Make Believe’s brand new album, ‘Going To The Bone Church,’ (Flameshovel Records) almost didn’t happen. More accurately, the band experienced some severe growing pains along the way. Pains that put both the band and their third full length album on indefinite hiatus this past fall.
You see, prior to the song writing that would encompass most of ‘Going To The Bone Church,’ Make Believe was a solid, touring band. Consisting of Bobby Burg, Nate Kinsella, Tim Kinsella and Sam Zurick, Make Believe began in 2004 as a touring version of Tim Kinsella’s infamous avant-indie act Joan of Arc. But that initial tour, the foursome returned home and began writing and recording music that enveloped a rawer, more aggressive and off-kilter approach to the music of their collective pasts, which included Joan of Arc, Owls, Ghosts and Vodka and The Love of Everything.
It was no longer Joan of Arc on the road. It was Make Believe. And along with the different approach to writing came a different approach to touring, which explains why Make Believe played over 125 shows in their first year of existence. There was, in the words of Tim Kinsella, “A mutual enthusiasm” that allowed for Make Believe to gain steady momentum in a very short period of time. This momentum included three EPs, multiple submissions to compilations, a full-length album and a follow-up that was written and recorded in just one months’ time. (The follow-up, titled ‘Of Course’ was rushed due to drummer Nate Kinsella having to serve two months time in Oklahoma for a public nudity charge at a Make Believe show. The album was adorned with drawings done by Nate in prison.) The momentum also carried over into Make Believe’s touring schedule, sharing the stage and tours with Cursive, The Good Life, Hella and more. And then something happened in June of 2007, something that put the brakes on Make Believe. Tim Kinsella announced that he would be leaving Make Believe. He credited his departure to feeling a lessening connection to the “rock band lifestyle,” and to a desire for spending more time with his wife. He also implied that the band would continue without him, but the band’s future was unknown, sitting on a pile of songs that was supposed make up the bulk of ‘Going To The Bone Church.’
The band began auditioning new singers and continued to write new music minus a front man. Then, just as fast as he had quit the band, Tim decided he wanted back in, stating that Make Believe could “exist in my life on a smaller scale and be satisfying.” And just like that, Make Believe was back on, and the band spent six days at Electrical Audio in Chicago recording what would eventually become ‘Going To The Bone Church.’
On ‘Going To The Bone Church,’ the emotional ride that encompassed the band’s hiatus becomes evidenced through the band’s new willingness to take turns, step out of the way and compliment each other. In simpler terms, the almost break-up of the band has allowed for the collective members to appreciate each other’s artistic input. And however eclectic each member’s input might be, Make Believe finds a technically dense, abstract and challenging way to make it work. It’s not that much unlike a functional relationship. Problems arise and people figure out a way to move past them. In the end, the problem is solved and everyone learns a little more understanding about each other.
All this from an unorthodox punk record that doesn’t necessarily talk about relationships. Me, I’m just glad it finally happened.
Stream songs from Make Believe here: http://www.myspace.com/makebelieve
