Justin Abrams

At some point in high school, a majority of us either participated in a rock band or know somebody who did. As American as apple pie and deficit spending, teenage garage bands have been manifesting epic guitar riffs and awful hairstyles since Billy Hays rocked around the clock.

From lack of talent, funding and/or motivation, it’s a rarity for one of these buddy bands to get their first gig. A few, however, have the tenacity to keep it together. Six years after first getting together to share their talents, Beyond Conception is preparing to record its second album.

“We’re just four brothers playing music,” said Matt Abrams, 21, Dana Point. Only two of them are truly related, but the idea is clear as they are brothers in the musical sense.

Formed in 2003, the band consists of Abrams and his brother, Justin, 23, Laguna Niguel; Blake Kennedy, 23, Laguna Niguel; and Clint Armstrong, 24, Dana Point, a 2005 Saddleback alumnus. Justin fronts the band on vocals, the keyboard and occasionally a rhythm guitar. He is backed by Kennedy on lead guitar and Matt, his brother, on bass. Armstrong sits at the drums, playing off of tight jazz roots, punctuated by quintessential Mick Fleetwood-style solos.

“We search deep and wide for our influences,” said Kennedy.

Their MySpace page pays homage to a laundry list of greats, from Chet Atkins to the Rolling Stones and Kings of Leon. The center of attention falls on the high-energy performance of Justin, specifically his driving piano chords. Unusual in the modern rock setting, Justin’s key work completes the classic yet unique sound that defines the band.

The only disappointment is in their current CD. It’s a great album, with killer tracks like “Dancing” and “Playing in the Sandbox,” but the studio recordings lack the gritty edge that comes out in front of a live audience. It’s that edge that the Stones defined and the Beatles lamented.

“Our music has matured quite a bit in the last three years [since the first album],” said Armstrong, “[the new album] is going to change the way people define music.”

Pre-production work is done for the new album and studio recordings should begin right around the time this hits the newsstands. Look for the new album this summer, boasting 11 fresh tracks that tap into the spirit of their live performances.

For more information on upcoming shows, visit www.beyondconception.net or myspace.com/beyondconception. - The Lariat Newspaper

go to www.beyondconception.com where you can view full article in "Press" section - Laguna beach newspaper

go to www.beyondconception.com where you can view full article in "Press" section - Laguna beach newspaper

Beyond Conception is a band I found by one of those happy accidents. My son was in his stroller and he and I were waiting outside a Laguna Beach boutique while my wife did some shopping. I saw a guy with an iPod walking up and down the street, asking people to listen to his band. Fifteen seconds was all he asked. That guy was Clint Armstrong, drummer for Beyond Conception. He and I struck up a conversatioon, and I came away with the band's CD and an invitation to see the band headline The Coach House in San Juan Capistrano.

I will say this. Stix and Stones earned some points even before I heard a note on the album. Clint explained that the band took a very DIY approach to making the album. I don't ever find that to be a bad thing.

So what is this band about? Beyond Conception is a modern rock band with a piano-playing lead vocalist. If you were to compare this band to The Fray, that would not be outrageous. However, there is more to this band than mellow piano ballads. The guitar in the title track packs a pretty good punch. There is also a blues element in "Way Back When" which is pretty surprising. I never expected such a blues influence from a decidedly modern rock band, but sure enough, there it is. Listening to this song, it's easy to tell that these guys have spent some time listening to and learning the blues. In the very next song, "Wasted Away," the band shows some pretty heavy-duty Oasis influence, particularly in the vocals and guitar.

The band has good energy, and good sound on this album. It seems to me that the DIY approach is working pretty well. If you want to support local music and you like bands like The Fray, then Beyond Conception is a band you should get to know. - Examiner.com

Beyond Conception is a band I found by one of those happy accidents. My son was in his stroller and he and I were waiting outside a Laguna Beach boutique while my wife did some shopping. I saw a guy with an iPod walking up and down the street, asking people to listen to his band. Fifteen seconds was all he asked. That guy was Clint Armstrong, drummer for Beyond Conception. He and I struck up a conversatioon, and I came away with the band's CD and an invitation to see the band headline The Coach House in San Juan Capistrano.

I will say this. Stix and Stones earned some points even before I heard a note on the album. Clint explained that the band took a very DIY approach to making the album. I don't ever find that to be a bad thing.

So what is this band about? Beyond Conception is a modern rock band with a piano-playing lead vocalist. If you were to compare this band to The Fray, that would not be outrageous. However, there is more to this band than mellow piano ballads. The guitar in the title track packs a pretty good punch. There is also a blues element in "Way Back When" which is pretty surprising. I never expected such a blues influence from a decidedly modern rock band, but sure enough, there it is. Listening to this song, it's easy to tell that these guys have spent some time listening to and learning the blues. In the very next song, "Wasted Away," the band shows some pretty heavy-duty Oasis influence, particularly in the vocals and guitar.

The band has good energy, and good sound on this album. It seems to me that the DIY approach is working pretty well. If you want to support local music and you like bands like The Fray, then Beyond Conception is a band you should get to know. - Examiner.com

Laguna Niguel-based rock band, Beyond Conception, is working toward breaking into the mainstream with their latest album release "Stix and Stones."

