ROB DEY, GUITARS - Rob is now a member of "Speedy Greasy", and they're kicking Detroit's ass. He lives in Auburn Hills. JAROD FACKNITZ, DRUMS/VOCALS - Jarod is a member of "Beaten By Yuri". They've released 2 albums and are currently recording a 3rd. He now resides in Chicago. JEREMY FACKNITZ, BASS - Jeremy went solo in 2003 and has since released two albums. Two more albums are set for release by the end of 2009. He lives in Colorado. DAVE LEACH, GUITARS - Dave is living the quiet life and just became a father. His lovely wife Becca is the lead singer of the Vamps, a band that's also kicking Detroit's ass.
11 years ago this past September, a talented band of white suburban children formed a musical group on the corner of M-59 and “Ghetto Ave.” in the city of Pontiac, Michigan. It was anything but the start of a storybook rise to fame. In fact, this is the story of just another band that didn't make it - and who sadly, broke up in 2002, with it's various members going in various different directions.
This site exists, because I am a fan. A fan of this band who, in 2001, beat out the ultra-famous band "The White Stripes" for a Detroit Music Award for "Best New Alternative Band"... and then disappeared into oblivion. This is a tribute site to the greatest "came-along-too-late" band of the early 2000's.
As children of "The 90's", Jarod Facknitz (vocals, drums), Rob Dey (guitar), Jeremy Facknitz (bass) and Dave Leach (guitar) attended rock school... everyday, after regular school, on their cassette walkmans and boom boxes. Their list of latchkey professors included Barenaked Ladies, The Verve Pipe, Sponge, Pearl Jam, Better Than Ezra, and many more of their distinguished colleagues.
I first saw The Ottomans at a place called Peppi's in Waterford, MI in November of 1997. At that time, they were fronted by the “ultra-cute” Aaron Knapp, who's gruff voice gave the early recordings and performances a more unique sound - as opposed to the beautiful, clear choir-boy voice of Jarod Facknitz who later became the lead singer of the band.
They were raw, clumsy... and really, really good. As I sat there in that dive, sipping a Bud, there was something tangible that I couldn't place my tapping finger on.
Months passed and the band solidified. They wrote more songs. They played more shows. I saw them once every couple of months, whenever I could. They entered a "battle of the bands" contest and smoked the competition, earning victory and thereby "blessed" to open for the then-famous "Blessid Union of Souls" (She Likes Me For Me, I Believe, Mr. Leonardo, etc.).
The band was tense that night at Kettering University... a crowd of 800 or so gathered and prepared to yawn through another crappy, opening band as they waited for their heroes. But within 10 minutes of strumming the opening chord to "In My Eyes", the boys had the crowd on their feet. Afterwards, The Ottomans signed autographs for two hours, and were hailed by those in attendence as "the next big thing." It seemed they were on their way.
But within a couple of weeks, Aaron Knapp was out of the band. We don’t know exactly what happened, but if you ask the fella’s about it, you’ll likely get back a hmm, a hah, and a “we really didn’t handle that situation too well.” Aaron had a tendency to drink a lot at the shows… this may have had something to do with it, but I’m only speculating.
Jarod picked up the duties of lead singer (to add to his job of drumming) and the band became a four piece in June of 1999.
They released their self-titled debut, and sold - a few. They pressed hard to get on college radio. They sent demo’s off to record companies and managers, without acquiring so much as a bite. One advisor at a show I was at told them that they sounded too much like “Barenaked Ladies“, and that record companies wanted something new (which I find ironic, seeing as how these days the LAST thing record companies seem to want is “something new.”). They pushed on.
They found a booking agent who helped them earn more money, book more shows, and score a nomination for a Detroit Music Award in 2001. The band was so "concerned" about the award ceremony that they had completely forgotten about it… and showed up at the last second in jeans and windbreakers, while the other candidates had dressed to the nines in tuxedo’s and leopard-print dresses.
They won that award, beating out a gaggle of amazing Detroit bands of the era; Witches, Deathgirl.com, Crud, Twitch, and a band that would soon take over the world, The White Stripes.
The band was signed to Horizon Management out of Endicott, New York (for 50 CD’s and small retainer fee of $500). The boys thought the whole deal sounded “a little sketchy“, but they had grown tired of performing in pubs and taverns for disinterested Red Wings fans, and decided to take the plunge so to speak, for the sake of their careers.
For their first gig as new members of the Horizon family, the management company sent them on a 12 hour drive to northwest Wisconsin. No pay for the band, but Horizon promised them at least 1,000 people, and Horizon reps would be in attendance. When “The Ottomans” arrived, they found a rickety stage, one camper, and a scary individual who wore a white T-shirt, with the word “Staff” applied to it with a black marker. It was the biggest letdown of their young, sheltered lives.
In September 2001, they released the EP "Record Executive Waste", and the title was fitting. The band tirelessly promoted it, thinking it would take them to the next level. They were told by commercial radio to get a record deal, and told by college radio that the production on the CD was "too good".
With overall moral low in 2002, Jarod grew weary of the double-duty and requested from his band-mates a drummer, so that he could stand and sing. A few were auditioned, but only one stuck - his name was Jeff Darga. He fit into the band like a glove, but unfortunately for Jeff, the band was already barreling toward oblivion. "The Ottomans" broke up 6 years ago this June. They played their last show somewhere in the Detroit suburbs. I couldn’t make it, but I would’ve… had I known it would be the last chance I’d get to see them.
Hey friend remember us we would like to think you because wit out you we couldn't of gotten so far, we started this account 3years ago and we never would expect to go so far wit the band
1 000 000 play on youtube & myspace
50 000 friend myspace top 20 Canadian band and now our first deal, when you look at peoples comments you know this band will have huge follow up
Thank you so much for being our friend! You have a very cool page here. Let's stay connected.Take care and have a nice day! Cheers....................................
Wow, the memories... the fights, the frustration, the hugs, the feeling of a second family, the chicks who wouldn't talk to us, my fisherman hats... good times? No. Great times.
I'm starting my own recording studio... I figured it'd be best to make my first effort a Christmas E.P., so I'm not "learning" while recording my own songs! I've posted some of the tunes, so check it out if you get a chance!
Ottomans music is the soundtrack to a very particular time in my life when I was very busy dropping out of college, staying out until all hours and....going to their shows!
