Can this really be the same group of guys? Only two albums into his post-Promise Ring career, Maritime frontman Davey vonBohlen laughs at the notion that his band already has an "old" and "new" sound — as if they've been genetically altered into different musicians between releases.
And while Maritime's growth from "Glass Floor" to sophomore album, "We, the Vehicles," is glaring, vonBohlen knows better than to let the critical adoration seduce him.
"We're veterans of criticism and praise, so I think that helps," vonBohlen said. "I lived most of my 20s on the verge of being one of the next big things. I haven't been waiting for that train to come back around. And I won't start waiting for it now."
If there was ever an underdog worth rooting for, it's vonBohlen.
The Milwaukee-based musician is not only an exuberant live performer, but having just missed out on a Jimmy Eat World-type moment in the mainstream sun, he's also realistic about his musical output to this point.
By now, the ups and downs are well documented. As lead singer of the Promise Ring, vonBohlen and his bandmates briefly put Milwaukee on the map with the influential emo-rock trifecta: "30 Degrees Everywhere," "Nothing Feels Good" and "Very Emergency." A major health scare followed in 2000, with vonBohlen undergoing surgery to remove a benign tumor the size of a fist in the outer covering of his brain. After a lengthy recovery, the band completely changed musical directions on "Wood/Water," the defining love it-hate it record of the Promise Ring's career, and ultimately, their swan song.
Though the reinvention was a mixed bag, it helped plant the seeds for Maritime, a collaboration between vonBohlen, fellow Promise Ringer Dan Didier and Eric Axelson of now-defunct Washington, D.C. band The Dismemberment Plan. Despite a new name and approach, there was something uncontrollable in play — a critical backlash against all things emo.
"It's the blessing and curse we've always had, that ability to polarize people," vonBohlen said. "With the Promise Ring, there was either an enormous amount of love or hatred. It works off each other. The more people like you, the more they'll hate you. And then those who like you will end up defending you. It just snowballs.
"The reviews now are actually a bit terrifying. Expectations are funny that way. I'm sure perceptions have been skewed based on what other people thought and wrote about us (prior to "Vehicles.") I don't think that anybody who gets constantly ridiculed growing up ever considers themselves to be cool. At the same time, as long as there's a strong sense of self, you can ignore a certain bit of that. I think we've always been realistic about the music we make."
That "Vehicles" is a serious album of the year candidate is even a bit surprising to those who've long appreciated vonBohlen's abstract lyrics and playful energy. Whereas the Promise Ring fit a specific time and place in a young music fan's life, there's newfound restraint to "No One Will Remember You Tonight," "Twins" and "Parade of Punk Rock T-Shirts" that give Maritime a more confident, cerebral sound.
Still, it wouldn't be a vonBohlen project if all were smooth sailing. "Vehicles" had label issues prior to its domestic release in April, and a road-weary Axelson left the band in February. Good friends Justin Klug and Dan Hinz have since jumped on for full-time duty.
While the lineup change would indicate the potential to squander recent momentum, vonBohlen's isn't worried. Instead, it's much more fun to focus on the blessings of adulthood, be it positive press, continued music making, fatherhood or a clean bill of health.
"We've always been realistic — even more so now having sold a few records. Not that we're totally defeatist, but we're happy realizing we play in band, and would like to do so for as long as we can," vonBohlen said. "For us, the goal has a targeted focus. Make a great record. Put out great songs. You learn that's all you can control."
