Read below for a background of the pop-punk band Branded
Powerful Pop-Punk that will Knock you on your @#$!
Branded a Michigan-based pop-rock/punk band, debuted its unique blend of reckless creativity and musical flair with "Jump Start", an electrifying 10 song LP, released March 2000 under its independent label, Goldtooth Records.
Combining alternative rock influences like Green Day, Sublime and Zebrahead with the fiery brass ensemble sound from the Mighty Mighty Bosstones, Jump Start molds a combination of punk, rap and a little reggae into 10 zany songs that reflect on everyday situations. Ever lock your keys in your car; get dumped; been apart from the one you love, or just like to practice safe sex? Yep, Jump Start's got it.
Though you experience the "horny" section on compact disc, Branded makes a clean break from the brass section in live performances, highlighting yet another extremely creative side of the band whose stage presence will keep you cheering for more. Combining spotlighted Jump Start tracks "Locked Out", "When I'm Away" and "Junkie" with new unreleased material which meshes a feel of Blink 182, Branded continously unleashes their originality through powerful harmonies, extreme guitar solos, and crowd pleasing stage antics.
Since their formation in 1997, the now four-piece group including Jason Bergeron on vocals, Shane Bergeron on guitar, Bill Chesney on bass guitar and Robert Barck on drums (previously including Brent Haskin - trombone & Joe Rinckey - saxophone), has won top honors in several "Battle of the Bands" throughout Michigan, including:
Ann Arbor Rock 103 IQB - Ann Arbor, MI August 1999 (1st place of 68)
Moreland's Motocross - Stanton, MI Sept. 1999 (1st place of 60)
Lake City - Chamber of Commerce - Lake City, MI June 1999 (1st place of 12)
Harpos Concert Theater - Detroit, MI 1998 (1st place)
Oakland University - Rochester, MI Dec. 1999 (2nd place of 5 finalists)
Moreland's Motocross - Stanton, MI Sept. 1998 (5th place of 60)
These award winning performances gave Branded a boost in earning opening spots for rock legend Alice Cooper and popular Detroit breathrough artists like the Howling Diablos, Broadzilla, and Funktelligence.
Greater Detroit-area fans could often here there fav's on several commercial Detroit radio stations including:
88.7 FM CIMX (89X)- The Homeboy Show (Detroit, MI)
101.1 FM WRIF - The Motor City Riffs (Detroit, MI)
105.1 FM WXDG (formerly) - The Cutting Edge (Detroit, MI)
91.5 FM WMHW - The Scene (Mid-Michigan)
90.1 FM WXOU - Oakland University (Rochester, MI)
And the local DJs often gave their praise.....
"I like it so much I played 3 songs in a row [on the homeboy show]." - Kelly Brown (89X Detroit/Windsor)
"Gotta love those horns." - Peter Werbe (101.1 WRIF Detroit)
"These guys rule!" - "Tiny" Tim (102.9 FM WIQB Ann Arbor, MI)
"Branded puts on a fun live show." - Michael Sullivan ("Here and There" E-zine Detroit, MI)
"They really know how to put on a show." - Zach Norton (The Charger Herald - Livonia Michigan)
July 2000 Branded entered the Gargageband.com / Fred Durst contest to win an opening spot at the Minneapolis, MN show. We uploaded "Why Me" which received mostly excellent reviews by the public across the country. We ended up 4th out of 50 bands overall!
