We now know the full Saturday lineup for the iconic Metro Jam concert in Manitowoc this summer.
THE PRODUCERS
8:30 PM to 10:00 PM
The Producers are a new wave/power pop band from Atlanta, Georgia who came to prominence in the early 80’s. They are still performing today with the original line up including Van Temple on guitar and vocals, Kyle Henderson on bass and vocals, Wayne Famous on keyboards and Bryan Holmes on drums and vocals.
Originally formed as a Beatles cover band named Cartoon, they changed musical directions and began performing their own material in nightclubs around the Atlanta area. The response to their music was so good that they were quickly signed to CBS subsidiary Portrait Records by producer Tom Werman, who had worked with Cheap Trick, REO Speedwagon and Mother’s Finest, among others. They released two albums for the Portrait label, The Producers (1981) and You Make the Heat (1982). The Producers became a regional favorite in the Southeastern United States, propelling “What She Does to Me” onto the national Billboard Magazine singles charts. “What’s He Got”, “Certain Kinda Girl”, and “Who Do You Think You Are” had some popularity as music videos, but did not chart. The band toured extensively with Cheap Trick and The Motels and also played with such acts as Toto and Hall and Oates. The music video for “She Sheila” from the You Make The Heat album found its way to the eyes and ears of the fledgling MTV generation where it became popular among its viewers. The end of 1982 saw The Producers headlining MTV’s New Year’s Eve Rock n’ Roll Ball, where their lively and energetic performance helped the world usher in the new year.
Keyboardist Wayne Famous had a comedic stage presence in contrast with the other rock stars in the band, which was similar to that of Cheap Trick. Years ahead of the ”keytar”, Wayne modified the keyboard of a synthesizer with straps to hold it around his neck allowing him to do a signature dance center stage. His own invention, he used an umbilical cable to communicate with the remaining electronics off stage.
Subsequent albums followed with the band’s third album, Run For Your Life, being released in 1987 on their own label. That album featured a collaboration between The Producers and Kansas, “Can’t Cry Anymore,” a song which appeared on both Run For Your Life and the 1986 Kansas album Power. The Producers regained a major label contract in the late 1980s with MCA Records and recorded what was to be their fourth album, Coelacanth. Due to a revamping at MCA, the release was cancelled, and The Producers chose to put Coelacanth out on their own in 2001.
The Producers continue to play regular live shows, throughout the United States which brings them to Metro Jam on Saturday, June 17, 2023.
Turn Turn Turn
7:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Turn Turn Turn is a trio who bonded over their mutual love of close harmony 60s and 70s country, folk, and pop music and formed an original Americana band that follows in those footsteps. To create their distinctive sound, the band “turns” to the distant past of early American recorded music, “turns” again to that renaissance of the 1960s and 1970s, and finally “turns” again to the present looking forward.
Members Adam Levy (guitar, vocals), Savannah Smith (guitar, vocals) and Barb Brynstad (bass, vocals) are all mainstays of the Minnesota music scene and together craft an infectious, pop-infused Americana. Adam is a veteran of the Minnesota rock scene, best known for leading up the alt-rock band The Honeydogs. As a prolific songwriter and producer, he has worked across many genres and performed worldwide. Savannah’s vocal prowess and mastery of transforming raw and gritty emotion into beautiful melodies separate her from the crowd. She has worked with such acts as Trampled by Turtles, William Elliot Whitmore and Laura Stevenson. Barb is an in-demand musician with decades-long roots in the Twin Cities music community. As a singer, bassist, and guitarist, she has performed with a variety of musicians, including Chastity Brown, Willie Wisely and the late great blues artist, Willie Murphy.
Even though Turn Turn Turn was born initially as a cover band, the group’s original material – sweetheart alt-country folk-pop – quickly stole the spotlight. Turn Turn Turn’s Laurel Canyon meets 70’s Nashville cosmic soul vibe is layered with three-part harmonies that stitch the band’s musical tapestry together. Brynstad, Smith and Levy each have distinct voices, and the combination, their “fourth voice”, is greater than the sum of its parts. The group is touring with a full band this summer in support of their new release “New Rays From An Old Sun”.
