On a cold winter day the members of Defiance Pointe congregated for the first time in a basement in the small town of New Melle. The original quintet had one goal in mind, to create a sound that is ever evolving and unique to the St. Louis music scene. It didn't take long for them to start making an impression, with their array of hard-hitting edgy riffs, dark melodic lyrics and a intense live show, it was clear Defiance Pointe and their fans we're here to stay.
Defiance Pointe started in the little town of New Melle (sister town to Defiance) in the 2005 by two of the founding and current members Derek and Jake. Originally the band was named after the city of Defiance. The name Defiance was taken, so we were forced to change our name so Pointe was added to keep the band name a place not just a label. “Our name has a strong meaning to us”, says guitarist Jake. “We want to stay close to our roots no matter where the road may lead us, we will always be like the people of Defiance going against the grain; we will always be Defiance Pointe.”
Some things come and go like the Defiance Pointe line-up but the music hasn't skipped a beat only intensifying with the addition of each new member. "We're kind of like Spinal Tap", says bassist Jimi, "It seemed like every few months our drummer would have some kind of accident, move to another state, or just disappear". The current drummer Len Kiraly brings with him a veteran musician's attitude after and a stage show far exceeding the band's expectations. "It may have take three, four, eight drummers but we've found the long lost member of the family we've been seeking the last four years", laughs Jake,"but everything happens for a reason, and I'm sure we are right where we're supposed to be".
In the winter of 2007 a pivotal moment took place for the band when three of the original members moved to other states or chose other paths. It was definitely a dark day for the band now only Jimi and Jake but perseverance would prove rewarding. When Derek called in May the band had been jamming with new drummer Alex Rivera and we're working on the songs right where they had left off back in 07. Derek had news that he had found a indie label that wanted to sign us and get us back in the studio and within a few weeks the band was back in the studio completing their first full length album with Rich Criebaum at Trailer Studios. Upon the completion of the album the members jumped in with both feet and moved up to Kalamazoo MI to reassemble the band.
It only took a few nights of hanging out and jamming with Sean to realize he fit in Defiance Pointe perfectly and could easily pick up where the former lead guitarist Cody had left off. After booking and playing their first few shows in Michigan and St. Louis that summer it was even more evident that the band had something really special. In both cities people were singing the songs sometimes louder than Derek,"It was amazing to see all these people coming out show after show bringing new fans with them that had our album memorized!", Derek recalls,"The CD hadn't even been released yet and we were breaking presale ticket records in two states".
With the additions of Alex and Sean Defiance Pointe was stronger than ever and finally ready to release that album they had recorded a year before. On March 7th "Until the Dawn" was finally released on iTunes and local music stores. Shortly after the release only five days later DP opened up for Saliva at Planet Rock, a few days after that they won their slot to open up for a lot of other national acts at the annual Pointfest in St. Louis. "We were really starting to head in the right direction," says Jake,"and fulfilling a dream of mine from when I was a kid, playing Pointfest."
Over the past four years Dp has done exactly what they have set out to do only getting better at it and adding new members to the family along the way. Defiance Pointe is now something bigger than any one person in the band or the band itself, its become a major piece of other people's lives that we've touched. The fusion of all these influences is what gives Dp their substance and ability to deviate a sound refreshing to the rock world.
View Defiance Pointe's EPK
Lock up your women and children!!!!!!!!!! BULL is coming to the LOU!!!!!!!!!! Cant wait to have my socks rocked off, boys!!!!!! credit for that line goes to Steve-O
Too funny! You guys are crazy! We were in Austin, TX seeing Widespread Panic! 2 great shows! I was actually sober on Halloween... no good, but it was my choice. I had drank enough the day before. We were California Raisins! I forgot my camera, so I'm hoping that someone has a picture.
damn wish i wouldve known about the halloween show i wouldve def went. But yea if i dont have to work next wknd im def there :) miss yas and def will cya soon. Mwah
hey fellas!!!!!!!!!! I am gonna call Skippy tonight to see if I can ride with him, if he is able to transport Bull, then hell yeah!!!! i will be there, that was the funniest thing I have seen in a long time nice Battle Royale
Hey fellas, I will be giving the Skip-meister a call very soon to make every effort to pull that one off. Dang!!!! I hope that works out. Hope to see my DP brothers soon.
aye waz gud homie?its ya boi derty if u got a min check out my new track by me and my boi mista picklz called quit tha bull shit and leave me some feed back on wut cha think....tha debute cd woodlonez finest is coming ur way in jan/2010 so ill keep u posted thanx alot
Online Now!