Lead vocalist Justin Abrams and his brother, Matt, who plays bass, connected with drummer/vocalist Clint Armstrong, and guitarist Blake Kennedy while attending Dana Hills High School.
Article Tab : Justin Abrams, lead vocalist of Beyond Conception, performed Wednesday at The Coach House in celebration of their CD launch.
Justin Abrams, lead vocalist of Beyond Conception, performed Wednesday at The Coach House in celebration of their CD launch.
OLIVER YU, FOR THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
MORE PHOTOS »

About Beyond Conception

Members: Justin Abrams, vocals, piano, guitar, 24; Matt Abrams, bass, 22; Clint Armstrong, drums and vocals; 25; Blake Kennedy, guitar, 23.

Genre: Rock

Web site: www.beyondconception.com

Sounds like: Queen meets Coldplay
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They've moved past their garage band days — opening for Marcy's Playground, NOFX, and Hellogoodbye. Self described by the band as a "Queen-meets-Coldplay-sound," their music has been played on Nickelodeon and MTV shows.

They've also worked hard to spread word about their music one listener at a time — positioning themselves with headphones and CDs at gas stations and shopping centers throughout Orange County in an effort to develop a strong local fan base.

Recently the four-member band played The Coach House to celebrate the release of their third album.

Lead singer Justin took some time to chat about the band and their plans:

Q. How does the new CD compare to previous ones?

A. I'd say it's a little more rock n' roll. It's a little more guitar-driven and more influenced by the older bands we've listened to like Queen, Led Zeppelin, and The Doors. It was a much faster process. Recording can take months and we got it done in six days. We didn't spend too much time over polishing and producing the record. It's a little more raw ...before music was computerized. It's really rooted in the instruments and how it originally is recorded.

Q. What does the title of the album, "Stix and Stones," mean?

A. It's named after the title track – it's about getting real and getting down to it. To not be effected if you're passionate about something, to not get discouraged and brought down easily. To freely express yourself without caring too much about what other people think and doing something for you instead of someone else.

Q. What's next?

A. We're booking a college tour in California. We just finished a music video, and got some live footage of The Coach House performance that will be national distributed through tvlesson.com and its being submitted to several television stations for "Miles," that will be the first single. It will get some college radio play and it's been submitted to some radio stations. We're planning to get involved and hype up the college shows. - Orangy County register

Laguna Niguel-based rock band, Beyond Conception, is working toward breaking into the mainstream with their latest album release "Stix and Stones."

Lead vocalist Justin Abrams and his brother, Matt, who plays bass, connected with drummer/vocalist Clint Armstrong, and guitarist Blake Kennedy while attending Dana Hills High School.
Article Tab : Justin Abrams, lead vocalist of Beyond Conception, performed Wednesday at The Coach House in celebration of their CD launch.
Justin Abrams, lead vocalist of Beyond Conception, performed Wednesday at The Coach House in celebration of their CD launch.
OLIVER YU, FOR THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
MORE PHOTOS »

About Beyond Conception

Members: Justin Abrams, vocals, piano, guitar, 24; Matt Abrams, bass, 22; Clint Armstrong, drums and vocals; 25; Blake Kennedy, guitar, 23.

Genre: Rock

Web site: www.beyondconception.com

Sounds like: Queen meets Coldplay
ADVERTISEMENT
More from Laguna Niguel

*
Feds allege student visa fraud ring
3 hours & 19 minutes ago
*
Strike preparations begin in Capo Unified
*
Laguna Niguel budget healthy, Measure M funds take hit
*
'It's OK to look old – because you are'
*
City will pay $195K extra for City Hall design changes

They've moved past their garage band days — opening for Marcy's Playground, NOFX, and Hellogoodbye. Self described by the band as a "Queen-meets-Coldplay-sound," their music has been played on Nickelodeon and MTV shows.

They've also worked hard to spread word about their music one listener at a time — positioning themselves with headphones and CDs at gas stations and shopping centers throughout Orange County in an effort to develop a strong local fan base.

Recently the four-member band played The Coach House to celebrate the release of their third album.

Lead singer Justin took some time to chat about the band and their plans:

Q. How does the new CD compare to previous ones?

A. I'd say it's a little more rock n' roll. It's a little more guitar-driven and more influenced by the older bands we've listened to like Queen, Led Zeppelin, and The Doors. It was a much faster process. Recording can take months and we got it done in six days. We didn't spend too much time over polishing and producing the record. It's a little more raw ...before music was computerized. It's really rooted in the instruments and how it originally is recorded.

Q. What does the title of the album, "Stix and Stones," mean?

A. It's named after the title track – it's about getting real and getting down to it. To not be effected if you're passionate about something, to not get discouraged and brought down easily. To freely express yourself without caring too much about what other people think and doing something for you instead of someone else.

Q. What's next?

A. We're booking a college tour in California. We just finished a music video, and got some live footage of The Coach House performance that will be national distributed through tvlesson.com and its being submitted to several television stations for "Miles," that will be the first single. It will get some college radio play and it's been submitted to some radio stations. We're planning to get involved and hype up the college shows. - Orangy County register

the aticle can be viewed in our "Press" section on our website www.beyondconception.com - Laguna Niguel Newspaper

the aticle can be viewed in our "Press" section on our website www.beyondconception.com - Laguna Niguel Newspaper