Eye the Realist

If there is a band who embraces the local scene more than the band Eye The Realist please come forward. The pop-punk quartet has been spreading their music around the LA area for about three years now, building a solid reputation with fellow local bands, local clothing companies, and Los Angeles music lovers.

Being compared to bands such as Emery, Taking Back Sunday, and Armor for Sleep. According to the band's bio, Eye The Realist is a female fronted band provides catchy melodic vocal melodies which are sure to get stuck in your head. The guitars create that driving rhythmic force yet nostalgic to early pop punk with seamless transitions into progressive melodies. Drums and Bass lock in on all syncopated ways with commanding/progressive drums comes a great dynamics that raises the bar on the LA progressive-rock scene. Josie Randle- Vocals/Guitar, David Baqi- Guitar, Kris Beeks- Bass/ Vocals and Mark Matas- Drums make up this talented band.

The band's first release "From Truth and Time" was released back in April but the buzz surrounding this band has not slowed down. Since the release the band has been on numerous coastal tours and made it out to the coveted SXSW. The album shows what hard work and dedication can do for a band. The opening track "Just So You Know" gets you going right away with pounding bass and drums. The guitar work is great on the track as is the harmonies between Josie and Kris. The song has more of a pop edge to it but should garner the band fans as you can picture crowds singing along with the band throughout the hooks. The title track showcases how far Josie's vocals have came as she kicks off the track with just her and her guitar. The almost acoustic track could've been a very dark haunting track but once the band kicks in the upbeat style takes over. "The Way You Fell Behind" is another catchy track. Combining the bands metal and hardcore edge with pop vocals make this track stand out. "Death" which was the first release on the album is one of the best songs on the album. The harmonies are true pop-punk and shows why this band has such a dedicated fan base. "To Be Found" has some great moments and "The Chase" could be the song that gets everyone up and moving.

There is some good moments on this album. The musianship is good as is the production from Jeff Sahyoun but the vocals can be too repetitious. Most of the 11 tracks sound similar which is all too frequent in this genre. However, Eye The Realist adds more to their songs than most and with the addition of their hardcore approaches intertwined they overcome where others fail. The band's eclectic style is definately showcased throughout this album. The band is currently gearing up for yet another tour through October starting with a hometown show in San Pedro on October 3rd at San Pedro Brewco. - Joe Musick

For any music lover, supporting your local bands should be a priority. Attending hometown shows and seeing familiar faces generates a feeling of family amongst both band members and fans, especially in a big city like Los Angeles, and one local act that understand the importance of embracing the local scene is Eye the Realist.

Fronted by Josie Randle, arguably one of the coolest chicks in Long Beach, Eye the Realist has great stage presence, an awesome attitude, and four rad members. The pop-punk quartet has been spreading their music around the LA area for about three years now, building a solid reputation with fellow local bands, local clothing companies, and Los Angeles music lovers. This has helped them reach their highly respectable goals, which include playing the infamous South by South West fest in Texas and following the West Coast dates for Vans Warped Tour.

Eye the Realist also understands the value of hard work, and their dedication does not go unnoticed. In addition to their recent touring along the West Coast, including dates in Northern California, Oregon, Washington, and Nevada, according to Miss Randle, “We go to local shows all the time to promote ourselves and to support our friends out there.” Basically, building a solid local foundation has definitely proven to be advantageous to the group.

Eye the Realist’s first record, From Truth and Time, dropped on April 29th, 2014. Their album shows off the group’s eclectic style. For inspiration, they draw from a number of genres and brilliantly combine them to make catchy pop-punk gold. Since its release, Josie says, “We’ve been playing a lot of local shows all over LA and Orange County. For the rest of the year, we’re planning another tour in October for one or two weeks with a band from Barstow called Chrysalis. That’ll be our third tour this year.” Check out Josie’s explanation of the song “Death” below:

Following their current tour up the coast, Eye the Realist will be back in Los Angeles for more local gigs, including a stop by The Prospector in Long Beach on September 4th. Make sure to check them out! The are insanely talented and all of the members are incredibly friendly, so if you see them, be sure to say hi! - LA Music Blog

From Truth and Time, the first full length album from SoCal band Eye the Realist was released on April 29. Preceding the 11 track album’s release, “Death,” the first single debuted and is a great example of the melodic rhythmic sound that is Eye the Realist fans have grown to love. This female fronted progressive pop/rock group is hitting the road to promote the album and doing a special album release at Chain Reaction on May 15 where they will play the album cover to cover. By the Barricade caught up with lead singer, Josie Randle to learn more:

By the Barricade: What inspired you to start the band? And how did you choose your name “Eye the Realist”



Josie: I started the band because sometimes there’s only one way to get what you want done, and it’s to go and just do it! But it definitely takes the right people to go all in with you.

