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Grogshow was a two piece band that sadly, no longer exists. The principal songwriter and vocalist, Marc Kisting, died in 1996 of a sudden illness in his Portland apartment. He and drummer, Jason Williams, had gone to Oregon to make a go with their stripped down emotional plea. A sad fact for all of us, that we might have heard even more great things from this duo.
Marc Kisting, a native of Dubuque, Iowa, developed his own guitar style. Part blues, part arpeggiated folk - something like a somber Jimmie Page with the ability to mimic John Paul Jones at the same time. On listening to Grogshow, most people think there are two guitars, or a guitar and
bass, but it is just Marc's guitar, and Jason playing drums. Marc could write and sing lyrics that at once resonate with the listener and are wholly unfamiliar, like being told something about yourself that you'd forgotten.
Grogshow would not be Grogshow without the fluidity of the drums, Jason's interplay with the guitars and vocal. Each cymbal and snare hit is
perfectly placed, creating an organic 'call and response' between rhythm and melody. It was clear from the music they made together that Marc and Jason were good friends.
These recordings are what Grogshow did in a basement in Iowa before leaving for Oregon. Remixed and remastered in the fall of 2005 by the folks who originally engineered and recorded it, this CD is an introduction by people who cared about Marc and his songs to those unlucky enough to have never met Grogshow in person.
The CD is available at at Future Appletree, CD Baby, iTunes, and local indie record stores through Carrot Top Distribution.
All profits from sales will be donated to the Leukemia Research Foundation.
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