Bedford Drive

The Detroit independent music scene is prime for eruption, and one of the bands fueling this new resurgence of rock is Bedford Drive! Hailing from Southgate, Michigan, members Scott Anger, Ed Sertage, Michelle Bojanowski, and Ryan Looney make up this fearsome foursome. Serving the Detroit area and beyond since 1998, Bedford Drive has become a staple in the Downriver scene, and their name has been recognized across the nation. Winning the opening spot at the Detroit date of the first SuicideGirls' Burlesque Tour, Bedford Drive turned heads and dropped jaws with their full-throttle rock/pop hooks, groovable beats and Anger's dead-on vocals. Citing influences ranging from Weezer, Sloan, Foo Fighters, and Sunny Day Real Estate, to new rock such as Jimmy Eat World and Deathcab for Cutie, as well as classic rock essentials, like Zeppelin, AC/DC and 80's Metallica, it's easy to see where Bedford Drive got its desire to play driving, melodic, guitar-powered rock. After a few years of self-released material, BD released its first full-length, 'The Last Time I Saw the Stars,' on local independent label Vertical Verve Records. '... Stars' received heavy airplay on Detroit area college radio and was also well-received on the West Coast. The powerful, dynamic, and emotionally-charged songs present on their first professional CD commanded the attention of anyone who listened. For two years, the band kept day-jobs while performing more than two hundred shows at 40+ venues all over Michigan and as far west as Chicago, opening for national acts including The Stereo, Rescue, Brandtson, The Ghost, Christiansen, and Motion City Soundtrack. Bedford Drive began writing and recording again in early 2003, just before the departure of original drummer, Jay Croft. Since the addition of Looney in July 2003, the band's sound has gelled into a fusion of pop-laden fury. Their combined years of experience have matured the band, and their live show is more energetic and tighter than ever. New songs showcase the versatility and strengths of all four musicians, incorporating smarter drumming, layered guitars and vocals, and keeping the elements for which the band has become known: heartfelt lyrics, strong rhythms, and clever composition. In April 2004 Bedford Drive released its second professional recording, a six-song self-titled ep, and began supporting the record with a series of DIY mini-tours. These self-propelled, suburban 20-somethings continue to surprise and delight long-time fans and naysayers alike. One listen will prove that these geeks with a grudge are on point -- Bedford Drive is ready to rock the masses.