By Jae-Ha Kim
Chicago Sun-Times
June 13, 1997
Michael Brandmeier learned early on that if you want to make it in the music business, you need to adapt to survive.
As a student at the University of Wisconsin at Eau Claire, he joined a band called the Changes, which was heavy on cover versions of ballads.
“We were basically a wedding band playing on campus to kids who were falling asleep,” Brandmeier said, phoning from his home in Madison, Wis. “I thought, `There’s no way this is going to work for this crowd.’ So I sped things up a little and started playing all these songs by the Animals. I didn’t know the words or anything, but the kids liked what we were doing. Soon after, we changed our name to, uh, the Drunk Band.”
Laughing, he added, “I’m not exactly proud of that.”
Fast-forward to 1997: After spending a couple of years in Los Angeles on the coffeehouse circuit, the former vocalist for the Drunk Band releases his superb debut album, “Spirit on the Run,” on his own indie label Silenthawk Records. The 12 bittersweet songs evoke the type of gritty charm that makes Del Amitri’s tunes so memorable, and Brandmeier has received some favorable reviews.
Then, too, there’s his famous elder brother Jonathon – a radio personality on WLUP-FM (97.9) and WMVP-AM (1000) – who helped get the word out about the record.
“Johnny has encouraged me to death,” Brandmeier said. “He said, `Follow your dreams.’ And it really meant a lot. Without him, I don’t know how I could have done it.”
One of six children, Brandmeier said Jonathon wasn’t always so supportive.
“He used to line us up and hit us on the head if we smiled when he told us not to,” Brandmeier said, laughing. “I always got hit, but (our brother) Jimmy always hit him back.”
While working on his solo material, Brandmeier collaborated with Jonathon in his group Johnny and the Leisure Suits. Michael played the part of “Speedo,” the bassist who was always at Johnny’s side.
“That was just for fun,” he said. “It paid the bills and it was really cool writing songs with Johnny. He actually has a really good voice. My brothers Jimmy and Johnny and I used to sing Mills Brothers tunes growing up.”
Brandmeier will host a record release party at 7 p.m. June 16 at Schubas, 3159 N. Southport. There is a $3 cover charge. Phone (773) 525-2508 for details.
EYE CANDY: Taking the lead from his brother Liam Gallagher, who recently married actress Patsy Kensit, Oasis guitarist-songwriter Noel Gallagher wed longtime girlfriend Meg Matthews (the inspiration for “Wonderwall”) June 5 in Las Vegas. No punches were thrown. . . . Chicago’s Diplomat 6 (including members of Lost Luggage) have a new album out called “Buda de Oriente.” They’re celebrating with a record release party Saturday at Martyr’s . . . E-mail comments to jaehakim@suntimes.com
