9 Unsigned rock bands you
need to know
List
contributed by David Lazarus of SDR and
Lazarus X,
Mike Davis (SDR), Gerald Williams (SDR) and Christy
Landriault (SDR)
Here are some
great bands you may not have heard of yet. True indie bands on the verge of
great things. Check them out and spread the true indie spirit.
The Circle of Woe
- is a southern Metal
band based out of Oklahoma. Led by Thomas, founder of the group, the music
incorporates every sound that involves loud guitars and intensity. With pieces
of Metal, Hard Rock, Grunge, Goth, and other influences, this music walks the
line. The songs use an older school formula of composition, but newer sounds.
The results are strong guitar riffs, vocals you can understand more often then
not, and lyrical content that is personal and based on real life. Although
Thomas is the heart and soul of the band musically and artistically, he combines
help from various friends when possible. Currently Woe is looking for a label to
record their debut LP with, and thus will solidify its line up for the future.
Crimson Orchid
- Crimson Orchid was started late one
night in the garage of their rhythm guitarists house. Over a fifth of ever-clear
and 4 hours of heavy drunken thought. They started that night and wrote our first
song as Crimson Orchid. They were
minus one member Xero Impact but after that break up the remaining members
decided to start fresh. About a year and a half later Dave Klein joined the band
and it's never sounded better.
Downsiid - Many people have tried to
speculate on the similarities DownsiiD shares with other bands, but in the end
the music produced is an uncontested original sound. DownsiiD combines five
individual musicians into one tightly knit package to create a new style of
music that is best described as "Ghetto Rock". It is a mixture of in your face,
hard, driving guitar riffs, razor sharp scratches, and heart pounding drumbeats
overlaid with a strong delivery of passionate and harmonious vocals with a touch
of hip-hop M.C.-ing. DownsiiD's influences come from many different musical
genres ranging from, but not limited to, hip-hop, soul, and modern day rock.
Though mostly throughout Central Texas, they are quickly earning the respect of
the entire Lone Star state by branching into the northern and southern regions.
Playing every show like it was their last, always giving it their all, they make
sure no one leaves a show without becoming a true DownsiiD fan. Their "Ghetto
Rock" style is spreading like a musical plauge. Their 2001 self-released single
"Simple Man" and 2002's "I" can be heard locally through Clear Channel stations
such as 107.3 "The Fox". DownsiiD is also getting nationwide airtime in a
variety of states, and in some cases topping their local charts. Anyone having
heard this uniquely extraordinary band, even once, cannot question why such
acclaimed publications like "R&R Magazine" are buzzing with inquiry. It can be
said that DownsiiD is one of the strongest acts to surface in the Texas music
scene today.
Falling
High is an alternative metal band originally formed in
the Fall of 2002 and based in Oklahoma. Steve Henderson (lead guitars) and Drew
Sandefer (drums) formed Falling High without really thinking too deeply about
genre and musical goals. When Kerry Shuck (lead vocals) joined the band, their
destiny was clear - To combine dark, brooding guitar riffs with cherubic vocal
melodies over complex drum rhythms, providing a heavy and emotional sound any
listener would enjoy. The band originally formed in Oklahoma where many shows
were played around the Norman-OKC area, then moved to Dallas, TX where bassist
Zac Brumley signed on. After a few months of gigging in Texas the guys are now
back in Oklahoma where they will be playing shows all over the metro area. A
four-track demo, "Prelude" was first released in 2003, and there is talk of a
full-length album being released soon. Falling High has a large arsenal of
original songs under their belt, but many fans have said to especially enjoy
songs like "Empath", "Can't Hold On", and "Vapor" a great deal when seeing them
live.
Red Metric
- Drawing from the pantheon of great progressive alternative rock acts like
Audioslave, Chevelle, Breaking Benjamin, A Perfect Circle, Tantric, Tool,
Incubus, Nickelback, Sevendust, Foo Fighters, etc., Red Metric strives to create
modern rock music comprised of rich and dynamic instrumental layers, moving
transitions and provocative lyrics. They love music that requires you to think,
feel, participate and that inspires them to maximize their own musical
creativity and do not wish to be or sound like any thing or any one. Their mission
is to create a unique and compelling musical
entity that continuously challenges and redefines the bounds of musical
creativity and bring that creation to the concert stage with extraordinary
energy and intensity every night. We are continuously creating and recreating
Red Metric and that alone is proving to be a monumental challenge.
