Issue date: 3/27/08 Section: Culture

Media Credit: Courtesy of Greyday Records Minmae from left: Ian Watts, Sean Brooks, Josh Heinze and Chris Brown.

Indie-rock band Minmae began as Sean Brooks' solo project, but it has evolved into something bigger.

Brooks started the band in 1998. Since then, Minmae has seen members come and go. But Brooks said it now seems pretty sound.

"We've had a revolving cast of members over the last 10 years," he said. "But we have a pretty solid lineup right now."

Minmae will play at the Atomic Cantina on Monday.

The four-piece band, headquartered out of Portland, Ore., also includes guitarist Ian Watts, bassist Josh Heinze and drummer Chris Brown.

Brooks said Minmae draws a diverse crowd because it blends experimental pop, indie and rock with a wide range of moods. He said the shows are upbeat, but the slower, more soulful moments are reminiscent of the Supremes.

"We're primarily rock, influenced by everything from the Rolling Stones to more indie-rock like Dinosaur Jr. and Guided by Voices," Brooks said.

"835," the band's newest release, is dark and moody at some moments, lighter and catchy at others.

Brooks said he is pleased with the way the band's style has evolved over the years, from earlier versions of experimental pop sounds to the smoother mood music it now plays.

"When we first started out, we were just psychedelic noise," Brooks said. "But now we've got psychedelic rhythm, blues and soul."

Brooks got the idea for the band's name from the 1980s cartoon "Robotech." A character named Minmae sang the "Intergalactic Space Anthem" when Earth went to war.

Brooks didn't have any particular affinity for the cartoon, and its name doesn't translate into any particular meaning for the band - he was just having a hard time finding a fitting name.

When a friend encouraged him to hurry up and settle on one, "Minmae" stuck.

"835" is Minmae's ninth record in nine years and is its third with label Greyday Records. Minmae spent much of 2007 on tour and will continue touring coast to coast until May. After a short break to record a new album, it will be back on tour in July.

But a hectic tour schedule doesn't stop the band from focusing on putting on powerful performances, regardless of the show's location or size of the venue.

"We like to play every show like it's our last," Brooks said. "Whether a show is for four people or 400, we play them equally."

Minmae
Monday
10 p.m.
Atomic Cantina
315 Gold Ave. S.W.
Free

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