The Rundown! - The Renfields, Obelisk, Bungler & more (2/20)

If local shows were colors, then this Friday's show would be a rainbow. Are you in the mood for horror punk, emotive rock, alternative hardcore or something else? Chances are we've got it for you!

Our favorite Transylvania Pogo Punks, The Renfields, are gracing our stage with their presence. Joining them will be Bungler, Obelisk, Dead Face Down and A Farewell to Romance.

Doors @ 6 - Show @ 7 - $5 Admission

RSVP on Facebook for more info.

                                                                                                                                                                   

The Renfields

Photo courtesy of Mike Winland Studios

Origins: Precise time and location is difficult to say, but the consensus is that The Renfields were created 10 years ago, give or take 10 years depending on your time stream. Since they departed their Transylvanian residence, they have released six albums, their most recent being the long-awaited "Go!"Their music has been featured on soundtracks, and they have toured across the country. Throughout their tenure as a band, they have succeeded in starving the Fiend (bass) of all food.

The Sound: Driven by the reanimated hearts of The Ramones inside of them, The Renfields are known for writing songs based on a plethora of horror movies. The bass lines, guitars and drums all proceed at an accelerated rate, and the catchy lyrics will have you singing along before you've even heard the song! As for influences, singer and ghoulishly handsome Vincent Renfield said, "With so many members in the band, we tend to have influences coming from every style and genre. For example, I recently asked Fiend what his favorite style of music was and he said 'Chubs'. I'm pretty sure that this is something that doesn't even exist."

Did You know? The Renfields once played in Deleware.

Bungler

Photo courtesy of Errick Easterday

Origins: What began as a side project designed to have fun and escape the "business" side of things eventually bloomed into Bungler. The expiration of other musical involvements brought Bungler into the foreground. Since their formation in 2012, the band has been devoted to creating real, honest music, and not succumbing to all of the "fake" that permeates the music industry. They have released their debut EP, "Fake Fur," which is available pretty much everywhere online.

The Sound: Bungler's music is electrified hardcore. A certain energy pervades their brisk instrumentation and scathing vocals. It's an energy that you'd want before you engage in a run-for-your-life situation, as it makes you want to move, and move fast. They are influenced by a variety of hardcore bands, such as letlive., Every Time I Die and Vanna, but their music is their own. Even Gandhi would want to throw a few 'bows in a pit during their set.

Did you know? There is not a live bassist for Bungler, yet bass is present. While no backtracks or bass guitars are present, the band creates the effect using a few different pedals and a bass amp.

Obelisk

Photo courtesy of Obelisk

Origins: It took Ezekiel Kaplan a few years and two cross-country treks, but at a Steven Wilson concert in 2013 all the components of what is now Obelisk came together. The band is a four piece based out of Pittsburgh. To date they have two releases, including an eponymous EP of demos and a two-song release titled "Pillar of Creation".

The sound: Obelisk infuses progressive elements into their brand of metal. Inspired by music such as the technical, progressive elements of Opeth and the colossal death metal created by Death, Obelisk's sound is somewhere between the two. Powerful vocals and gloomy guitars march together to create metal anthems that build, break down and then build again in a gripping crescendo.

Did you know? When Kaplan moved to California to form a band with his friend Caleb Hay, they could not find any other musicians that they clicked with. Kaplan began talking with Devan Procopio, an old friend in Pittsburgh, and realized how much musical chemistry they had together. When Kaplan jokingly suggested to Hay that they drive across the United States to start the band, Hay was completely on board. They met up with Dan Winschel at a Steven Wilson concert, and then, as if the Pick of Destiny had been found, the band begun to write music.




Dead Face Down

Photo courtesy of Dead Face Down

Origins: Prior to Dead Face Down there was Rasclaat, a metal band formed in 1999. Five years, and a few member changes later came Dead Face Down. The five piece has played with big name acts such as Hatebreed, Morbid Angel, Chimaira, Hed PE and many more. Their latest album was recorded by master producer David Bendeth (In Flames, As I Lay Dying, The Ghost Inside).

The Sound: If you are a fan of Pantera, Lamb of God or Slipknot, then you should enjoy Dead Face Down. Their vein of metal is abrasive and vengeful. Guttural screams are paced amid galloping riffs and rapid drumming. Their sound is cleverly composed, being equal parts brutal and technical.

Did you know? This Friday is Dead Face Down's first time performing in Clarksburg. Although they have played many shows throughout their time as a band, they have never seen what a Clarksburg crowd can bring.

Head to the band's ReverbNation page and check out their music!

A Farewell to Romance

Photo courtesy of A Farewell to Romance

Origins: A Farewell to Romance has been around in some form or another for more than ten years. Although members came and went, in March of 2014 the fixture hardened. The quartet of rockers, based out of Bridgeport, WV., are currently working on their debut album, "My Once Love & Future Regret".

The Sound: There is a warm, affectionate tone to A Farewell to Romance's songs. It's a gentle variety of rock, with traces of punk that arise as vocalist and guitarist Nicholas Cooke croons out his vulnerable lyrics. Their melody-charged songs are laced with reminders of 90s pop rock. 

Did you know? Cooke and bassist Matt Wagner have been working on A Farewell to Romance for over ten years! Whether it was just the duo project, a side project to other bands or their primary focus, the songs you'll hear this Friday are a decade in-the-making!

Head to the band's ReverbNation page and check out their music!

The Rundown! - Bad Luck, Time and Distance, What's Missing & more (2/19)

If you missed last Thursday's show have no fear, this Thursday we've got another lineup full of bands equipped with bright melodies and energetic rock songs to have your head nodding and your bodies swaying.

