POLYMORPHIK ERA (2002-2004) Beginning in 2002, Roger Powell and cousin Jason Powell discovered that each of them were interested in starting a band. Roger played guitar and Jason played bass. A co-worker of Jason, Nick Atherton, took up rhythm guitar. Scott Davis, a lifelong friend of Jason, joined in on drums in 2003. They became Polymorphik, an experimental, somewhat Christian based, nu-metal quartet.
After trying out several vocalists, Matt Clemerson, a friend and roomate (at the time) of Scott's, nervously stepped to the microphone adding a pop-punk/screamo vibe to the mix. Nick stepped away from the band due to personal priorities.
SHATTERED PRIZM ERA (2004-2006) After Nick left, the band's name changed to Shattered Prizm. Shattered Prizm hailed influences from many genres of music. They played everything from rap-rock to screamo to reggae-rock.
Scott left in the summer of 2005 for Air Force boot camp, leaving the reamaining three wondering whether or not to replace him. After trying out several other drummers, Matt, Jason, and Roger decided that the band couldn't go on without Scott. When Scott returned in March of 2006, they picked up where they left off.
However, priorities got in the way again. Scott was dismissed from the band and Matt Browning (an ex-co-worker of Jason) took over on drums. He had a lot more training on drums than the former, and he molded perfectly to the sound the band was trying to achieve.
RED ON TAP (2006-2009) Later that summer, Neil Gibson, Clemerson's cousin, took to 2nd guitar. He brought with him several songs on which he had been constructing. After playing for a few months with Faith Grinder, Nick rejoined the band to complete the line-up. From there, the band began writing excruciatingly fast.
Since the beginning, it was almost a tradition to go to White Castle after practices. Neil insisted that they go after their third practice or so together as that line-up just because "They have Big Red on tap!" That's how the band got their name. RED ON TAP - Simple and fun, just like the guys. The band wanted to be a positive and enlightening on a music world that was growing dark.
Red On Tap's first gig was in Matt Browning's parents' backyard for his 19th birthday party. It was a excruciating hot day, but a lot of friends and family came out to show their support. As a bonus treat, close friend of the guys, Wendy McCubbins, designed their first t-shirt. They were first sold at the party.
The cops were called by a neighbor just after a short soundcheck right after setting up. They knew this was going to be their first taste of rock 'n roll debauchery. They played a full set with songs like "Beautiful Downfall," "Beyond The Wall Of Sleep," "Name Of This Game," and "Hurricane Katrina, Pt. 2: The Reckoning." (The last ironically played on the anniversary date of the disaster.) Ending with "Katrina," the cops were called again about 1/3 of the way through the song. The band was notified but persevered to finish their first gig.
The guys entered a studio for the first time in February of 2007. Jon Mattingly, a friend of Nick's, guitarist of local favorites 7DaySun, and aspiring producer/engineer, insisted on letting them record a three-song demo over the weekend. "Beautiful Downfall," "Rain In Heaven," and "Hurricane Katrina, Pt. 2: The Reckoning" were chosen to record. They had a lot of fun and learned a lot even though Neil was ill with salmonella and the whole band was nervous. These selections are what is currently heard on the MySpace player.
Red On Tap started to bring their music to the city of Louisville during the summer of 2007. They played a house party on Derby on Central Ave (location of the biggest block party of the city), made Fairdale Lions Club their "home" and a new music venue, and played their first actual club gigs at The Pour Haus and Petrus Nightclub.
In October 2007, the band decided to let Matt Browning go for several reasons (see Blog). After two months of searching, the band came across Chris Downey. They really took to Chris's unique drumming style. Chris was heavily influenced by the bands of the 90's, such as Rage Against the Machine, which fit perfectly with Jason and Roger's style of playing.
The new incarnation of Red On Tap played their first show in February of 2007. Big-name local promoter Terry Harper invited them to open for VAST, a band with a couple of small hits in the 90s, at Uncle Pleasants. They knew this was a a huge deal for them before they ever stepped foot in the club. Uncle Pleasants was becoming a pretty reputable venue with a lot of national acts stopping in on their tours. A connection with Harper would lead to more shows in the near future. Defying expectations, they played in front of the biggest audience, nearly 300 people, they had at the time or will in the future. In addition, they became good acquatinances with fellow local rockers, Mungus. For a first show, it proved to be very profitable in a lot of ways for the band.
Nick Atherton stepped out of Red On Tap in April of 2008 due to personal reasons. Working as a five-piece, Red On Tap continued to bring their own style of rock to the masses in Louisville. Their sound was indescribable! They stayed busy through the rest of 2008; playing at the popular Headliners Music Hall, opening for a few up-and-coming national acts, winning third place in a first-round Battle Of The Bands, and even taking on Cincinnati for one appearance.
Things started to fall apart in December that year. Clemerson announced his departure and played his last show December 5th at Bulldog Cafe. He started to feel stressed because of the leadership he had taken on and there were personal conflicts that were starting to arise that he felt would be a burden to the friendships instilled. The rest of the band tried to keep things going and searched for a singer. Then in March of 2009, Chris grew tired of the search and downtime and quit. Without a singer and a drummer, Neil, Jason, and Roger had to decide what to do. The desire to keep going was there, but there was a huge void to fill.
In the late spring of 2009, Nick called up all of the guys with what seemed like a brilliant idea - to practice together and prepare for one reunion show with the original line-up (him, Roger, Jason, Clemerson, Neil, and Browning). The feeling of needing to play out again and make music together made this idea seem great at first. After a few practices, everyone realized that those that left left for a reason. It didn't work out, to say the least. It was later announced that Red On Tap was no more. Though they weren't very popular yet, they worked hard to pave the road they were on. They loved their fans and their music.
THE BEGINNING OF SOMETHING NEW? As the "Behind the Music: Red On Tap" episode is being prepared, Jason, Roger, and Neil decided to keep going, but maybe in a new direction. Drummers and singers are being auditioned and a new name is being pondered. Announcements will made about the project and any other projects involving former members.
Whats goin on? Just stoppin in to let you know that if you sign up for our mailing list at www.decadentroots.com you will receive a FREE copy of our 1st single Relapse. We have also made the entire album available to download for only $5.00 in the online store! We also have just posted a new song by the name of Haunting Memories, give it a listen and let us know what you think. It is a huge, epic sounding tune that we wrote at practice on September 12, 2001, so you can probably guess what its about. Weve also got some new pics up of us with the boys from Down up in Cleveland. So stop by the myspace page or the .com and give the songs a listen, check out the merchandise, sign up for the mailing list, and drop us a line, we love hearing from you! Keep in touch.
Thanks,
DR
hola sirsss, i have not dropped in to say hey in a while. figured i would. how is the band? music? things? shows? ah so many questions. i hope everthing is doing wonderful. biggestfanstill nicole =)
Thanks :], I love you guys so much! I can't wait to see all your upcoming shows, they're going to be awesome like always (as long as they're not at bulldogs :P).
Heard you dudes were amazing last night. Thanks sooooooo fucking much for coming out and partying. And thanks a load for not standing us up at the last minute. We'll have to book you guys again.
I really love the band and the songs, but I think you guys could do way better if you tried a different singer. I'll have to find out if he sings better live.
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