Saturday, March 30, 2013

DRAYTON ROAD ( BAND OF THE WEEK )

                           DRAYTON ROAD


This weeks Band Of The Week Winner hails out of NORTH CAROLINA. The 5 piece Rock Band brings a lot of talent to the stage with their addictive sound,super incredible vocals and catchy song titles.Forming in 2011 they are unsigned, but have the potential to turn heads of record labels, if they would just give them a listen. The band has always dreamed of being played on the only Rock Station in their area (ROCK 103). This dream is what led them to name their band after the road this station is located on DRAYTON ROAD. When a band wins an award like this, it says they have fans that want everyone else to take notice. So they came out strong and finished with a fury to help get the band they love so much the recognition they deserve. Once you listen to them one time they become a part of you from then on. After serving our country for over a year in Afghanistan the band has just welcomed their guitarist Jacob back to the group. We thank him for his service. Drayton Road is currently writing all new material for an album they will start recording in a few months. Shortly after they will hit the road in VA, NC and SC with some merch that their fans will be happy to purchase.



MEMBERS:

  • Brent Underwood - Guitar/Vocals
  • Jacob Smotherman - Guitar/Vocals
  • Harry Godwin - Drums
  • Nick Peeler - Vocals/Bass
  • Jesse Jones - Lead Guitar


                                     COCONUT DOUGHNUT




LINKS TO THE BAND:
  1. Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/DraytonRoad
  2. Reverbnation - http://www.reverbnation.com/draytonroad
  3. EMAIL - DraytonRoad@hotmail.com


                          THE PIT UNSIGNED




Tuesday, March 19, 2013

BLADES OF APRIL INTERVIEW

                                         BLADES OF APRIL





    Blades Of April is a 5 piece SUPER TALENTED, UNSIGNED METAL BAND out of IOWA. Recently the band allowed THE PIT UNSIGNED to conduct an interview with them and as if it was meant to be, they also became this weeks BAND OF THE WEEK at TPU. Their fans were relentless and came out in FULL FORCE. It let me know right then, that they have made a big impression in the music community and with B.O.A. fans.


MEMBERS:

  • CHRIS RANKIN - Vocals
  • HONOVI SIMPKINS - Drummer
  • RICHIE "RATMAN" - Bass Guitar
  • TRICKY TOMMY GUN - Guitar
  • BEN HANSON - Guitar


                                               INTERVIEW

THE PIT UNSIGNED - For the people that have never heard of B.O.A., how do you describe your sound?
B.O.A. Our sound is pure emotion, explosive energy with personable and relative lyrics. Something that is easy to identify and relate to. With the combination of emotionally charged lyrics, heavy hitting beats, and strong guitars our sound has evolved and is hard to classify under typical labels or stereo types. We have become accustomed to just calling it "Groove Metal".

THE PIT UNSIGNED - How long has the band been together and has it been the same members from the start?
B.O.A.Blades of April was formed in the spring of 2011 by cousins Chris Rankin and Honovi Simpkins. The line up has gone through its fair share of changes since the first days of B.O.A. however the members currently in the band have all been with B.O.A. for approximately a year and a half. Blades of April started out as a 3 piece- Vocals/guitar (Chris) , drums (Honovi), and bass (former member Scott ). Scott was later replaced on bass by (former member Dennis ) soon after (Ben) was added on guitar. B.O.A's current lineup is Tommy "Gun" Connerly (Guitar), Ben Hanson (Guitar), Richie "Ratman" Ragel (Bass), Chris "Empty" Rankin Vocals).

THE PIT UNSIGNED - Did all you guys grow up around the same area and where you all friends before the band?
B.O.A.Chris and Gun have been friends for a long time and go back years playing together in other bands. Ratman and Gun were neighbors when they both lived above a bar, Richie sat in on a few practices and the rest was history! As for Chris and Honovi, they being cousins, grew up together and started Blades of April with the mentality that blood is thicker than anything and that was the foundation they wanted Blades of April to be built on. Ben was a "diamond in the rough" Chris was lucky to have found on Craigslist during the early days of the band. Now as time has passed none of us could imagine not having the others around, and though we aren't all "blood" we are all family.

