Erik Walter (vocals, rhythm guitar)
Patrick Wilbraham (lead guitar)
Brian Fricky (trumpet)
Tim Younessi (saxophone)
Norm Milavec (trombone)
Mark Watt (keyboards)
Kevin Walter (bass)
Pete Heroux (drums)
Collectively weighing in at 1,667 lbs. and with more time served on stage than the average manslaughter sentence, The TwistOffs assault with a nasty, musical one-two combo. First, you're blasted across the chest (sorry
about the mess) by the triple-brass horn section and you're propelled backward. Just as you think you've regained your footing, the sneak attack comes from below: a relentlessly chugging groove that hits below the belt, oftentimes leaving ones lower regions helplessly gyrating ad infinite. Such is the threat of The TwistOffs and it's concoction of worldly rock and offbeat humor.
Hailing from the city of Kent, the musical Mecca of Northern Ohio's southern-central region, The TwistOffs have evolved into the Midwest's hardest working and most widely traveled original horn-based rock band. Formed
by ringleader Erik Walter (guitar/vocals) in a dank, suburban basement in 1986, the band has since performed more than 2,000 shows, tracked more than 150,000 miles and covered over 40 states and three countries.
The more than two decades of travel have led the band from hometown haunts like the former Nautica Stage (Cleveland), Blossom Music Center (Cuyahoga Falls) and former J.B.s Down (Kent) to such nationally noted
clubs as the Roxy (Los Angeles) and the Great American Music Hall (San Francisco).
The band has performed with such bands as Blink-182, They Might Be Giants, Keller Williams, Fishbone, Cherry Poppin Daddies, Gold-finger, Sugar Ray, Mighty Mighty Bosstones and Jon Fishman's Pork Tornado.
Currently in the works is a new full-length addition to the band's recording catalog. The yet-to-be-titled studio release, recorded primarily at Kent's Moondog Studios, is scheduled to hit in late 2006, featuring fresh, all-original material from longtime members Patrick Wilbraham (lead guitar), Brian Fricky (trumpet) and Walter, alongside newer members Kevin Walter (bass), Pete Heroux (drums), Mark Watt (keyboards), Tim Younessi (saxophone) and Norm Milavec (trombone).
Live? Well, they're coming your way soon. As its been the norm for 20-plus years, when The TwistOffs hit the
stage the unexpected is to be expected. You'd be well advised to suck it in and jump into the ring
but watch for the suckerpunch.
Vivian: Hello TwistOFFS.. We MISS KENT SO BADLY!!!
Midge: From THE WILD!! I WILL DESTROY YOU IF YOU DO NOT LISTEN TO THIS VIDEO! It’s on my Myspace page… don’t dork off drinkin’ Tequila!!!
Vivian: Yeah so, as Midge was saying – we have a new - our FIRST EVER music video for our song “America Will Punch You." It's a youtube link on our myspace page. It's about how America shouldn't be mean.
Midge: YESSS! It is wonderful.. especially when I got to eat the chocolate. And eat the peanut butter! Together smashed in one!!! The video is very funny and you will like to see it. YOU WOULD! You ain’t gonna not watch it!
Vivian: Nice Midge. Check it out. The song “America Will Punch You” is coming out on a 5-song EP called “ShiSho Will Punch You”… Out on May 29 as a free download from our record label Filthy Little Angels.
Midge: Ha Ha Ha Ha EHHHH!!! You better watch out because I am going to SHAKE THE WORLD and all these tiny people will fall out. The EP is awesome!
Vivian: Hope you have the best day of your entire life…
Midge: …watching this video! Tell me what you think!
Thanks for the add! I hope that you liked my page and my music...I'm working on a new CD right now and will be adding music to my page as I go, so stop back and say hi!
I loved that you guys are from Kent. I spent a LOT of time there. KSU was always a great school. I'm due for a trip back soon. Maybe I'll meet you guys at Rocknies for a beverage.
TwistOffs - one of the greatest bands from kent, ohio in the city of the trees. here's kent, ohio abstract film, it has a part in it with name TwistOffs posted on kent stage's billboard above the theater. enjoy -Link-
Here's a huge flashback. Do you remember being featured in 2 of 4 issues of the ridiculous CLE rag, Cut The Crap a 100 yrs. ago? Nowadays it's mostly remembered as the fanzine that was totally outshadowed by the cover art (Derek Hess in his long-gone pork and beans days). Anyway, you guys were always a blast. I'm sure you still are. Check your messages for a strange booking opportunity at a NEO fest.
Go. Go check. I'm cereal. Totally cereal.
If you can also supply a mailing address, there's still a few copies of issue #1 of my new zine, co-edited by the very capable Amber - my h.s. freshman daughter. The covers of this beast, called We Have The Technology, are being put together by Scott Pickering (photos and abstract paintings). Outshadowed again.
Michael (and the sleeping Amber) Shhh. -see you in "messages".
Dig! Which one of you music making cats ran sound for us at the Kent Stage and gave us the ultimate comlpiment when you said ... "it's a good thing you guys didn't stink or I would have been pissed!" You cats ROCK! Have a great 2008 and we hope our paths cross again. Peace - BTL
