The ACME Principle is the dynamic Champaign rock group that has been described interestingly enough as a cross between Weezer and Black Sabbath. The group consists of vocalist and guitarist Mike Clayton, drummer Dave Domal, bassist Bob Henne and Wes Johnson on the guitar. Although The ACME Principle just released their first album, Non-Age-Appropriate Music, on March 24th, this isn’t the members’ first time around the block when it comes to the C-U music scene. As Domal puts it, “We’ve played with other people, now we’re playing together… no need to talk about our exes.”
Vocalist Mike Clayton has been making music in Champaign as far back as the 80s when he was the lead for the popular rock group Hot Glue Gun, later joining Domal in local bands Squirrel Pinata, They Came for Our Dead, Holster Monkey and Mad Science Fair. Dave has also been in bands Black Widow Maker, Texas Tim and his Dancing Dust Bunnies, The Hardest Card and Dottie and the Rail with ACME principle’s Henne. Surprisingly enough, ACME Principle’s fellow guitarist Wes Johnson originally excelled as a drummer, touring as an understudy for Carl Palmer.
Although Wes Johnson had never previously played in any bands with the other members of the crew, The ACME Principle says they owe it to him for giving the band the intensity and motivation they needed to keep making music. After playing together at the Highdive’s Annual Great Cover Up, the group realized they clicked extremely well personality-wise and musically.
The ACME Principle has been working with Parasol Label Group’s Mud Records, a record label designated for more rock-oriented bands. For Clayton, who has been with Mud Records since it first originated, the local label is like a family genuinely wanting to help out other local people. As seasoned veterans when it comes to Champaign music, Domal says it has been a rollercoaster. There have certainly been a fair share of ups and downs for all of the members of the group, but they believe Champaign music is currently on the way up. Domal said the group appreciates seeing so many new music groups from the area and venues like The Highdive and Cowboy Monkey doing all they can to help promote music.
After so many years in the industry the members were each at a point where they had to make the decision whether music was something they wanted to keep pursuing, and luckily for their listeners, they made the right choice. Non-Age-Appropriate Music serves as proof of their passion for music, still strong as ever.
Although the band’s members have all played in a plethora of different music groups, the ACME principle is distinctly different. For starters, Clayton jokes, the band is definitely a little more sober. But what really sets this band apart from their past experiences is the complete lack of self-consciousness when it comes to the AMCE Principle’s music. The band describes Non-Age-Appropriate Music as “selfish.” This time around the group is focusing on truly making music they enjoy for themselves.
The band describes the album as “a ten car pile-up on a highway to the sun. Each song melting into a new permutation of the Rock. It races past thrasher punk, skids on Hot-Rod rockabilly, drives through rap-metal, coasts down shoegazer drone and parks on a country ballad.” The spontaneity of the album can’t be denied, even seen in it’s quirky song titles, one of which, “Mr. Acorn,” originated because a member just happened to show up wearing a shirt with an acorn on it the day that particular song was worked on. With so many different genres of rock infused into the album it is guaranteed to appeal to a wide variety of listeners.
The ACME Principle promises to not disappoint at their record release party this Saturday at Mike N Molly’s.