MONROE - The Monroe Arts Center presents one of America's premier roots-rock bands, the BoDeans, in an all-acoustic show at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, March 6, at the Monroe High School Performing Arts Center. The BoDeans have forged a distinct sound that has kept them at the top of the music charts for more than 25 years.
Nearly three decades ago, the BoDeans were formed when Kurt Neumann and Sammy Llanas initiated a unique singing and songwriter partnership in Waukesha. This duo forged a signature sound based on heartfelt lyrics, passionate harmonies and ringing guitars. A big part of the BoDeans' sound is the harmony created by Llanas' and Neumann's vocals.
"Although our voices are very different," Llanas said, "they really complement each other ... when we put the two together, we get a nice, rich spectrum of tones."
The BoDeans' distinct sound first emerged on their critically acclaimed debut, "Love & Hope & Sex & Dreams," which also saw production by T-Bone Burnett. Released on Slash/Warner Brothers in 1986, the album reached No. 115 on the Billboard charts and quickly propelled the group into the national spotlight. This initial success for the BoDeans soon would be surpassed by their 1987 release, "Outside Looking In," which broke into the Billboard Top 100. A tour with U2, an appearance on Robbie Robertson's self-titled debut solo album, and being named "Best New Band" by Rolling Stone magazine that same year only added fuel to the group's already-blazing fire.
As if to confirm the status they had achieved, the BoDeans went on to release yet another Top 100 best-seller, 1989's "Home." The record was followed by "Black and White" in 1991, and by 1993, there was an urge for the group to return to its roots. The BoDeans decided to re-enlist T-Bone Burnett for the production of "Go Down Slow," which ultimately yielded the "Party of Five" television show's theme song, "Closer to Free" and found a home on Billboard's Top 10. This catapulted the BoDeans to even greater heights, and earned an ASCAP award for being one of the most played songs on radio that year.
After releasing both a "best of" and a rarities collection in the early 2000s, the BoDeans returned in 2004 with "Resolution" on Rounder/Zoe. The album's single "If It Makes You" quickly jumped into the Top 10, where it resided for several weeks, and further validated the Wisconsin group's national significance. "Homebrewed: Live From The Pabst," a double-live CD and DVD, was released the following year.
In an industry where careers can be shorter than the duration of a song, the BoDeans have proven their longevity. The partnership between Neumann and Llanas has remained steadfast since the early 80s, withstanding the test of time and various all-star lineups. Despite an impressive past that includes eight albums in Billboard's Top 200 and multiple singles in the Top 40, the BoDeans - and more importantly, the partnership that is its core - aren't about to call it quits anytime soon. Once again they have proven their longevity with their newest recording, "Mr. Sad Clown," available April 6.
Reserved seat tickets for the BoDeans are $35, $25, $20 and $15. Tickets may be purchased by calling the Monroe Arts Center at (608) 325-5700 or in person at the box office located at 1315 11th St. Additional information regarding this performance and other MAC events can be found online at www.monroeartscenter.com.
This event has been underwritten by Corporate Underwriter The Swiss Colony, and Media Underwriters Monroe Publishing, LLC, and Big Radio. Additional underwriting has been provided by Monroe Clinic; Artisan Design Build; Jeff and Barb Ingebritsen; Kevin and Chris Callahan; Alvin and Lucy Kubly; Ruda Chevrolet-Toyota-Scion; Lance and Daphne Sathoff; Brian and Cindy Zimmerman; Reffue, Pas, Jacobson, and Koster; David and Janeen Babler; Lee and Chris Knuteson; and Chris and Julie Sachs.
Nearly three decades ago, the BoDeans were formed when Kurt Neumann and Sammy Llanas initiated a unique singing and songwriter partnership in Waukesha. This duo forged a signature sound based on heartfelt lyrics, passionate harmonies and ringing guitars. A big part of the BoDeans' sound is the harmony created by Llanas' and Neumann's vocals.
"Although our voices are very different," Llanas said, "they really complement each other ... when we put the two together, we get a nice, rich spectrum of tones."
The BoDeans' distinct sound first emerged on their critically acclaimed debut, "Love & Hope & Sex & Dreams," which also saw production by T-Bone Burnett. Released on Slash/Warner Brothers in 1986, the album reached No. 115 on the Billboard charts and quickly propelled the group into the national spotlight. This initial success for the BoDeans soon would be surpassed by their 1987 release, "Outside Looking In," which broke into the Billboard Top 100. A tour with U2, an appearance on Robbie Robertson's self-titled debut solo album, and being named "Best New Band" by Rolling Stone magazine that same year only added fuel to the group's already-blazing fire.
As if to confirm the status they had achieved, the BoDeans went on to release yet another Top 100 best-seller, 1989's "Home." The record was followed by "Black and White" in 1991, and by 1993, there was an urge for the group to return to its roots. The BoDeans decided to re-enlist T-Bone Burnett for the production of "Go Down Slow," which ultimately yielded the "Party of Five" television show's theme song, "Closer to Free" and found a home on Billboard's Top 10. This catapulted the BoDeans to even greater heights, and earned an ASCAP award for being one of the most played songs on radio that year.
After releasing both a "best of" and a rarities collection in the early 2000s, the BoDeans returned in 2004 with "Resolution" on Rounder/Zoe. The album's single "If It Makes You" quickly jumped into the Top 10, where it resided for several weeks, and further validated the Wisconsin group's national significance. "Homebrewed: Live From The Pabst," a double-live CD and DVD, was released the following year.
In an industry where careers can be shorter than the duration of a song, the BoDeans have proven their longevity. The partnership between Neumann and Llanas has remained steadfast since the early 80s, withstanding the test of time and various all-star lineups. Despite an impressive past that includes eight albums in Billboard's Top 200 and multiple singles in the Top 40, the BoDeans - and more importantly, the partnership that is its core - aren't about to call it quits anytime soon. Once again they have proven their longevity with their newest recording, "Mr. Sad Clown," available April 6.
Reserved seat tickets for the BoDeans are $35, $25, $20 and $15. Tickets may be purchased by calling the Monroe Arts Center at (608) 325-5700 or in person at the box office located at 1315 11th St. Additional information regarding this performance and other MAC events can be found online at www.monroeartscenter.com.
This event has been underwritten by Corporate Underwriter The Swiss Colony, and Media Underwriters Monroe Publishing, LLC, and Big Radio. Additional underwriting has been provided by Monroe Clinic; Artisan Design Build; Jeff and Barb Ingebritsen; Kevin and Chris Callahan; Alvin and Lucy Kubly; Ruda Chevrolet-Toyota-Scion; Lance and Daphne Sathoff; Brian and Cindy Zimmerman; Reffue, Pas, Jacobson, and Koster; David and Janeen Babler; Lee and Chris Knuteson; and Chris and Julie Sachs.