THE PIT UNSIGNED - How long has each one of you guys been singing or playing music?
B.O.A. - "Gun how long have you been playing?
Gun- Well, what year is it?
    B.O.A- Uh it's 2013 Gun
        Gun- Well then 11 years, but technically I played bass first.  Started when I was 17.  I have been playing guitar 7 years. The first four years in and out of bands with the bass.  Then switched to guitar.
Honovi- Just 2 years. (Chris taught Honovi for the sole purpose of starting B.O.A
Ben- (This guy can play anything he picks up! He amazes us all the time).  I started playing Piano and saxophone when i was in 4th grade then i learned the violin in 7th grade and played in the juinor desmoines symphony in 8th grade. and played them all through high school. then in the navy I bought a guitar in japan and taught my self how to play it. then 4 years ago I started getting serious about my guitar, and bass guitar playing. I have also dabled with the trumpet, trombone, clarinet, drums, and i just bought an accordion to play with.. 
Chris- "Uhh....(big sigh) 19 years. That seems like a long fucking time 19 years!  It seems like just yesterday I was in my mentor Dan's basement learning my chops on drums.  Its like a lifetime ago already."
Richie- over 20 years

THE PIT UNSIGNED - Has B.O.A. been able to build a local fan base and what type of feedback are you getting?
B.O.A. - Honestly? Not really.  Not as much as any of us have had in past bands.  We branched out first, doing shows outside our area, and are working our way back the direction we came from.  That being said and having only a hand full of shows behind us we definitely can see that our fan base has grown already.

THE PIT UNSIGNED - How often do you get to practice?
B.O.A. - As much as we can!  Ideally we would like to say a couple times a week but in reality with us all having commitments outside of B.O.A. and trying to find balance and a schedule that works, we are practicing twice every other week.  When we are together though its a full day of practice, like 8 hours or more sometimes.  We are all from different cities some of us drive up to an hour and a half away for practice.  That makes it a challenge.  On a normal month (not like the last couple lol) anywhere from 4-6 times or more (if the stars align).


                                      "THE TRUTH INSIDE"






THE PIT UNSIGNED - What all venues have you played at and is there one that feels like your stomping ground?
B.O.A. - I think we are really forming a strong fan base in the Des Moines area.

THE PIT UNSIGNED - How many songs have B.O.A put together?
B.O.A. - We currently have seven songs and three more in the works.

THE PIT UNSIGNED - What is the song fans seem to get into the most and what is your favorite to play?
B.O.A. - The fans favorite is just about as tough as coming to a unanimous decision on what the bands favorite song to play is!  We would have to say the fan favorite is "Truth Inside" the lyrics are memorable and before you know it you are singing along.  The band favorite depends on which member you ask...
Chris- "Wait for the End" and when asked why that song he replied, "the emotion of the lyrics and the way the music brings out those emotions, amplifies the lyrics, and the raw emotion and feelings I felt when I wrote it."  "we don't go into the song writing process solely to come up with catchy music or to make hit songs we take our time and talk not only about the lyrical content but how the music can work with the emotion of the song.
Honovi- "Uh I really like playing the newest one we are working on."
Ben-  Number 2 (an original instrumental song dedicated to Paul Gray of Slipknot)
Gun- "That's a tough one as I enjoy playing 'My Home' however, 'Number 2' is also very good and I like playing that one."

THE PIT UNSIGNED - Have you recorded any songs in the studio?
B.O.A. - Unfortunately no, however being and playing in a studio is a huge goal we are working towards in the next year.

THE PIT UNSIGNED - What about an ALBUM or EP is that something in the works?
B.O.A. Oh ya, with the completion of the few songs we are working on right now, we definitely have the material to do so. It is a priority and one of our short term goals as a band for 2013.

THE PIT UNSIGNED - If you could open up for any band ,who would that be?
B.O.A. - There again, we couldn't come to an unanimous decision,
     Gun- Pantera no doubt! But since that isn't really possible.... Machine Head will do.
     Ben- Korn for sure
     Honovi- (without hesitation) Sevendust!
     Chris- Korn, Mushroomhead, or Nothingface for me

THE PIT UNSIGNED - What would you want everyone to know about Blades Of April and where it is headed in the future?
B.O.A.Chris says "I want people to know we are passionate about music and we are very driven to accomplish our dream" Chris then added "As for the future, it looks a lot brighter now then in my whole career and I see us accomplishing the goals we all have talked and dreamed about achieving."


LINKS:








                         THE PIT UNSIGNED


Saturday, March 16, 2013

CRY AUTUMN (BAND OF THE WEEK)

CRY AUTUMN



This weeks Band Of The Week winner Cry Autumn was formed in 2011 out of NC. They are a 4 piece Alternative Rock Band that has been tearing up the stage at The Somewhere Else Tavern in front of their ever growing fans, the same ones that put them at the top of this weeks poll. I have not had a chance to see this band LIVE yet,but I am really looking forward to seeing them real soon. Their sound is INCREDIBLE and with a lot of live videos on their facebook page you learn real fast how genuine their sound is, whether its recorded or live. 






