North of Grand finds niche with punk-pop sound

By Michael Swanger michael@dmcityview.com

A few months ago, this music critic suggested a moratorium on labeling bands "punk-pop." Such hybrid descriptions, I hypothesized, were a disservice to genres of music that were worlds apart, though sometimes a necessary evil in a complex music world.

But with every rule there are exceptions. Green Day is one. So is Des Moines' North of Grand. And though the two bands may be worlds apart in many ways, they belong to a corner of the music market that a lot of bands are trying to squeeze into these days - punk-pop.

How can punk and pop coexist, you might ask? It's a question even the members of North of Grand struggle with when it comes to describing their music.

"I never know how to label us," says 35-year-old Pat Curtis, mild-mannered news reporter for WHO Radio by day, and North of Grand powerhouse drummer by night. "It depends on what club I'm trying to book us at as to whether we're punk or power-pop. I don't like the term 'punk-pop' either, but I think that's what we are."

North of Grand's latest album, "Cut You Down," does little to settle their identity debate, but goes a long way in cementing their status as one of Des Moines' best, if not most under-appreciated, rock groups. The seven-song EP was recorded and mixed during a four-day period at Black Lodge Studios in Eudora, Kan., where some of North of Grand's favorite groups like Motion City Soundtrack, The Get Up Kids, and Reggie and the Full Effect have recorded.

"We didn't set out to make a punk album," Curtis says. "We just tried to come up with strong songs."

North of Grand's musical style is an extension of its members' varied small-town backgrounds. According to their Web site, "Curtis dreamed of rock 'n' roll glory in Williamsburg while bashing wooden spoons on ice cream containers. [Bassist Dan] Ketelsen grew up in Redfield, where he frequently appeared on stage (his parents' front porch) dressed as Ace Frehley. [Guitarist-singer Sean] Wilson smashed tennis rackets in Monroe, imitating the antics of Pete Townsend."

"We all grew up during the '80s listening to typical small-town stuff like Guns N' Roses, Metallica and Cheap Trick," Curtis says.

Curtis met Wilson (who worked in television) years ago at a press event. Both were dressed in House of Large Sizes T-shirts, and they immediately struck up a friendship. Eventually, they formed The Miltons with Ketelsen and another local musician, Jeff Morgan. Three years ago, the trio parted ways with Morgan and formed North of Grand.

Today, the band plays about 70 shows a year, including some national tours. It also has three independent albums under its belt and would like to sign with a small independent record label.

"We don't want to sit around and do nothing," Curtis says, adding that hopes the band continues to evolve like it has on each of its records.

"I'd like for us to be around for a long time," he says. "We hope the music moves people in some way or excites them" ... whatever you call it. CV

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