The Ronald Raygun
after three-year breakup, band reunites for album
Sometimes all it takes for a band to release a second album is to break up, wait three years, have a child, start a successful business, have a friend move up from Tennessee, gain perspective through personal growth, and have a clear vision of what they want to accomplish.
That is the case for Eau Claire band The Ronald Raygun. Their long-awaited sophomore album We Will All Be Dirt is a testament to this growth. Fans and music lovers will have a chance to pick up this album November 23 and see them live on November 26 at the House of Rock.
The Ronald Raygun’s CD release show in 2006 proved to be their last performance and collaboration for three years. Front man Ben Hinz describes why breaking up was a necessity.
“Before we even played that show I realized I was quitting the band. We made a lot of good music together, but did it in the slowest, most unhealthy way possible.”
While the band was in hiatus, Hinz and drummer Matt Haapala, who were the core of the band, took time off to explore other musical opportunities. Hinz started a successful effects pedal company, Dwarfcraft Devices, which has sold guitar pedals to such successful touring acts as Coheed and Cambria and Duluth band Low. Haapala also worked with Hinz at Dwarfcraft Devices and plays with Eau Claire’s The Heart Pills.
When they reunited the band, they added two members, Robert Swanson on guitar and screams and Ben Hoffmeister on guitar. Hoffmeister says the addition of himself and Swanson adds to the creative process and helps speed things up.
“Because Ben and Matt have played together for so long, they know each other so well. Me and Robert joined the band and it is a new ballgame.”
Hinz adds, “There’s four heads in the game. Also for me in those three years that we weren’t The Ronald Raygun I grew up and learned a lot about myself.”
One of the things Hinz has learned from growing up is how to be a band leader. While all members of the band contribute heavily, Hinz feels he is able to step up and take control of the music when uncertainty arises. Haapala agrees with Hinz and adds that he appreciates having “more to bring to the table, when you have two more minds working with what [we] had before.”
We Will All Be Dirt is the result of the band’s growth. The 40-minute album provides a rock and roll landscape unencumbered by pop sensibilities and paradigms. When one listens to the album for the first time they realize that this is not background music – it requires and warrants your full attention.
As a primer to what listeners are in store for, the single The Crow challenges just what a single is. First, the conventions of a standard three-minute single are challenged with the track coming in at almost seven minutes. When you first listen to The Crow you are treated to screeching guitars and vocals that seem to fight for your attention. Then, halfway in, there is a sustained guitar chord produced by one of Hinz’s own pedals. This minute of noise is reined in with an intelligent keyboard chord progression that helps the listener realize that there are no unintended moments in this album. It is not very often you realize this in just four measures off of a bridge.
If that is not enough, people who purchase the record release of the album will get to download a 5.1 surround sound version of the album done by local recording phenom Jamie Hanson.
Hinz says, “I have been bored with stereo for the last few years.”
Swanson adds, “There is so much going on … with a lush 5.1 surround mix you will hear things that you might not on your car stereo.”
The Ronald Raygun CD Release Party + Porcupine + A Thieves Parade • Nov. 26 • House of Rock, 422 Water St. • 10pm • FREE • ages 21+ • www.myspace.com/theronaldraygun • There is also a raffle with proceeds going to Human Rights Campaign
