This Awkward Silence

This Awkward Silence
"Secrets of Dreaming for Answers"
(self-released)

As far as local band debut releases are concerned, they don't come more polished or radio-friendly than This Awkward Silence's first album, "Secrets of Dreaming for Answers." With post-grunge vocal posturing and alt rock guitar hooks creating one tuneful jam after another, the quintet hits the ground running on the 11-track effort. Invariably, This Awkward Silence stands prominently in the shadow of the Foo Fighters, right down to its gritty guitar sounds and Dave Grohl-like vocal howls. In fact, "Placebo of a Decade" could have easily fit onto any of the early Foo albums. Then there's lead single "Run Away Runaway," which is a catchy rocker that has already received radio airplay. While local bands are often guilty of wearing their influences on their sleeve, This Awkward Silence succeeds in tipping its hat to its idols while remaining firmly focused on its own future (and finding its own answers). Consider "Secrets of Dreaming for Answers" a conspicuous beginning for a Cleveland band on the rise. Grade: A-
- Cleveland Plan Dealer Newspaper

July 31st, 2007

Ever get the slightest inkling to hear the perfect three and a half minute pop song? Well, the boys in This Awkward Silence, an as yet unsigned group from Cleveland, Ohio, know exactly what you mean. And they deliver the goods. Equal parts New Found Glory, Berry Gordy and Elizabeth Barrett Browning, this band will wreck your emo-leaning ears if you've got them. But they'll still kill you quickly if you're into modern pop rock too. Don't be scared of the word "crossover" guys, you may just like the tag. Catch TAS on Warped Tour now, or let your eyes and ears do the work for you right now. - The Culture of Me

July 27, 2005 Jason Brascelin

…A bit more cocksure, Cleveland's [This] Awkward Silence was the most brutal band of the day. With double-bass drumming and thick, metallic riffs, the group's emotive thrash punished the crowd as relentlessly as the blazing sun. The band was led by live-wire frontman Brandon Edmond, whose adrenal glands qualified for overtime pay this afternoon. A superb singer with a strong yet satiny delivery, he helped TAS come across as one of the few screamo bands with some soul. Consequently, the crowd nearly doubled in size during TAS's set, as the band led the sweaty throngs in one loud sing-along after another.

Through it all, Edmond never stopped moving, even doing a backflip at one point. He ended the show by diving into the crowd, singing a few last refrains from atop the audience's outstretched arms.

It was a brief moment of glory before national bands overtook the locals on the stage. But for a minute, you couldn't tell the difference between the two. - Cleveland Scene Magazine

(July 21, 2005)
(Brian Horn, Staff Writer)

They won’t quite be sharing the same stages as some of their favorite bands, but This Awkward Silence will at least be part of the same show for one night.

The band is comprised of bass player Jesse Bacon, singer Brandon Edmond and guitarist Jeff Jones from Lakewood and drummer Mat Kruger and guitarist Brandon Chapman from Olmsted Falls. They will be on the same bill as the Offspring, Avenged Sevenfold and the Transplants during the Vans Warped Tour today at the Tower City Amphitheater.

Considering they have only played 15 live shows, it should be quite a day having the chance to rub shoulders with some of rock’s more popular acts, as well as get some major exposure for the band.

If the response to the quintet’s performance is positive, they have the opportunity to perform along with three other bands in front of industry and record label executives at a major Hollywood venue in the fall.

Bacon said he anticipates an afternoon stage time on the Ernie Ball Local Heroes Stage on the Warped Tour, leaving the rest of the day to enjoy the atmosphere.

“I think we get to hang out a little bit, so we’ll probably have the opportunity to meet some of (the bands),” Bacon said. TAS was selected out of more than 10,000 unsigned bands who submitted their music online for the Ernie Ball Battle of the Bands contest. Four local

bands were selected to play at each of the 47 tour stops.

Joining This Awkward Silence for the Cleveland show will be Elyria’s Tooth Fuzz, Findlay’s Drama Summer and Monet Madrid Madagascar from Highland Heights.

Describing their music as popular rock, Bacon said the group is collectively influenced by such mainstream acts as the Used, Taking Back Sunday and Warped Tour performers My Chemical Romance.

With the exception of one show in Pennsylvania, their handful of shows have been around the area, including playing in front of 1,200 people at the Agora Theater with Between Home and Serenity.

Bacon said the band has about 10 songs finished and is in the process of recording an album. Samples of their songs can be heard at www.myspace.com/thisawkwardsilence.

“I think we’re going for more of a popular sound now,” Bacon said. “It’s something that more people will be familiar with and can relate to.” - Lakewood Sun Post