From: The Alchemist - February 20, 1998

Gainesville, GA

Brass plans to rock the Monkey Barrel

By Candi Brancato - Staff Writer

Ernie Boetz said he's looking forward to his homecoming next month, but it'll be anything but a quiet night for those who meet up with the former resident and Gainesville High School graduate.

Boetz is lead vocalist for the popular Atlanta-based classic rock'n'roll band, The Brass, which is set to play the night away at the Monkey Barrel off Gainesville's downtown square March 20.

"It's a helluva lot of fun, being able to play in front of people you grew up with," the 28-year-old said. "A lot of them won't even know I play in a band."

Boetz formed the band four years ago. Although the Brass's style can be likened to early 70's blues-based metal, all the music they perform is original material, and most is written by Boetz himself.

"There's still millions of people on this planet that still love this gutsy, down-to-earth classic rock and roll," he said. "And we enjoy the music as much as our audience does."

The Brass' guitar-driven sound offers nothing trendy or fancy. The sound is raw, primal, loud and definitely not for the faint-hearted, Boetz said.

Primarily influenced by bands like Led Zepplin, Bad Company and Humble Pie, Boetz said he believes The Brass appeals to a wide range of audience.

"People anywhere from 21 to 60 years old come to hear us," he said. "It's a style that'll never go out and never die. It's a real get-down-and-boogie rock'n'roll."

Initially Boetz, along with other members Lucky Forrester, guitar, Chuck Rogers, drums, and Tarmon Kelling, bass, worked day jobs to boost the band's chances of surviving the musical rat-race and making a go of it. Now the group plans to go all out in its effort to possess that most illusive of all glittering prizes: Stardom.

"There comes a time when you just have to go for broke," he said. We're on that threshold how and that's what we're doing. It's do or die.

Success isn't easily won. Boetz said he knows that a lot of hard work and time spent on the road ahead lies ahead. But as far as work goes, there's nothing to beat it, he said.

"When you travel to a town where the people have never seen you before and have only heard you on the radio, but you're well received, it's the greatest feeling in the world," Boetz said, laughing. "And that's what I'm after. World domination."

The Brass takes the stage from 10 p.m. There's a 21 age limit set, but for students who remember to take along their student ID, entry to the Monkey Barrel will be half off the usual $3 entry fee.

Details: The Brass' website address: www.infinitecreation.com/bands/brass