It is likely that the work of German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche will surface in a Google search for indie-rockers IAMDYNAMITE, and that is no coincidence.
IAMDYNAMITE, a two-man band, consists of guitarist Chris Martin (no, not the lead singer of Coldplay) and drummer Chris Phillips. Martin and Phillips were classmates at a small high school outside of Ann Arbor, Mich., where Martin estimates that their graduating class was “maybe a hundred people.”
Formerly known as Mahoney, IAMDYNAMITE got its name from a quote by Nietzsche: “I’m not a man, I am dynamite.”
Currently on tour with Blue October promoting their latest album, “Any Man In America,” IAMDYNAMITE broke into the music scene when Blue October’s bassist, Matt Noveskey, produced their EP.
“I remember [the EP] was such a big deal,” Martin said. “I kept hearing ‘Blue October, Matt from Blue October,’ and I was confused, because I kept getting their name mixed up with the name of a local band. I had [Blue October’s] song ‘Hate Me,’ and finally I put two and two together.”
Martin and Phillips share an eclectic taste in music. Among the duo’s biggest inspirations are James Brown, Queens Of The Stone Age and The Police.
“We listen to all the music that we possibly can,” Martin said. “That’s the most important thing.”
IAMDYNAMITE began touring with Blue October in early September, less than a week before the release of their debut album, “SUPERMEGAFANTASTIC.”
The album, which dropped on Sept. 13, was recorded during a 12-day stint at Willie Nelson’s recording studio outside Austin, Texas, and, according to Martin, the recording process felt like a marathon.
“We finished recording at 3 a.m. and drove back to North Carolina –– a 22-hour drive ––and didn’t get to listen to anything we recorded for almost a month afterwards,” Martin said. “It was a really weird feeling.”
“SUPERMEGAFANTASTIC” boasts 10 energetic, clean tracks. Supported only by Martin’s electric guitar and Phillips’ drum kit, tracks like “Riot In The Neon Light” and “Where Will We Go” deliver rhythm and funk in such an authentic manner, that the listeners may feel as if they are already in the crowd at a concert. Smooth vocal harmonies between Martin and Phillips are evidence of hours and years of practice between two friends that go way, way back.
IAMDYNAMITE and Ashleigh Stone will be opening for Blue October at The Pageant on Saturday, Oct. 1. General admission tickets are available through The Pageant box office for $25, plus a $2 minor surcharge at the door. Balcony reserved seats are available for $30 for those over age 21.
