HISTORY (continued)
A year united...
As fate would have it, the band would find common ground among the collegiate atmosphere that is Oshkosh, WI. Brian Wieland had already been attending the university for a year now, and was more than anxious for his fellow band members to make the journey northwards to join him. And so Luke Abler, Owen Mooney, and Charles Ehlenbeck enrolled as freshman into the University of Oshkosh for the 2002-2003 school year. The band would be fully reunited with Derek transferring to the Oshkosh system from Madison. The five were all together at last. Moreover, Prigge would continue to commute to the Oshkosh area periodically and make special guest appearances, enhancing their sound and making the band a six-piece act.
)
The band was lucky enough to have a convenient place to practice. The Wieland brothers (and the rest of the band by default) lived in a college house on Wright Street a few blocks from campus, which housed the band’s practice sessions. It was here that the band truly began taking on a new form. Luke, Owen, and Derek would continue to write the band’s original material while Brian and Charles combined rhythmic forces to drive the band. It was in Oshkosh that the band would meet several new friends/musicians as well as expand their fan base even further. Throughout the school year, Bowser performed at several house parties, the Titan Underground in Reeve Union on campus, local bars, and continued to travel more and more out of the area. After a year of steady practice and performing, however, Luke, Owen, and Brian decided to leave the university and moved back to the Elkhart Lake area. Charles would continue and eventually finish his education in Oshkosh, and Derek wanted to pursue a career in website design at a California university. The band was once again faced with some serious decisions.
B. Wieland and Mooney during a recording session at UW Oshkosh (circe 2002)
)
Owen's brother Gavin Mooney at the Lizards Lounge in Oshkosh. Also the inspriation for Bowser original "Gambino & the Space Cadets" (circa 2002)
Rolling with the punches...
With the band members wanting to pursue different avenues and career choices, it became evident that the band would either need to dissolve or once again adapt to change. With Bowser’s bassist now living in California, it was clear that a replacement was needed if they were to continue pursuing their passion for music. The answer to their dilemma would be found again in another long-time friend and musician John Selak. With big shoes to fill, Selak chose to take up the position of full-time bassist and began to practice and learn the band’s song repertoire. Selak was an unusually gifted musician with an especially good ear, and was quickly able to learn and adapt to the Bowser style. He was familiar with the majority of the Bowser material (having been attending shows since their inception), but found that performing with them was a whole new avenue. It was also around this time that the band made Prigge a more permanent fixture in the band. From that point on, Prigge would take on more musical/vocal responsibilities for the band and contributed to the song writing process and added his signature sound in every show the band played.
)
Prigge and Selak (circa 2009)
The new complete lineup of Luke Abler, Owen Mooney, John Selak, Brian Wieland, Charles Ehlenbeck, and Jon Prigge made for the “second generation” of Bowser. This new band format was unique and eclectic, with each respective member putting his own personal touch on the band and its sound. It was around this time that the band would begin to perform at some of their now-classic venues, including the Brown Baer, Turner Hall, Victorian Village, and several others. Besides constant practice and live performing, the members began to expand outside of the Bowser realm as well. Prigge, Abler, and Mooney would form a small three-piece act dubbed “El Trio” which would host regular Thursday night open jams in Sheboygan. Abler would also continue to perform with other acts, including an acoustic act with his father.
)
Mooney and Abler at the 1st annual "chazstock" event (circa 2002)
It was also around this time that the band was introduced by mutual friends to a man by the name of John Kotnik. Kotnik was a fan of the Bowser style and gradually became an active member of the Bowser crew. Alongside Gumieny, the two would run the show from behind the scenes. Gumieny continued to be in charge of lighting for live performances, while Kotnik began to take on the “jack-of-all-trades” role for the band, a crucial role often overlooked in all performing acts. He would be part of set-up, run the soundboards if necessary, record the audio/video of each show, be at the ready for unexpected live mishaps, and continue to be the bands biggest and most respected critic. He would give his input into the song writing process, design set lists, arrange gigs, and maintain a necessary presence for all future Bowser performances. As the band continued to perform, the song repertoire would expand and their name began to be synonymous with the Sheboygan music scene. With an ever-growing fan base and more recognition, the band would regularly perform to the delight of all. Until tragedy would strike the band and all of its friends and family…
)
From L-R: Prahl, Prigge, and Kotnik at Alpine Valley (circa 2009)
All images & content © Bowser 2000 - 2010
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |