2007 was a very dramatic year for Syracuse New York’s seven piece ska band Magic Goat. During the summer months Magic Goat self booked and promoted their first tour. The tour covered all major markets east of the Mississippi River, and then some. This was the first time Magic Goat performed outside of its home state. During the fall bassist and song writer Alex Karas departed for Germany for 10 months. Shortly after, lead singer Anna Knudsen left the band. Magic Goat’s fans were left wondering: “can they persevere?”
Before answering that question you have to go back to the early days of Magic Goat, the time when they could not imagine having fans, 2005. The boys and girl from Syracuse made their debut in March 2005, to a packed house. The band spent the next year and a half playing across the state, promoting them selves and refining their sound throughout the journey. In 2007 Magic Goat entered the professional recording studio More Sound to record the twelve songs that would make up their first album.
"Stuck In Traffic”, was unleashed on the world in August 2007. The music featured on the album was primarily a blend of ska, rock, and pop. The infectious sound is known to ska enthusiasts as third wave. Not content to be labeled a typical ska band, Magic Goat began pushing its musical boundaries following the release of "Stuck In Traffic". The material for the bands as of now untitled sophomore release features more prominent heavy metal and reggae influences. The range of Magic Goat’s repertoire is excellently evidenced by the acts they have performed with. Magic Goat has had the privilege of performing with everyone from California hardcore favorites The Warriors to New York City’s ska legends The Toasters.
While some artists may be intimidated by sharing a stage with such well known bands, Magic Goat sees it differently. They see it as a challenge. Just like every other challenge the band has come across, they meet it head on. To do so the band puts on an incredible stage show, often showing up the bands they open for. All seven members collectively fill the room with energy. In addition to Karas and Knudsen, Magic Goat is: Dan Burns (guitar), Steve Burns (trumpet), Jon Goodman (tenor saxophone), Alex Wright (alto saxophone), and Steve Terry (drums). That is, until November 2007 when Knudsen told the boys it was time for her to move on.
Magic Goat decided to meet this challenge like it were any other, head on. Ari Zamelis was selected to be the bands next lead singer and has thrown herself into the chaos that is writing Magic Goat songs. However, the void Karas’s departure left was still all too present. Steve Burns picked up the slack. Consistent with Magic Goat’s ‘never say die’ attitude, the trumpet player taught himself to play bass just to temporarily fill Karas’s shoes. In short Magic Goat has, and will continue to, overcome the odds. Expectations are high for the group’s sophomore release, and they wouldn’t have it any other way.
Hello! We are heading into Rochester last minute on Monday the 30th and are super excited, we'd really appreciate it if you could make it out! This show will be at Water Street Music Hall and there are other amazing bands playing, see you there!
Send in your music! We want to play it on the air! Also call (315) 410-5493 and leave a station ID for us.. you know.. Hi this is Magic Goat , You're listening to Mully Radio. :-) Thanks a ton!
Hey Dan, We had a great time on Saturday too. We definitely need to play together more often and good luck finding a drummer and a singer. Thanks a lot and keep in touch, Andrew
How Bout Them Hogs....D Mac for Heisman Whats up this is Odogg from UCS - Under Constant Surveillance Stop by sometime and check out some of our new music We also have sites for new released movies just give us a shout if you might be interested. Thanks Hope You Stop By!!!!
I gotta start setting aside dough for your CD. I think I might get one for my girlfriend. She'll like your sound. :D But it would make my life if you guys stayed together.
