In August of 2000, charted record producer Michael Strub, professionally tagged as STRUB (pronounced stroob) disappeared from the public eye. Liquidating his empire- at the time including a successful recording studio, music venue, independent Record label and a CD duplication company- he spent the next year hidden away in his Phoenix estate venting personal devastation and searching his soul. STRUB emerged in summer of 2001 with a most personal, genre barrier smashing, full length solo release entitled Flail. Never expecting such a warm reception, STRUB decided to continue tweaking Flail into a "release worthy product". After testing mixes in various local hotspots and radio, Flail was released January 2002.
Most of 2002 was spent franticly trying to keep up momentum.
This included assembling musicians for a club tour, the release of 4 music videos virtually back to back, a full line of STRUB merchandise and an engaging website, where fans of the music could not only keep tabs on the latest goings on with the project, but also interact with STRUB as well as each other. This helped create a virtual community of "STRUBies" all over the country and into Canada. Highlights included: Award for Best Intensity 2002 (Austin's 91.7fm), the Empowered video placing in top 10 on Austin Music Network as well as top 100 videos of 2002, and the licensing of several tracks to extreme sports videos, a television mini series and a theatrical production. STRUB also faired well at the 2002 Austin Music Awards that kick off the SXSW festival by placing 6th under best performing metal/industrial, 8th for electronica/dj and 6th for best mp3 (Empowered).
In November, STRUB returned to Phoenix, Arizona to finish production on his sophomore release, "Reflect". He then recruited musicians for the new tour, and most importantly had time to rest, regroup and increase organization and staff in order to properly prepare for the year's tour, which was fueled by a new national distribution deal and radio campaign. The '2003 Reflect Tour' had so many cities added to it that STRUB's support musicians were unable to continue and "STRUB 3" was recruited. This third round of live musicians included longtime protégé Mark Herman who had interned under Michael Strub and later came to manage STRUB's studio, Burnt Chrome Audio Recording. The line-up also included Bobby Reichling and Ryan Hutchersen who were at one time courted by Michael STRUB's label.
During the six month trek across the States and Canada, misfortunes such as New Orleans' Tropical Storm Bill, blowing the motor in the touring Van, poor ticket sales in Canada due to the SARS epidemic, and Sony dropping the distribution company that had signed STRUB, the beginnings of Etho Pathos Logos were already erupting in STRUB's head.
Even the omen of "The Great Eastern Seaboard Blackout" occured during a show rehearsal in Toronto. Later that evening, the track 'Float' was written on an acoustic guitar in the hot and sticky darkness of downtown.
The tracks 'DNA' and 'Happy' were recorded in this same rehearsal suite and help to make up half of the 'Ethos' tracks which were a collaboration of Michael Strüb and Mark Herman.
Collaborating on such a personal project as STRUB was a first for Michael.
After the completion of Ethos Pathos Logos and a sold out CD release show, STRUB lost everything in the vandalization and break-in of his touring rig.
It has been a year since STRUB has performed live, but he is currently back in studio working on a double CD/DVD release and already scouting new musicians for tour support.
STRUB may have been dealt a life of disappointment and pain, but the expression thereof is what keeps him alive. Lucky for us, the louder you turn him up the less you feel alone. STRUB's misery has become therapeutic venting for a strong and growing cult following. Just don't ever call him a martre to his face.
if your not doing anything friday night come down and hang with us...we can drink whiskey together :-) Cause you know what they say: Whiskey makes the heart grow fonder.
Thanx for being MONSTER MUSIC'S friend.. look forward to meeting ya.. and hope to pick up the scene in the area.. ROBB MONSTER MUSIC PROD. supporting local live music since NOV. 1988'
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