Mr Denton On Doomsday

Trapped in a world they feel controlled by, the men of Lansing's Mr. Denton On Doomsday have made an anti-entrapment, near-saga disc called "The Mouse Circus."
"'The Mouse Circus' to me is similar to the rat race," said guitarist-vocalist Brian Alspaugh. "Feeling frustrated to me feels like a hamster running in a wheel."
The 12-track "Circus," the group's first full-length, is in post-production now, Alspaugh said. Independently recorded with Tommy McCord, of the Lansing band The Plurals, the guitarist said Mr. Denton hopes to release the album by June 25, with tracks available on iTunes and CDBaby.
The music is manic, genre-wise, jumping around the fringes of nu-metal and classic rock, punk and funk, hip-hop and jazz.
"We make challenging music that I feel rewards repeat listeners," Alspaugh said.
The guitarist handles staccato melodies, low-slung and pressing chord progressions and breakneck solos.
Vocalist Travis Floyd's voice goes from low moan to high soar to quick rap to silk-soft spoken. On the bass, a man who goes only by Bush keeps a rolling groove and drummer Benjamin Walnut keeps the rhythm tight.
New since summer 2007's "Live from The Machine Shop" is violinist Ben Sawyer.
The lyrics cover many topics, Alspaugh said, but "loosely interlock, creating a larger picture."
"The overall message (of the album), I would say, is for each person to decide for yourselves," he said. "We are concerned with the government's increasing control in all aspects of American life. The topics vary but do attach to the central theme.
"For example, 'Warsaw' is a direct protest song in retaliation to America's most recent Middle East war, while 'Conductor Suicide' is about the dangers of marginalizing music."
The words are rarely obtuse, going straight for the craniums of the listeners.
Take, for example, these pointed words from "Conductor Suicide":
"Don't get involved, see what happens/When your freedom is sold, don't forget you're a party to the transaction ..."
Those are words, Alspaugh said, that are not necessarily meant to change anyone's minds, just to open those minds to new possibilities and to encourage independent thought.
"I just hope to get people to think, act and react," he said. "I hope to stir all kinds of emotions. I don't care what the reaction is, so long as there is one."
Mr. Denton -- taking its name from a 1959 episode of "The Twilight Zone" -- formed in early 2006, remnants of other bands. With wild-eyed, kinetic live shows, Alspaugh said the musicians themselves carry the same nonconformist attitude they preach on "Circus."
"We aim to provoke thought," Alspaugh said. "We believe in accountability and honesty. We try to approach music not just as disposable entertainment, but as a discussion with peers."
Justin A. Hinkley can be reached at 966-0698 or jhinkley@battlecr.gannett.com. - Battle Creek Enquirer

Published July 16, 2009

Experimental metal band releases debut album

Anne Erickson
NOISE

Lansing experimental metal band Mr Denton on Doomsday has a packed summer. For one, the guys are gearing up for the "Pluto as a Planet" tour, which kicks off later this month and takes them through Illinois, Virginia, Tennessee and back again.

The group also just released its full-length debut, "The Mouse Circus," which was recorded at the GTG House by Tommy McCord from Lansing band The Plurals.

" 'The Mouse Circus' alludes to the rat race - that everyday life - where people go through the motions as opposed to exercising their free will," lead Travis Floyd said via cell phone.
Advertisement


"Songs cover a lot of political areas. What we're trying to do is encourage people to exercise their freedom of choice and make sure that whatever they are doing is a part of their will, and that they're not doing it because they're told to by another person."

Musically, the album exemplifies the line Doomsday treads between heavy, vicious music and beautiful melodies. They added violin player Agent Phoenix to their lineup, so the album goes in a different direction than your typical metal or rock effort.

"Having a violin takes down a barrier and adds another element to the music, so we can mix it up and take another step into the direction of weirdness," Floyd said. "I think it also allows the guitars to do a little less."

Formed in Lansing in 2006, Doomsday - which includes Floyd, Phoenix, Brian Alspaugh (aka "Fate") on guitar and vocals, Matt Bush on bass guitar and Benjamin Walnut on drums - has played with a tough roster of national bands such as The Misfits, Sponge, Nonpoint, Skindred and Egypt Central.

