AQUARIUM DRUNKARD – Marty Garner -
Music news, reviews, mp3’s & podcasts -
LOS ANGELES, CA
Newport Folk Festival Preview, July 21, 2008:
Running in the same dark, clean, resigned world of Coldplay and the National is Boston’s Honors. These guys play radio-friendly rock in an inoffensive way, the dynamic kind of sound guaranteed to one day move iPods. Their track “Passing on Blue” is a dead-ringer for a How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb b-side, but “Ghosts” is their real winner; singer Brandon Heisler sounds like a tired Morrissey while the band bashes away behind him.
Newport Folk Festival Performance Review, August 3, 2008:
Following Fitzsimmons’ performance were Boston’s Honors, whose Coldplay-cum-Interpol songs were a surprise hit. Beneath the layers of seemingly-out-of-place distorted guitars and rawk ‘n’ roll shouts was some of the funkiest drum ‘n’ bass combo work of the weekend, and lead guitarist Andrew Bayardi drew out some squiggly lines as if Trey Anastasio hadn’t been around the day before. The ever-open minded Newport crowd dug it, particularly the slower jams that singer Brandon Heisler introduced as his “folk songs,” and the Honors found themselves signing autographs throughout the afternoon.
:BIO:
With a notable performance opening for Blues Traveler at the Alive at Five Music Festival in Stamford, CT; a ‘surprise hit’ showing at the historic Newport Folk Festival in Newport, RI; and offers for Boston radio airplay only days after the release of their debut EP, ‘Ghosts,’ saying that The Honors are on a roll would be an understatement.
Operating out of their indie label, Wolf Den Studio, The Honors brings to the modern musical landscape a sense of value and integrity. Their sound is fresh and accessible, their attention to detail evident in the tightness of the grooves and the sweetness of the melodies. Members include Brandon Heisler on lead vocals and acoustic guitar, Jay Trikakis on drums and vocals, Andrew Bayardi on lead electric guitars and vocals, and Roland Nicol on basses.
At the helm of the production is Jay’s brother, Nick Trikakis, who in addition to recording Brandon’s 2006 solo album, ‘Do Me In,’ recorded and produced their 2008 EP, ‘Ghosts,’ which was released in early August at the historic Newport Folk Festival. Nick’s intuitive skills and keen ear play an integral role in the recorded in the sound of the band.
The Honors began initially as a union of friendship in 2003, when Brandon met Jay while studying at Regent’s College in London, England. Though from different backgrounds, Jay a Massachusetts native looking for inspiration, Brandon a West Virginian with a passion for lyrical self-expression, they undoubtedly shared a common interest: good music. Their experiences in London and ambitions as musicians later re-united them in Boston, where a promise to form a band became reality.
While first in Boston, Brandon worked mainly as a solo artist; occasionally performing with Andrew, also a West Virginian native whom coincidentally lived across the street from Brandon without ever having met each other. The two eventually joined forces in Boston, while Andrew was attending the Berklee College of Music. Roland and Jay worked together in another successful Boston-area band called The Press Project.
After two years performing separately, in January of 2008, Jay and Brandon solidified their fate and formed The Honors.
The Honors *FREE DOWNLOAD HERE*'s Friend Space (Top 4)
Thanks for letting me add Parade to my profile page. It is my favorite song, but I like them all! Hope to see you guys in concert one day! Have a good week!
oh thanks so much for rocking my world last night.... i am so thankful that you played local....and happy to hear the new songs live!! i am always so thrilled with how tight you sound as a band....
ps....The Funeral....holy shit....thanks i LOVE that song...the guitar intro just gives me chills!
hey!! thanks for accepting my friend request...good stuff you got here....my friend ryan is goign tobe opening up for yall in a few days!!! i sooo wish i could be there in support of him and yall! but i hope its a blast...please give ryan my love :) keep doing what you are doing!!! lovin the tunes!!
Yo Dudes! Long time no chatty.. How's the production coming.. and when can I get your damn music on my ipod! Hook it up sons.. Hope all is well. Come visit and play in seattle...Do it.
Brandon, I live in Columbus now so when you guys come out here to play I will definitley be there... and I will bring lots of friends with me. You guys have great music!
Great songs! I'm trying to spread the good word for you guys. Fist pounds all around, and I hope to be able to jam with you soon again. The wedding was a blast.
just droppin buy to send some love. if i didnt love you cats so much theres no way i would have sat through an hour of garbage on ourstage just to vote for ya'll! go get it!
Hey guys!! Yes of course Alex told me about you guys!!U used to play together??well, he is quite a talent. I read your page, I think the story of your band is just a beautiful one!! Cool music you do!!definitely up for some stage venture:)Let me know when:) *Kiss from Geneva
