Band Line-Up:
Sam McCarthy — Vocals, Keys, Guitar
A Monster — Bass, Vocals
Branden Oliver — Vocals, Guitar
Greg Raleigh — Vocals, Auxiliary
Jake Woods — Drumset
The Atudes is a new age classic rock band that plays mostly original music with a few
covers mixed in. They have shared the stage with many big name acts, such as: Spoon, Modest Mouse, Titus Andronicus, Slightly Stoopid, and more. They have played at Vaudeville Mews, House of Bricks, 80/35, Val Air Ballroom, People’s Court, Ames Progressive (aka “The Space”), The Jaded Lotus, Mullets, Des Moines Social Club, and Dam to Dam. They have played shows for Red Cross, Habitat for Humanity, and Wellmark BCBS.
The Atudes’ debut album, “Rumor Has It” was released on May 15th, 2010 and received great reviews. The release party was held at Brody Middle school with hundreds of family, friends, and fans in attendance. It was a fun night.
The Atudes formed at Drake University in 2008 with three original members: Branden Oliver, Dustin Harmsen, and Caleb Pearson. In early 2009, Sam McCarthy was asked to join. In 2009, Caleb moved to Georgia with his family. The band moved quickly to find a new drummer, Jake Woods, who learned The Atudes entire library and a few covers within 2 weeks in order to play at the Iowa State Fair. In 2011, The Atudes found a new bass player, when Dustin left the band. Since changes were being made anyway, an old friend of Sam and Branden’s, Greg Raleigh, was asked to join the band and apply his advanced vocal skills.
“Since their CD, “Rumor Has It,” came out last spring, the band has gone through some lineup changes, leading to the best sounding show I’ve seen from the group, as well as some catchy new material I hadn’t heard. The best part…I only paid $5 for the show, a real deal, in my opinion, to see a band of The Atudes’ quality. Keep a lookout for more shows by The Atudes. If they keep it up, they’ll really make a name for themselves.” — Grant Rodgers, Off The Print 2011
“I first saw The Atudes at this year’s 80–35 Festival, on the main stage, where I was pretty much blown away by their vocal harmonies. It was clear these guys knew what they were doing…” “…it’s fun, it’s energetic, and it’s unabashedly pop music.” — Bryon Dudley, Des Moines Music Coalition 2010
“I’m going to be honest: this is one of the finest debut albums I have heard in years. The songwriting and song structures are refined and exciting. Lyrically the songs are nostalgic and sentimental, touching on multiple musical styles from piano rock and twee all the way to psychedelic and mod posturings that have not dominated the rock world since 1967.” — Patrick Tape Fleming of Poison Control Center, Ames Progressive 2010
“…a youthful exuberance and creativity that doesn’t sound childlike. Fab.” — Michael Swanger, Des Moines Cityview 2010
“Now I know that good people can be found all over the Midwest, and good music to boot. Sometimes the two collide, like in the case of a little Des Moines-base band called The Atudes…” — Casey Welsch, Daily Nebraskan 2010
