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The Residers: The Growth of a Band

In 1999, Maverick Reneur agreed to organize a band for a friend’s business event.  “I’ve played for years,” explains Maverick. “I know a lot of musicians.  I figured I could pull something together.  It was no big deal – I couldn’t say no to a friend.”  Little did he know, that one gig would lead to the next, and the next, eventually inspiring Maverick to leave his full-time job and pursue the dream of a lifetime –  growing a mainstream rock band.

It all began in Maverick’s garage.  “That first gig was bigger than I’d expected, and I was in over my head,” recalls Maverick.  “I had to scramble to pull together my band, and we had very little time to rehearse.  We basically lived in my garage every evening and weekend – working out our performance. In the end, everything came together and the crowd loved us.  It was then that I knew – this is what I was born to do.”

The boot-strapping band hit the local circuit, booking opening acts at Minneapolis nightclubs and giving away their merchandise and music.  “We’d spend our nights recording in my garage, and I’d spend my days burning CD’s on my computer, so we could give them away the next night.  No one was going to buy that stuff…But we had to get our music out there somehow!”

Eventually, the band’s efforts began to pay off, and they noticed a small, but growing, number of fans repeatedly showing up at their shows.  “I was like, ‘My God, we have groupies!’,” Maverick explains, laughing.  “Of course, after the shows, we’d go out and have a few drinks with our ‘fans’.  They’d tell us what they liked about our music, and what they didn’t.  They were honest, and we appreciated that.  We were just so thrilled to have supporters.”

But Maverick still wasn’t content.  He saw a bigger future for The Residers and was hell-bent on growing that dream.  So, in 2003, the group commissioned their own label, Jammin’ Records, and built a professional recording studio.  “Moving out of the garage was bittersweet,” says Maverick.  “It marked the end of the beginning and the start of something bigger.  We were finally going to look – and sound – like a legitimate band.  That was huge.  And somewhat scary.” 

But the fear quickly dissipated when The Residers turned out their first major success in early 2005.  The record, "Death to Mint Julips" produced several top-10 hits, including the chart-topping single, "Change Master".  The unprecedented success of the album propelled the group to the forefront of major music circles, landing them on some of the biggest stages in venues across the states – and around the world. 

“It was a whirlwind,” remembers Maverick.  “One day we were this relatively unknown local band – and the next day we’re packing stadiums on the other side of the globe.  We were operating at a gruelling pace, and after a couple months of this we were all on the verge of burn-out.”  So, how did The Residers manage to stick together and keep their musical focus in-tact?  Maverick explains, “We had to realign our priorities – and at the end of the day, it all came down to our fans.  Staying true to them, making great music and playing our hearts out.  That’s all that really matters.  If we do that well, the rest will fall into place.”

For all their success, The Residers have not lost touch with their original devotees.  “Our fans mean the world to us,” says Maverick.  “We wouldn’t be where we are today without their support and feedback.  We appreciate every single fan. Those who stood by us in the early days will always hold a special place in our hearts.”

What’s next for The Residers?  “We’re really just getting started,” states Maverick.  “Looking back, I am humbled by what our small band has already achieved.  But I get really excited when I look to the future…because I can only see good things ahead!  We be rockin’!”