American Noise

Formed in 1978 by the Balzer brothers, Craig and Bruce (ex-Circus), this AOR pop-rock sextet quickly worked up a set of originals, signed up with an LA-based manager and struck a deal with Planet Records, a startup label affiliated with Elektra. Though their debut spawned two 45s, one of which, "Anyone with a Heart," got favorable play on local radio, the band's label lacked the funds to promote it nationally. Planet soon went out of business and the band was left without a label. By '82, the band self-released a 45, "Statutory Sue" (which still receives airplay on WNCX), before breaking up. After a stint in Eric Carmen's back-up band, keyboardist George Sipl went on to work as an engineer at Beachwood Studios before launching a career penning jingles for companies including the Ohio Lottery and the IX Center.