It's no secret that Michigan has a long-standing tradition of good music.  From Motown to Eminem the Great Lakes state is known just as much for some of its musical exports as its automobiles.  Ann Arbor rockers Taproot are no exception.   

The group, formed in 1997 by singer Stephen Richards and guitarist Mike DeWolf, has released three albums, played two Ozzfests and managed to infuriate Limps Bizkit's Fred Durst. 

Taproot started out in Ann Arbor when the University of Michigan students got together with bass player Phil Lipscomb and drummer Jarrod Montague. After developing a large regional following the band attracted the attention of Fred Durst.  Durst promised the world to the group but drug his feet on the deal, so Velvet Hammer Music/ Atlantic records stepped up and offered the band a great deal.

This made Durst extremely mad.  He left a very nasty message on Richards' answering machine that became a highly downloaded track on the Internet.  Somewhere in the middle of this the band released their first album Gift.   The album spawned the two singles I and Again and Again.

After the success of their debut album, the group embarked on tours such as Ozzfest and gained fans everywhere they went.  Then came 2002's Welcome, which spawned the single Poem.  The bands' highest charting single, Poem reached #5 and helped to sell almost

500,000 records.    After the success of Welcome the band took a couple of years off and returned with 2005's Blue Sky Research.

For this album the group sought help from an unlikely source; Smashing Pumpkins front man Billy Corgan.  Corgan helped the band tighten up their sound and Blue Sky Research was the fruit of that labor.  The album spawned the single Calling, which charted well on modern rock charts.  Currently the band is writing the follow up and looking for a new record deal.  They parted ways with Atlantic records earlier this year in order to explore exciting new opportunities.

Taproot is about 85 percent done with the writing of their new album, due out sometime in 2007.  It will more than likely be released independently, as the band feels with their strong fan base it is their best route.  Also in talks is a possible DVD and B-sides cd.   To say Taproot has been busy is an understatement.  With at least 20 new songs written and a page of their own on YouTube (TaprooTube) Taproot is just getting started. 

Fans will get a chance to catch the band for a pair of shows on December 1st & 2nd when they invade The Machine Shop for what organizers are expecting to be a great weekend of celebration.

 
The shows at The Machine Shop will be somewhat of a homecoming for the band.  It will be the last chance to check them out before they enter the studio.  You can expect a full national tour after the new album is completed. 

Why wait until then when you can see the show right here in your backyard?   The band says they love playing the venue because of its closeness to home and the intimate atmosphere that it offers the fans.

While they are not promising anything, a new song or two may be played.  This may be your chance to be one of the first to hear new material. 

As always the Zink Brothers will deliver a great time and a great atmosphere.  Tickets for each night are only $15.00, a great deal for a show of this caliber. Come out and support Michigan music and a Michigan venue.  For more information or tickets you can visit The Machine Shop located at 3539 S. Dort Highway in Flint or call (810) 715-2650.

You can also visit their website at www.themachineshop.info. Tickets can be purchased online at etix.com.