Cosmic Railroad
A Wisconsin Tradition
Photos Courtesy of Rhy Kno Photography
In an age where a laptop on stage is just as common place as a drum set or an amplifier, it's refreshing to see a band stick to the blood and guts ideals of gritty jam rock, triumphantly peaked with the fire from a screaming guitar. Check that; 3 guitars...and 2 drummers. Guitarists Greg Gierl, Brandon Shilts and Pete Rallo, bassist Paul Aceto and drummers Mike White and Shawn Laurence, better known as Cosmic Railroad, have been tearing up the Midwest scene for over a decade now, and this train doesn't seem to be slowing down. With a tremendously devoted fanbase, annual must attend events, such as their Halloween bash and Masquerade Ball, summers filled with festival appearances, their very own festival, and even a trip to Negril, Jamaica with Chicago's Mr. Blotto next March, clearly these guys are at a place where most regional acts aspire to be. WIJAM recently had the chance to chat with Gierl about where Cosmic Railroad has been, and where they are going.
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WIJAM: You guys started this journey way back in 1999. To what do you attribute your longevity? Did you have any notions of what the future might hold when you started? Have you exceeded your own expectations?
GG: We really never even thought about anything like that. We basically just rolled along and did our thing. The next thing you know the years are rolling by and your setting up bigger and better shows etc., etc. Now we have an annual Halloween Show, Masquerade Ball, Family Gathering, Jamaica Trip and a new winter 2 day show that kicks off this January. I would say that we have a new set of expectations but couldn't tell you what they are as of yet.
WIJAM: I have had the pleasure of meeting some of your hardcore fans over the past couple years, and I've got to say, I don't know of a band in the state that has a more devoted fan base than Cosmic Railroad. Would you agree with that sentiment? If so, why do you think that is?
GG: Yes, are fans are part of our family. We have always treated our fans as part of the family and always will. They can come and go as they please, hang out with us, party with us, disappear for moments and step right back in when they feel like it. They are as much Cosmic Railroad as we are and they know that, so they are devoted to this as much as possible.
WIJAM: A band with 3 guitar players is not all that common. Explain a little bit about the benefits of such a line-up.
GG: The benefits are endless..... I mean it allows the guitarist to listen more and play less. Each of us naturally gravitate towards a position on the guitar so it kind of works out pretty cool when we are jamming. Another cool thing is we have 3 different styles and taste to choose from. A little something for everyone type of thing.
WIJAM: It has been announced that the Grateful Garcia Gathering will be moving back one weekend, starting in 2011, making their festival and your Cosmic Railroad Family Gathering on opposite weekends. Is that an exciting development in your camp?
GG: I did hear that. Honestly, we try not to be in any competition with Tim and 3GGG's. I've known Tim for several years and the only reason that our festival ended up on the same weekend was because he moved out of state. When he moved backed we had already committed the Cosmic Railroad Family Gathering to that weekend because of 10klf and Blottopia. So, it's cool that he's on another weekend for the music scene in general.
WIJAM: I think we all would agree with that. How was the 2010 CRFG? Any performances stick out as noteworthy?
GG: The Cosmic Railroad Family Gathering was great this year. We had a good crowd and excellent bands. I mean, wow!!! It was by far one of our best years. I really dug the Heavy Pets. They just lite it up. Actually, the last couple years have been off the hook. In 2009 we had ekoostik hookah and 2010 The Heavy Pets for our Friday night headliners. I think 2011 will be even cooler. A little too early for any news about that, but it's going to be cool....
WIJAM: You've got some very cool things on the horizon including Island Jam, and Cosmic Railroad institution the Masquerade Ball. Explain a little bit about the exciting things in you're near future.
GG: Yes, our calendar is starting to look pretty good. It turns out that every show is a little adventure in itself. From the point of just getting there to playing out and back home. Good times. We have announced a 2 day Winter Festival at Devil's Head Ski Resort for January 7th and 8th 2011. There will be 2 nights of Cosmic Railroad, ski packages and good times.
WIJAM: Any plans on releasing an album in the future, perhaps another live effort or a CRFG compilation?
