Seattle's Miracle Max had a great 2010. With the release of Self Absorbed, their hook-laden, fast-moving debut EP, they captured the punk energy and poppy melodies that won fans over at live shows all year. As a result, they began gaining attention beyond their rainy northwest hometown. Alternative Press noted that "Regardless of how much sunshine you get in your town, it's difficult to argue with the band's balance of feel-good synth-pop with harder-edge punk." A review at Absolutepunk.net remarked that Miracle Max are "one of the better unsigned bands right now" and a review at The Casket Salesman shared that sentiment writing that Miracle Max are "making a name for themselves in a crowded genre."
Comprised of Tyler Wilson - vocals, guitar, keys; Kevin Loesken - guitar, vocals; Scott Shipp - bass; and Samuel Hirst - drums, Miracle Max are just trying to focus on making and performing good music. "We are already writing new songs. That's what we do. We try to write music that we want to hear and think is cool and past that, we don't worry too much about it," lead singer/guitarist Tyler Wilson explains. "We have fun and that's the number one thing."
Wilson formed the band in March, 2008 with Shipp on guitars and a rotating rhythm section. They quickly played their first show that summer, under the monicker "The Follow Through," meant to convey that the band was the realization of Wilson's longstanding dream to form a serious band. At that first show, they opened for local Seattle punk heroes Poorsport and received an enthusiastic response, which earned them a spot the following month opening for Chicago punk standouts The Copyrights. Again the band experienced great feedback from new fans who praised them for their tight, catchy songs.
After those two shows, they felt like there was some momentum but unfortunately their drummer friend could no longer juggle his multiple other musical projects and continue drumming for The Follow Through. They decided to hold tryouts for a permanent drummer and almost immediately found Sam Hirst. "If I remember right," Shipp recalls, "Sam was only the second or third drummer we brought to practice, but he immediately seemed to be a good fit for us."
Along with welcoming Sam as their drummer, they decided a name change was in order to signify the new dedication and cohesion of the group. They chose "Miracle Max," after the cranky miracle man in the cult film classic The Princess Bride. More shows followed, and the band's audience in Seattle grew as they began opening for bigger touring acts like Fight Fair and Artist vs. Poet. They also began lending their music to good causes wherever they found them, raising money for various charities including PSC Partners, the American Cancer Society, and Stand Up for Kids. Included in their charitable work was the contribution of the song "Flying Down the Road" to Quickstar Productions. Rock 4 Life International, Vol. 1 compilation.
After these successes, they began looking for a complete, full-time lineup, and auditioned for a fourth full-time member. This took a little longer than their search for a drummer, but finally in June, 2009 the band found second guitarist Kevin Loesken, and Shipp moved over to bass.
Following the addition of Loesken to the band, Miracle Max played even more shows with local and national acts alike, including The Higher, Kill Paradise, The Swellers, Rufio, The Ataris, and others. Over the course of these shows it became evident that the new lineup was a tight, infectious musical unit.
Now with the debut EP "Self Absorbed" earning critic and fan support, they are prepared to make the most of the attention. Along with writing a new EP and looking into touring opportunities, the band will continue to share their music with a growing fanbase. They will definitely be a band to watch for 2011!
You can hear songs, see upcoming shows, and write to the band by visiting their website at miraclemaxmusic.com.
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