Preview Review

The future of Nashville rock

Reviewed by JB

            In a time when Nashville’s music scene seems to be in a transitional period, with bands breaking up, switching members, and an Eighty’s sound resurrecting; I was relieved when I discovered metal is alive and aggressive as ever with some local up and coming bands. 

While judging the Mid-South Battle of the Bands, I had the opportunity to hear a couple of great bands that really intrigued me.  The first was Shakodi?, a mind blowing five piece from Clarksville, and the other was Upon Arrival, a five piece from Nashville who is screaming with potential.  After introducing myself to the guys of Upon Arrival, we quickly began corresponding through emails.  They were preparing for their first headlining show at The End and cordially invited me.  Who am I to deny a request like that?!              

The End is this little dive tucked away on Elliston Place.  If you’re not familiar, you may never notice it’s even there.  I had never been there but was always curious about the room.  It seemed like my kind of place since I love seedy little spaces, especially the ones that have live music.  When I entered the room, I immediately loved the vibe!  The venue is small but spacious, cozy and intimate, and has good acoustics.  What more does one need…how about a 5 band line-up?!

Hometown boys, Less Than A Decade went on first and I missed them.  You know how the flyer says the show starts at 9PM but never really starts on time; yeah well, shows start on time at The End!  I learned my lesson about being fashionably late.  No, seriously, I had to work later than expected which caused my tardiness, and I profusely apologized to the guys.  So, all I can say about LTAD is their members are currently revolving; therefore, lacking a solid line-up.  At time of the show Frankie Matthews was on vocals, Ben Leftrick on guitar, Brant Sawyer on bass, and Ryan Crommer on drums. 

The Buckeye state was well represented by Dayton’s very own, Farewell Miss.    These boys left a lasting impression on Music City with their shattering axe work and deafening rhythm.  August Burns Red, Senses Fail, and As I Lay Dying may be their main influences but their style is totally their own.  When I ask the guys to sum up FM’s sound in 5 words; they replied, “Hell of a good time!”  That attitude comes through onstage and draws the crowd to the front of the room.  Farewell played a quick but concrete set which left songs like “Hey Brooke” and “Prince Albert’s Flute” dancing around in my head. 

FAREWELL MISS

Farewell Miss is Logan Calvert, vocals; Ian Bailey, guitar; Zach Pridemore, guitar; Jacob Pelfrey, bass; and Nate Lees, drums.  Now, for a quick history lesson…Ian and Logan are cousins, so after a few years of jammin’ together they decided to form a band.  Upon completing a solid line-up and choosing the perfect name by process of elimination, the magic began.  They haven’t recorded a full length album yet but plan to enter the studio soon.  After this show, they intend to take some time to write and prepare.  In the future, they would like to open up for either the Jackson 5 or Bring Me the Horizon on Warp’s main stage.  Hey, crazier things have happened and plus, they are young guys!  Logan also happens to be Jake’s cousin (Jake of Upon Arrival, that is) and he is the one who invited Farewell to join this bill.  Great choice!  Farewell Miss, please come back soon!   

N.U.M.B. (Never Underestimate My Band) hit the stage next.  I knew right away these guys were offering a different sound when I saw the turntable.  Their set begins and I immediately know who their major influence is.  Yes, it was that obvious…way too obvious.  Yes, they rocked and I even gave a few fist pumps in the air; but, this sound has already been owned.  Yes, the song “Creepshow” did rock my mind a little while; but their other songs just made me want to go home and pop in some old Korn albums.  I mean, the lead singer even had the Jonathan Davis moves down! 

N.U.M.B.

