With so much happening this weekend for Halloween in Syracuse and beyond; what better way to relax than by cranking up some music and doing a review? It has been a hectic week for a lot of you by all accounts, same here. As a way to forget everything on my plate in the next month or so, I was ecstatic to finally receive a package in the mail from renamed local band "Just A Memory", courtesy of the talented and beautiful Leila Dean. She is tireless in her drive in promoting the band as well as almost anything local here in Syracuse’s music scene. I respect the hell out of that.
The package includes a press kit of sorts with a short description of the band and its history, musical influences for each band member, an introduction of each of them, a page of bullet points covering some highlights over the past almost two years, and contact info. There is also a printed page with a band photo. One cool thing is the CD itself; signed by each member of the band, nice and very appreciated. They describe themselves as a "high-energy Symphonic Modern Rock band" and list some of the bands they have shared stages with; Tantric, Crossfade, Emphatic, Nonpoint, Cold, In This Moment, and Saving Abel to name a few. The band is made up of:
- Joey DiMaggio - Lead Vocal
- Leila Dean - Violin/Vocals
- Nate Hopper - Lead Guitar/Vocals
- Rob Fehrman - Bass
- Joe Culotti - Drums
The band was also recently nominated for a SAMMY in the "Best Rock" category. I popped the CD in and away I went to check it out. My wife, after a few minutes, asked who this was. She rarely asks who I am listening to so that alone was a vote for the band. I had to agree with her assessment that this band is good. I also noticed the quality of the recording. Professional sound is something that was always lacking in many of the home-made CD's that I have received, not this one. There are four tracks on this EP:
- Battlefield
- Runaway
- I Hate You
- For The Love Of Pity
The songs all have energy and a very new sound, at least in my listening universe. The band is tight with plenty of tempo changes that create a story within each song. The bass and drums lay down perfectly timed and powerful rhythm that flow effortlessly with the guitar. Joey's vocals are strong and he hits his notes with no hint of strain, makes me wonder just where he can go with his voice. Leila's vocals only add to the symphony of sound emanating from my speakers along with her hauntingly brilliant violin, sweetly singing in its own voice and gently woven within each song.
I have, as of this writing, yet to see them live. I will rectify that soon. The sound and energy that I hear only make me want to see them perform even more and eagerly wait for their next CD. This band cares about what they do and it shows in the finished product. Find them on Facebook and Reverbnation and check them out!
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