ÒHell yeahÓ was the answer given to me by Pleasing Melani frontman Carl Quandt when asked if he and the rest of the band would like to meet me at Mad Anthony Brewing Company to talk about their success in the 2007 whatzup Battle of the Bands IV. That kind of enthusiasm is pretty much what I expected after seeing the band work audiences into a frenzy on several occasions during this past year's contest. I figured that they are probably enthusiastic about everything they do, and, truthfully, everyone likes to go to Mad Anthony anyway.

       As I traveled to my destination on that random and otherwise uneventful Monday, I was looking forward to asking the band about their unique blend of music and their future plans, and I really wanted to talk about all of those fans wearing those PM antlers on their heads. But I also began thinking about what I would do if I were given the ability to choose a title for Pleasing MelaniÕs upcoming debut CD. Would I call it Waits For Me? Or maybe The Return of Scummy? On second thought, I think the most appropriate title would have to be Evolution. Whether itÕs their band members, musical styles, fans or songs in general, Pleasing Melani are a band of constant evolution. And in their case, that is a good thing.

       According to Quandt, the band – which now includes his brother Al on drums, bassist Scott ÒScummyÓ Knepple, guitarists Nate Ochoa and Mitch Frazier and saxophonist Scott Snyder – began as a result of his desire to play oldies, such as ÒLilÕ Red Riding HoodÓ from Sam the Sham. ÒI had trouble convincing people to play with me," said Carl. "I begged my brother Al to play with me, because he was such a phenomenal drummer, but the music didnÕt really work out.Ó

       Brother Al agrees. ÒCarl and I started [the band] but couldnÕt find a direction to take the music. We worked with some musicians that just werenÕt going where we wanted to go. It wasnÕt until we brought Scotty (Snyder) in to play sax that we gained a style we were comfortable with.Ó

       ÒHe ended up being the greatest thing we ever did,Ó adds Carl. ÒHe really sets us apart. He helped give us that Tom Waits/Morphine sound, and thatÕs when I decided that was the direction we should go.Ó

       After parting ways with their bass player, the band recruited Scummy – who was in Audiotopsy at the time – to play bass and add vocals. ÒI donÕt consider myself a very good singer,Ó says Carl, Òso I wanted someone else in the band who could actually sing. And after he joined, it really freed us up to play what we wanted. [From there] we got more into the punk and metal music that we all grew up on.Ó

       The band's first show with Scummy was also the first show that they incorporated Irish music into the set. "It started with 'Bottle of Jack,'" explained Carl. ÒWe werenÕt getting crowd reaction from anything but that one song, so we decided to write more songs like that. And now with Scummy in the band, our writing got better and our songs got better.Ó

       In addition to the aforementioned Waits and Morphine, the band claims The Pogues and Primus as some of their other musical influences, as well as ÒotherÓ influences. When I pressed them to describe their sound as it currently stands, Al said that ÒitÕs kind of a raw, Irish punk sound,Ó before Ochoa added, ÒI like to call it drunken monkey music.Ó ÔNuff said.

       Pleasing Melani made it to the final round of the whatzup Battle of the Bands this year after having been eliminated in the semifinal round last year. ÒThe Battle of the Bands shows are really enjoyable because those are some of the coolest and craziest crowds,Ó says Snyder. Carl agrees. ÒIn 2006, we played the same set each time, but this year we changed it up every show, so there was something different for everyone. And the crowd really got into it.Ó

       The band also seemed to show a lot more confidence this time around. They had the attitude and swagger of a band that looked like they wanted – and expected – to win.

       ÒWe had the philosophy that ÔWe're in it to win it,ÕÓ says Carl. ÒThatÕs really our philosophy with everything these days. Some people might think that because of the way we act on stage, we arenÕt serious about our music or that we donÕt care. Some people even think that IÕm drunk when I get up there, but I'm not. We just put a lot of energy into everything we do and it comes out in our music.Ó

       The band's fans apparently are quite appreciative of that attitude, as they are some of the most rabid fans ever seen at the Battle. Sporting anything from flashing buttons to matching neckties to Pleasing Melani antlers, their loyalty is unmatched in the city.

       According to Carl, a lot of the fan support started after he started writing about real things that he and his friends have done. The friends that he wrote about would come out to the shows, have a good time and then bring other friends with them to the next show. ÒIt kind of exploded from there,Ó says Al.

       Not only do the band's songs tend to contain real life stories and situations, but they are mostly high energy and anthem-like, seemingly tailor-made for fan participation. ÒAnything I write is aimed toward the crowd,Ó says Carl. ÒI write songs about what I want to write about, but I also consider how the audience is going to react to the song while IÕm writing it.Ó Judging from the support the band has been getting, he knows what he is doing.

       From blues to punk to metal to Irish rock, Pleasing Melani have harbored a variety of influences and sounds already, and there's no reason to think their evolution wonÕt continue. Maybe there will be some Neil Diamond- or Rod Stewart-inspired songs in the future. Although unlikely, itÕs not entirely unfathomable, given the variety of sounds theyÕve already incorporated.

       Meanwhile, the band has some big plans for their immediate future, and, like everything else, they are putting 100 percent of their energy into all of them. ÒWeÕre putting out an album in January and are going to tour the West Coast,Ó says Al. ÒWe are all just quitting our jobs and going.Ó Sounds like a band that is confident it can succeed in anything it does.

       Until then, you can see Pleasing Melani perfecting their live show just about every weekend somewhere in the Fort, including an upcoming gig as one of the opening acts for national recording artists Primer 55 at Legends on November 14.

       Catch them while you can, because if their current philosophy keeps working there will be more national tours in their future and a lot fewer chances to catch them locally.

       Just be sure to watch out for those PM antlers – they could poke your eye out.

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