Paper Tiger
Today's highlighted Madison-based musical act is Paper Tiger.
Coalescing just over four years ago before cutting their teeth on stages around the UW-Madison, the band known as Paper Tiger upped their ante last year with the release of their debut album and live DVD. Mixing together a tuneful motley collection of sounds in their punk-funk rock, this quartet is starting the new swing through the calendar with some time on stage.
Here is a brief version of their formulation:
Paper Tiger formed in November of 2003. By posters, auditions, and word of mouth, the members started to fall into place.
Their first gig was at Bradley Residence Hall (ironically the place they were banned from practicing because of noise), with an audience of approximately 60 people. The show was a huge success, turning many naysayers into fans?
In January of 2006, the band recorded and released their first full-length CD entitled Chemistry. This release was soon followed with a live DVD Paper Tiger - Live at Pizzeria Uno.
A more detailed history of their four-plus years together as a band is available here.
There are four members of Paper Tiger: Mike Brandt (electric and acoustic guitars), Ty Christian (electric and acoustic guitars, vocals, keyboard, harmonica, trumpet), Graham Sazama (bass), and Anthony Keyzer (drums).
Since releasing their debut album and live DVD early last year, Paper Tiger has focused primarily on their live show, playing at private parties, clubs and festivals in and around Madison. Their biggest gig to date was last Oct. 28, when they were the headlining band on the Gorham Street stage at the Freakfest on State Street Halloween party.
Much more information about the group can be found at papertigerband.com, including three years of gig photos, a complete set of lyrics to Chemistry, and an apothecary of multimedia, including song samples from their debut album, video clips from their live DVD, video clips from their first show together, and an album's worth of live acoustic tracks as performed at WSUM. Three full tracks from Chemistry, namely "Look," "Carnation," and "Audrey," can also be found here.
After spending the months since their State Street show on hiatus, Paper Tiger are returning to the stage on Friday, Feb. 2. They'll be playing a Groundhog Day show with Tom Vollman and Love in October at The Klinic.
This is the latest featured entry from the Madison Music Project, an online database of Madison-area musicians. Please register or update your current profile on the project for consideration in these highlights.
