Mill's End

Mill’s End
“A Peaceful Gathering”

The rocknroll of the 90s will always hold a special place in my heart and I’m sure the players of Mill’s End can say the same. “A Peaceful Gathering” has that timeless feel. It could be a rock song from almost any era after the roots rock movement of the 1970s, but there’s definitely a 90s slant to it. And why not? Nineties Rock seems to me like the new Classic Rock and few hold to it like Mill’s End. This protest song carries a powerful message that you can hear in the song’s delivery, but for locals, the message might further resonate. “A Peaceful Gathering” was inspired by the “Red for Ed” movement which saw thousands of educators and their supporters mobilized to march on the Arizona State Capital to demand higher pay. - YabYum Music and Arts

“(Drinking Is Easy) Living Is Hard” – Mill’s End. Phoenix, Arizona-based country rock band Mill’s End drops “(Drinking Is Easy) Living Is Hard,” with lyrical subject matter that ranges from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder to single parenthood to loss. This is a classic country-rock story song, welcoming Alan Clark to the band on guitar. The tune shifts stylistically from longtime lead guitarist Keith Perillo’s approach with a more bluesy vibe. Julissa Ruth adds the perfect touch to this barroom anthem.–Lisa Whealy - independentclauses.com

MILL’S END - It's Only The Beginning
By Sara Lambeth
Mill's EndPhotos courtesy of Mill’s End

The music industry is tough, no matter what stage of it you are in. We wanted to know more about what it takes to keep a band making music and performing shows year after year. To find these answers we turned to Mill’s End frontman, Jeff Bump. Mill’s End is a southern rock n’ roll quartet, raised on old 97’s, Allman Brothers and Neil Young. The band came into existence 10 years ago with the intention of bringing back good ol' bar band rock ‘n’ roll to the Phoenix scene. Currently, they have two EPs and one full length album under their belt with new music on the way.

DB: Congratulations on 10 years as a band. How has your opinion/outlook changed about being in a band over the years?

JB: As the band continues, I really feel there is just a greater appreciation for being able to write songs and record and perform them. We just feel incredibly lucky that we can keep doing this, we just have a great love for the entire process.

DB: Over the last decade, what single event has meant the most to you, or stood out more than others as a band/musician?

JB: I think getting one of our songs used for the Light Rail campaign was quite an honor. We got to record in an awesome studio, do fun events and had an amazing animated video created for it. It’s a great feeling when people say, “I heard your song when I was at the grocery store today”. I never imagined that we would have our music playing when people are shopping for produce lol.

DB: Can you elaborate on "what a long, strange, trip it’s been" quote you have on your bio?

JB: Like any group that has been around for awhile, we have been through a lot, not only in our music career, but in our personal lives as well. Lots of stories, lots of ups and downs and even personnel changes. The music business is crazy no matter what level you are at.

DB: I see you have released "Sightseeing" and "Follow The Money" back in 2017 and are currently in the studio. Can you talk about what is to be expected?

JB: We have two EPs and one full length album. We are getting ready to release a new single very soon and then another [single] in the next few months. When we have enough songs, we will put them all out as a full-length album.

DB: During this recording process, or anytime in the studio, did any of the songs come out differently than you had planned?

JB: We generally have a pretty good idea of what we want when we record. Our producer Bryan Kuban really pushed us on the last two releases with some innovative ideas and trying to get the best performance out of us. In doing that, the songs turned out even better than we expected. We were so excited to hear the final mix. We felt we had really made some solid records.

DB: What are your thoughts on the music industry, social media and YouTube?

Mill's EndJB: In a lot of ways, social media and YouTube is the music industry. There seems to be a lot more emphasis on singles rather than albums, and in the past the industry would "discover" talent that they thought would sell and put it out to the public. Now, the artists really have to show they can garner attention on social media and YouTube and then the industry comes to them. Thanks to social media and YouTube there are a lot of great resources for do it yourself musicians to really put out high quality recordings, videos, etc. The challenge is there is so much out there you really must put the extra effort in to make what you do stand out instead of being scrolled over on someone’s laptop.

DB: How would you say the local music scene has changed over the last 10 years?

JB: One substantial change is just the number of bands. There is a lot of music out there in pretty much every genre. Just as with social media, you really must put the work in musically and then promotion wise to be able to separate yourself. People are going to give you a small window to win them over, so you really need to have your act together when you get that opportunity.

DB: What does the future have in store for Mills End? I see you have some shows coming up, what can we look forward to?

JB: The emphasis right now is writing and recording. We want to keep pushing ourselves musically and creatively and get it into the studio. We also love to play live so there will be plenty of opportunities to see us play not only in the Valley but the Southwest.

