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Versatile Aggression  - Hardcore Heavy Metal Band
Versatile Aggression is a hard core heavy metal band from San Bernardino, CA. Their style is in the ballpark of Pantera with a wild live stage show.

This band has a powerful rhythm section! The drums are solid with great double kick riffs, double hi hats and 6 toms. The guitar is tight and crunchy with great timing and the bass keeps a solid rhythm with the drum double kicks.

Rumor has it this band is INSANE on stage. The lead singer has tattoos from head to toe and most members where stage makeup when performing.

The band’s album was backed by Taup Nawtch Entertainment in Los Angeles and produced by Conrad Askland at Road Records.

From Versatile Aggression:
THE HARDSHIPS OF LIFE,WARS, POVERTY,AND THE AMERICAN WAY(ha,ha)I just like very aggressive music,in your face,true life,not bubble-gum shelterd types. plus the raw energy of this music is better than sex!!!!!!!

MOST OF THE SONGS ARE DARK, NOT REALLY DEVIL WORSHIP STUFF,BUT COMIC BOOK,STEVEN KING IMAGINATION TYPE STUFF, YOU KNOW HORROR STORIES LIKE CREEPSHOW ONLY TO MUSIC,ITS A LOT OF FUN FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY… YES WE DO HAVE SOMETHING SPECIAL ABOUT RECORDING WITH YOU.1 ABOUT 14 OR 16 SONGS RECORDED IN ABOUT 5 OR 6 HOURS MAYBE LESS MAYBE MORE I’M NOT SURE. 2 ITS THE FIRST REAL RECORD THAT WE’VE DONE AND THAT WAS SPECIAL ENOUGH.OH YEAH THE SONG “NOT BY CHOICE” IS NOT ABOUT SLAVETRADING,ITS ABOUT AN INVASION FROM OUTER SPACE AND THEY ARE HERE TO TAKE OVER THE WORLD! TWILIGHT ZONE STUFF!!!

Mary’s Garage Band

They’re baaaaaaaack! Mary’s Garage Band has completed their second demo album at our studio. And of course, Jon Bruschke brought his Roland Juno 60 keyboard in again to torment us.

In 20 words or less, Mary’s Garage Band can be described as: “Two 30-something PhDs playing classic rock with three 20-something hotties who would rather play punk

Here’s info from their website :
Mary’s Garage Band: An Interactive, Interdisciplinary, Internet Musical Experience. An adventure in MP3. A live show illegal in 23 states.

The GENERAL IDEA
Kenneth Burke was a scholar of social behavior earlier this century. Unlike James Dean, Otis Redding, and Vincent Van Gogh, he wasn’t discovered after his death. He was discovered too late in his lifetime to really enjoy the sex, drugs, and rock and roll part of fame. Even without the fame part he enjoyed the sex and drugs, as he was a notorious drinker and he fathered several illegitimate children and subsequent illegitimate grandchildren. Ironically enough, one of the illegitimate grandchildren was Harry Chapin, who added the missing rock and roll.

At any rate, he is credited with the idea of “mystery” – the idea that because of some innate feature of human social behavior the concealed is compelling and attractive. Thus, the theory goes, when nobody knows what the lyrics of “Louie, Louie” really are, they become mysterious.

The human imagination then runs wild and starts to believe that there are deep, profound, abstruse messages hidden in the lyrics. Or when we hear that there may be strange, backmasked messages on “Hotel California,” there is an overpowering urge to find out what the message might be. It becomes fascinating because the mysterious might be connected to strange, powerful truths or, better yet, invisible forces of good or evil that are accessible only to a few. All of which is to say that rock and roll marketers have figured out Kenneth Burke’s idea pretty damn well and are exceptionally good at marketing it.

Marys’ Garage Band is a complete rejection of the concept of “mystery.” Behind every song is a story.

The idea behind Mary’s Garage Band is that there is plenty of stuff in music when it is played forward to make it interesting. Hearing the insights of the musicians who make the music can create a dialogue that is every bit as fascinating as the bizarre forces we might imagine to exist when, say, we ponder what the symbol that now represents the Artist Formerly Known As Prince is supposed to mean. This page is designed as a vehicle to allow us to distribute and talk about our music, for our tens upon tens of fans to interact with the music. The meaning of a song resides in the interaction between the author and the audience, and we hope you’ll join us in creating that meaning.

