When the flavor of the month has now turned
into the flavor of the moment, how does an avid music fan siphon through
all the bands who seemingly all the sound the same? With the bevy of bands
such as Puddle of Mudd, Trapt, Nickelback and many others what musical
elements can a band bring to the table in which to carve their own niche
in the alternative music scene?
With the sophomore release by the band
Skrape entitled Up The Dose, the Orlando based band throws all caution
to the wind and cranks all amps to high which leaves the listeners with
no choice but to hear them. Having paid their dues on the touring circuit
with their first release New Killer America back in 2001, enabled the band
to broaden their lyrical limits by taking them to a more ambitious and
over-the-top approach. "Over the last few years there were a lot of highlights...and
some lowlights," explains Will Hunt the band's drummer. "And it all has
to do with where we are right now, which is a great place." A 2001 tour
with Pantera, Slayer and Morbid Angel helped the band develop a thick skin
in dealing with the type audience the tour drew. Despite the sometimes
harsh crowds, Skrape played on with wild abandon.
Experiences for Hunt like touring with
one of his idols Tommy Lee and for frontman Billy Keeton, Phil Anselmo
were truly musical dreams come true. "My experiences on tour with Phil
Anselmo were life-changing to me as a musician, as a frontman, and as a
songwriter
That wild abandon has somehow been bottled
and recaptured in Up The Dose. Enlisting the help of Queensryche and Godsmack
producer Jimbo Barton, and newly charged, enthused and musically driven
CD came to life. The 11 track musical locomotive Barton produced was exactly
what the band wanted from the start of production. The "old school feel"
the band admired of Barton's past efforts and the way his songs have held
up over time was a core element all the members of Skrape wanted Up The
Dose to have as their final product. Barton also developed a strong bond
with Keeton during the making of the CD. "He was able to bring my vocal
performance up to another level entirely. He and I just clicked. Jimbo
created an atmosphere that allowed me to explode vocally," as Keeton enthuses.
The only way to describe this CD is a
musical powder keg. Although the lengthy acoustic track "Searching For
Home" is quite a departure from the other 10 tracks, it definitely shows
the musical substance and control the band has over their lyrics and melodies.
The first radio single "Summer Song" is straight out of the gate explosive.
The heavy guitar driven track incorporates a great story; layered rhythms
and a force that makes one stop in their tracks if they are just casually
listening to the CD for the first time.
Other tracks such Habit, Syrup, Bleach
and the title track Up The Dose don't tread lightly on full-out sound from
Hunt on drums, Keeton's vocals, Brian Miner & Randy Melser's guitars
and Pete Sison's bass. Although one could compare Skrape to many of their
peers such as Disturbed or Nickelback, but don't be so quick to lump the
band from the Sunshine State with other bands. Up The Dose provides many
twists and turns between track, with each one having it's own identity
and life. What niche has Skrape dug out for themselves in the music world?
A strong CD for people who want all the sound, edge and elaborate lyrical
content that would turn a casual listener into a fan.
Skrape will be out this Spring in support
of the their CD and for more information on the band go to www.skrape.com
CD Info
Skrape
– Up The Dose
Label: RCA
Records
Tracks: Bleach
Stand Up (Summer Somg)
Up The Dose
In The End
My Life
I Can't Breathe
Ocean, The
Searching For Home
Syrup
Habit
No Respect