Bad Luck is in the midst of a unique tour. After playing in Clarksburg, the band is heading for Cleveland where they will be recording their new EP before continuing the tour on the east coast. Supporting Bad Luck will be Time and Distance, What's Missing, Red Pen Police and Grayson Prince.

Doors @ 6 - Show @ 7 - $3 Admission

RSVP on Facebook for more info.
                                                                                                                                                                                             

Bad Luck

Photo courtesy of Bad Luck

Origins: Bad Luck formed as an inkling with Dominick Fox writing acoustic songs in late 2011. In the middle of 2012 he expanded his solo project into a full band. The next year they released their debut EP, which paved the way for them to be signed to Tragic Hero Records (Letlive., A Skylit Drive, Alesana) in 2014. Since then, they have re-released their EP as a full length and got APA as their booking agency. As aforementioned, the band is set to record a new EP during their current tour.

The Sound: Bad Luck creates a diverse blend of rock. A listen through Cold Bones will display a dynamic that phases from warm and pop-inflected to gritty and in-your-face. Their sound umbrellas over a wide range of influences, but rather than present a fragmented identity, Bad Luck emerges a versatile and addictive rock outfit.

Did you know? While Bad Luck is based out of Florida, the only member originating from the Sunshine State is drummer Jake Kneer. Dominick and his brother, and bassist, Joseph Fox are from Long Island, New York and guitarist/vocalist Sam Kuhns is from Cleveland, Ohio. Bad Luck has also recently created a YouTube series entitled "BadTV" where they provide updates, answer questions and share some tunes.

Time and Distance

Photo courtesy of Taylor Helm Promotions

Origins: Greg McGowan began Time and Distance when he started writing songs on his acoustic guitar in high school. Fast forward a few steps and a bass guitar and drums join the picture. A few steps more and the acoustic music was fully replaced by electric guitars and aggressive, fast paced pop rock. Since their inception, the band has toured relentlessly and put out two EPs and two full lengths.

The sound: They play pop rock reminiscent of bands such as Punchline and June (the band, not the month). Catchy rhythms, witty lyrics and fun vibes will have you dancing and feeling a little more carefree than you were prior to listening. Having been around for over a decade, the band's sound is unwavering and their chemistry is evident in their music. 

Did you know? Last time Time and Distance visited the cafe they capped off their set with a punk version of "Country Roads" during which their bassist, Adrian Crowder, put down his bass, picked up a mic, and stage dove. It was awesome.

What's Missing

Photo by Aaron New

Origins: In the fall of 2013, Zane Miller, Matt Herrald, Molly Ranhart and Aaron New began What's Missing as a fresh start. Each of them coming from a different musical project, they wanted to create something new. After a few songs written and a debut show in early 2014 the band slowed down. The course of the year showed the departure of Aaron New and the arrivals of Cody Osborne and Floyd Friend III, former bandmates of Miller's former band, Playground Mentality. Since the new lineup has solidified the band is advancing with more energy and rigor than ever.

The Sound: This Morgantown five-piece writes music that's rough around the edges in all the best ways. Swift, distorted chords are contrasted by the bright, dancing leads, and Miller's vocals walk the fine line between edgy and composed. Their single, "Monochrome," retains all of the beloved elements of pop punk and introduces bits of grunge and 90s emo music.

Did you know? According to Miller, "We are a family of scrounges. I'm Average Scrounge, Cody is Tall Scrounge, Matt is Large Scrounge, Molly is Female Scrounge, and Floyd is Small Scrounge."





Red Pen Police

Photo courtesy of Red Pen Police's Facebook

Text for Red Pen Police courtesy of Louis Falbo

Origins: Four years ago, Cody Barcroft and Louis Falbo met at the WVU School of Music- Louis as a composition major, and Cody as a jazz performance major. Over their freshman year, the two bonded musically and personally, and during their sophomore year, they met drummer David Haley. There was an instant click, and all involved said, "Let's do something with this", and the Red Pen Police was formed.

The Sound: The Red Pen Police is three composers from intertwined, yet totally different musical backgrounds, pursuing truth in music. This truth is that genre is a dead, meaningless convention,that music is something that exists totally in the air and in the moment and that this is what makes it a special experience, and that what sounds good is totally objective, and that the truth of good music can only be tainted by the human bias. In short, we do whatever the hell we want musically, and we do it live and totally improvised.

Did you know? Cody Barcroft is an active jazz composer and solo artist with an upcoming EP, while Louis is an active classical composer, and David Haley is an active classical percussionist, and Rinky Dink is the band's special member.

Grayson Prince

Photo courtesy of Underdog Promotions

Origins: Grayson Prince began as a supergroup including Grayson Prince, Aziz Ansari and Andy Samberg, but due to misunderstandings and legal restrictions, it has since become the moniker for Grayson Prince. He began writing songs in 2011 as a means of venting stress and emotions. Tomorrow to Forever was the name he adopted for his music, but it later developed into a full band. Prince is appearing by himself, however, for this Thursday's show.

The Sound: There is a tangible amount of emotion woven throughout all of Prince's songs. Inspired by acoustic acts such as Never Shout Never and Secondhand Serenade, Prince follows suit with a heart-on-the-sleeve approach to songwriting. His music often proceeds at a waltzing pace, and is packed with crooning melodies as he sings about life, love and the coalescence between the two.

Did you know? Prince and his band once showed up to a two-day battle of the bands fest where every other band was metal. His band only brought acoustic guitars, a set of bongos and a "who cares, let's rock" attitude. They didn't even use the stage. They set up on the grass in front and churned through an unplugged set in front of a bunch of intoxicated metal heads. Now that is metal.