>> ... Next Generation ... Making Music Band with roots in Farmington Hills releases new ER NATALIE SUGARMAN I SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH NEWS M eet squeezebox, a Michigan-based band that has just released the addictive and catchy EP So Much for Being Whole. If you don't know, an EP (extended play) is a musical recording that contains more music than a single, but less than a full album. The members of the Lansing band are originally from the Farmington Hills area and went to North Farmington High School: Sean Strasberger is on vocals and bass, Jeff Rosenfeld on vocals and guitar, and Dave Shilakes on vocals and bass. Strasberger, 28, of Okemos, and Rosenfeld, 27, of Lansing, both Michigan State University grads, met in first grade, but it would be years later when they were in high school that they decided to play together in a band in the spring of 2001. "I had just begun writing songs, but needed band mates to try out for the talent show," Strasberger says. "I proceeded to poach Jeff and Dave from other bands." He and Rosenfeld had a great love for music from a young age. For Strasberger, it started with piano lessons from his grandmother at an early age. For Rosenfeld, whose day job is at the state House of Representatives, one particular moment sparked his interest. "I was with my dad. I remember vividly we were at a Kmart and he bought Lynyrd Skynyrd's live album and played 'Freebird' over and over and over again. I was 3 years old, and I fell in love with music." Eleven years after high school, the band is back with some new tunes and a renewed enthusiasm. The "s" in squeezebox is lowercase on purpose to represent their "2.0-ism," they say. The name itself comes from a reference to the Who song "Mama's Got a Squeezebox," featured on the show Freaks and Geeks, made by Judd Apatow, "our fellow friend in Judaism," says Rosenfeld, who was a fan of the show when he was a teenager. The band has a sound that is alternative-based with an energetic pop rock edge and a little bit of grunge thrown in the mix. Their EP So Much for Being Whole. has a great vibe that grabs you from the start with the first song "Want You Bad." The songs on the EP flow together with a seamless precision that will keep you coming back for more. The guys in the band are very excited and proud of the new release, which they recorded in Lansing at Elm Upcoming NEXTGen Events Squeezebox: Dave Shilakes, Jeff Rosenfeld and Sean Strasberqer. Street Recording. "I feel it's our best recording to date. I'm very proud of the both the songs and the way in which they were produced," says Strasberger, who is a resource room teacher and belongs to Congregation Shaarey Zedek in East Lansing. When he first got the EP, Rosenfeld says he sat in his car and just cranked it. "We had only been back together for a couple of months and didn't really know what would come of it," he says. "It solidified the fact that we're back in it for good." Both Strasberger and Rosenfeld say they hold their Judaism very close to their hearts. "Judaism has been strong throughout my whole life, whether I was going to Jewish Community Center day camps or BBYO or working at JCC camp as a music teacher or with special needs children," Strasberger says. "I try to wear my Chai every day." Rosenfeld's grandparents are both Holocaust Saturday, Feb. 9 Wednesday, Feb. 20 Do It For Detroit Fund Inaugural Event. 7 p.m. at the Woodbridge Community Youth Center in Detroit. Help select the winners of the first social action micro-grants awarded by the fund. Torah On Tap. From 8-10 p.m. at Dick 0' Dow's in Birmingham. Join Rabbi Leiby Burnham for a night of Torah and schmoozing. Friday, Feb. 15 Good Shabbos Detroit. From 8-10 p.m. at the Woodward Avenue Shul in Royal Oak. Second in a series of monthly gatherings at area shuls to bring the NEXTGen together for uniquely personal Shabbat experiences. 24 January 31 • 2013 survivors, and he's very interested in Israeli politics. "My Judaism is extremely important to me and something that I would consider to be a major defining characteristic," he says. "I find a lot of peace in Judaism." Combining melodic harmonies, epic guitar solos, sing-along lyrics and multiple vocals, this band hopes to make a dent in the music scene. They have shared the stage with Sponge, Frontier Ruckus and Brian Vander Ark. They play all over Michigan including Lansing and the Detroit area at venues including the Garden Bowl and the Majestic Theatre. They are also two-time winners of Battle of the Bands held at the Costick Center in Farmington Hills. For more info on squeezebox and to find out about upcoming shows, be sure to visit and like them on their Facebook page at facebook.com/squeezeboxmusic . Their EP is available on iTunes. ❑ Saturday, March 9 Save the date! Second annual EPIC event starts at 8 p.m. and features comedian B.J. Novak at the MGM Grand in Detroit. More information can be found at http://nextgen.jewishdetroitorg .