THE PLAYERS
Mary’s Garage BandIn 20 words or less, Mary’s Garage Band can be described as: “Two 30-something PhDs playing classic rock with three 20-something hotties who would rather play punk.” The aged include Dr. Bill Loges (PhD, 1991, USC) and Dr. Jon Bruschke (PhD, University of Utah, 1994).

The fact that we are over-educated is relevant in three regards. First, our extensive exposure to social theory allows us to drop random facts about guys like Kenneth Burke. Second, as professors we have keys to the tech. production rooms and can record lots of stuff for free. Third, (and least importantly) our readings of advanced ideas sometimes creep into our music.

We have also noticed that a certain amount of sex appeal aids in the rapid rise to fame, and that live performances with drum machines lack chutzpah. We thought we’d spend more time exposing bare skin on the stage, but the top of Bill’s head was not producing the desired effect. We went with youth who met the following criteria: They would work for free, they happened to know us, they would not run up a bar tab larger than the amount we were getting paid, and they could play their instruments. The hotties are William Cameron Ward (Giles Scholarship recipient), Casey Arbenz (M.A. candidate), and Danimal Kruse (CFI, CFII, MEI, BA in business).

Bill LogesBill Loges - Vocals, Guitar
Cameron Ward - Guitar
Casey Arbenz - Bass
Daniel Kruse - Drums, Percussion, Vocals
Jon Bruschke - Vocals, Keyboard

This group is the most difficult to categorize that we’ve ever recorded. Take a couple college professors, add in some intellectual young adults, add in punk and 60’s beatnik rock and that’s Mary’s Garage Band!

The vocals aren’t always in tune, but it doesn’t matter. The lyrics are intellectual but about everyday things, no big political protests here; just great grooves and music. Songs about not wanting an intimate dinner at a restaurant to end, and love songs that howl at the moon at lightning speed.

This music is definately for an coffee shop crowd, or could be used in a movie. It was difficult at times to NOT see their music in the movie score of some modern cult film. We hope they record with us in the future because they were also a lot of fun to work with!

S7n Sixty - Rap
Group Members: Bobby “Brownson” Gomez, Mike “Executive” Santiago aka “Sigasin” and Mark “Weapon” Timple.

From Sin Sixty Click: “Music has been an influence to us the day we were able to comprehend it. The result is shown through our individual styles and translated through our lyrics. We’re out to show what we’re about…. “Real West Coast Hip Hop”. Keep yo’ eyes out for the (S7n Sixty Click).

Sin Sixty is a rap duo from Victorville, California. Their style is animated and hard core. Their tracks were pre-produced downloads from the Internet.

Mike Santiago, first recorded with us around 1992 with a group called Poetic Harmony. He’s a talented lyricist, singer and now we find out he’s a great rapper too!

Sin Sixty also has several guest hip hop artists which will be released on their final album.

West Coast - Hard Core - That’s s7n Sixty!

Note from studio engineer Conrad Askland: “These guys are REALLY good. There isn’t one second of audio that they don’t have mapped out in their head before they come in the studio. I would be VERY surprised if they aren’t picked up by a label within a year of their album release!”

FINAL EXIT

Final Exit is back in the studio with a new name (formerly Headlock) and an even harder sound. They’re new recording has the ultimate guitar wall of sound with over 15 tracks of layered guitar just for the crunchy rhythm guitars!

Dave Williams has switched from drums to guitar and brings a fresh approach to the hardcore guitar rhythm counterpoint with singer and guitarist Hank Merenda. Don Rugg sings some of their new songs and definately brings the look in with the sound. Izzie Ozzie or isn’t he?

Hank Merenda says when they show up for a lineup with younger bands there’s a little hesitation with the audience, but once they start playing they kick their a** every time

Don Rugg with producer Conrad Askland.

Most bands are either strong at live performance, material development or studio recording. Final Exit is one of the few bands that is focused on all three areas equally.

Final Exit recorded at Road Records recording studio and were engineered by Conrad Askland.

This is our favorite picture (former lead vocalist Paul Anderson) from the former “Headlock” band led by Hank Merenda.

Hey, didn’t you play DRUMS on the last album?

Feel the love like warm waves of hugs surrounding you.

