Call off the infantry, Counter Launch has arrived! Counter Launch is not just a band; we represent a life style and answer the question “How am I going to continue, when everything I know is changed?” Rise up and counter launch at anything in your way. To us, the name Counter Launch signifies a way of defeating the negative energy and obstacles in our lives and the lives of those who listen to our music. Our music has been called everything from punk metal to classic rock. There is definitely a huge punk influence on our band, but the range in our sound comes from our love of many genres of music. Our drums are driving and aggressive as they are in punk, while our bass and guitars flow with energy driven riffs and chords that balance out the melodic hooks and lyrics of our songs. Our lyrics are more metal more than punk, as they give life to epic fantasy worlds in an odyssey of narrated journeys that evolve from one Counter Launch song to the next. Every song from its first lyric to its final beat is filled with an everlasting statement that will echo throughout this generation and generations to come. Counter Launch consists of three members, Stephen Helmer on bass and vocals, Adam Sayre on drums and vocals and Gabriel Valentin on guitar and vocals. Stephen, Adam and Gabe were all born at the end of the eighties in Southern California and were raised in the beautiful city of San Diego. The trio was witness to the uprising of the Southern California punk scene and grew up listening to so-cal punk legends like Social Distortion, Unwritten Law and Pennywise. Some of the bands that have had the greatest influence on Counter Launch include Queen, Anti-Flag, The Misfits, Iron Maiden, The Offspring, Alkaline Trio, Metallica, Bad Religion and AFI. Valentin adores Queen and Iron Maiden for their amazing theatrical talent, both instrumentally and lyrically. Their influence on Valentin’s writing style is easy to see in uplifting hooks resembling the approach of Social Distortion and Queen, while his morbid twisted lyrics are more in the style of The Misfits. Helmer favors Metallica and Avenged Sevenfold for their dynamic approach to many rock sub genres. Sayre is influenced by bands such as AFI and Alkaline Trio for his hard hitting drum beats, but brings a refreshing mix of funk and classic rock inspired by artists including Al Green and David Bowie. Lead singer/guitarist Gabriel Valentin (age 19) started playing guitar when he was 15, and after playing bass in a few local punk bands, he began writing songs to give greater expression to the short books and stories he had been writing. Stephen Helmer (age 19) grew up less than a block away from Valentin. Helmer has been playing musical instruments since he was a child, from brass instruments to piano, guitar and eventually bass. Although great friends, the two of them had always played in separate bands until fate brought them together for the Counter Launch project. Adam Sayre (age 19), known for his obsession with books, art, and Dr. Seuss, started playing drums when he was fourteen years old. Sayre’s talent took a noticeable turn when he caught the attention of Valentin, who was at that time his co-worker at a local grocery store. Valentin commented on an Anti-Flag tattoo he noticed on Sayre’s elbow, and they often joked about Sayre replacing CL’s drummer. One night before a show the drummer was unable to attend, and Sayre filled in for the set. From that beginning all three have become the best of friends. Within a short time Sayre had become the newest cherished addition to the Counter Launch trio. The first Counter Launch album was recorded and engineered by Charles Powell of Battle Frost Productions in 2008 and was produced by lead singer/guitarist Gabriel Valentin. The album is entitled “The Wicked Evil Zombie Show” and has an almost horror based platform. TWEZS is a conceptual album with tracks that follow the story of a boy with a twisted mind who creates his own world inside a perverse mental hospital, a perfect world where he and his imaginary friends can be happy. Tracks to look for on this record are “Johnny Wrong” (track 4) and “Vixen of Souls” (track 5). With “The Wicked Evil Zombie Show” you get a perfect blend of punk, metal, and classic rock. Right now is such an exciting time in our lives. Counter Launch is currently working with the legendary Jeff Forrest of Double Time Studios on our second album and will be touring this spring and summer to promote the release of our brand new EP “Love, Blood, & Gore”. We were featured May 3rd, 2009 on FM 9.49’s “The Local 94/9” hosted by Tim Pyles. We showcased our new songs, and will be selling “LB&G” at all Counter Launch shows and events. If you want to know what sets Counter Launch apart from any other band, you can simply ask any person who has ever been to a Counter Launch show or event. Besides the heart pounding instrumentals and the triumphant and soaring vocals, Counter Launch brings an element of theater and audience participation like no other. Counter Launch is known for giving one of the most energetic shows in San Diego. The band performs with a high level of energy, and Filthy especially is known for his out of control stage antics. “A Counter Launch show is something you just cannot afford to miss,” said a fan from Idaho who witnessed a Counter Launch show while passing through California. As a band that has been through struggles both personally and professionally, we know very well about the damage these struggles can cause your soul. We encourage our fan family to push back and conquer alongside us, as we strive to leave a positive mark on our world. In the next five years Counter Launch’s main goal is to have an established name in the world of punk and rock genres and to continue spreading our encouraging message to all ages across the world. Come join us and witness for yourself what the Counter Launch revolution is really about.