Meet Jeff Bump of Mill’s End in Central Phoenix

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jeff Bump.

Jeff, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
Our band, Mill’s End started in 2008 as a jam between friends. Our original guitarist and I would work on songs at a coffee house on Mill Ave. called “Mill’s End” (now closed) and bring the ideas to practice. We got an offer to play at the Light Rail Grand Opening in Phoenix and we needed a name so we picked “Mill’s End”. We had a blast playing and wanted to continue writing songs and playing shows around the Valley. After we put together enough material we recorded our debut EP in 2010 and have continued playing all over Arizona and even out of state in Michigan and New Mexico. Some highlights in our history include having music included in a commercial for the Light Rail METRO system, playing the Coyotes playoff “Whiteout” game and a featured story on AZTV. We have also been honored to open for national acts like Ace Frehley of Kiss, Cowboy Mouth and Roger Clyne and The Peacemakers. Our current lineup features myself on Lead Vocals and Guitar, Alan Clark on Lead Guitar and Vocals, Geoff Butzine on Bass and Mike Eckert on Drums. Mill’s End is really about good friends jamming, creating music and having a really good time in the process. We all grew up listening to classic bands like The Black Crowes, The Rolling Stones, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Rush and Pearl Jam and wanted to create music reflecting those influences. We continue an active performance schedule and in June released our latest single, “(Drinking Is Easy) Living Is Hard” and hope to continue writing, playing and recording as long as we can.

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
It has been a challenge when we have had lineup changes, it does take a while to find people that “fit” into what you want to do. We have also had the privilege of having some amazing musicians in the band and it’s not easy seeing them go. We have really had great fortune in getting new members and the current lineup is no exception, the guys are just great to work with and they are like family to me. The other challenge is just getting you music noticed in this modern age, there are so many bands out there it is hard sometimes to make your shows or recordings stand out in a way to make people notice. The positive thing is there really is no pressure for us to “make it”. We play because we enjoy it and do it when we have the time and opportunity. Obviously our families come first and when we can we plug in our instruments and play. It is also really fun when your kids get into seeing you play, it makes you feel like the “cool” Dad, LOL.

We’d love to hear more about your business.
As I stated, Mill’s End is really about good friends playing and creating music. We have a classic rock sound and I think that is what people know us for and expect. I’m proud that we do things our way. Everything about us is honest, this is the music we want to do and there really isn’t anything pretentious about it. What you see is what you get, we aren’t necessarily concerned with writing the next “big hit” we just want to create something we enjoy playing live and recording. What I hope sets us apart is just good songs, I really want people to enjoy the music we are putting out there.

What were you like growing up?
I grew up in a small town in upper Michigan, it was a great place to be a kid, lots of open space for Big Wheels and BMX bikes. I was definitely an artsy nerd growing up. I loved to draw, loved comic books and sci-fi movies (still do) and was just obsessed with music. It wasn’t enough to just listen to someone, I had to know the history, who produced their album, the influences, etc. etc. etc. When I graduated in the late 80’s (oops showing my age), I was the classic “rocker” with big hair, ripped jeans and some kind of concert T-Shirt. I am Facebook friends with a lot of my old high school classmates and there are regular postings of embarrassing pictures that involve acid washed jeans and lots of hairspray lol.

Contact Info:

• Website: http://millsendband.com/
• Email: millsendbooking@gmail.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/millsendband/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MillsEnd/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/MillsEndBand
• Other: https://open.spotify.com/artist/6Af2jILqc2li6qvKXBh8nn

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