AIRkRAFTROCK n ROll

Born in the basement of an EauClaire household, high school buddies Mitch Viegut and Dave Saindon formed Airkraft in 1982. Early members included Drummer Mike Wood and Keyboardist Dave Roll in addition to Bassist Peter Phippen. In 1982 Airkraft released their 1st Single “Alien Probe". Radio stations and fans embraced the new sounding song. John Price of the Leader Telegram writes in 1982 "Ask any college kid who is their favorite band and you'll hear Journey or Foreigner , but ask any junior high or high school students in this area who is their favorite band and chances are the reply will be Airkraft" Alien Probe soon topped local radio charts. Soon after, Air Kraft released their first Vinyl 12 inch LP “Let’s Take Off”. Two other 45 rpm single releases " Can't run away from love" and "It’s not so Easy" followed the Lets Take Off LP with strong  airplay. 1985 Airkraft realeased Never to Late and Radio Rock singles.

1986 Airkraft release their second Vinyl Album " Proximity" along with the 45 single "Make Believe" . The power balad " Make Believe"  soon became the number 1 song on many Wisconsin and midwest radio stations. An MTV video was shot at a live performance at the Athens Community Hall.

 

Other singles released from the Proximity LP were "Radio Rock" . In 1985 45 rpm "Never to Late" was released on single only.. In 1986 Airkraft  toured heavily across the Midwest and built an allegiance of fans, Many years the band logging over 310 performances !

Places like Wichita KS , St. Louis Mo , Denver, Louisville, Chicago and seemingly every other town between became everyday travels. Soon the self entitled "Airkraft" LP and CD were released with national distribution through Relativity Records.. The first single from " Airkraft_ Air kraft "Footsteps" received Top critic’s picks in national magazines and started the group with a new allegiance of fans. Top picks in Germanys' Kerrang magazine and England's Boulevard led to a new base of fans in Europe and Asia.  Constant touring built legions of fans and many great friends.

 

 In 1991 Airkraft signed with CURB  Records / CBS International and added to their original songs a version of the Judith Randall penned 'Someday (You'll Come Runnin'), previously covered by British outfit FM on their 'Tough It Out' album and another track on the 'In The Red' album, namely 'Love Has No Mercy', whilst the team of SURGIN's Jack Ponti, Vic Pepe and STAN BUSH contributed 'Heaven'. "Someday You’ll Come Running" was the CD's first single and received great reviews nationally in the Album network. 

The second single released " Somewhere" was added on on over 140 stations with many reporting a TOP 5 charting position. Billboard magazine gave "Somewhere" the "critics  USA top song release" . in 1992 pick and "In The Red" began selling well in Europe and well as America. Gavin Report, Radio and Records followed Britain’s Boulevard, Germany's Kerrang, Japan's BURN magazines with five star reviews and sales boomed overseas. The third Single release from In the RED was 85 Miles per hour that blistered up WIsconsin Airwaves.

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Also from "In the Red" after "Feed me to the Fire" was picked up to be FOX Televisions FIRE RESCUES theme song.

Critics who saw Airkraft live always gave rave reviews. Bruce Vance of Madison news said it well "I was expecting a band to sound anemic like Journey and Foreigner, but I soon realized these guys don’t need to ride the coat tails of anybody, Airkraft is an exceptionally talented band that has a sound, style and appeal all their own" . In 1995 Airkraft's original lineup slowed touring.

 

Its fitting that Rock Fest, one Airkraft final 90s shows was hit by a near tornado  with 30,000 people scrambling along with Cheap Trick, Jefferson Starship and Pat Benatar all running or cover!