On The Verge

Free Energy

Photo by Cass Bird

Philadelphia, Pa.
Bombastic, Flamboyant and Melodic
www.myspace.com/freeenergymusic

“It was pretty painful when Hockey Night ended,” says singer Paul Sprangers of his now defunct Minnesota-based indie group. Left with a desire to create a new sound, he and bandmate Scott Wells headed to Philadelphia along with Scott’s brother, Evan. There, they hooked up with guitarist Geoff Bucknam and drummer Nick Shuminsky to form Free Energy. Born from a shared love of classic rock such as AC/DC and The Cars, the band creates a sound that Sprangers describes as “bombastic, flamboyant and melodic.” The quintet borrows many of its catchy, harmonic techniques and energetic guitar riffs from its heroes and caters them to a modern audience. Nevertheless, its infectious anthems and radiating stage presence caught the attention of DFA records and head honcho James Murphy produced the group’s debut Stuck on Nothing which was released this year. “We didn’t think anyone would get it,” says Spranger of the band’s sound. “We’re not pop enough to be considered pop or indie enough to be indie.”