Wisconsin – March/April 2003
by Julian Mainprize
Who: Wisconsin
What: Melodic Alternative Rock
Where: Brantford, ON
To Contact: Hype Music, (905) 275-9613,
Wisconsin is the cream of the crop of the Brantford, ON music scene. Despite having known one another since their high school days, it took close to a decade for the current five-man formation to solidify. Their first full-length release Rhymes Without Reason is a self-funded, independent release being distributed by Universal Music. Wisconsin won the distribution contract when they were named the ‘Best Unsigned Band in Canada’ at NXNE 2001. Their guitar-driven rock has won Wisconsin several other independent music competitions over the last few years. Wisconsin members, Paul Harris (vocals/guitar), Ernie Meggison (guitar/vocals), Chris Amey (bass), Jeff Melick (guitar/vocals) and Robert Chowhan (drums), list The Doughboys and Foo Fighters as a couple of their musical influences. It’s not difficult to hear these influences in many of the songs on Rhymes Without Reason, but Wisconsin still has its own personality. If anything, their approach is a bit more on the melodic side. No wonder the band has been so successful in competitions and their CD is proof that these guys can play. Rhymes Without Reason is on all accounts an excellent recording, but the musicians, who are obviously their own worst critics, still admit to wanting to be even more prepared next time. As bassist Chris Amey put it, “We would spend more time on pre-production, so fewer things are figured out on the fly. You get a better feel and performances if things have been worked out well in advance.” It’s hard to imagine either the feel or performances on Rhymes Without Reason being any better than they already are.