THE BADGE: Calling Generation Mojo [US Version]

The Badge

Calling Generation Mojo [US Version]

© 2003 the badge (829757333021)

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The Badge are part of the recent crop of New York City bands who have gone to the UK seeking their fortune. Drawing on influences such as the Small Faces, Who, Kinks, Beatles, Byrds and Buffalo Springfield, they're the hottest mod-influenced band today.

notes

The NYC-based The Badge recaptured the sound of the late 1960's on it's debut release "...digital retro..." and have made a huge artistic leap with its new release "Calling Generation Mojo", on Detour Records.

By combining influences such as The Beatles, The Kinks, Small Faces, T. Rex, The Who, Buffalo Springfield and the Byrds, The Badge has brought to life once again that classic period in rock history and souped it up for the new millennium.

"Calling Generation Mojo" - The Badge's follow-up to the nearly 3,500 copy selling indie release "...digital retro..." - is a mindblowing, 1971-ish records that rocks AND rolls. "If our debut record was our '1967 record,'" said The Badge's leader Jeff Slate recently, "then this will be our '1971 record.' It's more direct, the songwriting has matured by leaps and bounds and it just plain sounds better."

Bold assertions? Sure. But that comes on the heels of an exciting couple of years for The Badge. "...digital retro..." was lauded by the press, with reviewer Gary Vollono, of the on-line music club IndepenDisc writing that "...digital retro..." is the album "that the Beatles would've progressed to making had they remained together. In fact, the production is so polished you'd swear George Martin was behind the boards."

The Badge is a four-piece band. Similar in concept to Jeff Lynne's 1970s ELO or Noel Gallagher's Oasis, Jeff Slate (vocals, bass & organ) is The Badge's heart and soul and is responsible for the band's signature sound. The band's principal songwriter, Jeff has a long list of credits as a professional musician, producer and engineer. As a solo artist Jeff has opened for Sheryl Crow, toured Europe and America extensively, and has recorded and performed with Pete Townshend of The Who, who acted as executive producer on a series of demos by Jeff in the mid-1990's.

The Badge also includes singer/songwriter Marc Teamaker (guitar, vocals & piano), Nelson Pla (drums, percussion & vocals), and Matt Kalin (keyboards & vocals).

The Badge just completed a UK tour and are planning tours of the UK and US in support of "Calling Generation Mojo" in 2004.

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  • A Call Merits A Response
    author: Iain Clarke

    The Badge are a group who often get influences thrown at them in copmparison. What it is neccessary to bear in mind is that at all times these guys aren't tribute artists, they are a band in their own stead, and a damn good one. A liver disc than the complex Digital Retro, this record sets the clear and easy ground for the work that will come flooding soon from this NYC foursome. The Badge are blessed in two very gifted songwriters, Jeff Slate, and Marc Teamaker. Jeff is the most straightforward of the two, straight in for the kill, Dawning of A New Day is an anthem that calls for immediate respect, while the funky Where Luv Will Take You will have you grooving around the room non-stop! Tick Tock and It Girl employ the great songwriting trick of scathing lyrics over an upbeat tune. All For Luv is a nod to the late 'Quiet One' George Harrison, both musically, and lyrically, while Together is a love song that keeps the right side of sentimentality. Never pointless, never indulgent. Marc is a more subtle animal, working by stealth. Join The World gets under your skin before you have time to stop it, while Hole In My Head and I'm Not Your Man are achingly beautiful both winning and breaking your heart at the same time and standing as two of the finest song in his canon. Shoot Me Down sees him going into white funk territoy which he's never visited before, but works very well. The co-written Slate/Teamaker title track opens the disc and smacks you between the eyes before you have chance to take your finder awy from the play button. Add to this two interesting cover versions; a beefed up version of The Four Tops Reach Out I'll Be There, with Marc putting in a performance reminiscent of his idol, Steve Marriot and a psychadlic accoustic lead version of ELO's Telephone Line, and you have a cracking little album. Why only four stars? I've heard their new stuff, and trust me, there's better yet to come, but you don't want half a story!

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