{image1} For those who missed seeing Milwaukee's Freshwater Collins the first time around, the opportunity is back.
With two new members, guitarist Josh Tovar and drummer Justin Krol, accompanying the originals -- brothers Chris Vos (lead vocals) and Brian Vos (bass) -- Freshwater Collins is officially out of retirement. Ready to make up for lost time since the band's breakup a few years back, the quartet celebrates the release of their newest album, "These Days Lately" at Shank Hall this Saturday.
The new material and sound has the band very excited.
"I couldn't be any happier about it," says Chris Vos. "It was like a spiritual flushing."
"We walked completely away from anything we had done before," he adds. "We have our own thing going on now. We shattered everything we had done in the past and created what I think is an entirely different sound."
It helps to have a couple of new band members adding a freshness, as well.
Guitarist Josh Tovar came to Milwaukee from Oklahoma, and when Chris Vos saw Tovar play, he knew Tovar was his guy, and offered him the job on the spot.
"His audition was (considered) his first practice with us," says Chris Vos.
Drummer Krol had been touring the world with other bands, and was looking to keep his options open, but once Chris Vos got a hold of him, he wouldn't let go.
"He was locked in," says Chris Vos. "Whether he knew it or not, he was going to be in this band."
Chris Vos couldn't be happier with his bandmate decisions.
{image2} "They're (Tovar and Krol) the best thing that's happened to me in many years," says Chris Vos. "There's no ego, no fighting. We don't always agree, but we always arrive at the same spot."
"These Days Lately" definitely shows where that spot is. Opening track "Head Towards the Light" starts off nice and easy, highlighting Chris Vos' raspy and catchy vocals with R&B high notes that transition into hints of southern rock.
One of the best qualities of the 14-song album is the harmony, adding to an already mature and well-developed sound that isn't afraid to get bluesy, like in the third track "Fair," or rock out like "The Find."
Each instrument can be heard to its own achievement. Nothing is drowned out, making it easy to hear each band members' contribution to each track.
It's great to still be playing," says Chris Vos.
Clearly, this is a Freshwater Collins that has found its sound and wants it to stay that way.
"I don't think they'll be another line-up change," says Chris Vos. "Removing one of us is like removing a vital organ."
The "These Days Lately" CD release party takes place at Shank Hall, 1434 N. Farwell Ave., on Saturday, Oct. 1. The 21 and up show is $7, and doors open at 9 p.m., with Michigan's Roadside Zoo and Minneapolis' Amber Estate opening. Freshwater Collins will take the stage around 11 p.m.
The band's Web site is freshwatercollins.com.
