If you consider all the long and winding roads ANEW REVOLUTION has journeyed, Rise isn't just the title of their debut album, it's a mission statement, a way of life for these hard-touring, hard-rocking vets of studio and stage; and, yeah, it's one hell of a musical statement, too.
Formed in Austin, Texas by singer/guitarist Joey Duenas, bassist Frank Salvaggio, drummer Rob Urbani in 2004, and later rounded out by Austin-area shredder Shaun Stockton on lead guitar, ANEW REVOLUTION stand by the promise in their name. Though they'll happily recall the milestones set by their former bands - Duenas' Ünloco, Urbani and Salvaggio's Slaves on Dope, they'll also be the first to remind you of just what ANEW REVOLUTION means.
"We had the chance to start over from scratch," Salvaggio explains. "But - and this is important - we also had the experience and the knowledge to go about it that much stronger and smarter, and on our own terms, this time." Their self-released 2005 EP (and consistent iTunes seller) gave them that opportunity. "To put it real simple, we don't look back anymore" adds Duenas. And with Rise - their KOCH debut, they don't need to. Now tighter, heavier and more dynamic than anything the members had done prior, the album leaves no doubt that ANEW REVOLUTION are poised for the forefront of modern hard rock. Older songs like the face-ripping title track "Rise," the groove-loaded "Saddest Song", the epic ballad "Let Go," as well as the guitar-powered cover of New Order's synth-pop classic "True Faith" - benefit from leaner and meaner updates, while newer monsters like "Done" and the alternately melodic and crushing "Generation" sound prewired to send crowds over the edge. ANEW REVOLUTION can chalk up their songwriting chops to years spent woodshedding in everything from dive bars to monster outdoor festivals to ultimately recording Rise in L.A. with notoriously razor-sharp producer Mudrock, (Avenged Sevenfold, Godsmack) who helped provide the musical X factor in the recording process.
"Mudrock's got this well-deserved reputation as a metal guy, but what a lot of people don't know is that he's a complete nerd about stuff like jazz and indie rock," says Duenas. "That kind of sensibility - knowing how to balance something heavy with a lot of subtlety and melody - ended up being huge for us on this album." Though they didn't indulge in their producer's renowned gear arsenal ("We kept it stripped-down, for the most part," Salvaggio says), ANEW REVOLUTION did pick up some of his workhorse habits. "You put the four of us in the middle of Los Angeles ten years ago, and we would've been out all night, every night," Duenas says. "This time, I think we saw the town maybe a few days tops. We got up early, worked all day, played live in the studio, and captured it on tape. That's how dedicated we were." One event during the sessions, however, did provide ANEW REVOLUTION with some inspiration. Raging just miles from Mudrock's door, the 2007 wildfires that devastated L.A. inspired one of Rise's fiercest tracks, "California Burning." More importantly, though, the blazes provided a constant visual metaphor that the band is headed in the right direction. "I remember looking out the balcony, and all of Los Angeles was on fire," Duenas remembers. "It was a horrible tragedy, but it was almost eerie how it summed up everything we'd been through. I just kept thinking to myself, sometimes you've got to burn everything down in order to rebuild it back up again."
They are lovin you on Sirius Otane guys...everytime I get in my car I'm hearing "DONE" blasting on the radio!! Freakin LOVE IT, cant wait to get the album!!! Keep rockin and we love ya in WV!!
you guys kicked ass in fort worth! my ears are still ringing. thanks for the autographs, i wish ya'll the best of luck and i can't wait to see you guys again!
Im so fucking excited, you guys are my new fave and i've been blasting the new cd as loud as it will fuckin go in my car everywhere. haha. Can't wait to see you guys again. Don't fucking stop doing what you do best.
Y'all were absolutely AWESOME Sunday night for OT3P! I'm ordering your CD as soon as I get paid. I hope y'all come back to TX again soon so I can watch you live again.
