“We are going to blow away certain headlining acts”

Lesser Martyrs speaks out on local talent, Bumstock rescheduling and Jeremiah Freed

By Jason Houle

Posted on April 04, 2002, at 12:00 a.m.

When it comes to our wonderful little university, the words “local scene” don’t exactly scream out to many people. Well to those of you who didn’t know . newsflash – there is one.

And one of those bands that are on the forefront of this scene is the Lesser Martyrs.

Performing with local rock outfit “Propane Tank and a .45,” the Martyrs played in support of Soundbender’s CD release party to a small crowd at the Old Town Knights of Columbus Hall last Friday night.

“I’m thoroughly pissed off, so I’m going to play a pissed off song,” Cavallari told the crowd after an onslaught of technical difficulties at the start of their set.

But who are the Lesser Martyrs exactly?

Well to those of you who don’t know the Lesser Martyrs, composed partly of UMaine students, they are Tom Cothran on lead vocals and guitar; Dan Cavallari, vocals and guitar; Steve Paquette, bass; and drummer Randy Merchant. The band, which formed at UMaine a year and a half ago in Cumberland Hall, has a sound inspired by the likes of Metallica, Fuel and Alice in Chains.

“And a bit of Martyr magic that can’t be described,” Cavallari added.

The Martyrs, a Bumstock-bound band, is slated to play the Saturday evening slot, and were originally scheduled to open for southern Maine rockers “Jeremiah Freed” before Freed rescheduled to a Friday night slot.

“All I have to say about that is.Jeremiah Who?” Cavallari said to the crowd.

Cavallari pledged an ‘upstaging’ performance at Bumstock field in April, and approached the event from a standpoint that many people seem to have forgotten this year – fun.

“Expect us to be having as much fun, if not more, than the audience members,” Cavarelli said . “We are going to blow away certain headlining acts that shall remain nameless for now.”

And Bumstock, which will be dominated by UMaine and area bands this year in an effort to go back to the local shows of yesteryear, has caught many moans and groans from the general public. So what do the Martyrs have to say about that?

“Local music around here gets a bad rap, and not enough people here realize what incredible musicians we have here at UMaine,” Cavallari said. “I know what its like to put my words and feelings on the line, and I know what it feels like to have someone take those words to heart and be changed by them. That’s an incredible reward for a musician, and I think that we can benefit from giving local musicians that opportunity.”

For more information on the Lesser Martyrs visit www.lessermartyrs.com.

Campus Currents: Bumstock