The Continuums
Austin, Texas, United States | Established. Jan 01, 2013 | SELF
Music
Press
The Continuums, ‘Keep Rising’
These days, the Continuums call Austin home, but three of its four members (brothers Morgan and Austin Ries and Barrett Boswell) hail from Weatherford, while Cameron Goolsby claims Dallas. Geography aside, Keep Rising is a rip-snorting six-pack of straight-ahead rock, dusted with feedback and pulsing with a reckless attitude. (Try to listen to Neighbors and not feel an urge to break windows and instigate general mayhem.) The quartet is adept at crafting anthems, as well: I’ll Be There conjures images of a stadium full of lighters held aloft. This sophomore EP is full of promise, and marks the Continuums as well worth keeping tabs on. The band plays Dallas’ Prophet Bar on Tuesday. - Fort Worth Star-Telegram
"The Continuums effortlessly straddle the line between sounding completely contemporary and kicking out classic rock-style riffs. Underlying their concise rock arrangements is an energetic punch and swagger that I find irresistible." - Loris Lowe
My mission for Saturday night was to finally hear the band Beauxregard in a decent sound setting, which is what led me to the Grotto.
I made it there just as The Continuums was finishing up its set. The band consists of Cameron Goolsby (bass), Morgan Ries (drums), Barrett Boswell (guitar, vocals), and Austin Ries (guitar).
Rarely have I regretted missing the beginning of an opening band set as much as I did The Continuums. What I heard was some seriously hard rock and roll, devoid of any pretentiousness or fluff. I only got to hear two songs, but they left me wanting to hear much more.
The band has it its origins in Weatherford (with Cameron coming from Dallas), and now resides in Austin. We told you about the band’s EP last year, and you owe it to yourselves to check these guys out when you get a chance. - dfw.com
Local rock band The Continuums, who continue to grow their presence in the Austin music scene, will be playing Music Extravaganza hosted by Just Us Friends on Saturday at The Belmont. - Hannah Smothers
A young bunch of fellas with a whole bunch of rock 'n' roll. Having a mix of hard classic rock to today's modern sound, these guys were impressive and fun. - Shannon Claire
"Weatherford natives tear up the stage with their own brand of classic rock, infused with modern alternative" - Parker County Today
Discography
Crossing Caswell EP (2012)
1. Closure
2. Wild and Free
3. Twenty Years
4. Watch Yourself
5. Room for Two
6. Alive
7. Way She Moves
Keep Rising EP (2013)
1. Look Away
2. My Own Enemy
3. Neighbors
4. I'll Be There
5. Spell
6. Keep Rising
Photos
Bio
A lot of bands like to say they live in the studio when making an album.
The Continuums literally did at a house in Austin, Texas where Morgan Ries' bedroom became the drum-tracking spot and Barrett Boswell's closet morphed into a vocal booth and guitar amp room.
The end result is Hodgepodge, the Continuums debut LP, which sounds equal parts lived-in and live.
Half of the 11 tracks were put together while touring across Texas, the Northeast and regularly making the rounds locally in Austin. They haven't lost any of the live-recording punch. If anything, they're more potent.
Give guitarist Austin Ries multiple tracks to work with, and he'll produce an elixir of effects and riffs that's more powerful than Bacardi 151. His brother Morgan's drums thunder with newfound power. Boswell screeches and howls with horn-dog fury while Cameron Goolsby’s bass lines drive like a locomotive.
The album opener "Mad Dog" is a veritable 10-layer lasagna of distortion and effects that jumps from cock-rock overdrive to psyched-out sounds that can only be described as wet.
"Leave the Light On"—beyond giving Motel 6 a ready-made theme song—captures the feeling and yearning of a man who's just spent the last six hours day drinking with his buddies at the river, but knows a steady woman warms his bed at home.
And while the Continuums are still a group of virile 20-somethings, they've become a bit more reflective in their quarter-age years, cranking the amps down a few notches on "It Takes Love for Living." More than just a change of pace, the track may be the band at its best, marrying a tight rhythm section with interlacing guitar licks, while Boswell's reverb-drenched voice floats over the whole affair.
The moment exhales into the in-your-face rocker “Puppy Chow,” setting the tone for the remainder of the record. The track journeys from Led Zeppelin and other classic rock giants to a free-for-all tripped-out instrumental section.
It all leads to “Every Time I Tell This Story,” where the band officially cements its progression into psych rock euphoria. The swirling guitars set the track against the backdrop of a circus where one expects to see Mr. Kite leaning against the main tent smoking a cigarette.
In all, Hodgepodge is an instantly lovable rock and roll record; no small feat considering the genre is harder than ever to define. Bands now come out pigeonholed to a sub-class or specific genus. The Continuums don't have time for labels. Their music is fun, served straight-up, meant to be washed down with a shot of whisky and a beer.
Band Members
Links
