Random Maxx was formed by four friends in late 1997.

Bassist Matty Phillips and Drummer Jim Schweitzer had played together years earlier in various garage bands and a few well-regarded school combos; but had not worked together in some time when a chance meeting got them reminiscing about their past and looking toward the future. At the time, Jim was paying his dues as a stagehand at a Milwaukee theatre, where Rhythm Guitarist Bo Johnson was practicing his onstage craft. As the three of them had a mutual love of all things musical, but with wildly divergent influences, they got it into their heads that they could make some interesting things happen should they combine their efforts musically.

But something was missing.

From their work together with seminal Milwaukee Improv Comedy troupe The Dead Alewives, Bo recruited Lead Guitarist Mark Redlich (who had been providing the group with stylish musical accompaniment for years) into the new fold, and he ultimately provided the final piece to the puzzle. Rehearsals commenced, material was worked up, artistic angles were discussed and argued over, and when the dust settled, the vocal power pop band Random Maxx (so named due to an early agreement to commit to stylistic diversity) was born.

Random Maxx' unique approach has been winning over audiences since the beginning.

To begin with, Each member of the band, in addition to being an accomplished musician, is also a veteran of stage performances of other stripes. In arenas ranging from Improv Comedy to Professional Wrestling, from historical Street Theatre to some of the most prestigious legitimate theatres in the midwest, the members of Random Maxx have had cumulative lifetimes of opportunity to hone their considerable collective stage presence on a level few other bands can fathom.

Musically, the aforementioned diversity of influences of the four "Maxxes" means that the ideas have always come from everywhere. Even now, songwriting and lead vocal duties in the band are split four ways, with each member contributing much in the way of creative voice to the overall sonic cocktail.

And, speaking of voice...

Random Maxx has been cited critically for many unique factors. But no facet of the band, not Matty's jazz-flavored, Jaco Pastorius-like countermelodies, nor Mark's soaring, prog-inspired lead lines, nor the band's proclivity for swapping instruments with each other on a whim, has been more praised or commented upon than their vocals.

Those who hear them for the first time often can't believe their ears. In the vein of a Queen or a CSNY, Random Maxx have incorporated into their recordings and performances a level of full, rich vocal harmony few attempt, and fewer still pull off. Having such a powerful tool in their arsenal has provided them not only with a means of distinction from other bands, but also a means of nailing complex original and cover arrangements.

Along the way, Random Maxx' love of performance has garnered them considerable praise from audiences, fellow bands, and critics alike. And as if the love of performance were not reward enough, Random Maxx has also achieved considerable decoration, earning several songwriting and performance awards from public polls, industry organizations, and regional press.

But what it all boils down to is this:

Each Random Maxx performance is an event. Whether concocting original improv songs in real time, stripping down their instrumentation for inspired acoustic performances, or laying into a set of award-winning original material and contemporary covers with full-bore intensity, Random Maxx always promises an evening to remember. And what's more, they deliver on that promise.

Random Maxx.

You're soaking in it.

 

To see the boys in action, click here for a view of their recent shows. If anyone has pictures of a Random Maxx show they would like to donate, please email them to Maxx Large. Thank you!

If you want to email the band for general information, you can reach them at info@RandomMaxx.com