I really hate to dismiss these guys; I’m sure their hometown of Knoxville loves them.  They have years of experience, a self titled album, and mass quantities of talent under their belts.  Chris (Bato) Gravelin, Mick Adkins, Travis Strunk, Wes Harber, and Josh Maples who makes up N.U.M.B. are true masters of their instruments and great performers on stage.  I wish…I just wish they might try a different style, step outside their norm and give a newer sound a shot?!  Okay, that’s not fair.  That’s like telling me to quit writing in the style I do; so maybe not a newer sound, just a sound of your own.  I want to see vets in the biz make it; but when the biz has already moved past “your sound”, then it might be time to compromise.  When I asked the guys to sum up their sound in 5 words, they replied “a high powered rock beast”.  Good analogy; but I have to say the beast I saw onstage was tame and caged…let it out…set the beast free to find its place in the wild!

I was ready to see some familiar faces when Shakodi? set up to rock the room.  I had only seen these guys one other time; and though they immediately got my attention, I was there this night to check consistency.  They brought a big game to the battle of the bands so I was eager to find out if they were always that steady.  Consistency is what I wanted and that is exactly what I got.  Man, I love these guys!  Honestly, I am a very lyrical person and like to sing along and feel the words; I’m not a huge fan of the screaming movement.  With Shakodi? it’s different, it was the incredible musicianship that drew me in; then after listening to their samples on MySpace, I realized they do have great lyrics that I can totally associate with.  I love it all…the diversity, layers, and melodies within the songs are so well crafted.  All I can say is their set was tight!    

Shakodi?

Shakodi? is made up of 5 young lads transplanted from Grants Pass, Oregon to Clarksville, Tennessee.  Mark Kroplin is the iron lungs of the group; he is the one pacing the stage, flailing his arms in the air, and spreading the word of nonconformity.  Andrew Cherry is the master shredder who coolly tears it up, rips it out, and occasionally has this outburst of massive headbangin’.  Corey Anscott is the mad axeman who kills the crowd with his high energy and precision.  Cameron Tiffany holds down the rhythm while David Sanders kicks out the beats to total annihilation.  Shakodi? is a force…the real deal and I know they could be the next big thing if they could just catch that bandwagon.  They say they are hardcore melodic experimental progressive metal.  I say they’re the s*^t!

So the end is near and Upon Arrival takes the stage.  When I first saw UA in the battle of the bands, I believe they were off their game possibly due to nerves and unfamiliar territory?!  Even though they lacked a little in certain areas that night, there was no denying these youngsters were definitely talented and potential was oozing out the amps.  So I wanted to see them in their element, with their crowd, and headlining their lineup; and they proved to me they knew how to turn that potential into pure rock adrenaline!  They have some great songs, killer musicians, and this style that makes me want to be a teenage groupie again!  They put this new revolutionary twist on the old school hair metal sound and make it work; and if they keep it up, they could become a staple in the Nashville metal scene.

Sami Chatmon of Upon Arrival

Upon Arrival is Sami Chatmon – Vocals, Jake Reynolds – Guitar, Taylor Moss – Lead Guitar, Josh Johnson – Bass, and Jessi Baker – Drums.  Nashville, keep your eyes and ears open; if you can catch any show in town, give ‘em a shot.  Even if it’s not the style of music you’re into, you can’t deny the superb musicianship these boys demonstrate.  Something else I love about them is they are extremely professional and driven which leads me to believe superb things are yet to come!  I do hope so and I also hope I am there to witness it; I am a fan after all. 

Upon Arrival

  After it was all over, my head was spinning from how quickly 5 bands set up, played, and broke down.  The End does not mess around; they push them through like cattle in an auction.  Don’t take this out of context, I enjoyed myself; I just thought the bands were a little rushed and never got warmed up on the stage.  I will attend another show at The End, no doubt about it, I like the room.  So in conclusion, metal is alive and hardcore as always in Nashville!  Let’s keep it that way, get out there and show your favorite bands you love ‘em!  I need to thank Jeff and Jake with Upon Arrival for the invite and warm welcome!  I really had a great time and hope to see you all again.  Nashvillers, get out there and check out Shakodi? and Upon Arrival; they will not disappoint!    

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You can contact me…

JB@nashvillerock.net

www.myspace.com/JB35679