Stereo Sons

Stereo Sons is a three-piece rock band based in Seattle, WA. Their sound combines elements from the worlds of punk, power-pop and electronica with focused, inventive songwriting and manic live energy. They are indebted creatively both to the abrasive astringency of post-punk bands like Gang of Four and P.I.L. and to the lush, otherworldly sonics of pop experimentalists like TV On The Radio and My Bloody Valentine. Beneath it all, the core is always a hook and a danceable groove.

Singer and multi-instrumentalist Chris Klepac grew up in the college town of Columbia, Missouri (an indie-rock mecca home also to members of Cave and White Rabbits). He has been playing music in Seattle since 2002, in the bands Hex County, Junkmail, and The Satisfiers, and under his own name, releasing two solo albums so far.

The impetus to form Stereo Sons came from Chris' chance meeting with local drummer and drum instructor Mike O'Doherty, formerly of Atma and Kiss Her For The Kid. Originally from San Jose, O'Doherty brought to Klepac's song ideas some elements that had been lacking: rhythms and song structures from the worlds of funk, soul, dance and world music. They immediately knew they were onto something and recruited (former) bass player Marty Lund, with whom they made their first record, 2010's Our Own Devices, recorded at Egg by grunge legend Conrad Uno.

With Marty's sad but amicable departure, the band's future became uncertain, until Mike reached back to his Atma days and contacted bassist/producer Carlos Tulloss, an active local musician who also plays with (among others) Screens, Afrocop, Swampdweller and Undersea Passage. In Stereo Sons, Carlos supplements basslines with loops and samples, and pushes the band in the direction of improvisation and experiment.

It was not long before these three musicians banded together in a pact to combat the forces of evil, Northwest weather, and day jobs with the power of rock music. They have slain many a foe, and banished many a demon. All three are songwriters who love music, and through their collaborative process they have developed a truly modern style of rock. Moody, hooky, loud, layered. Heartfelt.

For their second album, We're All Friends Here, Stereo Sons have done an about-face from their spare, documentary-style debut album and constructed an multi-tracked alternate world of echoes and textures anchored by the careful and creative songwriting the band is known for. It's both a departure and a sequel.

Stereo Sons is currently playing live to support We're All Friends Here.