The "Pluto as a Planet" tour is the first major trek for the guys.

"We're touring on the fundamental that you can't just take away Pluto's planet status," Floyd said. "We believe Pluto isn't given fair representation and taken seriously because of its small stature, so we're campaigning on behalf of Pluto." - Lansing State Journal 7/16/09

Their 'experimental metal' aims to bring rock back from dead

Anne Erickson | Lansing State Journal

Having played more than 100 shows since forming in mid-Michigan a year and a half ago, Mr Denton on Doomsday isn't a newbie to the hard rock scene. And with a roster of past gigs alongside rampaging acts like Adema, Nonpoint and Skindred, the band knows what makes a solid rock song.

Mr Denton on Doomsday's sound falls somewhere between a modern day King Crimson and Black Sabbath, with music that's fresh, original, uncharted.

The guys in the band coin their sound "experimental metal."
Advertisement
AdTech Ad

"I think that by experimental, we mean that we're trying to expand the forefront of rock music by contributing to rock music as a whole, not just rehashing something that's been done before," said lead vocalist Travis Floyd.

Band members' influences fall all across the musical spectrum, with Floyd digging alternative rockers Incubus and desert rockers Queens of the Stone Age.

"For us, it's really about the feel of the music," Floyd said. "We try to take the best things we've heard from any genre of music and exemplify it in our music."

The band - which includes Floyd, Brian Alspaugh (aka "Fate) on guitar and vocals, Matt Bush on bass guitar and Benjamin Walnut on drums - plays its high-energy live show at the Machine Shop in Flint Saturday. The gig is part of the Gorilla Production Company Battle of the Bands Finals. It also marks the release of Mr Denton's live EP, The Mouse Circus, which was recorded at a Machine Shop show back in September. The band hopes to release its first full-length album by March.

If you're wondering, yes, the band's name comes from an old "Twilight Zone" episode, sans the punctuation, in which "an old gunslinger gets a second chance."

"It's our focus to give rock a second chance," explained Floyd, "because it's been dead since 1974 and we're trying to turn that around." - Anne Erickson | Lansing State Journal

There is a school of thought, spurred recently by numerous bands, that say heavy music doesn't have to be the same chunky chords utilized by Black Sabbath almost 40 years ago. Mr Denton On Doomsday is on that bandwagon.
The Lansing-based quartet pulls jazz, blues, swing and hip-hop into it's sound and somehow manages not to lose the menace of it's heavy rock core.
"We are trying to broadcast the best that each genre has to offer" said Vocalist Travis Floyd. "Anything worthwhile that's been heard by any of us is represented at some point in our music.".
The band rounded out by guitarist/vocalist Fate, Bassist Bush and drummer Benjamin Walnut, said it takes the best elements of it's favorite genres, sifting out the bad, and using them in its songs.
"We are trying to push into new musical areas, which is impossible to do when sticking to a specific format" said Fate. "Many of the bands on mainstream radio today are guilty of this".
This tactic is evident in the bands songs. Within almost every song, an eclectic blend of influences is showcased. From the swing-step intro of "Pop-Culture Whore" to the Slayeresque, "The Walrus And The Wall", Mr Denton finds ways to pull at the definitions of hard rock.
"I am the central songwriter," Fate explained. "I take the idea that appear in my head and bring them to the band. Each member adds creative flourishes and suggestions. The music is a combination of pre-meditated riffs and long hours of jamming."
Floyd's vocal delivery pulls from multiple areas as well, his dynamics ranging from quick rhymes nearing a rap to drawn out harmonies modern rock fans would find familiar. Fate who handles most of the lyric-writing, adds counter harmonies in the background, elevating the schizoid fell of Mr. Denton's songs.
"Anything that inspires me gets put into a song," said Fate. "I do not have a filter, so whatever I think is what you get. I write about the lack of independent thought, the importance of using the mind, the world of politics and the degradation of rock music and mainstream radio formats."
Mr Denton's show are high-energy sweats and screams, clamorous fun where Fate will hop on drums and Floyd reaches for contact with audience members. The band travels the state performing several shows a month from Lansing to Detroit and Battle Creek to Farmington Hills. It's members say they don't have high hopes for their audiences, they just want a bit of emotion.
"Any reaction is better than no reaction," Fate said. "I just want people to feel, act react."
"We aim to pay our bills and feed our addictions by playing music," Fate said. "We drive thousands of miles across this state every month just to play these songs for anyone who will listen. We each love this music and want to do nothing else with our lives."