In Progress

In Progress is a variety of sounds and styles ranging from jazz, rock and folk. They began their musical journey in 2001 with the founding members Ori Aviv, Josh Fox and Jeff Newman; later adding Andrew Nicholls and Sam Cohen.

Ori is responsible for rhythm guitar, lead vocals and a vast majority of the writing. Josh plays lead guitar, Jeff plays bass guitar, Andrew (recruited from Arizona) handles the percussion while Sam is responsible for keyboards.

Fade To Blue

FADE TO BLUE is a powerful and explosive blues and rock band from the high desert of Southern California comprised of five experienced and talented musicians. FADE TO BLUE cut their CD in November of 2002 at Road Records.

Eric Reyes - Bass guitar and vocals. Eric is a very talented bass guitar player who has played with many East L.A. and So California bands such as TIERRA, who had such classic songs as Together, Gonna Find Her, Zoot Suit Boogie and Memories. He also played with the PREMIERS who’s main top 20 hit was Farmer John. Eric toured with WAR whos most notable top 20 hit songs were Low Rider and The Cisco Kid. He also played with The City Terrace Dukes of East L.A., The Salas Bros, The Padilla Bros, Chan Romero (Hippy Hippy Shake) and Tommy Gun. He also plays in the Victor Valley College Jazz Band.

Ron Davis - Drums and Vocals. Ron is a skillful and gifted drummer who plays a “Drum Array” that includes more than 2 full drum sets. Ron grew up in Ontario, California and at a very young age started playing the Drums. He played for the Chaffey High School Band. Ron played in EXTENDED PLAY who played at Gazarri’s and other top venues in Hollywood in the late 1980’s. He also played at the Green Door, Club 66, Pomona Auditorium and other So. California venues. Ron also works with the Sultana High School Drum Line.

Sid Rugh - Guitar. Sid’s family moved to Prescott, Arizona from Ontario, California. While in high school he formed a band called THE CENTRIES, who won many battled of the bands contests. THE CENTRIES went on to cut a couple of records, the Old Man and Wind In The Tall Pines, and played at venues like JD’s in Scottsdale, Ariz, The Tunnel, 9th Street West in Phoenix, also the Arizona State Fair among other small and large venues. THE CENTRIES opened for such bands as the Spiders (Alice Cooper), the Bittersweets, the VIP’s, the Vibratos and others. Recently Sid played bass for Shockmonster, a heavy metal band who played at the Coconut Teaszer and other venues in Hollywood and So. California before joining FADE TO BLUE.

Patrick “Patrissimo” Teasley - Lead guitar. Patrick began playing the clarinet and piano at an early age. Patrick’s musical experience and guitarist career began in high school when he joined THE ENTERPRISE STARSHIP, a new show-pop band. Within two years this band earned an exceptional amount of prestige in rock and pop music and received many awards. This led to Patrick’s growth and experiencce playing at major amusement parks and jazz festivals throughout California and Nevada. Patrick was nominated Junior Instrumentalist of the Year in 1986. After serving his country in the Marine Corps, Patrick became a member of the Shasta BLues Society, and played blues guitar regularly. In 1995, he was hired to play lead guitar backing rising country star Summer Rae, who had a hit song with “Daddy’s House”. The Summer Rae Express was the opening act for Mark Chestnutt and Jana Jae. Since 1999, “Patrissimo” has been teaching guitar professionally and is pursuing a music major.

Lower Case A

Casey Marr: Vocals
David Dan: Guitar
Sam Gabbard: Bass/Vocals
Brian Bolsta: Drums/Vocals

This is one of the few younger bands we’ve recorded that didn’t have a weak link. All the musicians are very strong performers and tight as heck.

Interesting side note, we didn’t know they were coming in! They showed up and we didn’t have them on the schedule. After an hour of polite debate and realizing that they and their friends drove 5 hours to record with us, we cancelled our sessions and recorded their 12 song album in two days. Day 2 was a burner at over 14 hours and they were total pros the whole time. Looking back, we’re glad we cancelled the other sessions to work with them. This band ROCKS!

The Band
The band had been together about a year before recording. Their first song ever was called “Lefty”, which they all hate now. Sam started the band, Casey was the last to join. They’ve played several paid gigs around their hometown of Oakhurst, CA. In the months prior the recording David’s Mom even managed to book them a show down in Newport Beach.