Xposed 4Heads
5:30 PM to 6:30 PM
The legendary WAMI-Nominated Xposed 4Heads are a witty, dance-driven party band with high-energy and colorful performances, like their mash up of The B-52’s and Devo. Their original music is a crossover flashback to the synthesizer-driven dance music of the 80’s and the quirkiness of Devo and The Talking Heads. Led by Mark G.E., his band of Milwaukee luminaries and veterans have headlined the DEVOtional Devo fan festival in Cleveland, OH, as well as played shows at Summerfest, Pridefest, Brady Street Festival and numerous music festivals. Xposed 4Heads have songs playing on radio stations all over the US and abroad featuring music from their albums Urgency Squad, Ultra Cloud and Planet A’ Go-Go. Their music has been called ‘Godhead!’ by legendary DJ Rodney Bingenheimer on SiriusXM. For the last ten years, their songs have consistently been in the Top 20 on WMSE 91.7 FM in Milwaukee.
The Keystones
4:00 PM to 5:00 PM
The Keystones are an alternative modern-rock band based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Born in Waukesha, the very same place as the electric guitar, the members of this unique, out-of-the-box rock group hail from the golden era of grunge guitar, one that’s full of heavy tones and hypnotizing garage beats that dance between Brit-indie-rock and new-age modern rock sounds. They’re a far cry from the glitzy, indie pop groups that seem to fall out of the woodwork these days, and they’re okay with that. Why? Because their goal isn’t to find the glossiest sound, in fact, it’s much bigger than that, they want to make the town that created the guitar as we know it proud. The group is comprised of Jack Sherman on vocals and guitar, Matt Sherman on vocals and bass and Eddie Curran on vocals and drums. The band played a well-received feature set at the Midwest Showcase at SXSW in Austin, Texas this March.
Ladybird
2:30 PM to 3:30 PM
Ladybird is a new Milwaukee Alt-Country band that broke into the Wisconsin music scene in 2021 with their debut single “Zoomer”. The song is filled with images of barreling down two lanes of open road and laughing with friends at a bar. It’s all set to a beer-buzzed country shuffle that goes down as easy as two (or five) cans of PBR. “Zoomer” is the lead single from their debut EP, Introducing… released in late 2021.
Ladybird is the latest project from Milwaukee musician Pete Freeman. Freeman’s previous work includes the excellent 2020 album Meat & Potatoes and the delightful 2019 album Wisconsin Stories. Joining Freeman in Ladybird are Scott Parker (bass), Sam Szymborski (guitar) and Aidan Gouran (drums).
Fryin’ Kielbasa Band
1:15 PM to 2:00 PM
Fryin’ Kielbasa Band is led by Manitowoc natives Tom Chermak, Mike Fordney and Dean Peterson, all founding members of the Fordney Bros. Band. The band has created an updated 70’s blues and rock experience with a new touch of vintage country. Appleton native Rod Reynolds joins on bass. Rod is the founder of the longtime family band Baba Ghanooj and currently plays in the Jeremiah Jams band. Rounding out the band is drummer Glynn Forrest. Glynn’s background includes being a touring professional classical percussionist from his native land of Scotland. Make sure that you are front and center on Saturday at 1:15pm at Metro Jam as the band serves up a smokin’ set of tunes that will satisfy your musical appetite!
Almost.Certain
12:00 PM to 12:45 PM
Almost.Certain is a 3-piece American NeoSoul band from Manitowoc, Wisconsin. The band formed in 2017 from a collection of eclectic, music loving nerds who met in middle school and who all just couldn’t get enough Silk Sonic, Erykah Badu, or any 90’s Hip-Hop. Their unique brand of entertainment fuses a 90s/00’s R&B/NeoSoul vibe and lyricism, with a low-key and intimate style that will make you want to relax with a glass of wine. Almost.Certain has had the opportunity to perform around the US. With a mix of covers and original music, they have a little something for everyone. They have also released original music on all major streaming platforms under Almost.Certain. The group features Jemma Herrmann, Xavier Gilcrest and Drakkar.
Metro Jam is presented in partnership with and in support of Grow It Forward who also coordinates the beverage and food concessions for the festival.
To keep up to date with everything Metro Jam, visit MetroJam.org.
