Scream SAKES ALIVE!!

Chris Vandeviver is no fool. He sees his music for what it is and what it can be. And, he won't tour until the fans ask for it.

But a year ago was a different story: Vandeviver's brainchild, Sakes Alive!! was caught up in the heat of touring, weaving across the eastern part of the US, patience and pocket money wearing thin. After a bit of tour-induced turmoil, and down a drummer, SA!! shook loose its bandmates and slimmed down to its singer and founder as a solo act.

The past 10 months have been a reawakening for Vandeviver and Sakes Alive!!. After the post-tour smoke cleared, he took some time to realign his plans for the band and got back in the recording studio. And by studio, we mean the one he's set up in his living room (which he prefers over the austerity of a real studio).

However, Vandeviver is not caught up in the thrill of "making it big" like many of the younger Rochester area bands are. This time around he's more concerned with working with new talent, experimenting with technique and overall, creating great music. When we talked of their tour last summer, Vandeviver shuddered at the album SA!! was pushing: Act II. Citing that the sound was "too weird," his goal now is to explore new theatrical avenues, such as incorporating the trumpets and violas one hears on SA!!'s new track, A Toast to the Often Fabled Heart (his girlfriend helps out with the strings).

Another goal for forthcoming tracks, and perhaps an EP, is to increase collaborative efforts with outside musicians. In the past, Vandeviver dreamed up the music and members such as Kevin Mahoney, Mike Schwartz, and Thom Bulman executed it. Now, he desires to develop music with others including possibly calling on bands he admires such as Albany's Aficionado to join in more of a creative partnership.

Through these collaborations, Vandeviver plans to crank out at least three more songs after Fabled Heart by the end of the year. But, Rochester punk fans shouldn't get their hopes up on seeing a re-formed Sakes Alive!! in concert any time soon. Between the aftershock of the last tour and his own caution, Vandeviver would prefer to keep producing great music and fulfilling fans digitally in both the area and abroad (as far as Germany and Japan) instead of burning out on tour again. However, with his unapologetic passion for Sakes Alive!! and the mantra that music should be "consistent, not constant" we should expect great things from Vandeviver in the future.