Mandy Lashua, Derek Lashua, Justin Arroyo, Eric Mzik
Influences
Merch
Our EP is now available! CD's are available at all USM+ shows, on iTunes, at Amazon, as a download here on our myspace store, or you can get one shipped to you (artwork, case and all) by purchasing it from our website: www.usersetsmode.com, or...
Buy the CD on iTunes here:
If you prefer, you can also order a CD by check or money order for $8.50 (shipping is already included) sent to the address below.
Our new t-shirts feature a metallic shimmer logo and gray argyle/vine design on classic black American Apparel. You can get one at all USM+ shows, on our website (www.usersetsmode.com), or by sending check or money order for $16.00 (shipping is already included) to:
Mississippi Music Company PO Box 4Cuyahoga Falls, OH 44222
Be sure to specify S, M, L or XL
Thank you for all of your support! We'll see you at the shows!
Sounds Like
"The soundtrack to the story of our youth."
Show Review
Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and Museum
Published: October 22, 2008
Unlucky number 13 proved magical with the 13th "Cleveland Sessions" event, which featured the Suede Brothers and User Sets Mode Wednesday night (Oct. 22) at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum.
Opening with "Breaking Ground," the quartet - Mandy Lashua (vocals), Derek Lashua (guitars), Eric Mzik (drums) and Justin Arroyo (bass) - imbued its alternative sound with a frenetic punk pace. However, the following track, "Disconnected," began with Derek's mesmerizing and mellow guitar intro before chaos ensued including jungle drums and Mandy's strong, pony tail-bouncing vocals.
"Give it up for the Solid Gold dancers," said Mandy referring to the kids (no, seriously, elementary age kids up front and center) in the mosh pit. While she probably hates it, Mandy has a little bit of a No Doubt Gwen Stefani appeal with a strong voice and playful stage presence that rivals any loud guitar anthems the band kicks out. This was invariably the case with the '90s rocking tunes "Paper" and "Speaking English."
The quartet slowed things down for an untitled acoustic track, due to be released on the group's next album. This mid-tempo song showcased Mandy's alluring vocal talents.
Despite the fact it was cold outside, the Rock Hall was on fire with the Suede Brothers and User Sets Mode, making this "Cleveland Sessions" something to remember. -John Benson/Special to the Plain Dealer
CD Review
Cool Cleveland™
Published: May 21, 2008
This Cleveland/Akron pop-punk connection has got a lot of pure audio energy going for it. User Sets Mode+ made their debut last year on the PureVolume stage in the Florida Music Festival & Conference in Orlando, but odds are you know members Mandy Lashua (vocals), Derek Lashua (guitars), Craig Ramsey (drums) and Justin Arroyo (bass) from the myriad of other bands they have participated in. Punky, sassy and feisty, the band's six-song, self-titled EP is done in a flash but it rocks hard in that perfect summertime way.
Perfectly punky and crunchy, User Sets Mode+ kicks off the festivities with the adrenaline-fused "Breaking Ground" and "Disconnected," both of which have a great deal of uptempo appeal. Mandy Lashua's jaunty, saucy vocal histrionics are perfect for the sonic stew, giving the proceedings a swaggeringly sexy Garbage/Shirley Manson-like vibe. More slick than their respective indie projects, USM+ members jam a whole lot of spunk into a 20-minute punk-pop capsule. The only drawback to the EP is the perfect marketing -- that hopelessly longing for more. Perfect tunes for fun in the sun.
User Sets Mode+ offers their brand of punk-pop in two different formats. On Saturday, May 24 at 8PM, Derek and Mandy offer an acoustic performance at Bela Dubby in Lakewood; the following Saturday, May 31 at 9PM, they celebrate the release of the EP at the Beachland Ballroom with a host of great Cleveland bands including Bears, Coffinberry, Hot Rails, Beaten Awake, Kiddo and Expecting Rain. Visit them online at http://www.myspace.com/usersetsmode. -Cool Cleveland Managing Editor Peter Chakerian
CD Review
Free Times
Published: May 28, 2008
Led by seductive singer Mandy Lashua, this Akron band retains the best of female vocalist-led, late-'90s, alt-rock acts (think Garbage) on this fine EP. The disc's opening tune, "Breaking Ground," races with frenetic energy and shows off the fine musicianship of guitarist Derek Lashua, bassist Justin Arroyo and drummer Craig Ramsey. The group slips a bit on the generic rocker "Disconnected," but songs such as "Guilty," "Speaking English" and "Paper" have a gritty, dynamic dimension to them, helped in part by the fine production work, courtesy of Derek Lashua. — JN
CD Review
Cleveland Scene Magazine
Published: April 30, 2008
Ages ago, User Sets Mode+ singer Mandy Lashua and guitarist Derek Lashua played in the Frans and Racermason. After a long layoff, they're rocking harder than ever — which is less surprising when you factor in new drummer Craig Ramsey, who's played metalcore and swing with Ascension and Ace & the Ragers. Derek plays like he's pissed, shredding out straightforward tension-and-release rock with some electrifying left-field jolts. Check out "Paper," in which Mandy's soaring siren voice interrupts an armor-plated disco beat with a commanding "1-2/1-2-3-4!" The simple moment comes off like genuine revelation. Dance rock it's not — it's rock that'll make you dance. And shout. -By D.X. Ferris
User Sets Mode+ rolls out more than a quartet's worth of sound pressure and high-energy, punky-edged rock. "More pop than Flyleaf and more punk than Paramore", the band's live show is raw, fun, and full of adrenaline. Since making their debut as a showcasing artist in the Florida Music Festival & Conference in Orlando, USM+ cut their teeth on the road and set it off in 2008 with the release and support of their self-titled EP. The band was recently selected by MTV2 to open dates on the Projekt Revolution tour with Linkin Park and played Cleveland's Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum in October, 2008. On March 1, 2009, User Sets Mode+ received a 2009 Cleveland SCENE Music Award for Best Hard Rock Band.
USM+ was featured on the 2008 Florida Music Festival & Conference Official Industry Compilation CD and also appears on Firestorm Records compilation, Undead Artists Vol 2. The band just recently partnered with the Los Angeles-based GoDIY Records.
What's with the name?? "The band pulls it's name, a computer command, from old-school computer social networking-- the IRC. Set your mode; USER SETS MODE+. We'll see you at the shows!
Hey Congratulations on winning the Scene Award!, Hard Rock though? hmm so your up there with Def Leppard and Whitesnake? Right on! , seriousuly though Congratulations!
though we are nominated for best hard rock band---i will vote for you and I want you to win more than us. please don't tell my people-they will probably be telling you the same thing. good luck....but my money is going on sappy bell....you know-politics...
Derek, Mandy and the gang... Thank you so much for being a part of Rock the Halls- and for the encore of "Hey Tiger!" What a treat. You're true rockstars- aging backwards! Hope to play with you again soon- maybe we can open for ya in A-town sometime? Merry Christmas. Dallas ARS
Salut Amigos, all's good here. Great tunes, I love your music and wish you continued creative fulfillment as we close out the old year and begin a new one. Merry X-Mas to you and yours a very happy new year 2009! Send you good feelings and greetings from Hamburg. Silva
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