The Hudson Reporter - THE CURRENT - 04/12/2006 - <center><big>Jersey guys play Maxwell's </big> Straight Dope Cherry an original 'rock-roots' band </big>

Straight Dope Cherry, a self described original "rock-roots" band, is returning to legendary Maxwell's this Saturday to promote their latest album, "Bell Bottom Baby."

The 'straight dope' on the band

Two friends and original members, Ronnie Grana (vocals, keyboard, guitar, harmonica) and Craig Sorensen (vocals, guitar), started as a duo in 2002 after meeting at an open mic night. The two began crafting songs when a friend, Rick Ackerman, smoothed out their sound by adding a bass line to the mix.

Realizing that they were missing out on the bigger rooms and fuller sound that a drummer brings, they started their search for the right musician. In 2004 they found their fourth in Al Perdomo, who studied music at New Jersey City University and plays classical pieces.

Perdomo rounds out their sound and provides a solid footing for the band's grooving tracks.

Their first show together as a band was at the Bitter End in Manhattan, but that was only the beginning for the foursome. They got gigs at Maxwell's and a six-week rotation at the Whiskey Bar in 2005. The group began to acquire a following. With the success of their live shows, they worked to get an album together.

It's apparent from the first song to the last on their album that the guys are a full-time band. Unlike other original bands that may have a few songs that are catchy, all the songs from their latest album sound finished.

There is a natural progression to the songs, as they build in intensity. "Pfunky Chunk" has a solid beat with almost a reggae-like feel. "Mosca Hispana" (Spanish Fly) has a seductive beat to it that is echoed in the lyrics:

"Do a dance. Courtship commence. Shake a hip for me. Cross the room sent through the air. It's calling me."

The harder edged sound of "Gun" is punctuated by the building crescendos of the guitar and drums. The lyrics are somewhat haunting, with "But this struggle won't be outlined in chalk. And I don't know why I entertain the thought or why I have to hide from this selfish urge to take the easy way out."

All four of the guys harmonize on all the tracks. This is particular apparent on "Green Machine," which has fantastic vocals. According to Grana, the band spent the most hours on "Green Machine."

"Could be a hundred hours easy," said Grana. They are always writing new material and work a regular workweek on their music. "Bell Bottom Baby" was put together in six weeks.

"We all come together in an arrangement," said Sorenson. "We come together on chord progression."

According to Sorenson, they all write the music, although there are four different perspectives.

"Everyone writes their own parts," said Grana. "We don't tell a person how to write."

The band likes the idea of a concept record and worked to have a certain sound and movement on the album. They tell fans to listen to the songs in order.

"We are fans of the concept record," said Grana. "This isn't a concept record, but it has a certain continuity that we were going for."

The band is focusing on the business aspect of selling an album. They are scheduled to go on tour in June and will hit many major spots including: Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati, Colorado, St. Louis, and more.

They have already gotten medium rotation radio play in Ohio, Vermont, Massachusetts, and more.

According to the Ackerman, they don't want to over saturate the market in the Northeast. They want to build a bigger base than that.

"We want to build a fan base nationally as well as locally," said Ackerman.

With just a few area shows left they are focusing on practicing for their live performances. Typically they practice two to four hours before a show.

"Our two months out on the road will probably be where we get our next album," said Ackerman.

Their live gigs are all about the music. They band has no gimmicks or a pretty boy front man to sell their songs. Their polished songs, groovy beat and creative arrangements do.

Catch Straight Dope Cherry before their tour. They are performing live at Maxwell's on Saturday, April 15 at 11 p.m. For more information, please visit: www.straightdopecherry.com.