Young Joliet men taking their rapper dreams seriously
By Denise Baran-Unland For The Herald-News June 28, 2012 12:46PM
Joliet Andrew "Einstein" Wermer (left), 19, and Brandon "Vandal" Montgomery, 20, have been touring Alabama colleges and sharing their music to an enthusiastic crowd. Their YouTube video, "The Joker" has received nearly 10,000 views. | submitted photo
Updated: July 30, 2012 6:00AM
JOLIET — In 2008, two Joliet young men, Andrew “Einstein” Wermer, now 19, and Brandon “Vandal” Montgomery, now 20, began writing and recording rap music in Wermer’s bedroom with his computer microphone, songs that, at the time, they considered masterpieces.
“It was the worse-sounding stuff and it had terrible quality,” said Wermer, a Joliet Junior College music production student.
Montgomery added, “We thought we were great at the time, but we were really horrible.”
Eventually, Wermer’s mother, Judy Wermer, bought them a condenser microphone and they began producing higher-quality material. Last year, the duo posted “The Joker” on YouTube, and the song took off. It’s now at nearly 10,000 views.
“That was almost a year ago,” Wermer said. “We’re not looking back.”
It’s been a busy past year. They’ve not only played at local clubs, including Live 59 in Plainfield and Mojoes in Joliet, they’ve toured colleges in Alabama where they’ve performed to an enthusiastic reception.
Wermer and Montgomery recently signed with Toxic Productions (www.toxicproductionsonline.com), which had also signed Ryan Argast of Plainfield. They are preparing for another video shoot, this time in Chicago. They consider these accomplishments only the beginning.
“Brandon and I promised each other that we wouldn’t retire until we’re on 106 in Park on BET,” Wermer said. “That’s our ultimate goal. We never turn down a show.”
Montgomery added, “That’s when we’ll know we’ve made it.”
Here’s how they met. Wermer ran a dance crew and while seeking new members, Montgomery auditioned for it. When Wermer and Montgomery shared musical interests, Wermer started rapping some of his material for Montgomery. The two formed an instant connection and decided to rap together.
As they spent more time rapping. Wermer and Montgomery developed an uncanny ability to complete each other’s lines. One initiated the composing; the other picked it up and carried it along.
They have nonnegotiable standards for the music they produce. It must have a storyline or message, preferably with punch lines and metaphors. And if it doesn’t have a message, then it has to be fun. Bottom line: They keep it clean.
Montgomery said, “We don’t have any music with cussing but the music is still good party music.” Wermer added, “When it’s clean, you have a broader audience. Younger kids listen to it. A lot of our friends have said, ‘Our moms and dads listen to your music.’”
For more information, visit www.sldnation.com or Str8 Like Dat (SLD) on Facebook.
