Walter Meego
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| Walter Meego | |
|---|---|
 Album cover forVoyager (2008)
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| Background information | |
| Origin |  Chicago, Illinois, United States |
| Genre(s) | Pop, Dance, Rock |
| Years active | 2004–present |
| Label(s) | Sony Music Entertainment, Almost Gold Recordings, Brilliante Records |
| Website | Official website |
| Members | |
| Justin Sconza (vocals, keyboards, guitar) Colin Yarck (keyboards, computer) Andrew Bernhardt (live performer) |
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| Former members | |
| Pat Pelligrini Jarrett Spiegel |
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Walter Meego is a musical duo from Chicago, Illinois. Its members are Colin Yarck and Justin Sconza.
Contents |
[edit] What is Known
Justin Sconza (vox) and Colin Yarck (beats/synthesizers) met in college at the University of Illinois in Champaign, Illinois. Justin grew up in Beverly. Beverly is on the south side of Chicago. Justin, who writes many of Walter Meego's songs has said in interviews his style comes most from jazz and oldies, as well as the the Beatles and Nirvana. Colin grew up in Park Ridge, which is on the north side of Chicago. Both the guys in Walter Meego have said they were influenced by American pop music from the early 1990s.[1][2]
Walter Meego started out as a collaboration between Justin and Colin in 2003 when they started making music under the name "Walter Meego", a name for one of Justin's alter egos. Justin had already been circulating four-track tapes under the name "Walter Meego" in Chicago at various open mic nights. When Colin, Justin and former member Pat Pelligrini (turntables/ beats) all started making music with beats in Pat's basement in Park Ridge, IL, Walter Meego made its first recordings.[3].
Justin, Colin and Pat recorded Walter Meego EP in 2003. In January of 2004, the Justin, Colin and Pat began performing regularly throughout Chicago under the name “Walter Meego.” The band first played at Phyllis' Musical Inn in Chicago. Later, they played Chicago venues like Metro, the Empty Bottle and Double Door.
Following the release of “Walter Meego EP” in April of 2005, Rough Trade in London Rough Trade was handed a 12" vinyl record with "Weekday" from Walter Meego EP on it by a zealous fan. The shop then went on to name the 12" "best imported record of 2005". The first blog to post on Walter Meego was Music For Robots[4]. Then other music blogs started to support the band like My Old Kentucky Blog, Brooklyn Vegan, Tuwa's Shanty, Gorilla vs. Bear[5][6]
In the summer of 2005, Pat Pelligrini quit Walter Meego. Soon after, Jarrett Spiegel came on to replace him. After a string of shows and inner-band turmoil, Spiegel was replaced with Andrew Bernhardt in the summer of 2006, who currently performs live as a member of Walter Meego.
Their song "In My Dreams" closed out the April 24, 2008 episode of Ugly Betty. Their song "Forever" was featured, again, on Ugly Betty, this time in the May 15, 2008 episode. Both tracks are featured on their Voyager album.
[edit] Critical Response
Walter Meego's music is pop music, specifically dance music + rock and roll. Critics have said that it's really fun pop music with a strong human element.[7] Their songs almost always have choruses and verses. Critics say they use all sorts of things to make sounds which they later turn in to the music that their fans hear[8].
Compared to Daft Punk[9], Air, John Lennon[10], Nirvana and The Beatles sometimes.
Critics have said they think Justin's voice is very pleasant and unique.[11]
Walter Meego is also credited as being the first band from Chicago to blend Chicago house music with indie music[12]
[edit] Discography
 Voyager (United States release date: May 27, 2008) |
 Walter Meego EP [1] |
 Usually Single [2] |
 Hollywood / Through a Keyhole Double Single [3] |
 Romantic EP [4] |
Albums Voyager (Sony/Almost Gold Recordings, 2008)
EPs Walter Meego EP (Self Released, 2005) Romantic EP (Brilliante Records, 2007) "Through a Keyhole Tour EP (Almost Gold Recordings, 2007)
Singles "Usually" (Single - Self Released, 2005) "Hollywood / Through a Keyhole" (Double Single - Brilliante Records, 2006) "Through a Keyhole" (UK Only Single - Minds on Fire Records, 2007)
Compilations Music for Robots Vol. 2 (2006) Insound.com SXSW 2007 (2007)
Other Make it High Mixtape (2006) [not pictured above]
Related Paint by Numbers EP (Justin Sconza EP, 2006)
[edit] Images
 Photo by Chris Strong |
[edit] References
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This article does not cite any references or sources. (April 2008) Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unverifiable material may be challenged and removed. |
