MERGENCE
Phoenix, Arizona, United States | SELF
Music
Press
Mergence is one of the most inspirational and unique local bands around - Phoenix New Times
"Mergence plays brilliant rock, pure and true" - soundsaroundtown.net
Dirty - College Times Magazine
"Mergence’s new album is titled Those Vibrant Young People Are Dead, but its music refutes this statement at every turn." - Yab Yum Music & Arts
spot on good" - Electric Mustache
These Tempe-based blues rockers will do their best to protect you from the robots and the groupthink of the mainstream - College Times Magazine
"a lyrical android apocalypse" - The Examiner
Those Vibrant Young People are Dead - Phoenix New Times
"Blues of the Borderland" - Java Magazine
"we just want to record music" - 944 Magazine
"My current status is 'Fuck you, robot!'/ You'll never take us alive." - Phoenix New times
This flier might look old-fashioned, since the image is from a vintage cigarette advertisement for Tiplaet, but don't think the show at Yucca Tap Room this Friday, May 14 will be fuddy-duddy. The bands on the bill, which include Mergence, Banana Gun, Honey Pistol, Sister Cities and Wizards of Time, are influenced by a wide variety of contemporary acts, including Fiona Apple, Radiohead and Counting Crows--definitely an eclectic mix of sounds on the line-up.
"What's so special about this show is the amazing originality in all the bands--rootsy blues and rock all the way to modern indie and alternative music," says Mergence singer/guitarist Adam Bruce. "You hear so many different sounds and different styles coming out, yet, somehow, we all fit in together. The night will be sure to keep listeners entertained and on their toes."
Mergence will be playing songs off their yet-to-be-released new album, Those Vibrant Young People Are Dead, including the upbeat, catchy rock track "Dynamite & Kerosene."
Now, whether any of the bands' members agree with the flier's tag line, "Blow in her face and she'll follow you anywhere," (which, yes, was on the actual advertisement back in the day), is another story. The show's free and starts at 8 p.m. Check out www.myspace.com/mergence for more info. - Phoenix New Times
Discography
Harvest•Wintertime - Nov 2011
Those Vibrant Young People Are Dead - Feb 2011
Orange & Ecstasy - May 2009
Photos
Bio
“This is the music you play in your car as you careen down desert highways, sun burning off the tarmac, dust covering your windshield, lizards skittering to the shoulder-- this is the blues of the borderlands defined.” Mitchell Hillman flawlessly describes the sound of the three year old blues/indie/rock band Mergence and their acclaimed debut album, “Those Vibrant Young People Are Dead”. The connection fans have to Mergence’s music is strong, like love. Most Mergence fans argue the band’s live performances are as intense as the sounds that come from their album; witnesses to the dancing, grooving, writhing sea of people would have to agree.
Featured in the Phoenix New Times print edition in late August 2011and countless other articles as well as giving incredible performances at McDowell Mountain Music Fest, Apache Lake Music Fest, and The Foundry, Mergence continues to draw new listeners as they continue into their southwest tour in early 2012.
Mergence’s sound is hard to pin down and could be considered a type of sonic blues, indie rock genre. Mergence gives the listener a glimpse into another dimension across time and space by mixing melodic songwriting and strong vocals from Adam Bruce, slide guitar from Yod,and a soul shaking rhythm section from Brandon Shupe’s bass and Jason Roedl’s drums.
It’s an original sound that is eerily familiar with touches of Zeppelin,The Beatles, Floyd, and The Black Keys, but an intense passionate sound all their own. College Times says "[they] will do their best to protect you from the robots and the groupthink of the mainstream." While AzMusic Connect calls it “an absolutely excellent contribution to the music of Arizona."
This exceptionally gifted band has several exciting ventures planned for the near future that you won’t want to miss. So don’t!
Links
