By Mitch Pugh
Enterprise Staff Writer

The concept sounded fool proof, its genius almost too obvious.

Todd Bradley, founder of Broomfield-based band 404 Not Found, enjoyed modest success with his primarily solo debut, "Something Is Wrong," in 1997 thanks mostly to a large Internet following. The single, "Something is Wrong With My Penis," was the most popular song on MP3.com for two months with thousands of downloads.

Doing some simple math, Bradley figured if he could sell Cds to even a fraction of that audience, the band would be a success. There would be no need for touring or promotion, things the already full-time employed Bradley really didn't have time for anyway.

Three releases in 1998 and 1999 followed, but sales were marginal at best. 404 Not Found had gone from one of the hottest acts on the Web to near obscurity in two years.

"The intent was to use the Internet as that medium for going out and reaching people," said Bradley, who works in the software industry. "The reality of it is that doesn't really work. It sounds nice and it's believable when you say it. You'd think even if a half of a percent of those people who were downloading bought something, you'd be doing great. The reality of it is, you really can't get your music heard unless you play live."

So now Bradley, who plays keyboards and produces the records in his home studio, has teamed up with Boulder poet Scott Siders, Broomfield drummer Byron Jacquot and bass player Richard Van Hoesen to hit the road, so to speak, in support of the band 404 Not Found's fourth album, "Nightmare Lullaby."

Last Thursday's performance at the Cannon Mine Reading Series in Lafayette was the group's first live outing. They followed that up with a live Internet performance (Bradley isn't ready to foresake the medium entirely) Monday at www.404notfound.com.

"Now we've got kind of a band which is a weird concept for us," Bradley said.

Getting out and touring, Bradley said, is still the only way to really expose new people to your music. Despite the talk of the Internet revolutionizing the music industry, some tried and true methods are still the most effective.

Broomfield High School graduate Linda Storey, formerly Linda Patterson, knows that all too well. Storey spent most of the 1970s touring extensively before being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. When she finally decided to return to music a few years ago, playing everywhere and anywhere was the only option.

"It's hard to get yourself into a scene, especially if you're in a wheelchair," said Storey, who will be playing at Savage Bean in Broomfield Thursday, April 11, from 7 to 9 p.m. "I'm just getting out there and playing as much as I can."

But Storey, through the help of a group of Boulder female musicians, is one of the success stories, recently releasing a new disc "Live at the Castle."

Even longtime Broomfield music scene stalwarts like Maida Vale have struggled to "make it" in the business.

The band is going through some upheaval and stopped touring, according to lead singer James Dzuris. But the band will be back, he said.

Bradley, meanwhile, doesn't feel any pressure to achieve immediate success.

Still, Bradley said the disappointments are many. Despite improvements in gear and sound quality on the albums that have come since 1997, sales have been sluggish.

"At times, it's been frustrating," Bradley said. "We had very early huge success on MP3.com with literally thousands of people downloading songs. I assumed if we got even better, more people would listen. That hasn't happened."

But Bradley said his propensity to compose music, in the long run, has little to do with sales. He's got a day job and explores the experimental side of ambient, electronic and techno music purely for the joy of creating.

"It's been kind of an evolutionary thing. I don't know where to say it started or where it will end," Bradley said. "I think it's going to be fun. That's the important thing."

April 6, 2002

The Back Porch: Local CD reviews

NIGHTMARE LULLABY, 404 Not Found (A7 Audio Research)

As soon as the first song on this Broomfield-based electronic group's fourth release begins, you know you're in for something a little different.

From the techno beats and sampled grunts of "The Grunt Song" to the spoken-word "Click It," inspired by an infatuation with MBCI.com quick-click advertiser Ingrid, this album runs the gamut from ambient to techno to comedically absurd spoken word. Boulder poet Scott Siders provides much of the spoken word material, reminiscent of equal parts Charles Bukowski and David Foster Wallace.

But what really makes this disc stand out is the impressively listenable beats and rhythms put down by founder Scott Bradley and company. The music certainly leans to the avant garde/experimental, but it never loses its hooks. For purchase and live local and Internet performance information, go to www.404notfound.net.

LIVE AT THE CASTLE, Linda Storey (Castle of Springfield)

Broomfield High School grad Linda Storey, formerly Linda Patterson, returns with her second CD recorded live at the Castle of Springfield in Missouri.

Storey, who lists legends Joni Mitchell and Bonnie Raitt as influences, performed the CD at the dedication of the castle, a performance space designed for performers and audiences with disabilities. Storey, who has battled Multiple Sclerosis for much of her life, provides a mix of blues, country and rock mostly of the inspirational breed with songs like "Willow Tree," dedicated to a woman with MS who committed suicide, and "Can't Blame it on the Moon."

She's at her best on honest and straightforward country ballads like "This Broken Heart," which features country legend Tommy Overstreet on guitar. But the message is never far from the music, especially on "Moon," where she sings, "Can't blame it on the moon/ for these trials we've had/ it's part of who we are/ and how we've come this far." Storey, who has resurrected her career post-diagnosis, has certainly come far. Cds are available at Savage Bean in Broomfield, Albums on the Hill in Boulder, Twist and Shout in Denver and at www.lindastorey.com.

A LONG WAY TO GO WITH NOWHERE TO BE, A.N.R. (54-20 Records)

A four-song CD that came across the desk months ago, "A Long Way To Go..." features Broomfield punk rockers Cole Rudy, Mike Kobneck, Rich Hazen and Ben Davis.

The songs are short and punchy and clearly show this foursome has done their punk history homework. It's also a disc that more closely echoes the sounds of Chicago punk legends Screeching Weasel than carbon copycats Blink-182 and Sum 41.

For information on submitting recordings for review, contact Enterprise features writer Mitch Pugh at (303) 410-2650 or pughm@broomfieldenterprise.com. Cds can be mailed to 1006 Depot Hill Road, Suite G, Broomfield, CO 80020.

April 6, 2002