The band name was put together like so: ‘Eye’ can be looked at in two different ways depending on how you hear it being said ‘I’ and how you see being said ‘Eye’. As any individual you grow and experience a lot in life, some more than others, or some in a different way than others. With those experiences it forces you to view things, say things, or do things in life, and for me personally it’s more of my out take on life, which is way different than it was say 5 years ago.



By the Barricade: Where do you usually gather songwriting inspiration?



Josie: When writing songs the inspiration can come from many people lyrically vs instrumentally. But as far as lyrically, life experiences or views on my surroundings and the world help influence my lyrics.



By the Barricade: What is your usual songwriting process?



imageJosie: It changes. Sometimes it could be a simple guitar riff I have been working on, maybe nothing comes of it but when jammed out with my drummer, bassist, guitarist it can develop into something so much more. Or sometimes I have a riff and lyric ideas and it flows. Or it can all just start instrumentally. When I write I hear most parts so I sit in front of the computer and hit record share the song and bring in other ideas to help the song become the song.



By the Barricade: What excites you the most about your new CD, From Truth and Time?



Josie: It’s our first full length that we work so hard on and now it’s finally out for people to hear, share, experience and connect with.



By the Barricade: What advice can you give other local bands looking to get gigs?



Josie: Networking. Plain and simple. Talk to other people you play shows with and simply ask them who booked the show, get their information. Or you see other bands online promoting at a certain venue you want to play at, talk to them. Ask questions. And hopefully you will encounter the awesome people in the industry that love what they do and want to help you.



By the Barricade: What is your favorite local venue to play and why?



Josie: DiPiazzas and Chain Reaction, because we grew up playing there and have built great relationships with the staff.



By the Barricade: What were the biggest challenges while releasing your new CD From Truth and Time?



album

Josie: There’s a lot but let’s say, time. We produced our record with a friend who’s in a touring band and with his touring schedule, our work schedule coordinating everyone’s time takes patience as well as being prepared to play your parts and leaving happy.



By the Barricade: If you could pick any band to go on tour with, what band would you choose and why?



Josie: Picking just 1 band is so hard. I think we will pass on this question. We want to tour with everyone. Good Music is Good Music.



By the Barricade: Is there anything else would you like to tell By the Barricade readers?



Josie: Support your local music scene. Inside and out. Share the love. We all work very hard, whether it’s playing an instrument, being a photographer, a blog writer, a promoter/booker, etc…everyone needs everyone’s help. If you like the music or the work being produced. SHARE IT! - By the Barricade- Susan Hollingsworth

Eye the Realist

July 9, 2014

MUSIC GROUP



"we all come from different musical backgrounds" -Eye the Realist





Kristopher Beeks, (bassist/vocalist) I'm 22, from Long Beach, CA.

David Baqi,(lead guitarist) 23 from Orange County, CA.

Mark "Batman" Matas, (drums) 27, from San Pedro, CA.

Josie Randle (vocalist/guitarist), 26 from Long Beach.





What is the inspiration behind your music?

Our inspiration comes from; reading, life experiences, feelings, and emotions all expressed thru music.



What do you think makes people interested?

A connection. But also things that they don’t understand but are enticing enough to want to know more. Things like Baby Metal. Look it up.



How did you get started?

Kris: I got started singing in public school groups from elementary to middle school, and in high school I taught myself how to play guitar and started a band



David: Picked up a shitty Electro electric guitar with a bunch of stickers of bands i had never heard of. Next thing i know, I’m playing their songs.



Mark: My dad plays drums and it looked really awesome and it just felt natural to me sitting behind a kit.



Josie: Watching the PBS channel as a kid they would have orchestras come on and play and that was one of the greatest things I could have seen and heard.



Other music artists you admire?

Any and all musicians out there touring and working their asses off for their musical success and happiness. But to name a few bands; The Rocket Summer, Copeland, Thrice, The Receiving Ends of Sirens, I the Mighty, Circa Survive, The Wonder Years, and the list goes on and on.



What song of yours is your favorite?

To Be Found, Sleep Between Sleepers, and From Truth and Time.



What's coming up next?