-Justin Hinkley
966-0698 - Battle Creek Enquirer 12/06/07

For the last 15 years, Mr Denton on Doomsday has been dishing out high-octane experimental rock. Over the years, the Lansing-based group has performed in front of 10,000 people at Common Ground, and has shared stages with The Misfits, Three Days Grace and Candlebox — to only name a few. The band — which comprises vocalist Josie Jo Taylor, Brian Alspaugh (guitar, vocals), drummer Benjamin Martin and bassist Evin Myrick — releases its new self-released LP, “The Infinite Staircase,” Saturday at The Avenue Café. Show starts at 9 p.m. That same day, the album also hits all streaming platforms.

When and where did you record “The Infinite Staircase”?

Brian Alspaugh: We started recording this album in 2019 at Elm Street Studios here in Lansing. Due to COVID, and other circumstances, this album feels like it has taken an infinity to record. The studio has now closed and we were forced to work on the mixes virtually. Our previous albums were “Origami Trail” in 2014 and “The Mouse Circus” in 2009. These new songs have a more expansive quality. We try to never make the same album twice, and I believe that is reflected with this album. This new album is more introspective and less overtly political.

What are a couple of your personal favorite tracks on the new album?

My favorite from this album is the lead-off track, “Just Stop Fidgeting.” This is the first song we have written dealing with our singer’s chronic illness. She suffers from CRPS, a severe pain condition that currently has no cure. We have spent years in and out of hospitals and doctors’ offices. I really enjoy the colliding sounds in this song. It’s atonal and chaotic, capturing the feeling of intense physical pain.

Being in a band during a pandemic is no doubt difficult — how was it for Mr Denton?

This is the longest we have gone without playing a show since our inception. It’s difficult and frustrating to lose one of the most important pieces of my life. I have felt incomplete without live music. COVID has slowed down the progress and release of this album significantly. We had a 2020 tour set to go which was also wiped away. As a DIY band, it hurts to see all of that hard work wasted. So many great venues, local and otherwise, will never open again.

We didn’t know when we played The Loft or Mac’s Bar that we would never set foot on those stages again. We are excited to finally be performing live again. We have never taken it for granted. When something is taken away it creates a void. I sincerely hope that we can see live music return stronger than ever, and I know that it will.


Looking back, what is the most memorable show you’ve played?

Common Ground was amazing! Performing for thousands in our hometown in between tour dates is a highlight of my life. Having gone to Common Ground when I was younger, it was always a hope to someday perform at. We also had great times on tour, traveling from Eugene to Trenton, New Jersey. We are lucky to have fans and friends across the country to take us in. We will forever be grateful for those experiences. We are excited to finally be performing live again.

Have you noticed any lyrical themes on the new LP?

We are in a time of great change and believe the lyrics reflect that. Change is inevitable both in the world and in the band. This album marks the final for our former bassist Matt Bush, and we welcome Evin Myrick into the fold. The name of the album itself refers to growing and learning from the repeating cycle of life. We will find ourselves in a similar spot again. Do we learn from it and move ahead? Or do we walk in a circle? It is a challenge to myself to keep moving forward and learning from past mistakes.

Sonically, what sounds were you going for on this record?

We were looking to capture how we felt at that moment in time. In this case it led to new and interesting approaches to song development. We have gotten both mellow and heavier, depending on the track. On “The Great Escape,” we added keys and were attempting our version of a funeral dirge. With “P.O. Box Concealer,” we have gotten close to our version of ’90s rock.

Over the years, who has inspired your playing the most?

