Las Vegas Weekly

Lab Partners: Modern Science prepares for CMJ fest

Kane Churko (left) and Mike McHugh are Modern Science.

Kane Churko is confident about his band’s music, but he admits that an offer for his Vegas band, Modern Science, to play the CMJ Music Marathon felt a little like a scam.

When Churko and Mike McHugh received the e-mail—explaining that Stereofame.com had selected the pop-funk duo to headline its stage at New York City’s Ace of Clubs—they were excited. When they got through the part about the website footing the bill for the band to travel to Manhattan, they were ecstatic ... and slightly disbelieving.

“I kept reading, waiting for the fine print that told me to send my credit card information to them first,” Churko says, laughing.

Having been convinced the gig is indeed legit, the duo is looking forward to gaining an East Coast presence, playing for recording-industry suits and single-handedly representing Las Vegas in the annual festival (Afghan Raiders, who were scheduled to take part for the second year running, canceled their trip).

Modern Science officially formed roughly a year ago, though Churko and McHugh have been musical acquaintances for almost four. According to McHugh, playing CMJ has been one of the band’s goals from the start, and the two musicians hope the exposure will help build hype about their infectiously poppy debut album.

The self-titled release was produced by Churko and his father, Kevin. The elder Churko, a music producer by trade, has worked with Shania Twain, Britney Spears and Ozzy Osbourne. He’ll also be drumming for the duo during its October 23 CMJ set.

Despite the disc’s slick production, Modern Science doesn’t mind giving it away for free. In fact, the band says that since the album was completed and released in March, around 10,000 copies have been downloaded. McHugh predicts all music will be free in the future, and that creating a business plan that doesn’t revolve around CD sales is smart, especially for newcomers like Modern Science. Adds Churko, “It’s just a matter of people hearing.”