MEERKAT'S SCHEDULE

CD Review of Meerkats - "Enemy Planet"

Enemy Planet
Retro Rocket Records

A regional stage fave since forming in 1993, Cedar
Rapids’ Meerkats bring an expanded musical palette and
a quantum leap in production values to their third
release, Enemy Planet. Still building on the
experimental pop motifs established on Magical Misery
Tour and Curse of the Hearse, the feisty quartet has
incorporated spacey, mood-shaping touches of
sci-fi/surf instrumental maneuvers to the mix, and
evidence of their growth as musicians, singers and
song-writers turns up all over the place.

Despite the futuristic outer space look and feel of
the cover and title, Enemy Planet is none other than
the one we all share. As flat out rockers who have
done more than their fair share of time in the redneck
bars that dot these here hinterlands, Meerkats know
all too well the palpable alienation created playing
original material for the innovation-challenged
denizens who would much prefer Foreigner covers or
–better yet- Alan Jackson, Reba and Wynonna on the
juke-box. Uncomfortable as such gigs tend to be, they
do create and atmosphere that both makes a band more
tightly interdependent on each other and generate a
unique battle scarred sense of humor-and Meerkats
display both of these tendencies in spades.

A remarkably strong indie release, Enemy Planet’s 14
tracks draw from the various incarnations of punk and
garage rock with echo-laden single –note guitar-lines
making deft references to nebulous TV detective and
beach movie themes: all held together by a strong
melodic sense and clever lyrical constructs. There
isn’t a weak track in the lot, but early faves include
“Shape of Your Skull” (a dopey, driving crusher), The
Merseybeat-tinged “Psychograph”, the amp-shredding
“Tornados of Blackhawk County (with a metallic guitar
coda that I swear is lifted from Gary Lewis’ “this
Diamond Ring”) and the creepy “Too Precious for Words”
(which recalls Pink Flag-era Wire). There’s a lot
going on here, and a lot left to unveil itself. A
terrific record by a band with a remarkably sure sense
of itself that seems destined to one day bring this
planet around to their side.

Jim Musser "ICON"

Article From Cram Magazine

Buried at the back of an Iowa City bar, full of college-aged music fans
listening to their friends pound out rock music, is 42-year-old professional
musician Brook Hoover. With well-cut, wild hair and rose colored lenses in
his glasses, the guitarist of The Meerkats didn’t stick out like most men
his age would in that atmosphere.

Haunched over a binder composing a set-list for the night’s show, Hoover was
inconspicuous, although unnaturally organized. Musicians of opening bands
loitered around tables of friends with beer and cigarettes living up the
night and their momentous fame. Hoover remained constant in his business-
cool attitude not needing to relish the moment because he is living the
dream.

Cedar Rapids based rock band The Meerkats keep a regular schedule playing
shows most Friday and Saturday nights. Hoover plays with bassist Joel
McDowell and drummer Erik Marshall. In an area congested with musicians in
their 20s, The Meerkats command respect with their commitment and regional
success.

A current Cedar Rapids resident, Hoover grew-up with The Meerkats’ bassist,
Joel McDowell in Fort Dodge, Iowa. Hoover performed with his friends for
house parties, school dances and talent shows. Claiming his identity as a
musician was something Hoover always seemed comfortable with.

“Before I could play, I was in a band just smashing it out in the basement,”
Hoover said. “It was just really fun.”

As Hoover got older, he attempted other careers including caring for the
mentally disabled, construction for one day, making sandwiches and
substitute teaching.

“Restaurant work was a disaster,” Hoover said. “I tried other jobs. I just
kept spacing off thinking about rock ‘n roll.”

Hoover attended the University of Northern Iowa majoring in art education.
He received his teaching certificate in ’87. Although he never became a
teacher at a public school, Hoover used his training to teach guitar
lessons. Hoover claims he would teach no matter what kind of a career he
had.

“Not everyone has the patience,” Hoover said of teaching. “I really enjoy
it.” Hoover’s students include Breaking Even guitarist John Seidel and
musician Dick Prall of Chicago. “A lot of them are touring the states and
world,” Hoover said of his students without pride or jealousy.

Hoover took his turn touring the country back in the ‘80s. However, he
returned to Iowa because he liked what was going on here. While some
musicians seem look for a way out of the Eastern Iowa music scene, dreaming
of greener pastures, Hoover knows a good thing when he finds it. He
described the old alternative papers of Eastern Iowa and shows he played at
the Iowa City landmark Gabe’s Oasis.

Hoover admits to being a dreamer, but he seems to have something special
that makes all his dreams come true. He holds an amazingly positive outlook
stating that all anyone has to do is find a hobby and turn that into a
career. It all sounds simple when he says it, but what’s the secret?

“Just take little steps and figure out logically what to do,” Hoover advises
fellow dreamers. “It’s typical eighth grade stuff about setting goals,”
Hoover said as though the answer was obvious. So maybe common sense is the
golden key Hoover possesses that has opened the door for his success.

Owning his own studio was a goal Hoover achieved, as was recording his own
CD. Hoover never dreamed of a big record contract. Instead, he built his
studio to record music on his own. He does record other bands, however they
are usually friends of his. The studio serves a purpose as more of a side
project for Hoover rather than a serious business.

The name of Hoover’s studio even sounds like a side project. Some know it
as Black Door or maybe Kinky Mullet. Hoover seemed to still be considering
the name of his studio suggesting the casualness of the business.

“I just want to play stuff that makes me feel good,” Hoover said. “At the
same time I don’t want to be too underground,” he added exposing more of
that common sense.

With no plans to retire from his stage career, Hoover joked that it’s all in
the genes. “My mom is hot,” he said only half-serious. Hoover is releasing
a new album with another already in the works. His most recent project will
be recorded at Catamount Studios to feature an outside producer.