uncuT
- Formed of friends in 1998 in the University of Nevada dorms, uncuT is a
fraternity like no other. Six years old and growing stronger every day, the
roster of the band is drawn from a concrete core of friendship, loyalty, and the
strength to push ahead. Their active members are the living soul of uncuT --
touring, writing, recording, promoting, and performing across the country with
all their hearts. Their distinguished alumni members help provide uncuT's vital
foundation and proud history; a history that includes the Vans Warped Tour, a
recording contract with Avarice Entertainment (2001-02), skate and snow videos,
songs selected for TV ads and the IMWS Heavy Hitters Comp 2004, hundreds of
shows, numerous tours, two full-length albums, and hordes of loyal supporters
across the globe. From it's native Reno, NV to it's 2003 Chico, CA relocation,
and across the West in support of it's second CD ("Quarter-Life Crisis"), uncuT
lives and breathes with a dream that will not die and songs that stay with you
long after your hangover fades. The band has proudly shared the stage with Story
of the Year, Tiger Army, Madcap, The Line, Pepper, Last Target, One Man Army,
and more. Above all, uncuT is proud to have performed with and count among their
friends regional giants Mnemonic, Indecisive Youth, Dump Your Boyfriends, Red
With Envy, and the countless other independent artists that make their local
scenes vibrant and valid. Now all that remains is you. If you believe music can
be serious without being depressing; if you like the idea of Harmonic Rock/Punk
that dares to enjoy life and draws from our highly-varied influences; if raw
emotional songcraft and pulsing onstage energy do it for you, they invite you to
get to know their family - their dream - their life.
Venaculas
- This is how it all came together. There was an early practice session that
Phil was late for so the guys had Dave sit in on the drums. As they were jamming
to a heavy beat, Phil arrived, picked up a cheap mic that was plugged into an
even cheaper amp. Without missing a beat he laid down an intense, rhythmic and
loud vocal styling that caught everyone by suprise and meshed well with the
other band member's styles. After the 10 minute jam session they stopped, looked
at each other, and said "we may have something here." Check out Venaculas Radio and
preview a couple tracks of the new album, Therapy. There is also a preview of
the DVD on their site (which will be included with the album) in their media section. New bios,
backstage stuff, pics. There is also a huge amount of new information.
Wasted Days
formed from 2 different bands. All 3 members have been in one or
more bands together at the same time. Each of them were at a point of feeling like
they
weren't going anywhere with their music due to other members lack of dedication.
Ryan and Demas were in a band called "All The Same." Travis and Ryan were also in another band called "Burn."
So messing around one day all 3 of them got together, not really thinking
anything would come of it. And next thing you know .... Wasted Days was born.
Withdrawal
Method - Withdrawal Method is an alternative/grunge/emo band from Fayette
County, West Virginia. Members Don Wilson (vocals and guitar), Linus Roop
(guitars), David W. Pack (guitar and vocals on Null) and Dan Slayton (drums)
formed in 1998 to write and record an 11 song cd entitled "A Moment Divine"
which was derived from a plethora of inspirations. Songs featured on this cd
range from melodic and sorrow-laden (0maha, Null, and A.) to a wall of spiteful
sonic aggression (Progressive, Parvo, and Fail To Meet)
Silver Dragon Records Presents the
History of Rock Music
Thank
you for your interest in
Houston Rock Record Label Silver Dragon Records.
Below is some information on our
record label and website catering to rock fans and musicians.
Houston Rock Record Label Silver Dragon Records
presents
rock band Lazarus X
and the their latest independent CD release
Weapon of Love.
Lazarus X's combines determined hard hitting rock with haunting and soulful
melodies which struck a chord with many
underground
rock music fans. Some fans received a preview of the
publicity photos
and
underground
rock CD WOL at a
rooftop listening
party a day before it was released
and the response was amazing. Check out
Rock Band Lazarus X
merchandise like
The Weapon of Love Tour T-Shirt and
the
Weapon of Love CD
or preview one of their songs by
downloading a
free rock mp3.
Silver Dragon Records is a
Houston
rock record label
producing and promoting experimental, hard rock and alternative metal albums. We
provide 24 bit digital recording in a
quiet
private studio
free of distractions. If you think we are the label for you
submit a
demo to our record label and let us tell you how we can help your
band with
artist promotion,
publicity, marketing, recording, mastering, help in marketing a demo or shopping
for a major label deal. We are happy to offer musicians our online resources
like our
musicians
toolkit for recording audio, our
museum of rock
music history and our
Houston rock music resource.
Thank you for checking out
music history or rock genres and subgenres and enjoy the above links.
SDR Home
-
Free Mp3s -
Lazarus X
-
CDs - Concert
T-shirts - Rock T-Shirts -
SDR T-Shirts -
Prints
- More Products
- Next Feature
Copyright 2003 Lazarus X - Silver Dragon
Records - All rights reserved.
