from Soundcheck
by Bret McCabe
Proving that the best way to land in this column is to annoy the music editor into submission, Dallas-based quartet Frognot possesses the unfortunate honor of being Dallas' most aggressively self-promoted local act. Crafting self-described "alternative groove rock" in a city overflowing with alternative rock schtick, Frognot launched an attack on local press in conjunction with its first release, Welcome to Frognot (100 Proof Entertainment).
"Before the CD came out, we got together and made a 25-page marketing strategy outlining how we were going to draw the attention of local press and radio stations," drummer April Samuels says, "It's paid off."
Composed of Samuels, her brother Todd (bass), Kenneth Allen (guitar), and Dennis Leonard (vocals/guitar), the band formed in 1996. Welcome to Frognot came out April 11, and preliminary sales have been promising. "We just put in another order of CDs," Samuels says. "We've already sold the first 500 copies made for the release. The CD can be found in 13 area Blockbusters and Bill's."
Frognot's unbashedly happy alternapop is propelled by a bass/drums interplay that gives the backbone of the music a funky feel. Though vying for the fickle Dallas alternative market, Frognot has managed to secure fans locally and internationally via its concentrated self-promotion in press releases, consistent live shows, and its website (www.frognot.com). The band has appeared on local airwaves, as well as making radio headway in College Station, Amarillo, Austin, Oklahoma, Tennessee, and Brisbane, Australia.
The staunch marketing campaign does have an ultimate goal: landing a record contract of some sort. "We're trying to be realistic about the whole deal," Samuels says. "We know Warner Bros. isn't going to be just walking through the door. We'd be happy just to get on an independent label and go from there."
Frognot plays Friday, May 22, at Deep Ellum Unfilter'd. For info, call 214-698-8351.