Mandy Lashua, Derek Lashua, Justin Arroyo, Eric Mzik
Influences
Merch
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
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
If you prefer, you can also order a CD by check or money order for $8.50 (shipping is already included) sent to the above address.
Thank you for all of your support! We'll see you at the shows!
Sounds Like
"The soundtrack to the story of our youth."
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
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
User Sets Mode+ rolls out more than a quartet's worth of sound pressure and high-energy, punky-edged rock. Since making their debut just last May as a showcasing artist in the Florida Music Festival & Conference (Orlando), USM+ has cut their teeth on the road and will set it off again this Summer with the release and support of their self-titled EP.
USM+ was also featured on this year's Florida Music Festival & Conference Official Industry Compilation CD, distributed at the conference May 15-17, 2008 in downtown Orlando.
What's with the name? "The band pulls it's name from old-school computer social networking, in the IRC. It's a computer command that made a fairly unique band name". Set your mode. USER SETS MODE+. See you at the shows!
Thanks for the CD!! FINALLY! I can jam out to this other than on my computer here @ Myspace , Ok so why didn't Again make it? and I think Paper is my fave!
