The local band scene is filled with countless, ambitious musicians battling to stand apart from the rest. Rising above and establishing a unique look and sound that will launch a band’s popularity to places outside of their hometown is the ultimate goal — but it is no easy task.
For three ordinary guys from the Lansing area, however, establishing their roots in the local band scene was only temporary before their name reached beyond the city of Lansing.
From playing one of their very first gigs in the East Lansing Barnes and Noble for a book release, to playing at other venues such as The Loft and Mac’s Bar, the Lansing-based band named Cheap Girls now find themselves touring the world and performing songs from all four of their albums.
Vocalist and bass player Ian Graham, drummer Ben Graham, and guitarist Adam Aymor, began playing together in 2007 and they quickly released their first album just one year later.
According to Ben Graham, the band began to book multiple weekend tours on their own, which allowed them to network and eventually establish a tour where they could travel through 14 cities straight. As a result of social media and word of mouth, new venues began inviting them to perform, thus launching their world tour.
In addition to traveling throughout the entire U.S., the band has toured the United Kingdom three times, while also stopping in mainland Europe, Australia, and Canada. While on tour, they perform in headliner shows at well-known bars, as well as open up for other rock bands in small theaters.
After successfully collaborating with Cheap Girls to bring a free concert to MSU students that took place on Sept. 5 at the Eli and Edythe Broad Art Museum, City Pulse marketing coordinator Richard Tupica acknowledged the band’s incredible popularity that surpasses their local reputation.
“Cheap Girls is hands-down one of the busiest, most hard-working bands from Lansing,” Tupica said. “Not many local bands can leave their hometown and have people who show up and want to listen to them.”
Although Cheap Girls will be busy touring and promoting their new album titled “Famous Graves,” the band said they definitely plan on returning to East Lansing for another performance in the near future.
