Junebug

File:Junebug-wall.jpg

SarahBethPhotography.com
L to R: Dustin Marks, Tony Kollman, Josh Rieck, Anthony Bergman

Description

The Aberdeen, South Dakota-based Junebug combines rock 'n' roll licks and funky rhythms to create an original sound that will make the listener want to get up and boogie. Formed sometime around 1994 or '95, the boys of Junebug have written and performed off and on to crowds in coffee houses, at universities, in bars and a railroad worker's backyard in one case. The band took a brief haitus for a couple years while working on other projects, but in October 2005 they regrouped and made a brave comeback featuring a brand new bassist. They are currently playing shows and rehearsing material for three upcoming and daring albums which promise to pleasantly hook the listeners and reel them in.

Sounds like

If you took the Foo Fighters, The Flaming Lips and They Might Be Giants, threw them into a blender, added some orange juice and a pinch of cinnamon, you might have something that sounds kind of like Junebug. . . Maybe.

Detailed History

The early days

The seeds of Junebug were planted sometime in 1994 or 1995 with Anthony Bergman and Tony Kollman in Jamestown, North Dakota. While in high school, Kollman (then Tony Solberg) was learning guitar and Bergman was beginning songwriting. Together they wrote their first song together called "Chambermaid". It was quickly followed up by "Cry the Song". Before long, Bergman and Kollman enlisted the help of Dustin Marks on guitar and Kelly Lang on bass. Lang soon left Junebug to play in a different band, Outpatient 13. Kollman began learning drums around the same time and Junebug continued as a three-piece.

The band wrote number of songs together, playing mainly at friends' private house parties. On May 16, 1996, Bergman and Kollman played a show as openers for Outpatient 13 at the Thompson Auditorium in Jamestown. This was the first show under the name "Junebug". Marks did not perform at this show. Junebug continued to write songs and get together for jam sessions, sometimes with longtime friend, Nathan "Stu" Stuart. Stu went on to become a founding member of the successful Portland, Oregon band, Kutless.

Upon graduation from high school in 1997, Marks and Kollman attended Northern State University in Aberdeen, South Dakota. After a year at Minnesota State University, Mankato, Bergman also moved to Aberdeen to attend NSU and to create music with Junebug once again. Bergman, Kollman and Marks regularly recorded late-night practice sessions, giving birth to many abandoned musical ideas and some still in use today.

2000-2002

Junebug's first real show as a three-piece entity was performed on May 6, 2000 at the Red Rooster Coffee House in Aberdeen. The performance was part of owners Dan and Kileen Cleberg's "End of the Year" party thrown in appreciation of their university customers. The show was met with rousing applause and instant support. PJ Pearson, a friend from high school, recorded the performance and Junebug released it as a live album for a limited time to fans.

On March 24, 2001, Junebug played another notable show at NSU's "Wolfstock 2001" concert. Pearson was again on hand recording the show and the band released it as an updated live album. Through great shows and the sale of their new live album, Junebug continued to gain a solid base in the Aberdeen area through 2002, playing mostly at the Red Rooster Coffee House, but branched out in September 2001 to Bismarck, North Dakota and Fargo, North Dakota on a mini-tour they called "The Big Holy Spatula Tour 2001". That year Anthony moved to Minnesota to attend the University of Minnesota, Moorhead to complete his film degree. During this time, Junebug fell dormant and the members pursued other musical endeavors.

The new era

In 2005, Anthony moved back to Aberdeen to revive Junebug once again. The boys reunited in a spectacular Halloween show at the Red Rooster Coffee House on October 29, 2005. The band presented many old favorites as well as new material to usher the fans into the new era of Junebug. In January 2006, Junebug officially welcomed Josh Rieck into the band as bassist. Josh's first show with Junebug was on February 11. Rieck's contribution and style fills out the Junebug lineup perfectly. Also contributing occasionally in the new era has been Elizabeth Andrews on violin.

In March 2006, Junebug recorded a four-song demo entitled 10,000 EP as an audition for the 10,000 Lakes Festival "Cosmic Break" contest and they have received airplay on Fargo's Q98 'Rock Roots' show. The band has been branching out regularly to Fargo, North Dakota as well as Minneapolis. Junebug is currently rehearsing in preparation for three upcoming studio albums, Modern Day Fairy Tales, Share and Stan and plan to perform more in the Minnesota Twin Cities area.

Band Members

Anthony Bergman - Guitar, Lead Vocals
Dustin Marks - Lead Guitar, Backing Vocals
Tony L. Kollman - Drums, Backing Vocals
Josh Rieck - Bass
Elizabeth Andrews - Violin

Former Band Contributors

Kelly Lang - Bass
Nathan "Stu" Stuart - Bass
James Torbert - Bass
Dan Cleberg - Bass
Josh Trumbo - Bass
Alex "Forehead" Forred - Bass

Press Reviews

"Junebug...combines funky rhythms, melodies that jam and lyrics that will follow you out the door." -- A-List Magazine
"Fun to listen to - nice grooves. A very funky sound...That is some good music." -- Doug Rezac, iTalkies.us BB Shots Internet Radio
"Fun...that's as accurate as any description of Junebug's music. " -- Scott Waltman, Aberdeen American News XY

Releases

10,000 EP (2006)

No longer available

Young and Stupid (1999)
The Big Orange Van (2000)
Live at Wolfstock (2001)
Music to Listen To (EP) (2001)

Members' other bands

Cosmic Kibosh (Anthony)
Fed By Doris (Tony)
The Blue Orange (Tony)
los hermanos muertos (Tony, Dustin)
Strategery (Dustin)
coach reverend (Tony)

External Links

• Official Website
• Junebug's MySpace profile
• Junebug's Electronic Press Kit
• Junebug's photographer