Music
Press
"Road to Bremen will amaze you with their original sound, catchy lyrics, and melodious tunes. What will especially draw you to the band is their raw energy that is intoxicating."
-Isaac Davis Jr. of JuniorsCave.com
http://www.juniorscave.com/RoadtoBremen.html - Isaac Davis Jr.
Hey everyone. I know it's been almost a couple of weeks since I posted about a new artist, but with college applications due so soon, and the holidays, plus getting sick for a few days, I was just swamped with stuff. Luckily though, I found a group last night to help sooth my over-worked mind, and I've been listening to them all day. So, without any furthers digressions, I present to you Road to Bremen.
An alternative-rock/pop-punk band out of Los Angeles, California, Road to Bremen combine sharp-edged alternative-rock rhythms with pop-punk-inspired vocals and melodies. Composed of members Darren Massey (lead vocals), Nick Alley (lead guitar, piano, and vocals), Danny Bell (bass), and Johnny Ashkar (drums and percussion), Road to Bremen's sound showers listeners with a rainbow of influences, from AC/DC and My Chemical Romance to The Strokes and The White Stripes (at least by my opinion).
I was so floored by this group's debut EP, I couldn't think of any reason in the world why these guys aren't playing shows on Warped Tour, or headlining the pop-punk or alternative circuits with Sum 41 and MCR. Though RTB's EP Foreword starts off with "Oxygen," however, which is in itself a kick-ass track, I'm pushed over the limit with their next song, "Hands Down," the first track that begs to be described here, in luscious detail. Biting the pop-punk heels of "Oxygen," "Hands Down" begins on a slick guitar riff laid down by Alley, and as Ashkar counts in on the drums and Bell pumps us full of anticipation with a building tempo, Massey's Queen-style vocals bring the house down and burn the dance floor up, and this song is already my new favorite song of the week. A song that would be at home on both a rockin' car stereo or a DJ's jam amp, "Hands Down" delivers a punch of raw-edged rock with a nice lace of pop-punk vocals and melody rounding it off. As all four members build towards the conclusion, the floor suddenly drops out, and this song is fucking incredible.
Track three is "Paper Walls," another MCR-esque song that makes phenomenal use of Alley's key prowess, as Ashkar descends into a jazzy drumbeat, but picks up the pace as Bell chimes in with a John Entwhistle-like bass line. Meanwhile, Massey busies himself with combining the vocal styles of Ryan Key with the musical ferocity of My Chemical Romance, and this track is versatile enough to play well next to Kill Hannah, or sit anywhere on The Black Parade. With a bursting chorus that makes use of Bell's blasting bass notes and Ashkar's drumbeats, situated next to Alley's quirky keys and powerful guitar riffs, and Massey's smooth-as-steel vocals, "Paper Walls" is definitely one of the must-hear tracks on the EP.
Though the track "Bitch," is also a fun song, the last song that really sends shivers up my spine is "The Vagrant," a piano-guitar riff-driven song which again melds Queen-style harmonies with MCR theatricality and AC/DC guitars in an unusual, but flattering and interesting fashion. The lyrics are clever as hell, and the melody is catchy to the point that I'll be humming it all night through dinner and as I go to sleep tonight. I know it's been a couple of weeks since I had a group for you guys, but I'm telling you, these guys are well worth the wait. Catchy, clever, and with a sick sense of style that throws back to MCR's theatricality, Road to Bremen is sure to take the alternative/pop-punk circuit by storm. But just because these guys share a few characteristics with some other bands, don't even think of pigeon-holing them in any category. If RTB have proven anything, it's that they're versatile enough to go in any direction they want, and rock at it. I'm already getting money to reserve for Warped Tour next year, because with a sick EP like this, there's no way anyone in their right mind would pass these guys up.
Sounds Like: Queen, My Chemical Romance, The White Stripes, AC/DC, The Beach Boys
Key Tracks from Foreword: "Hands Down," "Paper Walls," "The Vagrant," "Oxygen"
Check out Road to Bremen more at: http://www.myspace.com/roadtobremen and http://www.unsigned.com/roadtobremen - http://newrocknews43.blogspot.com/
Discography
Our debut E.P. titled "Foreword" is now available at www.myspace.com/roadtobremen, iTunes, and Amazon.com.
Photos
Bio
Road to Bremen (RTB) is an Alternative Punk Americana Rock band from Los Angeles, California formed in 2008. The band consists of lead vocalist Darren Massey, guitarists Nick Alley and Brian Rodak, bassist Danny Bell and drummer Johnny Ashkar. They have been compared to The Hush Sound and occasionally My Chemical Romance. Their style incorporates many different types of music ranging from early 20th century pop to aggressive progressive rock while remaining melodic and even having some dark lyrical undertones.
The concept of Road to Bremen began in early 2008 when Darren nearly drowned in a freak accident at the Santa Monica Beach. It was then that he realized he had much more to offer the world than what he was currently giving. With a newfound sense of purpose, he began searching for like-minded musicians to help him realize his vision of freedom through music. Darren asked his friend Nick Alley, who he had been casually jamming with, if he wanted to form a band. Alley agreed and shortly after, they met Johnny Ashkar (Drums) through a mutual friend. Rounding out the rhythm section, Darren called upon lifelong friend Danny Bell, who was more than eager to join. To complete the band they found guitarist Brian Rodak. Road to Bremen was born.
Off their debut EP, Foreword, their song Oxygen was partially inspired by Darrens near death experience. Trying to reflect upon the moment, Darren wrote, Sometimes I think about my life, and all the time spent standing in a line. Burn with me, show em what we need, a little room to breathe, we need some oxygen.
From artists like Queen, Muse and The Beatles, to Tom Waits, Jelly Roll Morton, and The Doors, the musical influences of Road to Bremen are as wide-ranging as some of the bands songs themselves. The name Road to Bremen is derived from the Brothers Grimm tale about the Brementown Musicians. Like the main characters, the members of RTB are in search of musical freedom as well as the inspiration behind the band, freedom through music.
The band strives to create a memorable live experience by getting the audience as involved as possible. They also place great emphasis on traditional as well as new methods of marketing. Everything from viral videos, short stories set to original music, and good old fashion legwork is considered essential to spreading the word about RTB.
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