Go Hardcore: Student finds voice in the music
Gary S. Angelo FEATURES REPORTER
Issue date: 11/17/09 Section: Features
"Blood is Fashion was a heavy band we were trying to cre…ate into a melodic post-hardcore project. It never saw the light of day," Andrew said.
Blood is Fashion bore similarities to the odd, jazz-inspired time signatures of The Refused and International Noise Conspiracy.
"We transformed into solid rock music, instead of rocking the balls off of everyone," Andrew said.
As for his new project, Andrew's songwriting process is long and extensive.
"Not everything comes out at once. There are bits and pieces of songs that I have been writing for years, then something else develops. I track it out and then I rethink if I want to add to the music," Andrew said, adding that he has been working on some musical elements or ideas since early 2004.
Thus far, Andrew has recorded two new songs: "Drag To Hell" and "In The Company of Skeletons."
"'Drag To Hell' is about a friend I had a hard time learning how to love, and we were in a stalemate on how to deal with each other," Andrew said. "The music, lyrically, is sang in a dreamy sort of way because that is the emotion I associate myself with and it encapsulates the end of knowing this person."
Steve and The Damned consists of Andrew and is open to whatever musicians would like to contribute. Andrew's vocals are quite similar to those of Smashing Pumpkins' vocalist Billy Corgan on the new recordings. To Andrew, this style feels natural and organic to him.
"I never was a fan of The Smashing Pumpkins, but people will tell me that I sound like Corgan. My voice is definitely in the higher range. I don't scream, but I would love to," Andrew said.
Andrew said the guitars on this material resemble the spaced-out qualities of Starflyer 59 and Hum.
"I listened to these bands a lot in 11th and 12th grade, but there are more songs that are unhinged that might be in the vein of Nirvana's 1988 single 'Negative Creep,'" Andrew said.
Andrew said some songs explore the post-hardcore territories of Drive Like Jehu, but he said he doesn't dip into their vibe.
"Drive Like Jehu is a band I listen to a lot these days. I wish that I would have gotten into them earlier," Andrew said.
Andrew said this project is an excellent outlet for him to voice his emotions. As far as the future is concerned, Andrew does not have any specific plans for Steve and The Damned.
"I will play anywhere to get my emotions out. It's a selfish music project, and a lot of people who listened to it responded with pleasure. They did not run away screaming, holding their ears. They gave me encouragement to work on it on a grander scale," Andrew said.
Blood is Fashion bore similarities to the odd, jazz-inspired time signatures of The Refused and International Noise Conspiracy.
"We transformed into solid rock music, instead of rocking the balls off of everyone," Andrew said.
As for his new project, Andrew's songwriting process is long and extensive.
"Not everything comes out at once. There are bits and pieces of songs that I have been writing for years, then something else develops. I track it out and then I rethink if I want to add to the music," Andrew said, adding that he has been working on some musical elements or ideas since early 2004.
Thus far, Andrew has recorded two new songs: "Drag To Hell" and "In The Company of Skeletons."
"'Drag To Hell' is about a friend I had a hard time learning how to love, and we were in a stalemate on how to deal with each other," Andrew said. "The music, lyrically, is sang in a dreamy sort of way because that is the emotion I associate myself with and it encapsulates the end of knowing this person."
Steve and The Damned consists of Andrew and is open to whatever musicians would like to contribute. Andrew's vocals are quite similar to those of Smashing Pumpkins' vocalist Billy Corgan on the new recordings. To Andrew, this style feels natural and organic to him.
"I never was a fan of The Smashing Pumpkins, but people will tell me that I sound like Corgan. My voice is definitely in the higher range. I don't scream, but I would love to," Andrew said.
Andrew said the guitars on this material resemble the spaced-out qualities of Starflyer 59 and Hum.
"I listened to these bands a lot in 11th and 12th grade, but there are more songs that are unhinged that might be in the vein of Nirvana's 1988 single 'Negative Creep,'" Andrew said.
Andrew said some songs explore the post-hardcore territories of Drive Like Jehu, but he said he doesn't dip into their vibe.
"Drive Like Jehu is a band I listen to a lot these days. I wish that I would have gotten into them earlier," Andrew said.
Andrew said this project is an excellent outlet for him to voice his emotions. As far as the future is concerned, Andrew does not have any specific plans for Steve and The Damned.
"I will play anywhere to get my emotions out. It's a selfish music project, and a lot of people who listened to it responded with pleasure. They did not run away screaming, holding their ears. They gave me encouragement to work on it on a grander scale," Andrew said.
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
Steven Andrew
posted 11/19/09 @ 3:43 AM EST
Errors in the article:
The band is called Steven And The Damned. My name is Steven Andrew. I am not a student of YSU. Never was. The song is called "Dragged To Hell". (Continued…)
Post a Comment