.
Vol. 4 Issue 19
Sept. 14 - Sept. 28 2004
SUMRADA MAINTAINS LONGTIME MUSIC TRADITION
~DEANNA R. ADAMS
Few bands, local or national, have managed to perform consistently for more than two decades - let alone stay together that long. Yet SUMRADA seems to defy the odds. Well, okay, they did have a lineup change a few years ago when drummer Eddie Rodick left and Denny McPeek stepped in. But fortunately for the band, the choice was a good one and the group never missed a beat. If there was ever a formula for band success, SUMRADA has it - dynamic individual talents, high energy, and of course, an ever-expanding repertoire of popular covers by groups as widely diverse as Grand Funk, K.C. and the Sunshine Band, Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin, Guess Who, No Doubt, Three Doors Down, Santana, and even Jimmy Eat World. The songs they choose to play are ones that can even get the shyest music-lover up and dancing.
"Our range of covers are all over the place," says Steve Jochum, who you may recall from one of Cleveland's most beloved local bands, Wild Horses. "We're very eclectic. We do R & B, classic rock, even disco. No matter what we play, people are up on the dance floor."
How true. But SUMRADA also has a growing list of original material, consisting of songs penned by Jochum, author of that favorite little ditty, "Funky Poodle." In fact, the group has a recently released self-titled 5 song CD that can be purchased through their website (www.sumrada.com) or at their weekly shows around town. The CD is a good example, and a good teaser, for what's to become a full-fledged album of SUMRADA originals.
SUMRADA is Chuck Sumrada (bass/sax/vocals), Tracy Sumrada (vocals/keyboards/percussion), Steve Jochum (guitar/vocals), Ed Sumrada (keyboards/accordion/guitar), and Denny McPeek (drums). The group even has its own soundman in Lorne Hutter, and roadies, Bob, Nate, Jason, Tim, and Matt. How many local bands can boast that?
This long-running band was formed by Chuck and Ed, who, while in their teens, had a group called First Class. Through the 1980's they were called The Sumrada Brothers Band, playing private parties, festivals, and local clubs, later shortening the name to simply SUMRADA. By the 1990's the group had earned a dedicated fan base that would follow them wherever they performed. These days that can be anywhere in Ohio, Michigan or PA.
"My philosophy for a good successful band has always been to do covers while incorporating original music into our sets," says Chuck Sumrada. "We understand people like to hear the familiar, though the more we do our originals - that also becomes familiar to them. And it's the original music that keeps it interesting to us. Fortunately, songwriting comes naturally to Steve. So once he comes up with the songs, we all help pull it together and I engineer it."
The songs on this new release are pure SUMRADA - music you can sing to, dance to, or at the very least, tap your foot to. And it doesn't require several playbacks to begin to like, and become familiar with, the tunes. The CD will make SUMRADA fans anxious to hear more of what's to come.
Being such a steadfast presence on the local music scene for so long, members of this band don't have to call up club owners, or anyone else, to get jobs. Because the group's material is so diverse, people seek SUMRADA out when looking for live music. And not just at clubs. In one month's time, you can find the band performing at weddings, private parties - even sorority parties - which they'll be doing soon thanks to a enthusiastic response at a recent Hillsboro, Michigan college campus gig.
"That was a cool experience." says Chuck. "We really like doing different things and there is so much energy in college towns, you can't help having a good time."
But it's those regular gigs in Cleveland that are the band's lifeblood. When Cebars owners Frank and Tom Cvelbar were planning the grand opening of their new Cebars Madison Tavern, they knew just who to call. SUMRADA opened the weekend's festivities that Friday night and brought in a crowd of old and new customers who stayed till the end. The following weekend, my husband, Jeff, and I were able to catch them performing at downtown's popular club, Blind Pig, where they packed the house once again. The reason for attracting an audience that come - and - stay - have a lot to do with more than just the music. Tracy Sumrada's strong, fluid vocals and lively stage presence (and dance moves) gets the crowd moving, dancing and singing right along with her. She joined SUMRADA in 1986 and later married Chuck in 1997. She says she's been singing all her life and even with so many performance dates, manages to keep her voice clear and steady.
Denny McPeek has been drumming for years as well, and not just in rock bands. He drums weekly for the Alan Greene Band at Cebars, kicking off their Sunday Night Blues Jam. And Steve & Tracy often do a duo set during the week.
So, it's not hard finding any of the SUMRADA crew playing out at a club near you. Just check every issue of The Voice for weekly sightings.
The SUMRADA tradition lives on...
UPDATED 08.24.2012