to the band. "We were meeting a lot of musicians who played horns in the Ball State music department."
As for the band's name, Kepler says, the band sees a parallel between their surroundings and their music.
"We really kind of thought the Midwest was our vibe and that it's a unique place," he says. "The Midwest combines the urban and the beach scene and the rural, and that's how we write our music, with a little bit of different things. … The Hype is just that we're an excitable group, that there's an energy to it."
As for drive, the band has set some lofty short-term goals - selling 15,000 copies of its new album, "Colorful Love," an end-of-summer tour - for itself.
"Chicago's next, and then we want to play in Detroit, St. Louis, some of those cities," Kepler says. "The end game right now would be to get paid to do what we do and have some success at it."
To that end, the drummer says, Midwest Hype looks to the career path of Umphrey's McGee as a model to follow.
Umphrey's McGee started at the University of Notre Dame and through constant touring and recording, now has an international following and mainstay status at such places as the Bonnaroo Festival.
"We've played a lot of bars and so forth, but it's tough with bars because people may not be there to hear the music," Kepler says. "We want to get a good booking agent who can get us the right gigs. … We'd like to expand out of the local scene and get more regional."
Even without a booking agent, Midwest Hype has made some strides in that direction.
The band bought a van and spent spring break playing in New Orleans and Florida, where they played to 3,500 people in Daytona Beach. The band already has performed at Chicago's Elbo Room and Martyrs, and this summer, it will perform at Chicago Magazine's "Summer Lovin' " event at the Museum of Contemporary Art and headline Harbor Country's Ship and Shore Festival.
"As of right now, it's what we do, especially in the summertime," Gillon says. "Everybody's pr - South Bend Tribune

The best show you saw in 2009 as an audience member? Why?

Midwest Hype at the Mouse Trap maybe 2 or 3 months ago. I don't get to see many live shows, being a performer myself, that's one. Second, because they packed the house and rocked. Three I've been throwing around the idea of remaking the song “Regulators” by Warren G. Midwest Hype did it! It confirmed it… bunch of hippies singing gangsta rap. I loved it. Way to go guys! - Indymojo.com

Midwest Hype, seasoned veterans in the music festival arena, are a delightful hodgepodge of bright colors, rasta rock, flashy accessories, and good vibes.

The Midwest Hype sound is distinctively reggae-inspired with frequent use of the trumpet, heavy bass lines, and guitarist/vocalist George-Matthew Prellwitz's rapped lyrics (rapped- as in funky white boy raps). Sometimes they leverage the woodwind section (held down by Ben Morrissey) and float into jazz territory, but then call on the guitar work of Matt “Wayne” Gillon to pull back into psychedelia and let his gripping vocals mesmerize the mind.

Inventing the perfect blend of Salvation Army vintage, 80's pop culture throwback, and modern hippie flare, Midwest Hype dress to impress. Prellwitz adds inches, if not feet, to his height with a dreadlock ponytail gathered atop his head, finished with a wide, pink bandana tied around his temples. Drummer Max Kepler sported the wolf t-shirt that made an appearance in last week's Midwest Hype video promotion. Kepler added a faux fur vest to graduate the outfit from casual to dapper. Bassist Nate Miller displayed the most adventurous style with a pink t-shirt depicting teddy bears playing across the chest. Later in the evening, while engrossed in extended jam solos, his belly would begin to peak out the bottom. The balance of the band members take a more conservative approach, but this may be a necessary decision to counteract the scrumptious eye candy already in play.


Recognizing the power of a good cover song, Midwest Hype frequently include their famous rendition of “Big Poppa” by Notorious B.I.G. when performing live. Friday night's show also included a cover of Bob Marley's “I Shot the Sherriff” and the Warren G classic “Regulators” As an extra treat, a trained ear could even detect snippets of old favorites buried in the original music like a trinket swimming in a box of Cracker Jacks (see: The Bee Gees' cameo in Colorful Love opener “Gone”).