We just released our album on 4.29.14. So right now we are heavily playing shows, touring and promoting!



Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

Touring and writing music.



Something interesting about yourself?

It's interesting that we all come from different musical backgrounds but can come together and make something that fuses and blends so smoothly, while working towards the same goal. Some of us are also multi-instrumentalist, but as far as David is concerned I will eat anything you give me except steamed spinach.



“GTFO of here with that stuff.”



Listen to the group's new album here! Also check them out on YouTube! - UnCharted Mag- Gabrielle Nelson

With four songs, female-fronted, Eye the Realist pack a powerful punch with the release, QUESTIONS. The group consists of two key members Josie Randle on guitar, bass and vocals along with Mark Matas on drums and vocals. Eye the Realist play a heavy yet harmonious brand of rock with intricate guitar lines and drums merged with heartfelt lyrics. With the first track, “From Truth and Time,” it’s obvious that the music Eye the Realist creates is something that pours with emotion while having a rocking backbone. The songs are catchy yet innovative with Randle’s smooth vocals giving the band a distinctive sound. Eye the Realist is out of the South Bay area of Southern California and with more releases like QUESTIONS should have a bright future. To get information on the band or to get a copy of QUESTIONS go to www.eyetherealistband.tumblr.com. - Sounds Good (Ca)-Joe Licavoli

We are very excited to be exclusively premiering the newest single and video from Eye the Realist. The song “Perfect Permission” is the first peek into all the hard work the band has been putting into their new album ‘Strains’ which we can expect later this Fall. “Perfect Permission” was produced by Jeff Sahyoun, Head Chef at The Audio Bakery, and was mastered by Rob Storm. When asked what is their meaning and feelings behind the first single, the band states:

“In short we all grow up having a sense of morals. Knowing whats right and wrong. But as we grow up and choose who we surround ourselves with, we learn to choose to make the decisions we make and that is sometimes based on those we surround ourselves with. Only you can decided in the end what you were born to do. What decisions you want to make. Just take a minute to stop doing what you think is right by other peoples standards and focus on your own. Who cares if it's not convenient to others. But what matters is doing what you want to do. When you want to do it. However you feel is necessary.“ Based out of Los Angeles, CA, Eye the Realist are an aggressive pop/rock female fronted band. Josie Randle (vocals, guitar) has the ability to create that driving rhythmic force yet nostalgic to early pop punk with seamless transitions into progressive melodies. Mark Matas (drums) and Kris Beeks (bass, vocals) are a dynamic duo when they lock in on all syncopated ways with commanding/progressive drums that raises the bar on the LA progressive-rock scene. So all in all, EtR are well liked for their catchy and high energy vocals, driving guitars, smooth edgy bass lines and dynamically progressive styled drums. - TandA Media

Please list all of your band members and their roles in the band.

Josie Randle- Vocals, Guitar
Kris Beeks- Bass, Vocals
Mark Matas- Drums

For starters, what bands were you guys a part of prior to Eye the Realist? How long has the band been around?



We've been around 6 years.

What’s the origin of that name and have you changed the band’s name before?

The band name has been the same since we've started. The name Eye the Realist comes from seeing the world from seeing the world for how it really is, as opposed to how we'd like to be in our minds or how we've been raised to see it. We believe in constantly developing change within yourself, to stay real and true and we project all that energy into Eye the Realist.

Who writes your songs? What are the main themes or topics for most of your songs and do you think these topics will change over time?



Collectively we instrumentally write the songs together. Sometimes a song or two may be formed by Josie and brought in and further developed together. The songs are about the struggles, and experiences we face in our lives.

What bands are currently inspiring the music that you’re making?

We listen to many different artist it's to pick just one. But our influences can defniitely stem from I The Mighty, Hail the Sun, Coheed and Cambria, and more.

Was there a particular band/artist or concert that inspired you to start a band?

Lets just say it ranges from Warped Tour, to the PBS channel watching the Orchestras play.

What do you do to prepare for a show? Any flexing, exercises, ect …

There is some light exercise that may take place. Running thru certain parts prior as well.

What has been the biggest highlight of the band’s career so far?

One we can all agree on is playing a sold out show with I the Mighty at Chain Reaction in Anaheim, CA.

If you could tour with any bands, past or present, who would they be and why?

What a hard question. There's so many bands we'd love to tour with, simply due to talent, admiration and style.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

We love what we do, and hope everyone can find something they can put there all into and go with it. - Kill the Music