ADELAIDE - portland, oregon
adelaidesound.com
download mp3 of "games without end"


A blend of beautiful, random 16mm footage combined with trance-like music that brings back childhood memories, combined with thoughts of today: this is the best description of Adelaide.

Their music is soothing and, accompanied with the projections, is amazingly dynamic and thought-provoking. Like an abstract painting, there tends to be a wonderful randomness to the projections, and again, like an abstract painting, after looking through everything that is given to you, you walk away with something more than you initially thought it would leave you with.

The band, consisting of Michael Bauch, Adam Porterfield, Ethan Rose, Bob Muscarella, and Ryan Jeffery, formed in the summer of 2003, in Portland, Oregon.  Their concerts combine the use of rhodes, guitar, bass, synthesizers,drums, and projectors featuring old and new clips. They record their songs as they are writing them, and recording is a large part of their songwriting process.

Adelaide has been actively seeking record labels and have gotten some responses, but are still deciding on the right contract. “Mostly it is a distribution and promotion thing,” says Ethan Rose. “A label with good distribution would put our albums in record stores around the world, and promote us in publications, which is all important in increasing an audience.” The band has so far gotten their name known through playing shows locally and touring extensively nationwide.

MELISSA KOWALCZYK.


KNIFEYARD - melbourne, australia
knifeyard.com

J Vanderwerff of Knifeyard is a one man Australian army. Originally a guitar tech for bands from Australia and New Zealand, J Vanderwerff decided to start his own melodic rock excursion by himself in 2003.

He originally started out playing with a full-blown band, but now uses computer programs such as Cubase and Reason to demo his programs at home alone. Vanderwerff says that occasionally he does jam with friends from other bands, but for the most part, he chooses to work alone because, "[Although] I love the idea of having a full-time band and such, I'm so anti-social I'm positive I'd eat them - like literally."

Working by himself allows him much more creative freedom, and Vanderwerff has no set way of creating music. "There's no one way of doing it. I start with a beat, a riff, a bassline, a vocal - whatever starts me off on the path. I don't get inspired by any one instrument."

Although Knifeyard is an unsigned band, they have signed up for international distribution with Integy Entertainment, who helps with promotion and distribution. Working with Integy will also be useful for their release of Black Hearts, which as of now, is scheduled for November. They are also working on a music video with Australian graff artist Deny for the title track of the upcoming album.



THE PUSH - seattle, washington
http://www.ihatethepush.com
download mp3 of "anthem"


Based in Seattle, the ska quintet known as The Push has been one of the more popular up-and-coming bands in the local music scene. Having only been together for a few short months, The Push has already been credited by many for the steady revitalization of the local ska scene.

Bass player Tom Kloser pitched the band name because it had always been a dream of his to play in a band called The Push. The name originated from a Blackjack term. They self-produced and recorded their 5-song EP, Dedicated to Early Adopters, during the spring of 2004 which is being distributed free of charge on their website. The EP features a brilliant cover of the intro song to the NES classic video game "The Legend of Zelda" cleverly titled "Zelda: The Legend of Copyright Infringement" (quite a refreshing tune if you think about how many times ska bands have covered the Tetris theme song in the past,) as well as the melodic and catchy song "Anthem" which lead singer Kyle Coberly has been playing ever since he was 14 years old.

The Push isn't actively pursuing a major label contract at this point because they do not wish to change anything they do in any way to please record labels. Push trumpet player Henry Rose adds, "We really have no need for one. Our primary goal is to have lots of fun by playing fun shows and making some rocking recordings."

LINGO LEE.


WITH THESE WORDS - garland, texas
withthesewords.com

Having formed in the spring of 2004, With These Words is a relatively new band from Garland, Texas. With frontwoman Jessi Golden, drummer Michael Villarreal, Bassist Phil Sahs, and guitarists Jose Serrato and Jan Schafferlie, With These Words is influenced by bands from the Deftones to Nirvana and Sarah Vaughn. The result? A band that uses their eclectic influences to capture a fan base of diverse individuals.

Although not actively seeking a record label, With These Words has been lucky enough to have record labels come seeking them. “We’d love to be signed, but we want to make sure that we’re ready it’s going to be for the long haul,” comments Michael Villarreal.

On their own, the band has done everything from having their vocalist Jesse Golden and their ex-bass player go on a sports radio show to play three songs while clad in bikinis. Other basic promotional ideas they have range from giving out free cd’s and buttons to the first forty people at their shows, and having their music featured on an upcoming independent horror movie soundtrack.

While they are dedicated to their hobby, the members of With These Words aren’t looking to be rock stars with houses on MTV cribs. All they want to do is make good music and turn some heads.


DISPLACED - buffalo, new york
displacedmusic.com
download mp3 of "torn"


Formed in 2003 by members from Niagara Falls and Buffalo, NY, displaceD is making its mark in the modern rock music scene with their eclectic sound and incredible talent. Fashioned by industrial, hard core, elektronica, heavy metal, tribal, funk, jazz and alternative influences, the band’s unique style easily sets them apart from the rest in the genre.

Constantly pushing themselves to the boundaries, displaceD has shown that they have no fear of the unknown. According to bassist Tori Daye, the group hopes to establish a genre of their own: "eklektika": a diverse mixture of any and all musical styles with no boundaries. They continue to push themselves and their music to new heights and sounds, something they feel is missing in the industry today. “We believe that music is in desperate need of artistry right now amidst so much corporate plasticity,” Daye stated. With this attitude, it is no wonder that the band exhibits the highest levels of artistry and creativity in their genre.

The band has yet to sign with a label, and while they realize the importance of doing so, feel no pressure or rush. “We feel that from the greatest struggles come the greatest successes, and thus we must earn our way before trying to take the paved route,” said Daye. With this type of perseverance and humility, it will be no time before the group finds success and performs their music as a fulltime career.

SHERRY SHEN.


© 2004 Redefine Magazine

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