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Leap Skyward
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For years, the WEBN Fireworks/ Riverfest on Labor Day Weekend has featured "Rock Radio" national acts and mostly local cover bands as the musical load-up before the big bang.
This year is not much different.
But the headlining slot this year does go to a band who has been pushing their brand of accessible, strutting Hard Rock in Cincinnati for the past several years. Yes, an original local band is headlining "The Fireworks."
Leap Skyward have released three albums of clever Rock & Roll, drawing favorable local press and earning them opening slots with a plethora of Rock faves, including Molly Hatchet, Jackyl, Skid Row, REO Speedwagon, Foghat, Robin Trower, Sponge, Great White, L.A. Guns, Night Ranger, Joan Jett, Lynch Mob, Dokken and Warrant. The band formed out of the ashes of popular local '80s band O-Zone, which was largely a cover band. Singer Jim Miller and guitarist Bill O'Neil (aka Dr. Music) started Leap Skyward to expand their writing and performing horizons.
"We decided we needed a personal change and a refreshing avenue to travel down in order to present our original material," says Miller.
Though the band is notorious for its entertaining live shows and whimsical songs (with titles like "I Just Write Songs" and "Breasts"), you'd be mistaken to think that Leap Skyward is comprised of anything but serious musicians. It's refreshing to see a band that doesn't take itself too seriously, but Miller says he has enjoyed watching the group develop musically over the years, becoming more collaborative and (dare we say) maturing as a "band."
"We are more creative musically, and we are more open to each other's ideas," reflects Miller. "I'm not embarrassed to admit initially it was a 'my way or the highway' mentality, (but) I personally have grown because of our cooperation.
"I still want it my way though!," he's quick to add.
The band's live shows are a big part of the their success, with Miller playing the swaggering frontman that identifies strongly with the crowd. Fans can't help but respond, and some of the female fans of Leap Skyward show their appreciation in the form of a "sneak peak."
"The key to seeing big American or international breasts is to encourage the baring of them," Miller enthuses. "It also doesn't hurt to have a song called 'Breasts.' We always make sure we have a camera ready, and -- knock on wood -- the girls are usually ready to break 'em out."
The band is proud of its development so far and Miller cites shows at the 1999 fireworks and opening for Motley Crüe at the Taft Theater as career highlights. Miller says the key to the band's longevity has been their ability to step back and suck in some perspective.
"We don't always have to rehearse three times a week like we usually do," he says. "We don't always have to be the band of the week, and we don't always have to be in each other's faces. We take breaks from the band and from each other to make it a long-term fucking lovefest."
As successful as the band has been in Cincinnati, Miller -- who is a staunch local music supporter and sometime host of Kindred Sanction, an area music show on WAIF-FM (88.3 FM) -- says he would like to see radio outlets take a more active role in helping to advance the status of all local musicians.
"Commercial radio locally does a piss-poor job of supporting the local scene," Miller says. "They have actually been more supportive of us than any other band, but nobody is going to convince me that commercial Rock radio couldn't play one local song every day. It doesn't have to be us, though that would be groovy. There are a ton of cool bands that could benefit from large-scale exposure if someone would give 'em a chance."
As the ebb and flow of mainstream music dictates, Leap Skyward's brand of straight ahead Rock & Roll isn't always in fashion. But Miller is quick to dismiss the consistent "Rock is dead" murmurs that seem to crop up every two or three years (usually right before Rock becomes in vogue once again).
"In my eyes," Miller says, "as long as there are amps, guitars, old Aerosmith, Ted Nugent, KISS and AC/DC records -- and young people have access to them -- we'll be alright."
LEAP SKYWARD performs along the riverfront before and after the fireworks display on Sunday. For more info on the band, check leapskyward.com.