DB: Is there anything that you would like to add?

JB: You can always get the latest on shows, music and news at millsendband.com and a big thank you to all those who have supported us over the past 10 years.

Mill’s End style of alt-country is the perfect playlist to a summertime barbecue or the inspiration to find your favorite jeans and boots to hit the town. Make sure to check out Mill’s End and follow them on Facebook.

Mill’s End:

Jeff Bump - Lead Vocals, Rhythm Guitar
Mike Eckert - Drums
Geoff Butzine - Bass
Alan Clark - Lead Guitar, Vocals

Links:

www.facebook.com/MillsEnd/
www.millsendband.com - DaBelly Magazine

7/12: Mill's End release show

Mill’s End chronicle the ups and downs of modern life on “(Drinking Is Easy) Living Is Hard," the single whose release this party celebrates.

Lead singer Jeff Bump says it started as a tribute to classic country drinking songs and veered off into social commentary dealing with the difficulties people face as adults in a culture that often encourages drinking as a Band-Aid.

A gritty rocker that swaggers like the Black Crowes in their primes, it finds Bump snarling his way through the stories of characters dealing with crises such as PTSD, raising a child alone and the loss of a family member.

In addition to Bump, bassist Geoff Butzine and drummer Mike Eckert, “Drinking” features new guitarist Alan Clark with keys by Ben Cortez and guest vocals by Julissa Ruth, who lends a Merry Clayton "Gimme Shelter" vibe to the proceedings.

They're joined at the Rogue Bar by Wurmfur and WFTS.

Details: 9 p.m. Thursday, July 12. Rogue Bar, 423 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale. 480-947-3580, facebook.com/theroguebar/ - AZ Central (Ed Masley, author)

Mill’s End (3 Singles)
Review by Liz

Mill’s End is a southern rock group from Arizona that has been around for a decade. They just released 3 singles with a full album on the way. Their sound is very palatable and clean. These new singles feature a guest artist on keys that definitely adds to their sound as well as an outstanding female vocalist. The lyrics are excellent, dealing with familiar American issues like politics, money, and alcohol abuse. Overall, these tracks make me tap my foot and are the perfect soundtrack to a summer barbeque. www.millsendband.com (Phoenix, AZ)

Favorite track: Sightseeing

Originality: 5/10 Production: 8/10 Technicality: 7/10 Overall: 7/10 - adrenaline-armory.com

“It's their first release since "Monkey" hit the streets back in 2012 and even though it's only four songs, it was definitely worth the wait” - AZRepublic

Don’t miss out on seeing this great band perform live! - Shona Germino (AZ Music Connect)

...think psychedelrockalternativecountry. Mostly, think ENTERTAINING! - Erich Sielaff (AZ Music Cafe)

I can see this band becoming bigger in the local scene - Michael Lopez (Phoenix New Times)

raw, unpolished rock in its finest form - John Schoenmakers (www.altcountryforum.nl)

Mill’s End: “Remember the Time” - Being a huge Counting Crows fan, I really enjoyed this on, Of course this track has a more rustic, earthy quality than anything the crows ever put out. I can’t really place where this would sell best, but I would definitely buy it. - Whiskeychick (Drunken Hillbilly Country Music Underground)

Blending together folk and alt-country influences, Mill's End has developed a strong following the right way by playing lots of shows and being an active member of the Valley music scene. - Frank Gallardo (Silverplatter.org)

"High energy and loads of fun..." - Valley Metro

Mill’s End, when experienced live, brings a powerhouse element to the sounds of a fully engaged jam session - Yab Yum

There's not a moment of this song that lets you down, whether it's the killer guitar, the aforementioned singing, or just the rousing energy that they present here. - Phoenix New Times

Mill’s End – “Follow The Money”

It’s been too long since Mill’s End put out a new tune, it seems like forever since they released The Swann Sessions, but I’m guessing it’s only been a bit over a year. It’s been at least half a decade since their debut album that caught my ear in the first place. “Follow The Money” is cause to celebrate for its release alone. Oh, it also happens to be a damn good song whose bass line I can’t shake from my soul. Lead Endster Jeff Bump sent this track and I was excited to listen to it immediately. Mill’s End has an Americana meets Blue Rock on the way to a bar fight kind of sound that’s always made me think, this is music cowboys SHOULD party to, I’m not sure why. What it comes down to is that Mill’s End is alternative rock with an Arizona twang, but it’s not quite embedded into the soil enough to be called desert rock. It’s one of my favorite vocals from Bump, because it has that sawdust and gold quality to it, which almost steals away from focusing on the lyrics. Actually, I had to listen to the song three or four times before being able to force myself to pay attention to the socially conscious lyrics that are particularly timely. Once I got over the vocals, the bass, the guitars and the drums, noting each for their best efforts yet, then I could listen to the song completely. - Sounds Around

