www.muhlenbergadvocate.com "Reflections From Rearview Mirror" by Andrew.Rote.06 dec. 1. 2002 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- “We’re not the common band that you hear on the radio,” said Adam Ptacek, lead singer of Rearview Mirror. Rearview Mirror is producer Steve Lillywhite’s newest sensation. They are also the first band to be signed under his new Gobstopper label. The band formed five years ago in small town Cresco, Iowa. It had originally begun as a way for Jason Ptacek and Matt Olson to spend some free time when things got boring, but it would soon move from practicing in Jason’s family’s barn to recording and touring the country. The two 13-year-olds spent their sessions covering Pearl Jam, Bush, and Nirvana songs. One day when Olson was delivering papers, he noticed a drum set in the garage of one of the houses. Knowing that he and Jason would need a drummer to cover the bands better, he spoke with then-11-year-old T.J. Kammer, owner of the drum set. With the addition of Kammer, who had learned to play from his father at age six, the band was complete. From there, the three played in the barn when they had spare time. Jason’s brother, Adam, inherited the job of cameraman. Soon, the trio would allow Adam to join the band as their bass player. After the addition, they were almost ready for gigs. All that was left was to come up with a name for the band. It was Kammer’s mother who suggested the band name in respect to the Pearl Jam song off of their “Vs” album. Rearview Mirror’s first paying gig took place at Sweet Corn Days in Lime Springs. From there, they began traveling to venues such as La Crosse, Wisconsin and playing at bars. Soon the band decided to walk away from the covers and focus on original songs. They moved to the recording booth where they would rearrange the band for a better sound. Jason moved to bass while Adam took over as lead singer and writer for Rearview Mirror. They recorded the album “Blown Out,” but they had to come up with tricks to sell the $5,000 project. They would even go as far as playing some songs twice at performances to make their audience think they’ve heard the songs before. Lillywhite came across Rearview Mirror on Demodiaries.com, a website boasting some of the best rising musical talent. The band would soon be added to the long list of Lillywhite success stories like the Rolling Stones, U2, the Talking Heads, Peter Gabriel, and the Dave Matthews Band to name a few. Lillywhite called Rearview Mirror one of the most talented bands he has ever heard. He often relates them to U2, not in style, but rather in their dedication and energy. For anyone, especially a small-town rock band, these are tough expectations to live up to. Besides Rearview Mirror, the only experience the members had was high school band. They weren’t the most popular kids in school and often suffered putdowns like “Queerview Mirror” and “the evil Hansons.” This would not slow down the band, however, which is now playing to its biggest audiences on tour with Live. The band went back to the studio for their first major recording with Lillywhite. “All Lights Off” features “Guilty,” winner of the 2000 Tonos songwriting competition, and “In the Beginning,” the band’s first big hit off of the album, which was actually the final song written for the recording. Adam said his favorite part about music is writing. He likes experimenting and figuring melodies. His biggest influence comes from musicians such as Pearl Jam and Jim Morrison. Topics usually form around experiences from living in a sheltered area, according to Adam. He is excited about sharing the songs he wrote for “All Lights Off” as well as five or six new ones, which should appear on their next album likely beginning recording in the summer. Adam said that generally Matt would bring in a guitar riff and he would figure out the best vocal melody to accompany it. When the album was finished, Kammer and the rest of the band went their separate ways. Rearview Mirror filled in the gap with tour manager Andrew Blessing. Blessing is by far the oldest member of the band at 24 as the others range from 18 to 21. The band had been off the road for some time trying to reset after internal problems and the chance to play with Live came as a relief for them. “It’s good to get back on the road,” Adam said, looking forward to a productive tour. The band, which once played for 30-person crowds, had gotten used to disappointing attendances when they played with bands like Days of the New and Drowning Pool who could barely sell 5,000 tickets. Their most recent tour, however, is in front of crowds of 2,000. They have been getting good responses in opening up for Live and they are reveling in the chance to play for such large audiences. “I just want people to get excited with the band,” Adam said, explaining that there are no gimmicks involved in their shows. “We want people to see our energy… and that we have a lot of integrity.” Adam said that Rearview Mirror is different from other popular bands because they mostly aim for radio. While those bands deal with tapes and DJs, Rearview Mirror focuses on their live shows. Everything has been put on hold for this band’s musical career. College has been put aside while they hope to make their living off of performances and record sales. As for college as a contingency plan for the music life, Adam said, “Things are going too well to think of a backup. We’re going to ride this thing out as long as possible.” “I never had intentions of being a rock star,” Adam said, adding that by no means will he refuse the opportunity. They never expected to come as far as they have. Still, the quick success won’t change the band’s image or style. “Our sole intention is enjoying ourselves.”