2009 Best Metal/Hard Rock Performer
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41.85% Brother*
Others with Votes (more than one):
* On the ballot |
Brother frontman Mark Magdich and his identical twin, Mike, like to spar about who came up with the idea for the band.
"We were thinking about it at the exact same time," Mark told me a few years ago. "But he claims it was his idea."
Mark Magdich told the same story to the crowd at the 10th Annual Whammy Awards as Brother gathered onstage to collect the first (or was it the last?) of its four awards. The Magdich brothers may still argue about whose idea the band was, but they won't have to argue about who gets possession of the Whammy. With four Whammy wins (the coveted Performer of the Year award, Best Live Band, Best Cover Rock Band and Best Metal Rock Band), each band member can have their own.
"We were laughing about that last night," Mark Magdich said. "I have last year's on my wall. Now everybody can take one home."
Brother broke into the Whammy winner's circle last year, taking home the Best Cover Rock Band award. Brother -- Mark Magdich on bass and lead vocals, Mike Magdich on drums and vocals, Michael Campbell on lead guitar and vocals and Chris Biciste on lead guitar and vocals -- apparently got the taste of Whammy and liked it. Though Magdich said they were all surprised at sweeping the categories for which they were nominated, the band had a definite jump in exposure since last year, opening for national acts, taking advantage of social networking sites and generally playing their fingers raw.
"We're all pretty amazed still," Magdich said. "After this weekend it may sink in. It's been a big wish for us, but we had no expectations. We were just hoping to pick up the Cover Band award again. The Performer of the Year Award, we did not expect that at all."
The "this weekend" Magdich referred to marks the band's engagement to perform the songs of Queen at the wildly popular Down the Line series at the Embassy. Whammy sweep on Thursday, Down the Line 4 on Saturday. Now that's some prime exposure.
The rise of Brother may seem sudden to those uninitiated to this powerhouse quartet, but to the growing base of fans, multiple Whammy recognition is overdue. The throng of Brother followers, many wearing Brother T-shirts, follows the band as it makes its circuit of Fort Wayne area bars. Regular gigs at places like Skip's in Angola, Martin's in Garrett, Jilli's Pub in New Haven, Checkerz in Fort Wayne, to name a few, keep the band connected with fans. And those fans turned out in force to see their favorite band take Whammy night.
"It might be due to the fact that we've been working really hard on PR and getting people to come see us," Magdich said. "We opened for Bret Michaels and Twisted Sister. We're on Facebook. We took all of the opportunities to play in front of more and more people."
The hard work paid off. With a schedule of more than 100 shows per year, the band has had more than ample time to hone its act. And a sharp act it is. With a focus on 1980s and 90s rock with a smattering of "classics" thrown in, Brother is a tonic to fans of Journey, Queen, Boston, Aerosmith, Zeppelin and many, many other bands.
But if Brother simply limped through a setlist like a weekend garage band, you wouldn't be reading this right now. What got Brother to its current status is the plain fact that these guys can play. Both Mark and Mike Magdich are multi-instrumentalists. Mark, who plays nine instruments and trained as an opera singer, spent time in Los Angeles in the 80s and 90s playing with various bands and doing studio work for movies and television. After high school, Mike joined the Guardsman Drum and Bugle Corps, one of the premier drum and bugle outfits in the country. He has composed symphonies and now works as a professor of music at Trine University in Angola. Campbell fronted his own band, Angel X, for years and made the transition to Brother seamlessly. Biciste, too, has a lengthy resumé and as the newest member (he joined in March of 2008) quickly earned respect for his talents.
Keeping what they do in focus has kept Brother's popularity on the rise. While writing and performing original tunes is well within their grasp, Magdich said they prefer to keep doing what they are doing.
"We're to the point now where we do two almost entirely different shows on Friday and Saturday nights," Magdich said. "We have about 110 songs in our playlist, and we're adding more and more rooms in addition to more charity and benefit shows."
One fan-favorite aspect of a Brother show is the acoustic set they generally play toward the end of the night. They set up four bar stools, unplug and let the talent shine.
"We do have one original song, 'Rise,' but we're really busy guys," Magdich told whatzup after last year's Whammy night. "Our work schedules are crazy, so I don't see us putting together a lot of originals any time soon. Besides, Brother (are) a cover band. That's what we set out to be, and that's what we're going to do night after night. Keep it fresh and keep the audiences coming back for more."
And from Facebook posts reacting to its Whammy success it's clear that the guys from Brother are doing the right thing.
"Congrats Guys!!! You are the best and have 4 Awards to prove it!!! Love you all and so glad to be a part of this family of Brother fans!! You guys Rock!!" wrote one fan.
And this from another: "Going to see BROTHER and DANCING helped me survive breast cancer. The kindness of the guys in the band and their loyal fans helped me through the roughest time in my life. God's speed tonight at the Whammy awards – Mark, Mikey, Michael and Chris. I'll be there in spirit!!!! (superimpose me in the pic in my Brother wear! -- lol)."
Now that's recognition any band would be proud to claim. (Mark Hunter) |
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