Artist Profile - The Melismatics

The Melismatics

The Melismatics formed at the turn of the century in the fertile ground of the Minneapolis indie-rock scene. Their debut album “Postmodern Rock” quickly caught the attention of college radio stations around the country and garnered favorable reviews from critics around the world.

Shortly thereafter, Minneapolis indie-rock king pin Ed Ackerson (Polara, The Jayhawks, Limbeck, Sing It Loud) signed the band to Susstones Records and produced their next two albums “New Infection” and “Turn It On.” The Melismatics toured the country numerous times over and continued to win loyal fans with their high-energy and unpredictable live shows.

After releasing three albums, having their music featured on MTV’s “Laguna Beach”, and “the Hills” NBC’s “Windfall,” and numerous extreme sports videos, The Melismatics have now released their latest effort “The Acid Test” on CC Entertainment/Koch.

Left to right: Ron, Ryan, Pony and Mark (photo by Alex Abercrombie)

Renowned producer John Fields (Jimmy Eat World, Rooney, The Jonas Brothers, Switchfoot, Clay Aiken, etc) caught the band performing at 2007 SXSW in Austin, Texas and signed on to produce the album. “The Acid Test” takes The Melismatics in a stunning new musical direction and features the co-lead vocals of Ryan Smith and Pony. The new album also highlights the rock-solid bass work of Mark Wade and inventive drumming of Ron Caron.

The Melismatics have found a sound all their own that is familiar yet unique, euphoric and adventurous. As students of rock history, they have taken the best elements of the past and mixed them with their own modern vision; They fuse such influences as New Order, The Jesus And Mary Chain, The Kinks, Big Star, David Bowie, The Cars, and many others.

The Melismatics’ sound is constantly evolving and developing– as The Onion put it, “no one ever accused The Melismatics of being predictable.”