GG: We are planning to sit in the studio all of this month and December, even January if necessary and record our first studio album. We have released several live albums as well as tons of shows on archive.org and always avoided the studio work. Now, we are looking forward to seeing what we come up with. A little different concept for Cosmic Railroad, by the way. Mostly, we play a show and just release it so the recording process was pretty simple. Now we are going to just jump right in the process and shake it up and see what comes out. Love not having a plan.
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I think it's safe to say that the rest of the Cosmic Family can appreciate the uncertainty of tomorrow, as well. Visit Cosmic Railroad at the following online locations for the latest on shows, updates and more.
GG: We really never even thought about anything like that. We basically just rolled along and did our thing. The next thing you know the years are rolling by and your setting up bigger and better shows etc., etc. Now we have an annual Halloween Show, Masquerade Ball, Family Gathering, Jamaica Trip and a new winter 2 day show that kicks off this January. I would say that we have a new set of expectations but couldn't tell you what they are as of yet.
WIJAM: I have had the pleasure of meeting some of your hardcore fans over the past couple years, and I've got to say, I don't know of a band in the state that has a more devoted fan base than Cosmic Railroad. Would you agree with that sentiment? If so, why do you think that is?
GG: Yes, are fans are part of our family. We have always treated our fans as part of the family and always will. They can come and go as they please, hang out with us, party with us, disappear for moments and step right back in when they feel like it. They are as much Cosmic Railroad as we are and they know that, so they are devoted to this as much as possible.
WIJAM: A band with 3 guitar players is not all that common. Explain a little bit about the benefits of such a line-up.
GG: The benefits are endless..... I mean it allows the guitarist to listen more and play less. Each of us naturally gravitate towards a position on the guitar so it kind of works out pretty cool when we are jamming. Another cool thing is we have 3 different styles and taste to choose from. A little something for everyone type of thing.
WIJAM: It has been announced that the Grateful Garcia Gathering will be moving back one weekend, starting in 2011, making their festival and your Cosmic Railroad Family Gathering on opposite weekends. Is that an exciting development in your camp?
GG: I did hear that. Honestly, we try not to be in any competition with Tim and 3GGG's. I've known Tim for several years and the only reason that our festival ended up on the same weekend was because he moved out of state. When he moved backed we had already committed the Cosmic Railroad Family Gathering to that weekend because of 10klf and Blottopia. So, it's cool that he's on another weekend for the music scene in general.
WIJAM: I think we all would agree with that. How was the 2010 CRFG? Any performances stick out as noteworthy?
GG: The Cosmic Railroad Family Gathering was great this year. We had a good crowd and excellent bands. I mean, wow!!! It was by far one of our best years. I really dug the Heavy Pets. They just lite it up. Actually, the last couple years have been off the hook. In 2009 we had ekoostik hookah and 2010 The Heavy Pets for our Friday night headliners. I think 2011 will be even cooler. A little too early for any news about that, but it's going to be cool....
WIJAM: You've got some very cool things on the horizon including Island Jam, and Cosmic Railroad institution the Masquerade Ball. Explain a little bit about the exciting things in you're near future.
GG: Yes, our calendar is starting to look pretty good. It turns out that every show is a little adventure in itself. From the point of just getting there to playing out and back home. Good times. We have announced a 2 day Winter Festival at Devil's Head Ski Resort for January 7th and 8th 2011. There will be 2 nights of Cosmic Railroad, ski packages and good times.
WIJAM: Any plans on releasing an album in the future, perhaps another live effort or a CRFG compilation?
GG: We are planning to sit in the studio all of this month and December, even January if necessary and record our first studio album. We have released several live albums as well as tons of shows on archive.org and always avoided the studio work. Now, we are looking forward to seeing what we come up with. A little different concept for Cosmic Railroad, by the way. Mostly, we play a show and just release it so the recording process was pretty simple. Now we are going to just jump right in the process and shake it up and see what comes out. Love not having a plan.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
I think it's safe to say that the rest of the Cosmic Family can appreciate the uncertainty of tomorrow, as well. Visit Cosmic Railroad at the following online locations for the latest on shows, updates and more.
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