The Fake Take
Detroit, Michigan, United States | SELF
Music
Press
“We’ve seen them live, and it’s like someone went back in time to 1966 London, found and kidnapped Ginger Baker, Jack Bruce and EC, and brought them back to 2011. They rock! These guys are awesome! If you close your eyes while hearing them play, you’d think you’re listening to Cream. Good stuff…”
- John Vernier – Radio OPIE, September 30, 2011
The Players: Michael Carpenter Jr., guitar, lead
vocals; Evan Hakim, drums, backup vocals;
Lorne Lubin, bass.
Material: The Fake Take’s catchy tag is a bit of a
misnomer, because there is nothing “fake” about
them. This Detroit area trio bring it strong with
a classic rock style that is easily recognizable
and resounds long after the last note has been
played. They harness a very “real” and lively
energy that sparks a timeline which spans
from well known gems by Grand Funk Railroad
and Led Zeppelin to their own raw and caustic
sounding originals.
Musicianship: This band is solid beyond reproach.
Carpenter is an accomplished player
whose talent far exceeds his years. With the
bluesy rough and tumble of Rory Gallagher
paired with the focused abandon of Jeff Beck,
he is well versed on slide as well as flat picking.
Drummer Evan Hakim maintains a relentless and
stable pulse that is studious and always serves
the song. But he can also bust out an unorthodox
snare roll or cymbal crash that would make Keith
Moon take pause. The final dab of glue that keeps
it all together can be found in bassist Lubin. He
revels in his dark and murky edged lines that
provide equal parts rhythmic drive and melodic
intensity.
Performance: The trio had a charisma about
them from the moment they hit the stage. Their
preaction-
packed set consisted of primarily original
songs designed and orchestrated to bring out
the most of their considerable improvisational
strengths. “Even Rome Fell” was a highlight
that did just that. The moderately funky tune
provided a framework for Carpenter’s wild slide
guitar shredding. Although his vocal range was
somewhat limited, he certainly made up for it with
plenty of soul and attitude. “Devil Don’t Break
That Rope” was another TFT composition that
featured deft rhythmic breakdowns, tempo shifts
and a Hendrix meets Stooges flair.
Summary: These players have a true grasp of
rock & roll history and know how to mold and
shape it with a freshness for modern audiences.
While the band delve into cover songs, it seems to
simply show reverence for where they come from.
And their blend of alternative and punky motifs
amid bluesy and jazzy filigree appears to elevate
their performance above your average run-of-themill
jam band. TFT have it licked on all fronts and
bring hope for a new wave of bands that possess
a musical sophistication without pretense.
——
Eric A. Harabadian - Eric A. Harabadian - Music Connection Magazine
Discography
"What do you see?" EP released March 2009
Songs include:
Voodoo for Two
No No, Maybe So
Don't Fall Far
What do you see?
welcome, Shabby Abbey
***All tunes downloadable via iTunes
Radio Play from: 88.7 (89X Detroit), CJAM (Jam Windsor), and Radio Opie Interactive Radio (Ann Arbor)
Untitled/Unreleased EP (recorded Jan 2011)
Songs include:
Even Rome Fell
Devil Don't Break That Rope
Rosey Red
***All tunes downloadable via iTunes
Radio Play from: 88.7 (89X Detroit), CJAM (Jam Windsor), and Radio Opie Interactive Radio (Ann Arbor)
Photos
Bio
The Fake Take was formed in the fall of 2008 by first cousins Michael Carpenter, Jr. (guitar and vocals) and Evan Hakim (percussion). Hakim was playing in a metal band, and Carpenter, Jr. was playing in an acoustic jazz/ blues band, when they decided to make their “jam sessions” with each other a bit more serious. The cousins began to write songs as a two piece (guitar/drums), and released the “What Do You See?” E.P. in early 2009 at the Tempermill Studios with sonic engineer and guru Dave Feeny.
The Fake Take (as a two piece) had initial success based on their energetic, raw, and powerful live shows. The cousins were able to fuse the improvisation and soul of the blues with the tenacity and drive of hard rock; but something was still missing. At the Hard Rock Café Detroit’s Battle of the Bands that all changed. The band met and played for Ty Stone (a protégé of Kid Rock, Atlantic Records). He was one of the guest judges of the competition, and it was through his critique that the band evolved even further. He said that he was flat out floored by their musicianship, but reminded them “even Led Zeppelin had John Paul Jones.” For Carpenter, Jr. and Hakim that statement resonated.
By fate or by just plain good luck Ty introduced them to an old friend from his days in Los Angeles, bassist Lorne Lubin. That day in the summer of 2010, The Fake Take emerged as a trio. Lubin’s sense of timing and rhythm gave Hakim a partner to lock in the pocket with. And in turn the new air tight rhythm section gave Carpenter, Jr. a newfound freedom to add melodic color to songs, improvise riffs over their groove, or to just sing in the newly created spaces. In a limited amount of time their sound has matured a great deal, garnering comparisons to bands such as the Stooges, Cream, and the Jimi Hendrix Experience. The Fake Take successfully blend hard rock, blues, and funk with a raw, gritty garage sound that is timeless and uniquely Detroit.
The Fake Take pride themselves on their drive and work ethic. This Detroit band knows the meaning of hard work; in the year and a half since becoming a trio The Fake Take has played more than 100 shows. They have shared the stage with Detroit blues rock legends The Muggs, The Pat Travers Band, Chevelle, Filter, and Question Mark & the Mysterions, just to name a few.
The band plans to reunite with Tempermill studio engineer Dave Feeny to record their first full length L.P. in the early months of 2012. For more information about the happenings with The Fake Take check the “News” section of our website.
Links
