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At a time when the pop rock scene is a glut of mediocrity, The Masses are kicking ass and taking names with their Frankenstein-like creations of Brit-rock and Alternative Country, deep-fried and deep-rooted in a Nashville sensibility. Like mood music for a barbeque, these four Southern gentlemen take the down-home familiarity of your big brother's band and amplify it with a layered sophistication more at home in an arena than a garage.

These rock stars-next-door offer songs easy to like and instantly familiar, but in no danger of being confused with anyone else, even their influences. "We're very British in a lot of ways, musicially speaking," says lead singer/songwriter Will Crankshaw "But we also damn-well know we're from Tennessee." Citing influences such as Radiohead, Ryan Adams, REM, and Oasis "even though it doesn't start with an 'R' jokes drummer Tyler Crowell, these men are clearly serious about writing songs of lasting value and appeal.

The Masses self-titled EP is steadily gaining fans with their melodramatic guitar anthems and whiskey-worn vocals reminiscent of a British Michael Stipe. Full of wear and tear and wisdom beyond their years, standout cuts like "Wide Open" speak openly about weariness and comfort, while crowd favorite "Anna" is half love song, half intervention. "I've pushed myself hard to not be afraid to write what I really mean," says bassist/songwriter Josh Keckley. "I know I love it when someone like Ryan Adams can write about something that burns like hell and not pull any punches, just let the listener get a good long look at it. That's what we go for."

That tasteful honesty is starting to turn the heads of media and venues alike. Middle Tennessee State University's Sidelines describes them as being "Brit-rock with a touch of grunge, all wrapped up in Nashville," while fans are consistently showing up for the good times in Nashvillle an her suburbs at places like 12th and Porter, Windows on the Cumberland, Wallstreet, the Boro, Springwater, the Muse, the Pond.

The Masses, consisting of Will Crankshaw on lead vocals and guitar, Josh Keckley on bass and background vocals, Tyler Crowell on drums and Zach Ingle on guitar, are surprised at the growing popularity they've experienced in the Nashville area since they formed in September of 2005. "We've been pretty lucky so far," says Will, "but we've worked hard at not being just another band that sounds like some other band. We just really work hard for our lucky breaks, and we're going to keep working hard. Working hard and drinking beer."

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For Booking Info Contact: Masses Management