Local band describing three out-of-town gigs as 'tour'

"Just hang around Blake (Rivers) or Pete (Crusce) or the other [band member] for ten minutes and they'll no doubt start talking about this 'tour' they're supposedly doing," explained Tomas Greenway, a Madison club patron who has personally witnessed Forrest Grump members intentionally reiterate the misnomer. "They think saying 'tour' makes them sound cool but I think everybody knows better."

Planning to launch the three-city excursion with an all-ages acoustic show at McGuire's Coffeehouse in nearby Janesville on Friday, July 12, the band is tentatively scheduled to travel to Wheeling for a show at Jerry's Pub the following night before wrapping up the trip Sunday, July 14, at The Rock House in Rockford, playing first on a four-band bill.

(From left) Pete Crusce. Graham Nokes and Blake Rivers of Forrest Grump.

"All of the guys are really stoked about this tour," said Rivers, 22, who plays drums for the three-piece outfit. "Getting out on the road has always been one of the band's big priorities. That it's finally happening for us is almost unreal."

Having gone through a variety of short-lived member lineups since its founding in early 2001, Forrest Grump has been building a reputation as a hard rock band that performs regularly around the Wisconsin State University campus scene. In addition to Rivers on drums, the band features Crusce on guitar and Graham Nokes on vocals and bass.

"We've been told we sound like a cross between Pantera and Incubus, but that's probably not really a fair comparison," said Rivers, who has lived with his mother in a suburb of Madison since his family relocated from Phoenix, Ariz., in 1995. "Our originals sound more progressive than most rock bands. We just need to get the music out to the people. This tour is just the beginning of making that happen."

Rivers acknowledged that whereas many label-represented bands' tours are meticulously planned, high-budget productions designed to promote the release of an artist's album, Forrest Grump - which "hasn't had a chance to get into the studio yet" - intends its first tour to simply establish the act in markets outside of the Madison area.

"This tour will represent the band's first trip to many of these new markets," said Rivers, who has on two occasions performed outside of Madison's city limits with his previous band, Clad In Black. "We can't expect to get signed by just playing shows in our own hometown. It would be nice to think that, but it's just not realistic. We need to build a name in the region, and that means touring, touring and more touring."

Instead of using a full-size tour bus, mobile home or van with trailer attachment for transportation - in compliance with typical band touring practices - Forrest Grump instead plans to utilize two of the members' personal vehicles: Nokes' 1979 Ford van and Rivers' 1984 two-tone station wagon.

Rivers contended that there are numerous logistical reasons for the unusual transportation arrangement.

"Well, for one thing, Graham has to drive back [to Madison] after the first show Friday night because he has to work Saturday," explained Rivers. "That kind of sucks that he won't be able to hang out and party with us at the motel room, but what are you going to do, ya know? And besides needing an extra vehicle for that, we don't have a trailer and we can't fit all of our gear into just the van and still have room for the band members and crew. That sucks that we can't all ride together because it would be nice to keep that 'unity' vibe going throughout the tour. We'll make due, though."

After computing expected tour expenses - gas, food, lodging and other miscellaneous travel costs - Rivers' initial estimates project that the band will not profit from the weekend of gigs, but sees the tour as an opportunity to gain invaluable road experience and exposure, and have a great time in the process.

"We really won't be making any bank off this tour," said Rivers. "It would help if we had merchandise like CDs or t-shirts or stickers we could sell, most definitely. Leaving that stuff behind in each city we play is certainly important. Hopefully we can get that stuff together before our next tour, which could be as early as August, as long as this tour goes well. We really are just looking to get in front of some people and play our asses off. That should get our buzz going in these towns."

Concluded Rivers: "And, of course, the main thing is that we have a good time."

June 2002