Press

Ante Up Audio Artist Of The Month

Giving commercial rock a good name, Cactus 12 is the type of band that blends a classic hard driving melodic pop sound with a pumping rock beat and never takes its soul, its center away from creating sounds that would sound great on the radio. In fact, it`s the type of radio sound that majors were trying to work in the early 90`s as Cactus 12 reminds us of old faves like The Gin Blossoms, Dillon Fence, Uncle Green, Fastball and The Connells with shimmering guitars, raunchy grooves, and crisp production. Think Mayflies USA, too. The rocking accents all have earthy, solidly pop character and gusts of absorbing hard melody. While it rocks all the way through, it`s unabashedly pop. The tunes are intelligent and cleverly constructed with interesting melodic structures, some rock solid commercial harmonies and winning arrangements. Gives the term "Radio Friendly" a very positive meaning. Very Highly Recommended!!

Bruce Brodeen- Notlame.com
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These young, good- looking Clevelanders eschew pop-punk and emo ( what you’d expect from guys their age) for vintage power-pop with creamy harmony vocals, catchy choruses, and head-bobbing hooks. … the first couple of songs here are killer. It’s not hard to imagine a phalanx of screaming teen girls at their concerts, or a couple of these romantic love songs swelling on the soundtracks to next season’s episodes of Gilmore Girls or The O.C.

Jim Testa, Editor of “Jersey Beat Magazine”
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Clevelanders Cactus 12 are purveyors of crunchy guitar rock that's catchy beginning with "I Want," the first track from their debut CD, "Stay," and doesn't let up. Standouts include "You," the punchy "Stay," and the loose, blues-tinged shuffle "All I Can Do." "Last Sunday," set to an earthy acoustic riff, has an appealing Black Crowes feel to it.

Singer-guitarist Sam Getz knows how to craft a tight song and lay down a groove; his supple voice slides into falsetto easily and without affectation. His guitar work meanwhile is sinewy and muscular, his solos tasteful. It's a smartly produced effort -- radio-ready stuff for sure. "Been Here" especially would fit onto any station with Maroon 5 on its playlist.

Kira L. Schlechter, The Patriot-News - Harrisburg ,PA
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A truly original and fresh sounding rock group, Cactus 12 is one of the only reasons people know where Ohio is. This seemingly very young group features the talented Sam Getz singing lead and playing an excellent guitar. Their harder songs are much more interesting than when they slow it down, however they do not stray from well-constructed melodies and chord progressions even in the slow arena. "Gotta Find A Way" features a sweet groove during the verses and a very nice guitar solo after the bridge. Definitely check these guys out if you feel like hearing some new music that won't make you gag.

Origivation Magazine
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When Cactus 12 frontman Sam Getz tells listeners he's the kind of guy who'll "cry with the blink of an eye" on his band's debut, it's a bit misleading. While most of Getz's pop-rock contemporaries have gotten maudlin, Cactus 12 emotes with backbone. If cheeks are wet, it's mostly from sweat.
Getz's beefy guitar toughens up this band's otherwise breezy pop. He lays down some surprisingly muscular solos that lend a hard-rock edge to radio-friendly daydreams like "Been Here" and "I Want." Getz sings mostly about girls, his voice full of yearning, trying to figure out why they thrill and torment him so. After a few spins, you won't be able to get his girls out of your head either.

Jason Bracelin-
Cleveland Scene Magazine
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