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In the world of music, it is becoming easier and easier to slap a label on any given band and make it fit. In every facet of the industry, artists are willing to compromise their creative vision and instead adopt a proven formula in order to find acceptance with concertgoers and radio listeners.
Gazillion has never been the type to follow the crowd. Taking a decisively original approach to their music, the band has transcended genres and styles to arrive at a sound that is somehow timeless and strikingly original at the same time.
Since the band's establishment in the fall of 2003, the three members of Gazillion have been intensely passionate about all aspects of their music. Marshall Fassino (bass, vocals); Simon Fuerstenberg (lead vocals, piano, guitar); and John McConville (lead guitar, vocals) make up this profoundly original group who back in the summer of 2004 recorded Growth the self-produced debut record that first showcased the band's originality. The album was available exclusively at the band's live shows, and thanks to their soulful and energetic performances, it sold an astonishing 1,000 copies in just its first nine months of release.
The rich and powerful sound of this band cannot be overstated. The band's soulful anthems are of the 'singing along in the car' variety, and the highways of Minnesota are currently filled with plenty of fans doing just that. The lyrics are the icing on an already rich cake - sometimes telling stories, and always showcasing prose that is thoughtful, intelligent, and deeply visceral.
On October 12, 2006, the band released the eagerly anticipated album Best Kept Secret at the legendary 7th St. Entry in Minneapolis. The record was extremely well received and sold more copies in its first week than many local bands sell in a year. Now available on iTunes and other digital outlets, the album continues to reach new fans around the world.
Gazillion are currently working on a number of unique projects, including a guest track for an upcoming children's compilation and a split-EP release with their friends in Sonicate. They plan to be back in the studio working on a new album by the fall, and will of course continue regularly playing a variety of dates around the Midwest and beyond.
The band recently signed to (and were involved in the formation of) Limerick Records, a Twin Cities based record label that offers all of its releases for download, free of charge. Gazillion made the decision to offer their music for free in large part as a thank you to their many supportive fans, and to position the band at the forefront of an ever-evolving music industry.
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