Most definitely King Crimson. They have a unique approach to song construction that has always appealed to my ear. I have always tried to take a song and twist it beyond its breaking point. Our drummer, Ben, has been influenced by intense energy and odd timing of The Dillinger Escape Plan and Mars Volta. Josie draws from a wide range of influences especially Dredg — whose bassist Drew Roulette was kind enough to create the amazing artwork for this album. It is unreal that a member of one of our favorite bands designed the art for us. Evin brings a heavier bottom end to the music, with a more metal palette than the rest of the band. - City Pulse (Feb 2022)

Local alt-rock band Mr. Denton on Doomsday hosts a birthday celebration for Brian Alspaugh, its lead singer and guitarist, Friday at Mac’s Bar. Also performing at the all-ages evening of locally-made music are Jenn’s Apartment, Odds Fish and Something Involving A Monkey. Since its 2007 genesis, Alspaugh has led Mr. Denton on Doomsday through multiple tours and recording sessions, including its 2009 debut full-length, “The Mouse Circus.” The 12-song album, which delved into politics and personal conflicts, includes the band’s breakout single “Karo,” which scored airplay on more than 400 internet radio stations.

The band—which also comprises Josie Taylor (vocals), Ben Martin (drums) and Matt Bush (bass)—issued its latest release in 2014, the “Origami Trail” LP, which is available on iTunes, Amazon, Spotify, Beats and local record shops.

“We have supported that album with four national tours from ocean to ocean, including performances at The Whisky A Go-Go and at Common Ground,” Alspaugh said. “We have performed from New York to California and plenty in between.”

Over the years, Mr. Denton has opened shows for the likes of Otep, Nonpoint, The Misfits, Candlebox and Three Days Grace, among others. But now, the band is focused on wrapping up its upcoming third LP—its first in five years. The new track list includes “Fail in Reverse,” the introspective first single off the forthcoming 10-song album.


“We are currently recording our follow-up, ‘The Infinite Staircase,’ at Elm Street Recordings here in Lansing,” Alspaugh said. “Josie and I just got home from another day of tracking vocals. We have the music down and hope to have the album ready for a summer release. We’ll be supporting the new album with a 2019 east coast tour and more to follow.”

Mining influences spanning from King Crimson and Queens of the Stone Age to the Red Hot Chili Peppers and Incubus, Mr. Denton has always prided itself on exploring new sounds and ponderous, offbeat lyrical themes. From metal to funk and alternative rock to pop, nothing is off limits. The new disc will be no different, according to Alspaugh, who admits “Seriously Odd. Oddly Serious” is the band’s motto while in the studio and onstage.

“I believe as songwriters we are constantly pushing ourselves to never be content,” Alspaugh said. “That may lead to us falling on our faces, however we’d rather have taken the risk than played it safe.

“We are constantly trying to experiment, evolve and satisfy our own curiosity,” he added. “The idea behind ‘The Infinite Staircase’ is that everything in life travels in circles—in nature, in space and in our lives—we will be at this same point again. But if we can be aware of our position in the circle, we can climb the staircase instead of walking in circles, or digging a trench into the ground.” - City Pulse (May 2019)

Rich Tupica
Rockin' For Ronald' s House with Mr. Denton on Doomsday, Sunday, April 26
An all-ages benefit show for the Ronald McDonald House of Mid- Michigan will feature live rock bands and an art raffle in between bands. Performing are Mr. Denton on Doomsday, Stikyfut, Building Birds and the Accident. All paintings, sculptures, drawings and photography were donated by local artists, including Dennis Preston, Maureen Olivia Ryan, Brandon Libby, and more. Located across from Sparrow Hospital, the Ronald McDonald House of Mid-Michigan is a nonprofit that “provides a warm and caring home-away-from-home for families of ill children.” All proceeds from the door and raffle will benefit the Ronald McDonald House. Co-headliner of the event — Mr. Denton on Doomsday, a Lansing-based band — play an experimental blend of funky metal. Fans of System of a Down or Incubus may want to check them out. Its latest album, “Origami Trail” is available on iTunes.

The Loft, 414 E. Michigan Ave., Lansing. All ages, $8, $5 adv. 5 p.m., Sunday, April 26 - City Pulse Rich Tupica April 22, 2015