MEMBERS:
  • DOUG - Vocals / Guitars
  • JOE - Bass
  • T.J. - Guitars / Vocals
  • ADAM - Drums


                                         TRANSMOGRIFIER




LINKS:


                          THE PIT UNSIGNED









Tuesday, March 5, 2013

MARS ON FIRE ( BAND OF THE WEEK )

                            MARS ON FIRE



      Mars on Fire is a 4 piece Metal Band out of IOWA and this weeks Band Of The Week winner at THE PIT UNSIGNED. The members are from SMALL towns in the midwest, but love to bring BIG TIME ENERGY to the fans that give them so much support. The band was formed in 2010 and they have quickly formed a loyal following of over 2000 fans on their facebook page. Some of the members come from other bands and you can here how polished these musicians are in the music they play today. They have recently finished up a 7 song DEMO and released a few tracks, but are still working hard to write new songs to put out a full length album this spring. This is a blue collar band and you can tell that music is not only a passion it is their LIFE. To go along with the album MARS ON FIRE will be hitting the road with some mini-tours during the Spring and Summer. While you are at the shows you can purchase some of the new Merchandise that they will have out soon. Its hearing bands like this that make covering bands at The Pit Unsigned so special and not only have I found out how great this band is, but everyone else following The Pit has to. I wish you guys luck in the future and will be looking forward to that album.





MEMBERS:

  • VOCALS - Eugene Waage
  • DRUMS - Jared Albertson
  • BASS - John Hatterman
  • Guitar - Tommy Westrom

                                             FOR SALE



LINKS:
                        THE PIT UNSIGNED


Monday, March 4, 2013

I SAID FAREWELL EP REVIEW

I SAID FAREWELL



        
BIO:

I Said Farewell " is a 5 Piece Unsigned Metalcore band out of Virginia, although I do not see them being unsigned for long. I recently got a chance to hear one of the bands songs ( FELICIA ) and was stunned at the quality of METAL that was feeding my starving metal soul. I immediately wanted more and got in touch with them about doing a review on an EP called " SHADOWS " they were working on. It was not just any review, I felt honored to have the chance to write it, because I loved the sound so much. With 60% screams and about 40% cleans you are given a broad range of vocals that should appeal to just about every Metal fan. Another thing that I really enjoyed was the quality of the cleans, which is not always the case with Metal Bands. This Quality of this EP is well made and the sound is superb, but its the overall feeling of hearing something GREAT that makes this EP so DAMN GOOD. If you have not had the chance to hear this group and you dig the sound of groups like WE CAME AS ROMANS & WAR Torn Angel, then prepare yourself for an SHADOWS an EP that you will be playing forever.


MEMBERS:

  • Lead Vocals - MIKE PATTERSON
  • Guitar 1 / Backing Vocals - JAY CONKLIN
  • Guitar 2 - TBD
  • Bass - DREW JOSLIN
  • Drums - KYLE O"NEIL

                                                  FELICIA




ALBUM REVIEW :  SHADOWS  

  1. BY THE WAY - This is a hard hitting fast paced song straight out the gate. Dominated by Screams,with a well placed dosage of cleans in the middle and end of song. The track is awesome and they could not have picked a More Kick@ss song to start this EP. You find out quickly this band is something special and you realize not only do they want you to truly feel what they are about,but they want you to let everyone else know also.
  2. THIS PAST - The drumming on this track is punishing and really gives this track the relentless edge of aggression while the cleans make you feel that everything will be okay. This song is at its best when the CLEANS & SCREAMS are voiced out together. Their is so much power in the vocals. Towards the end you get to hear some OUTSTANDING GUITAR WORK that helps bring the song to close. You can almost feel the sadness in the cleans and the screams are their to give you support.
  3. FELICIA - The song that started it all for me. You don't just listen to FELICIA you feel it. With an intro of keyboard or piano play that slowly drifts into an all out barrage of heaviness from the band, THIS SONG DEFINES " I SAID FAREWELL'S " signature sound.  This is what they are all about. The feeling of losing someone you love and trying to deal with the hurt that goes along with it. This song is GUT WRENCHING. Imagine believing in someone to the fullest and realizing its all a LIE. The EMOTION you feel in this song is the lasting Impression you are left with when this well designed METALCORE song comes to a close. One of My favorite tracks.
  4. JUST - " SHADOWS " ends just like it started, with another KILLER aggressive track with a few added cleans. The song is smooth and flows at a pace that ends to quickly. You want more, not only  more of this song, but more of this album. Ascending from the sounds of nothing guitars slowly bring this song to life. Everything seems so balanced with this song and nothing really overpowers anything else. It is the band coming together at their best to send us on our way. I LOVED THIS ALBUM,I LOVED THEIR SOUND and I REALLY ENJOYED WHAT THEY HAVE CREATED!!!!!!!!

I GIVE THIS ALBUM 4.5 / 5


Links :

                          THE PIT UNSIGNED