The lowdown: Millions of Brazilians does not refer to some bizarre census count. It's actually a high-powered rock band -- three people, based in Taylor -- that is creating a buzz on the Detroit music scene.
Totally bass-less: Barely a year-old, this modern power trio is composed of Nick Cicchetti on guitar and vocals, Derek Dorey on guitar and Chris (Zoz) Gruse on drums. All are in their mid-20s. Note that nobody plays bass in the group, which is a key component of MOB's sound.
Speaking from their practice studio in Detroit, a space where they often jam through the night and into the morning, the three insist that being bass-less is fine with them. "Any rock band has bass and guitar," Dorey says. "Not having one gives us a unique sound. I use an octave pedal on my guitar to split the tone so that the lower notes sound like a bass. We've been playing this way since the beginning and like working things out using the least amount of instrumentation."
Punk to Motown: While the band is known for its hard-edged, driving approach, there are also plenty of melodic moments in its songs. Crowd favorite "Vermont" has guitars that stutter, grind and buzz like Franz Ferdinand meets Fugazi, with Cicchetti's beautifully sung vocal providing a pleasant contrast. "Personally, I grew up on Motown," Cicchetti says. "We listen to the same music as our parents, and that's where we draw most of our sensibilities from. That and the fact that we're pissed off 20-somethings."
The live experience: Millions of Brazilians has quickly developed a reputation as one of the most powerful and energetic young bands on the Detroit club circuit, something that drummer Gruse agrees with, saying: "Our shows are so freakin' good. A lot of it comes from the fact that our sound is huge and it throws people off seeing so few people do this wall of sound. We're upbeat, dance-y, and use disco beats that fall off the stage. We want to make people feel good."
Studio plans: Besides wowing audiences live, Millions of Brazilians has been working in the studio and hopes to release something before the end of '08. "We've recorded four songs at Rustbelt Studios in Royal Oak with producer Eric Hoegemeyer," says Gruse. "Recently, we also did two tracks with Carl Craig at a studio in Detroit. ... We hope to release an EP soon under the title "Half Horse, Half Horse."
See them live: The band plays at Pontiac's Crofoot Ballroom on Friday at the Metromix-sponsored opening night party for this year's Chrysler Arts, Beats & Eats Festival. Then it performs at 5:30 p.m. Monday at the Hamtramck Labor Day Festival. It's back at the Crofoot's Pike Room on Sept. 18.
