Hey Mercedes was born of an undying need to make music. In October of 1999, a mere month after the final shows of Braid, Todd Bell, Damon Atkinson, and Robert Nanna were already sick to death of pawning records, baking biscuits, and soliciting money from banks. It was always known that after 6 long years of recording, playing shows, and crisscrossing the US, Canada, Europe, and Japan that they could not stay silent and still for long. So, they gathered later that month at one of Braid's high tech state-of-the-art practice studios, otherwise known as Bob's parents' basement and began playing.
With Damon in Milwaukee, Todd in Champaign, and Bob in Chicago, the practices were sparse, but fulfilling. Braid had been rather infamous for coughing up a few songs a week and jumping at whatever was offered to them. Hence, they went through the ringer more than a few times - opening up for a heavy metal cover band in Normal, IL, sending new songs to labels for compilations that would never see the light of day, and playing a show where they were promoted as "Brave" from San Francisco. The guys weren't planning on making those same mistakes again, so they developed a nice healthy, patient attitude toward the band. Even though it may have been driving them crazy not playing shows, there was really no rush.
This new outlook was also implemented during a grueling search for a second guitar player. Mark Dawursk, lovingly known to friends as Farm, was already sick to death shelling out "expressos" and "cups of chinos" up in Milwaukee. He too had journeyed across country many times with the rock band, Alligator Gun, and then as a roadie/guitar tech for The Promise Ring and Jets to Brazil. It was certainly time to get right back out there. Already pals with the other three guys, he jumped at the chance to try out for the band. After learning a few rough songs, it was clear that he was the man for the job. So Todd picked up and left Champaign for the bright lights of Milwaukee. In April 2000, Hey Mercedes, as we now know it was born.
They recorded 4 songs at Smart Studios and their old pal, Matt Lunsford at Polyvinyl Records, agreed to help out and release it. Sure, there are unmistakable reminders of Braid. The personal vocals, the angular guitar work, the syncopated drumming style, all were trademarks of Braid's style of songwriting. However, the addition of Mark's amazing guitarwork, the new relaxed, patient approach to the songs, and the infiltration of new influences creates an entity all its own, completely independent and emotionally powerful.
Hey Mercedes played its first show on August 26, 2000 at Braid's old kicking ground, The Fireside Bowl. After a whole year of work and patience, it was an altogether invigorating experience. The show was followed by a short 10 day tour east with Jets to Brazil, a full east coast tour with soon to be Vagrant Records label mates The Anniversary and Dashboard Confessional and aheadlining tour of the southeast and midwest.
In early 2001 Hey Mercedes signed with Vagrant Records and headed promptly into the studio. In April of 2001, Hey Mercedes Vagrant debut "Everynight Fire Works" was recorded at the legendary Pachyderm Studios (Nirvana, Superchunk) with their favorite producer/engineer, J. Robbins (Burning Airlines). In 2 weeks, the 11 song album was grinded out with powerful precision. It was mixed at Smart Studios (Nirvana, Garbage) by the talented Mark Haines (Rainer Maria, Archers of Loaf, Sunvolt).
Hey Mercedes was proud to be part of this summers sold out Vagrant America tour which took them to the west coast, across the south, and back east. Upon return, they promptly hit the road with now-superduperstars Jimmy Eat World for shows in the midwest and east coast, and then did 3 weeks down south with Jade Tree pals New End Original. Then they went home to rest, right? Nope. It was another month on the road with labelmates Saves the Day and the up-and-coming Thursday. Whew.
In February 2002, the boys gathered to talk shop and through a mutual agreement (or rather disagreement?), Mark decided to leave the ranks of Hey Mercedes. So what is the sure cure for the intraband blues? Japan, of course! In March 2002, they recruited local friend Sean O'Brien to man the second guitar and did 2 phenomenal shows in Tokyo, playing to over 1000 amazing peeps, and 17 or so Midwest days to boot.
In May, after a stellar audition and a few personal recommendations (bribes), Hey Mercedes welcomed the newest member to the team, Michael Shumaker, Cleveland native and talented guitarist of the-best-band-you-never-heard-of, Sheilbound. Within a week of his orientation, the guy was picking up stakes and heading for Milwaukee. That's dedication. And I'm told that he learned every single one of the songs for kicks. Show-off. Immediately, new songs were beginning to blossom.
So where are we? Oh yes, July marks the release of "The Weekend" EP featuring some unreleased tracks from the ENFW sessions, and to celebrate, these guys are going back on tour. 6 weeks across the US and back, this time with Piebald, Audio Learning Center, and Koufax! And then there's this Vagrant America 2 tour thing in October to look forward to. Afterwards, they'll be recording their NEW record, and probably hatching more plans to tour Europe, Australia, Canada, and Iceland. Go check them out, you'll have a blast, and as always, say hello for me, the anonymous bio writer. Late.
