Wake Up Report: A swanky little four piece hailing from Belleville, Illinois will soon be topping the Indie Scene with the debut of their first compact disc, Record or Record. With Gerald Gregory Bach J. on drums, Daniel Huffman on bass, Steven James Breidenbach on electric guitars, and Bill Hudgins on electric guitars, Rhodes piano, and lead vocals, this ensemble does not disappoint with their mélange of hand made musical mixes: each track on their debut CD is unique, expressive, and emotional. Track One: “Split to Bill (Lies Lies)” is harmonic and dramatic with punch electric guitar lines. Track Seven: “Car Wreck or Heart Attack” comes on strong with a grunge background and punchy drum line attacking the listener. The title is fitting, there is violence here. Track Three: “The Telephone Calls Keep Quiet” evokes a feeling of nervousness and need for action. With a steady drum and bass line, and a haunting melody mixing a clever electric guitar “bendy” string and minor chord on the Rhodes “The Telephone” creates the illusion of a busy signal while the lyrics reflect the desperation of a call left unanswered; a voice left unheard, “Keep quiet, don’t talk about it, Keep quiet, don’t talk about it” mellows the straightforward and steady chorus while the verse calls out, “This could be considered a waste of space, but it all depends on how the cards are played/Damn near the old man with the cane, memories and stories were all that could be saved/ And you could be saved/A waste/Of space/A waste.” So make the call, or answer the phone. These guys deserve to be satisfied. Answer the call: check out the new CD. Beyond their debut album, these guys definitely have a story to tell. Each of them has a musical past, present, and future. Bach has been playing drums since the age of 16. Influenced by the greatest heavy metal masters such as Motley Crüe, Guns-n-Roses, Van Halen, Def Leppard, Skid Row, Poison and Warrant, Bach’s expectations for the band are high, and frankly only a master could hope to achieve his desire of free drinks at the shows. To date his most notable musical accomplishment comes in the form of an MTV music award hanging proudly on his mantle for his outstanding work as a fluffer on the latest Lenny Kravitz video. Huffman has been pulling at those bass strings since the age of 17. His influences John Paul Jones and Sting show up in the music he makes. Just listenclose. When I asked him what he desired for his musical future he replied, “Death to all non-believers” but this writer still hasn’t figured out exactly what Huffman would have me believe in, except possibly his comment about what he wants most for Wake Up Report, “Chicks, money and a killer van that we can actually drive to shows.” And I believe that is a possibility for this band. I am a believer in WUR, no matter how steep the level of success they desire to achieve. Breidenbach has been working on guitar mastery since he turned 14: the age every human should find something to do besides hang out in the bathroom all afternoon. Influenced by Eric Clapton, Built to Spill, Minus the Bear, Radiohead, Breidenbach has stretched his musical visions in many directions. When asked what he wants for Wake Up Report, he explained, “World Domination? I'll settle for dominating Bill's basement....” And with the latter goal already accomplished amid the hanging area rugs and small leak when it rains, the world is truly this band’s oyster. Hudgins is the lyricist/vocalist behind each and every tune, but the songs, though boned out by Hudgins, were composed though group effort: an effort which is apparent in the distinct simple guitar riffs, bass lines and snappy drum fills. Hudgins has a distinct vocal approach, and although he has been in the Belleville area since high school, the influence of that Chicago sound is apparent. Perhaps the influence is even stronger because the guys recorded at SEMAPHORE STUDIO in Chicago. Hudgins has always been a rock god, and he is proud of his heritage, “Somebody has a video tape of my sister (Ally) and myself in 2nd or 3rd, maybe 4th grade singing "The Greatest Love of All" a cappella in our living room. I hope whoever has that will not show it to too many people. I don't want my sister embarrassed.” Where is that video anyway? We need it for evidence of his pure heart and his inborn sense of vocal mastery. When I asked Hudgins what he wanted for Wake Up Report he said, “To write and perform songs that might possibly save lives. If not.... to keep writing music that interests us. To continue to record records, and play shows with great and inspiring bands.” The band should have no trouble accomplishing any of their goals. They are all motivated and this new album reflects their talent and hard work. They can save lives, if folks are listening, and they deserve to share the stage with the best in their field, and they will if they keep the record or record real. If you haven't yet had the opportunity to see Wake Up. Report., then you're really missing something special. But it is never too late to experience their musical message. Be sure to make it to one of their upcoming gigs, and be sure to pick up their one of a kind musical debut.