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Homegrown in the Midwest, just minutes from St. Louis.

Becoming a great band is an evolution, with shifts forward along a continuum. August 2009 marked one such shift for the Descending New Angels. The release of their self-titled album (JSC Studios) marked one end and a new beginning. It is a culmination of years of crafting, and it also launched a broader public response to the group's originality and talent.

A few weeks following the CD release, the band was spotted by a radio program host as they performed at a music festival. He requested a CD. A few days later KDHX began airing 4 songs from the album and contacted the band for a live studio performance which aired Oct. 14. (bit.ly/KDHX-DNA)

One song from the new album was chosen by reviewer Trabue Gentry from OURSTAGE.COM. He notes about Break Me: " ...its defiant message of ‘never give up’. This is one tight and powerful song. The front man conveys this inspiring and hopeful message with his biting guitar and ‘in your face’ vocals while the rest of the band literally steamrolls the song along in a perfectly coordinated attack." (http://bit.ly/j6r6Z)

And, who says rock can't be beautiful? The Southeast Missourian wrote "this St. Louis band has perfected the alt-rock ballad." Every once in a while you hear a tune for the first time and are blown away by the vocals. Descending New Angels' lead singer Randy Shanks has a uniquely rich and powerful voice, dripping with sweetness. His control and range is amazing as he shifts from soft melodic tones to soulful bellows. His voice sets this band apart, and the combined talents of all members are putting them on the fast track regionally.

Descending New Angels blends rock with blues and grunge, a subgenre their fans call "blunge rock." Their symphonic style includes a constant dance between acoustic and electric guitars. Simpson's acoustical talent shines as he draws the audience in with melodic starts, then builds intricate texture throughout each song. Shanks delivers an impressive lead guitar with speed and agility as he seamlessly shifts between rock riffs and blues bends. DNA has 4 hours of finely tuned originals, but will occasionally surprise the crowds with covers from their own favorite bands--Counting Crows, Men at Work, Blues Traveler, Audioslave and Pearl Jam.

The Quincy Herald wrote: "Descending New Angels' lead singer, Randy Shanks, sounds remarkably like Scott Stapp of Creed with a little Eddie Vedder of Pearl Jam mixed in...he also conveys genuine feeling, which is where he sounds a bit more like Vedder. The music is a mix of acoustic and electric guitars and makes it clear this band began with two guitarists — Shanks and Erik Simpson. Their 3 Doors Down influence is obvious, as many of their songs begin with just a guitar riff and often with an acoustic guitar."

In 1999 DNA began as a duo, Shanks & Simpson, composing acoustical songs. The two quietly refined their music until their first public performance in 2007 and soon after added Keith Thurnau (drums) and Michael Titchenal (bass). Since that first year as a full band they have recorded and distributed some great demo CD's, and performed over 100 live shows at many top venues in the St. Louis area. They have been warmly received along the Mississippi corridor as far north as Quincy, IL and southward to Cape Girardeau, MO and are touring in 2009 to promote the new album.

Descending New Angels is one of many DIY bands that have used the internet to self-promote and grow a cross-continental fanbase. Their self-produced demo CD and streaming audio landed requests to air from international radio stations, IChannel.FM, radioultra.ru in Russia, and TWINCITIESFM.COM.AU of Australia.

This band rooted with the two musical minds of Shanks & Simpson blending lyrics from a book of poetry into acoustical melodies. With every masterful pick and strum on the acoustic, Simpson romances the strings of your heart. The sweet and salty contrast of Simpson's acoustical ballads and Shanks' bluesy bends tantalizes the ear. With crisp rhythmic precision, Thurnau drums in rolling waves that rock you into an altered state. Titchenal adds a soothing depth of bassy undertones. Perhaps it's the mix of European and earthy Native American genes that adds the dimension so many fans say 'grab them'. All we know is this recipe whips acoustic and electric together into a richness that sits atop layered rhythmic beats and bass, like a 'slice of pie' you just can't resist! There is no doubt about their passion, discipline or attention to detail, as the intricacies of their sound flood your senses.

Influences include Pearl Jam, Sound Garden, Staind, 3 Doors Down, Nickelback, Nirvana, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Blues Traveler.

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