GRAK

GRAK is a four-piece Rock and Roll band from the Downriver area, who got together at the ages of 8 and 9. You could easily consider their sound stripped down to the bone rock n roll. The band has an incredibly tight, straight forward sound and their live show is as energetic, entertaining, and awe-inspiring as any you could think of. They make an even more incredible spectacle when you consider their ages: one in 5th grade, the three others in 6th grade,round out this young, talented line-up.The members of GRAK will be performing at functions all over the Metro Detroit area. They are extremely versatile in the styles of music they play, from Gavin Degraw's "I don't wanna be", to a new millenium version of the bashin and thrashin One Step Closer by Linkin Park. GRAK has their own slick way of screechin and moanin, guaranteeing that you'll be singing their original tunes like you grew (or will grow) up with them. 'Leave Me Alone', the first of their originals is a catchy hardcore version of exactly what a grade school rebel would scream about..."you take my hand and lead me round, your always trying to drag me down, you work my fingers to the bone. I'm telling you to Leave Me Alone!!!" The hardcore sounds from their original "Borrowed Time" will blow you away! The new one in the works is titled "Let me out" and is another jam unbelievably created by the young band.Each member of the group does well in school, and involved in numerous sports. The bass player, 12 year old Garrett, holds down the bottom like he was born in Motown in the early 60's. The drummer, 11 year old Rodney, beats the skins like he's mad at his bigger brothers, but with a little more rhythm. Singer, 12 year old Austin, has vocal abilities that are truly rock and roll. Add to this mixture 11 year old lead guitarist Kevin, who's manic adventures onstage are truly a joy to watch. . Put all this together and you get the smokin' sounds of a truly remarkable Little Man band.They have done considerable charity work such as the ROCK 4 Dreams,American Cancer Societys Relay for Life Taylor, and in White Lake, Hurricane Katrina Victims at the Token Lounge, Gifts for Kids at Chatters Lounge in Wayne, Soup for Hospice three years in a row at the Taylor Eagles. They've also opened up for several local bands at many downriver bars such as Wild Willy's in Romulus, The Dog House in Dearborn Heights & The New place in Dearborn. They have had their own shows at The Token Lounge, The Bullfrog in Redford, Simons in Allen Park, Moose MacGregors in Brownstown and The Perfect Pitcher in Taylor and City's Edge in Taylor.***************************************************** ********* ************************************************************ ** NEWS ARTICLE PRINTED IN THE NEWS HERALD/MARCH '06 By Anne SullivanWhen Helen Reedy recorded (Keep on Singing )she could have been singing about G.R.A.K., except it would be more than a score of years before any of them were born. Austin Smigielski 11, of Taylor, is the singer: Garrett Nickell 11, of Taylor plays bass: Kevin Umbenhowar-Dowell,10,of Riverview,is the lead guitarist: and Rodney Bies,11,of Allen Park, keeps the beat pounding on the drums. The lads who make up GRAK are on their way to stardom, or at least a little local fame as they perform around the area They named the band after themselves,forming GRAK with the first initial of each member's first name. An original song (Leave Me Alone) written by all four members, also(Let me out)and (Borrowd Time) are originals they play, with more on the way, also they do covers of songs from artists like Green Day, White Stripes,Linkin Park,AC/DC,Drowning Pool,Jet and meny others. Hopefully, a demo CD will be coming soon. There musical genre is a combination of rock n roll,pop,punk and funk. The band has performed locally, including at the American Cancer Society's Relay For Life last year at Heritage Park in Taylor. They also have performed in a Hurricane Katrina benefit in Westland and at Gifts for Kids, a benefit at Chatter's in December in Wayne In addition to being dedicated, hard-working musicians, the lads play sports and work hard at their studies. Each plays baseball and basketball. Rodney Bies,Garrett Nickell,and Austin Smigielski all attend 6th grade acadamy in Taylor.Kevin Umbenhowar-Dowell is enrolled at Memorial School in Riverview.