brandenmann and the reprimand profile picture

brandenmann and the reprimand

Art raises its head where creeds relax. -Nietzsche

About Me

Here's what the people are saying:
"Man, that was some good shit"
-guy at the Corner Bar
"I like the way you strum"
-guy at Bilbo's
"you sure are talented"
-my mom
"I like how you made that sound prince-y"
-Bill Clements
"Thanks, Branden!"
-Tommy Ufkes
"Jeez, he plays saxophone too?"
-my sister-in-law
"You play music? I would have never known..."
-the neighbor lady
Branden has been playing music for the majority of his life, and has been writing music since the age of 15. His lyrics reflect his journey through life and his studies of religion and philosophy, and his take on the human condition. Ranging from the irreverent to the tender-hearted, his songs may offend or bring a tear to the eye. Either way, softspoken and shy in most social situations, creating music helps Branden to come to terms with everyday existence, and serves as therapy where traditional methods fail. His musical style is influenced by a wide range of artists including My Morning Jacket, Beck, Jenny Lewis & The Watson Twins, The Black Keys, Hank III, Jack Johnson, Dave Matthews, Drive By Truckers, and Pearl Jam.
Bassist Bill Clements, began playing at the age of 13, inspired by Geddy Lee, Chris Squire, and other prog-rock bass giants. Bill decided early on, one way or another, bass playing would be his path. Forgoing a formal musical education, Bill instead embarked on an intensive program of practice and musical research. Unfortunately, Bill lost his right hand and forearm, December 1989 in an industrial accident. This catastrophic event would seemingly have ended his promising career as a musician. Yet within three months time, Bill was gigging again, and he hasn't stopped since. Clements has long received regional acclaim for his prolific style of bass playing, and has been favorably compared to such bass legends as Rocco Prestia and Jaco Pastorius. Check out Bill's page here: myspace.com/thebillclementsgroup

My Interests

Music:

Member Since: 2/6/2008
Band Website: brandenmann.com
Band Members: Branden Mann : Guitar / Vocals / Scepticism

Bill Clements : Bass / Undertones / Paranoia

Tommy Ufkes : Drums / Clockwork

Other Contributors

Tony Thompson : Drums / Studio Magic

John Blissard : Alto & Tenor Saxophone
Influences: Mason Jennings, Jenny Lewis and the Watson Twins, M. Ward, The Black Keys, Beck, Eels, Steve Earle, Wilco, The 77s, Ryan Adams, Fishlips, Mississippi John Hurt, J.J. Cale, Bonnie Prince Billy, The Beach Boys, The Monkees, Nicolai Dunger, Citizen Cope, Pavement, Havalina Rail Co., White Stripes, Starflyer59, Kings of Leon, The Lost Dogs, Dolly Parton, Tom Waits, Devendra Banhart, Billy Bragg, Loretta Lynn, Jim O'Rourke, Daniel Amos, Jeff Tweedy, Loose Fur, Woody Guthrie, Tim Fite, Jose Gonzalez, Willy Mason, The Swirling Eddies, David Gray, Pearl Jam, Arcade Fire, A Tribe Called Quest, Preston School of Industry, Beulah, Band of Horses, My Morning Jacket, Ray LaMontagne, Ben Harper, Holopaw, Old Crow Medicine Show, Fruit Bats, Faces, The Band, Traffic, Robert Randolph, Galactic, Grandaddy, Spoon.
Sounds Like: so far it's been compared to Beck, Drive By Truckers, and My Morning Jacket. that's nice, but I'm not sure how accurate.
Record Label: Yeah, No Doy
Type of Label: None

My Blog

Another day, another way for me to open up to you...

If you haven't heard of Jamie Lidell, you should meet him: ...
Posted by brandenmann and the reprimand on Fri, 04 Jul 2008 10:52:00 PST

Mona said, "I wanna leave Bennigan’s."

Some hilarious misheard lyrics... ...
Posted by brandenmann and the reprimand on Tue, 10 Jun 2008 11:47:00 PST

So you’ll have to explain what a Lesbian is to your kids...

Check out this article on CNN : Lesbian kisses at game ignite Seattle debateMy question is: What is the big deal?  By and large, the biggest problem people had with homosexual public displays of ...
Posted by brandenmann and the reprimand on Thu, 05 Jun 2008 12:47:00 PST

How to get amazing gas mileage

Ride a bike, dummy!Don't have a bike?  Then walk.Can't afford a bike because of high gas prices?  One may purchase a reasonable bicycle at a retail supercenter for around the cost of two tan...
Posted by brandenmann and the reprimand on Thu, 05 Jun 2008 12:50:00 PST

In case you missed it...

Here's a big thanks to DJ Irreversible down at WIDR 89.1 Kalamazoo...  Thanks for having me on the Sound & Fury of Kalamazoo show on Wednesday.  It was a great time, albeit slightly swea...
Posted by brandenmann and the reprimand on Fri, 23 May 2008 09:23:00 PST

Always second guessing...

I wrote a song today... and for once it wasn't angry, or pissed off. It's about our humanity. It's about me. It's about you. It's about all of us. Shit happens. We all react differently to it. ...
Posted by brandenmann and the reprimand on Wed, 30 Apr 2008 01:48:00 PST

Everybody think that they know just what ol Lord, he got to say.

But from the fact that a 'religious experience,' if we choose it this, does exist and that it has a certain foundation ... it does not follow that the reality which is its foundation conforms objectiv...
Posted by brandenmann and the reprimand on Thu, 06 Mar 2008 11:26:00 PST

brandenmanns Ferguson music featured on the film "Blink" by Phil Forsyth

My friend Phil Forsyth made a film some years ago called "Blink". I was performing under the moniker "Ferguson", and Phil decided to use some of my music as part of the soundtrack. Below is the film...
Posted by brandenmann and the reprimand on Mon, 18 Feb 2008 12:29:00 PST

if you need an explanation.

Don't take anything too literally.  Don't take yourself so seriously.  Don't take me too seriously.  If you believe what you say, then don't see my words as a threat.  If you think...
Posted by brandenmann and the reprimand on Sun, 17 Feb 2008 11:04:00 PST

more than you should care to know

The first real band I ever remember hearing is The Beach Boys.  I can't remember a time before I knew about them.  My parents were big fans of the music they listened to growing up, and I wa...
Posted by brandenmann and the reprimand on Fri, 08 Feb 2008 09:50:00 PST