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 Don't let Bliss 66's fresh-faces and sunny disposition fool you. The Detroit pop-rock sextet prefers being the next Oasis to the next 'N Sync. 
Inspired by the movie, singer Cheyenne Goff, keyboardist Jordan Barnett and bassist Don Patty started the unofficial Bliss 66 Fight Club. Unofficial because the band's handlers aren't too keen on the prospect of their handsome band showing up to photo shoots as damaged goods. Fighting his friends is nothing new for Goff, who used to trade punches in front-yard boxing matches growing up in Detroit. "The band's been known to work its aggression out with punches," he says before a recent rehearsal. "Some of the guys in the band aren't hip to it, but everyone has a different idea of entertainment." "There's more to it than just fighting," Barnett says. "It's helped me learn a lot about strengths and weaknesses." Fisticuffs are an interesting mode of communication for a band that got its start at church camp two years ago. |
In May, Goff, Barnett, Don Patty, guitarists Aaron Schossau and Rob Harbin and drummer Bob Cook - release their debut, "Trip to the 13th" on Epic Records.  Produced by Glen Ballard (Dave Matthews, Alanis Morrissette), the album is a mix of mid-tempo rock and emotional balladry reminiscent of Evan and Jarod, Matchbox Twenty and Gin Blossoms. The crisp musicianship demonstrated on "Trip to the 13th" belies the member's tender years, which range from 19-25. Their good looks may get them attention at first, but the songwriting will keep people listening. "Trip to the 13th" was recorded and mixed on a Mac using DigiDesign's ProTools. Harbin and Barnett are both Mac fans and use them to design Web pages. Harbin began using Macs in sixth grade laying out the school newspaper, while Barnett switched to Macs two years ago when he started studying graphic design. Goff is the band's anti-tech person. "Cheyenne is paper and pencil type who wouldn't know the difference between a monitor and a floppy disc," Harbin says. Goff doesn't disagree. "The only thing I know about computers is how to play Oregon Trail and World Muncher, which I learned how to play in computer class at school. I was pretty good at Word Muncher, but Oregon Trail was another thing all together." |
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