A special Mudkids-Midwest Hype collaboration topped the list of noteworthy happenings during the Friday evening of music. Check out the Midwest Hype YouTube Channel to see their performance of “Upward” featuring Mr. Rusty Redenbacher on the microphone.

From the first guitar chord to the very last “band meeting”, Midwest Hype take care of their audience. The Mousetrap dance floor was thick for the duration of two full sets and crowd activity was high. Through happy music that never drags and personalities that keep a smile on every face, the band makes sure that fun is had by all. There is no question that Midwest Hype want to give the party, but only if you promise to share it in return. - Indymojo.com

When I first received Mid West Hype’s Fresh Colorful Love album in the mail, it was accompanied by a thoughtful pack of NowAndLaters (artists take notes); along with a brief note attached that read “Everyone loves treats.”



Well that’s true and it’s not a bad way to influence a successful review, however, I wasn’t but past the third song before I forgot all about the candy and found myself reading through the album, front and back, as I listened to each originally written, well produced song.



This album incorporates all the key ingredients in achieving a successful sound that grabs you by the ears and enables you to appreciate each song from start to finish. It’s common with this album to be swallowed into an energetic rollercoaster of pure music, as an influential result of Jazz, Swing, Hip Hop, Funk and Blues with the occasional rudeboy mosh pit kicking music reminiscent of the Ska craze from the 90s.



With no stone unturned, this album successfully incorporates keys, trumpet, flute, saxophone and percussion to highlight the originality the group has sustained with developing a sound they refer to as “The Midwest Hype.”



I can’t help but to visualize live crowd participation with songs like Sunrise, and Hard as Smoke, and Cheap as Wood. The horns accent the high notes of the vocals perfectly and keep pace for the constant change-ups and drop beats that take place in each song. Songs like “No Pain” demonstrate a bubbling flow of lyrics which is quickly replaced by soothing riffs from the saxophone and piano.



What I appreciate most about this album is that it doesn’t consist of any excessive production. It’s my interpretation that the album was recorded to play live, as it includes a lot of experienced musicianship that is not emphasized by any excessive production and if this album is any indication of the energy this band is capable of producing LIVE, then it’s my hope that the next review I do of this group, is of them performing live.



If I had to sum this album up in one word and if I were approached to suggest a title for this particular album, I’d go with Energy. Pretty fitting to the name of this seven-piece group from LaPorte, Indiana! Thanks for the NowAndLaters fellas, but in hindsight, the album was the true treat!



Pick up “Fresh Colorful Love” in our Pier Store, available in both Physical & Digital format.


By Mike Patti - www.thepier.org

Midwest Hype will perform tonight, a late booking, a band that sounds like a mix between Bob Marley and the Grateful Dead, nice light melodies with a good reggae back beat. As a fan of bands that have horn sections, I’ll have to say this is by far one of the finer sections I have heard in a band in a long time. I do hope I have the right "Midwest Hype" band, as what I am finding on the tubes of the interweb... they are a pretty big big deal A ton of professionally produced YouTube vids and very cute boys in the band, so my wife says.

Written by Roman Warmke - www.athensnews.com

(Document Summary)
"The more we get to play the more excited I am; that's all I really want to do is just play, you know," lead vocalist Matt "Wayne" Gillon says from his phone on the road to Muncie, Ind., for a battle of the bands. "I don't get exhausted at all. I just like doing it. I've dreamt of doing this since I was a kid, and there's nothing better than to be living it."

"I grew up listening to the Mudkids, especially their album, 'Higher.' That was all I used to play when I was 16. I remember seeing them live when I was younger," [Max Kepler] says. "We made a connection with them recently and brought them onstage with us in Muncie. We're talking to their management and are going to continue to play with them more and more."

"For me, it's about playing whatever you know, relate to and can feel. It's not about playing a certain genre, it's about trying to play the music you enjoy, what you want to re-create and how you want to sound," guitarist and frontman George Prellwitz says. "It doesn't matter where that sound comes from. If you connect with it, understand it and know how to re-create it in your own way, it will be dank."

Written By: Shaun Christiansen - South Bend Tribune