They seem to be somewhat of local heroes, the kids love when they play at the only venue in town, the bowling alley. They started the band in hopes of getting big, because nobody starts a band and says, “Let only play for our parents in our garage!”

Lower Case A does love the music, no matter how cliche it sounds. But for them, it’s mainly a way to not be bored to tears all day in quite possibly one of the smallest towns ever. PS - The “A” is NEVER lower case!

David Dan

David has been playing guitar since 1998. He taught himself how to play a little bit, but later took two years of guitar class at Yosemite High School. His influences range from Black Sabbath to The Offspring. His favorite kinds of music are metal or anything hard core. His favorite band is Blindside. He uses a Marshall 150 half stack with an Ibanez Destroyer. He only plays red guitars and is color blind.

Sam Gabbard

Sam has been playing bass since 1999. He taught himself to play, but also took two years of guitar classes with David at Yosemite High School. Sam is the oldest member of the band at the time of this recording at age 17. His influences include Primus, System of a Down, Red Hot Chili Peppers and At The Drive In. His favorite band is Zoo and his favorite styles of music include metal, screamo and oldies. He uses a Gallien Krueger through a Peavey cabinet with two 15″ speakers. He plays an Epiphone Thunderbird IV Reverse.

Brian Bolsta

Brian has been playing drums since 1999 and is completely self-taught. He can’t read music at all and doesn’t know how to measure it either. He attended Yosemite High School with the rest of his band mates. His influences include Lewis Nash and WUV (of P.O.D.). Some of his favorite bands are At The Drive In, Refused and Coke. He listens to just about all styles of music, except of course country and opera (Sidenote from Conrad: “Them there’s fightin’ words boy!”). He plays a DW five piece set with Sabian cymbals and one day dearly hopes to truly appreciate country western music and opera, well…ok, we added that last part.

Casey Marr

Casey, like most people, has always been singing. He’s just only ever sang for this band, though. He has never taken singing lessons or had a vocal coach. He has been strongly influenced by Davey Havok of A.F.I. His favorite bands include A.F.I., Blindside and Project 86. His favorite styles of music include metal, rock and roll and screamo. He uses a nice mic - he likes it. He is the youngest member of the band at age 16 at time of recording.

 
Adalanta
Adalanta is a Southern California rock band.

The Film (Write up from The Film website)
The Film is a kick butt band out of Southern California (with members in Palm Springs and Victorville).

The Film started out with only musician/writer Greg Lesnjak and musician/writer Joe Kidd. Using a Boss BR8, various guitars and percussion, a few microphones and a drum machine (masterfully programed by Lasnjak) the two recorded their first album “13 Ways to Annoy People”. The album was mixed down at Road Records recording studio in Victorville, CA for a small sum of money. Greg and Joe then added drummer Nathan Marchi and bassist Luke Reichle to play live shows.

Nathan brought new energy and influence to the band as his take on the drum machine’s beats became the staple sound of The Film live. Luke’s backup vocals, extreme live energy and solid bass grooves also provide foundation and life to The Film as a live band. Greg plays lead guitar live and Joe sings and plays rythym guitar.

08/01 - Currently The Film is playing various live shows in Southern California and occasionally around Pheonix, Arizona. They are also in the process of (however heavily procrastinating) re-recording their album with Nathan’s drums and Luke’s bass lines.

Violet Minds
The Violet Minds are from Phoenix, Arizona. They recorded at Road Records in mid March 2002. This rock trio has a very underground vibe to the lyrics and rhythm textures.

Their song “20 Days To Hollywood” is featured on the Road Records compilation CD New Faces Volume Four. The project was produced by Conrad Askland.

The drums have hip hop and jazz influences. The vocals sometimes sound reminiscent of early David Bowie or the Rocky Horror Picture Show. The songs range from light rock and punk with funk influences, to heart felt songs full of pathos, remorse and somber reflection.

Ironically, the group was going to be the band for our online “band recording studio tour”, but the group split up with their present player lineup towards the end of the recording session. To our knowledge their album was not pressed (except for the excerpt on New Faces Volume Four, “20 Days To Hollywood). We wish them all good guidance on their journeys.

Special thanks to Ryan at Tom’s Music Victorville CA for setting up the lead guitar with new strings and proper intonation.

You single handedly saved our recording!