Mill’s End – “Follow The Money”

It’s been too long since Mill’s End put out a new tune, it seems like forever since they released The Swann Sessions, but I’m guessing it’s only been a bit over a year. It’s been at least half a decade since their debut album that caught my ear in the first place. “Follow The Money” is cause to celebrate for its release alone. Oh, it also happens to be a damn good song whose bass line I can’t shake from my soul. Lead Endster Jeff Bump sent this track and I was excited to listen to it immediately. Mill’s End has an Americana meets Blue Rock on the way to a bar fight kind of sound that’s always made me think, this is music cowboys SHOULD party to, I’m not sure why. What it comes down to is that Mill’s End is alternative rock with an Arizona twang, but it’s not quite embedded into the soil enough to be called desert rock. It’s one of my favorite vocals from Bump, because it has that sawdust and gold quality to it, which almost steals away from focusing on the lyrics. Actually, I had to listen to the song three or four times before being able to force myself to pay attention to the socially conscious lyrics that are particularly timely. Once I got over the vocals, the bass, the guitars and the drums, noting each for their best efforts yet, then I could listen to the song completely. - Sounds Around Town

Mill’s End follow up 2016’s “The Swann Sessions” with their latest single, “Follow the Money.”


This new tune is a timely, driving, politically charged song that comments on the influence of money on our political system and the lack of compassion for those who are not the “one percent.” Recorded at Kube Music in Mesa, AZ, “Follow the Money” features raw slide guitar by Keith Perillo, powerful bass/drums by drummer Mike Eckert and bassist Geoff Butzine, and emotional vocals by singer Jeff Bump. The song is available on iTunes, Amazon, Spotify and several streaming sites. - Maximum Volume Music

These locals have managed to filter the reckless abandon of classic garage-rock through the snottier side of the slide-guitar-fueled '80s cowpunk spectrum to arrive at an incendiary shot of protest-rock. - Ed Masley, AZ Central

These guys are celebrating the release of "Sightseeing," a gritty, waltz-time ballad that rocks with a whiskey-soaked swagger that makes me think they were trying to capture a "Rolling Stones jamming with Skynyrd at 4 in the morning" vibe. And Jane N' the Jungle's Jordan White drops for a soulful guest vocal I figured was her before I even checked the credits. That's just how distinct her voice is..

"We were trying to do something a little slower for a change of pace," says singer-guitarist Jeff Bump. "It definitely was influenced by Skynrd and Wilco. We wanted a very old school, soulful Southern rock sound. It's a very romantic song about a couple who really enjoy road trips whether it's a concert or a trip overseas."

The track was produced by Bryan Kuban, who wisely recommended guest appearances by White and organist Benjamin Cortez. "They both were amazing," Bump says. "They added so much to the track. When we heard the final track we thought it was a huge step forward for us musically." - AZCentral

Phoenix Local Band Mill’s End Release ‘Sightseeing’
22/11/2017 6
PHOENIX – Local band Mill’s End release “Sightseeing” to local radio and streaming sources
Mill’s End follow up last summer’s hit, “Follow the Money” with the feel good single “
Sightseeing”. In contrast to the intense message of “Follow the Money”“Sightseeing” is a classic rock throwback about the joys of traveling complete with a sing-along chorus.

Recorded at Kube Studios in Mesa, AZ, “Sightseeing” features guest vocals by Jordan White
of popular Valley band, Jane N’ The Jungle and multi-instrumentalist Benjamin Cortez on
organ. Combined with singer Jeff Bump’s emotional lyrics, guitarist Keith Perillo’s expert
lead playing and the tight rhythm section of Geoff Butzine and Mike Eckert, “Sightseeing”
will surely be a great addition to Mill’s End’s extensive and diverse catalog.

The song is available on iTunes, Amazon and Spotify. A video for the song will be released this winter.
The band is currently performing at venues all across the state and working on more new
music that will be released in coming months.

MORE INFORMATION: http://millsendband.com/

LISTEN TO THE SIGHTSEEING:
https://soundcloud.com/mills-end/sightseeing

Mill’s End carries on a tradition of American Alt-Country that blends modern influences with folk/Americana
songwriting. The band’s sound is firmly rooted in a style reflective of Drive By Truckers, Whiskeytown, the
Jayhawks and the Old 97’s, but with a healthy dose of classic and progressive rock. - http://rocknloadmag.com/