Eric Champion, Jeremy Dean, Randall Shreve, Cory Callahan, Scott Dansby
Influences
we love so much stuff but here's some influences.... Self, Kevin Max, Bleu, Luna Halo,Magnet,Matthew,Brian Mcsweeny,Owsley, Brian Whitman, Butch Walker, Muse, OK GO,Jon Brion, Jellyfish,Emperial Drag,The Greys,Ben Folds,Brenan Benson,jason faulkner, Chasing Furies, Sarah Macintosh, Anberlin,Switchfoot, Semisonic, Mae,Kent,Mute Math, Macrosick,Club of the Sons,Phil Wickham,Castledoor,the beatles,beck, David Bowie, Supergrass,Keane,roxy music, tori amos, frou frou,Imogen Heap, Radiohead, The Killers, Franz Ferdinand,The Cars, Elvis Costello,Eisley,the Smiths, Morrissey, U2, zeppelin, Ima Robot, Travis,Paloalto,Turin Brakes, Wilco, Death Cab,Postal Service,stevie wonder,aimee mann,snow patrol, king crimson, the cure, duran duran, interpol,VHS vs Beta,Ambulance Ltd,Elephant, the dandy warhols, Pete Yorn, phillip glass, john lennon, Johnny Cash, gary numan, joy division, the shins, QUEEN, jimi hendrix, kent, switchfoot, bryan ferry, rufus wainright, jeff buckley, scott weiland, , nick drake, adrian belew, Tears for Fears, PJ harvey, the london suede, pulp, blur, oasis, air, Prince, bjork, , fleming and john, , the church, the flaming lips, wilco, the hives, the white stripes, ELO, The K Parts , peter gabriel, the human league, OMD, nik kershaw, the list goes on and on...
After selling over a quarter of a million albums, having seven number one singles and playing more than 750 live shows as a solo artist Eric Champion felt it was time to step it up a notch and put together a full on rock band. With the union of Cory Callahan, Jeremy Dean, Scott Dansby and Randall Shreve (GS Megaphone) Rook was born. The five piece hailing from Orlando, FL has scattered influences that are apparent without being obvious, The sound of the band is described as brit pop fashion forward rock with driving guitars and lush harmonies in the vein of bands such as Self, Blur, Duran Duran, Jellyfish,Bleu, Bowie, Queen and Ima Robot. Although you can hear elements of all of those bands, they manage to not sound like any one of so it is no wonder the band has developed a sound all their own. “We just want to write great songs, if the songs are solid the fans will follow” says Jeremy. And indeed the fans have followed, in a scene that is saturated with angst rock and screamo bands Rook’s strength has been giving listeners something different.
The collaborative effort where each band member contributes equally to the writing process has brought a fresh perspective and excitement that best translates in the band’s high energy live performance. The band in just a few short months has managed to pack venues like The Social, Backbooth, AKA Lounge and play the festival circuit including the Florida Music Fest and the Anti Pop Music Fest. Most recently Rook has played live outings with bands such as Luna Halo, Kevin Max, The Violet Burning, John Davis among others.
Rook is one of the new wave (call it a revolution of sorts) of bands such as Mute Math, Kevin Max etc..that is comprised of believers creating art for a mainstream audience that is outside of "the box" and doesn't pander to current trends.
Wow - great to hear from you again. I'm definitely a Rook fan (is that allowed, since I'm also a reviewer? who cares?!) ....more ROOK!! God bless - see you in New York some time, I hope.
Well guys, I've put "pop song" back on my page in honor of your SELLING OUT!!!!! Just kidding...I don't blame ya....hell, I MAKE commercials, ya know. So congratulations and I hope you are all happy and healthy and ridiculously successful. :-)
Jeremy, I am so terribly sorry to hear about your dad. I just read his obituary in the Ft. Smith paper! I couldn't believe it. You have our prayers and our condolences. We will try to make it to the funeral home and hopefully the funeral. Talk to you later, Bro.
ERIC!!! Whats up buddy. long time huh? I sure miss hanging out with ya. Hows your mom dad and sis? I need to come to O town when I visit my dad and say hi! I'm glald your "back in the game!" I'm diging the new stuff!
