Music
Press
"...there's some parts that feel very 70s rock inspired, but then some 80s rock will slip in there. very nice blend of the two. tim's vocals are insanely fantastic..."
- Nica Conde, WVU
"The best way to describe Springload is progressive pop. It's like Dream Theatre without the arrogance, with a sense of humor, and a better singer...Tim is a hell of a front man." - Kyle Sommer, Act of War
After three years of hard practice and musical growth, Springload has finally arrived.
The young rock band was formed in 2006 by Purdue University students but it didn't jump out of the gates only to fizzle out as many college bands do. Springload has honed its sound -- sometimes heavy, sometimes beautiful but always rocking -- through trial and error and by not pigeonholing itself.
"We're playing what we feel like playing," said Tim Billick, Springload bassist and vocalist. "This summer we spent time apart and came up with new ideas."
The proof is on Springload's debut CD, "Safely Anonymous," which contains 10 tracks of tunes that vary yet have cohesion. The disc was recorded at Sound Logic Studios.
Springload has played shows since its inception, but the past several months have seen the band crack into the downtown Lafayette scene, playing both bars and all-ages affairs including an 8 p.m. Friday gig at Skylight Coffeehouse, 116 N. Third St.
Springload consists of Billick, lead guitarist Paul Witkamp, rhythm guitarist Nate Miller and drummer Charles Roldan, who replaced original drummer Dave Lombardo in 2008 after Lombardo briefly moved to New York. The band formed through the Purdue University chapter of the "I want to start a band" Facebook site. Lombardo was a Purdue student and Billick still is, majoring in business.
Titled after an obscure "Star Wars" quote made by Obi Wan Kenobi, "Safely Anonymous" brings Billick's vocals to prominence. The singer admitted to working on his voice before the recording, employing vocal exercises into his weekly routine. Billick's vocal evolution has followed his band's musical evolution.
Billick, 21, and Miller, 27, have brought off-stage experience into their band's approach. Both helped run The Venue in 2007 and 2008. The all-ages live music club was short lived but did have some highlights, including a rare Squirtgun concert. That show was preserved for the ages via a recently released live CD. The band also took tips from Sound Logic head engineer Scott Rottler and studio owner Jeff Anderson.
"They were brutally honest with us. Scott Rottler would say 'You know that's awful' and then we would work on or rewrite parts in the studio," Billick said.
Miller added, "It was very humbling at times."
However, the band has taken that studio experience to the live stage. Miller cited the 2008 LayFlats Arts Festival as a turning point for the band. That gig gave the band more exposure and won over more fans and promoters. A recent acoustic version of Springload has popped up, too. First conceived out of necessity when Roldan couldn't make a show, the songs translated surprisingly well to the band and Miller said Springload acoustic could return in venues that are usually off limits to loud rock groups.
While "Safely Anonymous" was just released, Miller and Billick are revealing new songs to further Springload's growth. One "weird" song describes a little person hijacking a train and then there's "Retinas Burn."
"It's a happy sounding song but it's about the end of the world," Billick revealed. - Journal and Courier
Lafayette, look out. There's a new sheriff in town and he's wearing BC glasses. This band is Unassuming and extremely talented. They have a great look, good presence and are a cheeky bunch. These guys are fun and they "get it" I hate to over use that term, but these guys played the bar stage and had 4 people tucked into a tiny space and guess what, They had Volume Control from the start. I was just impressed with their level of musical prowess and they are just getting started. Keep an eye out for this band. Good fun" - Lafayette Music League
"Springload is probably my favorite band on the ever changing scene here in Lafayette. I just think that you guys are musically ahead of about everyone else here. Tim has become the premier bass playing front man in Lafayette and Chuck is just sick on drums. Nate and Paul fill out the overall sound and give the band it's own identity. Anyway, that isn't a strokefest boys, that's just the facts, imo."
- Bob Sellers, Lafayette Music League
"Springload is my current favorite new band in the area. Hands down the night was theirs. You guys just keep doing what you are doing - it kills! I think your bass player (who has monster chops) is an
excellent front man and your group as a whole could go a long way if you chose to."
- Chris Voglund
Discography
Safely Anonymous (2008)
Photos
Bio
Springload is an aggressive yet charming rock band which formed in a residence hall basement at Purdue University in West Lafayette, IN during the fall of 2006. Gaining stage chops and fans along the way, Springload is applying lessons learned from the dozens of bands they used to host in their own live music venue. Even though their business venture was not terribly lucrative, they walked away with a perspective that has aided them in forming their sound. Their spongelike absorption of genres has amassed praises from many, including those from The Lafayette Music League’s Grandon Weslund, “Springload can take you to many far-away places while you remain in the comfort of your living room. They are the best thing this area has to offer.”
Even though their performances can make the smallest coffee shop feel like a packed arena, their subdued tracks on their debut album “Safely Anonymous” can give you the impression they’re waiting at your door with a bouquet of roses. According to Tim Brouk of the Lafayette Journal and Courier, Springload “simply understands the art of the performance. They are fun as they are eclectic.” Their song “Eat Crow” has held a consistent audience on Purdue Unviersity radio since the release of Safely Anonymous and they have been featured on the channel 13 news during a rare acoustic performance.
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