“When you are recording stuff by yourself, it gets pretty lonely,” Hoover
said. He understands that a fresh ear can bring a recording to a higher
quality. While Hoover goes into the studio, fans can pick-up his recently
finished album this spring at The Meerkats shows and their favorite Eastern
Iowa Indie record store.

“I feel blessed I get to work as a musician,” Hoover said. “It’s an
honor.” Although making a living as a musician seems impossible to many
people, Hoover’s advise to everyone is to work at what you are good
at. “Find a hobby and turn that into a career like I did,” Hoover said.
His success is a testament to that eighth grade goal setting and an
inspiration to all dreamers.

Review in CAKE #12 Early 1993
(The Science Issue)

Demorama

The Meerkats Self-titled

Without a doubt, this wins my favorite pick of the month. Whether the band
realizes it or not, they’ve managed to create a small rock-opera. Hot on the
heels of their Magical Misery Tour, the Meerkats make you want to sit in a
dimly-lit room and drink alone. In essence, this three-song cassette follows
a person through a night at a party beginning with “The Room”, where the
singer proclaims :”Drink to my solitude, and hope the telephone rings, but
it’s no use!” Act 2 is the song : Gone” in which it seems the character has
drunk enough that passing out can’t be too far behind. This song is complete
with ghost hauntings mixed throughout, and shows character’s progression
when he states” You’re gonna miss me when I’m gone” followed by a series of
ghostly howlings and the singer saying: “I’m gone, adios,, aufwiederzen, bye-
bye ,well, see you later ....I’m outta here AAAAAAAAUUUGGGH!” Finally, Act 3
is “Drunk on Stolen Wine” which is laced with heavy riffs driven with angst,
where our party goer says he’s “looking for a fight...just want to stare
into space, I’ll kick your ass if you get in my face”. The Meerkats should
be proud of their demo, and look for them to come and play in your town
soon! (Tim Schloe)

Oil Magazine Review 1993

The Meerkats Magical Misery Tour

The Meerkats hail from the Solon, Iowa area. Musically they are reminiscent
of the Violent Femmes. The straight ahead rock format lends itself to an
emphasis on the vocals and lyrics. The mix also puts the vocals way out
front of the rest of the ensemble in terms of level.

“Beautiful girls from Hell” describes the frustration of going out and
seeing these incredibly gorgeous women who are always married, engaged or
with their stupid boyfriend(s). Elvisloution” has a nice little funk
groove. “(I’m drunk on) Stolen Wine” describes the mentality of a worthless
booze hound who’s looking for a fight.

Magical Misery Tour stands out above most local tapes I’ve heard in the
Iowa/Illinois Area; catchy 3 to 4 minute tunes that are radio-ready. These
guys are definitely up to something good with this effort.

Toby Veach

Review From Muse News on Curse of the Hearse Spring 1997

I don’t care what anybody says, Brook Hoover is one of the top 10 guitarists
in Iowa. This is the second release I’ve reviewed from Meerkats and I must
say this one is a quantum leap forward in songwriting and production.

Ideas and hooks are aplenty on these 16 freaky songs and each is a strange
story in itself. Sixteen people could come up to this disc and each would
come up with a different favorite cut. I think they all hold their own, but
the hyper-ode “Beer Guzzlin’ Swine” is a real treat. Meerkats also win this
years’ MUSE News award for best titles all on one release: Gomer Pyle was a
Comedic Genius”, “Bondage Baby”, “Gotta be a Ninja” and last but not
leash, “I fell in Love with a Teenage Vampire”. Let the song titles speak
for themselves, I’ll give the music a 10 out of 10.

Randy Van Hosen

Grungefest By Shadric Smith August 1994

Hey all you folks driving up and down Central Avenue! Downshift and park the
cars for a night, because Fort Doge will ROCK on August 13 when GRUNDGEFEST
comes to town. For of Iowa’s most exciting original bands, The Meerkats,
Martyr, Filter and Weed Eater will be rocking out in the most spacious air
conditioned dance club around, the Laramar Ballroom. Grungefest is the
brainchild of Kirk Kaufman, owner of Junior Motel recording studio and
former member of Hawks recording group. For years, Kaufman has been
struggling to keep the doors open for area musicians who are creating their
own original music. Singers and bands travel from Minneapolis, Omaha or
Kansas City to record in the relaxed setting of an Iowa Cornfield near Otho,
because Kirk is there to guide them. Besides being an excellent engineer,
Kaufman knows how to pull the best performances out of each musician in his
role as a producer. He has multiple talents to assist many artists and
groups through the process of recording originals music and then helped them
either pursue a record deal or create their own product to release locally
or regionally. It’s amazing how many songwriter-musicians are writing and
recording original songs in this area. Band showcases like Grungefest
provide much needed performance avenue for the songwriters in groups which
don’t play a lot of cover tunes. They are also fun for the audience because
each group plays only a short set and then a new group takes over. It never
gets boring and the bands always put their best material into the shorter
sets. It will be a homecoming of sorts for guitarist Brook Hoover and
bassist Joel McDowell of the Meerkats. Both originally from Fort Dodge, they
now work out of Solon, Iowa and together with drummer Troy Harper they have
a tight Stray Cats sot of sound. Mild mannered Brook Hoover often becomes a
wild man on stage and rips lead lines out of his guitar that just won’t
quit. Meerkats often travel in two Cadillac hearses and the “Magical Misery
Tour”, the name of their first album also describes their tour-circuit which
extends from the Des Moines club scene to Minneapolis and throughout Eastern
Iowa. The Meerkats call their music “psychedelic rockabilly punk-flavored
surf-pop” which somehow meshes right in with the grunge label, I guess..