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Echoed In Red / Perfect Line / Here’s To The Time / A Bloodstained Memory / Oceans / Here And After SELF RELEASED
Hailing from Austin, Texas; Powderburn are a four piece pop metal outfit who make music that sounds like the meeting point between Metallica, Soundgarden, Bon Jovi and Stone Temple Pilots.
A highly unoriginal and cliched sounding outfit, Powderburn nevertheless write songs that have the tendency to get under your skin and have you singing along within minutes, big melodic choruses and crashing powerchords the order of the day. ECHOED IN RED brings together six songs that showcase the band as effective songwriters, title track ECHOED IN RED quickly setting them up as an outfit capable of bashing out catchy rock songs at the drop of a hat. The weaker PERFECT LINE imagines Soundgarden’s Jesus Christ Pose rewritten by Metallica and Velvet Revolver, a tired explosion of gruff vocals and recycled guitar riffs.
With HERE’S TO THE TIME, Powderburn make a more impressive sounding noise, frontman Ken crooning warmly over frenetic drum patterns and melodic guitar crunches, whilst on A BLOODSTAINED MEMORY the band unleash a more metallic side, though never forgetting to include some melody amidst their heavy metal thunder. The pretty power ballad OCEANS is the obligatory lighters in the air moment, as Powderburn show off their stadium rocking potential and tender sides, closing number HERE AND AFTER on the other hand finishes things up with a bang, all metal riffs, thundering drum beats and growling vocals.
They may not offer a particularly fresh sounding or original take on pop metal , but as a band dishing out effective melodic rock, Powderburn are an outfit capable of impressive things and with ECHOED IN RED show they have the songs to go all the way.
BIOGRAPHY
Ken
Instrument: Guitar/Vocals
DOB: April 26th
Hometown: Somewhere in South Jersey
Likes: gambling, McDonald's Coke, massage chairs, unique yet stylish guitars, the beach, casinos on the beach, large TVs, DVR, computers, the internet and doing all things via the internet, knowing how to type, buying people "Dummies" books, good pizza and hoagies (not quite available in TX), mexican food (not quite available in NJ), surprising people, cell phones that can get online, Austin, text messaging instead of talking, buying people greeting cards with people that were obviously meant for another race or age group, playing shows, converse, people who are laid back, jager (it honestly is the only liquor i enjoy shots of), foam mattresses, ketchup on eggs and cheese steaks, movies about the insane, flying cars (coming soon or i will kill someone)
dislikes: the fact that i'm going to have to kill someone because we don't have flying cars yet but spend millions of dollars making new overpasses and highways, the fact that austin doesn't have seasons, doing things on the internet out of habit that are done much easier by conventional methods, people who get really really mad over nothing (like when a car cuts them off even though everyone does it some time or another), smoking....b/c it really makes no sense when you stop and think about it, news stories that contain a last sentence that has no relevance to the story (example), working hard for my money, anyone who pushes their beliefs on someone....there's much slicker ways to do it then pushing, people who are still trying to define what bands qualify as metal and which don't. Metal=Metallica, Hard Rock=Guns N Roses, Rock=Aerosmith. Use this as your guide!
Other band members thoughts about Ken:
Josh - he is a great jogging partner and we can have intimate conversations about anything on a good jog. Some people even come out of their houses to tell us to stop talking about certain things in the alleys behind their houses or they are gonna "get the hose" I still don't know what that means.
Greg - The star of Powderburn. Live he has grown into the front-man role better than I ever thought he could. He's starting to embrace his inner Rock Star... and it's really starting to show. It's a lot of work just to keep up with him on stage most nights. He's got a knack for getting the crowds on our level of thinking.For whatever that's worth. Outside of shows he's the business head. He comes up with a good chunk of the ideas that keep us on track. And he's become quite the lyricist lately.
Pat - The evil genius behind Powderburn. I've gotten to know him pretty well in the three years I've been here, and we have exactly as much in common as we do things that are polar opposites. I firmly believe that given different circumstances, I could have ended up just like him. And, to be honest, that scares me to the bone. He's the most driven person I ever met, and by far the guy I admire most in the band. He's nowhere near as awesome as me, but he certainly comes the closest.
Criminal Background: I once got busy in a Burger King bathroom...
Questions from Fans:
- Do you think it's any more or less difficult for a metal band to make it now than it's ever been?
It's probably about the same. Someone might argue that record sales are smaller now than ever before for all genres, but i'd argue that now there are things like itunes and ring tones so while physical cd sales may be lower, other things make up for it. Right now is an interesting time in "metal" though. You have a lot of bands that are doing well right now and getting some decent attention, yet not a lot of these bands sound all that original. For the most part it's old school thrash riffs and only the vocals/drums sound different then they did 15 years ago. Right now it's cool to be over the top heavy. What was once death metal is now considered metal.
So for a band like Powderburn i do think it's harder than ever b/c we've never quite fit in with what was going on at the time and that remains to be true with the new cd. It's got both new and old influences but a good deal of Powderburn twist to it and i don't think a lot of labels know what to do with it and there are very few labels willing to take a risk on a band these days and help them grow.
- What has been your greatest satisfaction - and your greatest frustration - about being in this band? There's a lot of things that make me happy with this band. We've been together a long time and have gone through many things. You meet a lot of interesting people in this business and things happen a lot differently than one would think. A lot of the time this causes bands to argue and in turn, break up. We have changed some members over the years but the fact that we're still around speaks volumes to me and the determination we have.
I'd say the biggest frustration is knowing that with the right people behind us this band could be huge yet we continue to search for them. You can only play so many shows in front of so many people for so many years and hear endless compliments from thousands of fans before you wonder why someone won't put you on tour all year round. I don't know how many times people have been shocked to find out we're not a signed band. I have complete faith it'll happen or else i wouldn't be doing this but i will admit that it's annoying to see other bands that we've known land a deal, tour the country and then break up 2 years later.
- It's a perfect world, and Nickelback has been sentenced to death for their crimes against music. How would you carry out the sentence? It doesn't matter b/c the singer, Jesus, will resurrect himself after 3 days. Haven't you read the book?
How do you guys handle the pressures of having a "a port in every town"?
Chicks tend to gravitate towards guys in bands, and the harder the music, the freakier the girls tend to be.
The fear of AIDS. I don't think most guys in bands think about the following. If a freaky chick is willing to sleep with you, she's probably slept with other guys in bands, and i don't know about you but i don't dare venture where CC DeVille has docked.
if you had a chance to have one of the two guys to dance nude to your music who would you pick....George Bush or Richard Simmons? Richard Simmons because I want to see if those shorts actually come off or if his body or if he's grown around them like an old chain that's been hanging on a tree branch for 15 years.
What show that you played together was the most fun?
We've played all kinds of fun shows. Big ones in front of thousands of people, small ones in front of much much less people, but any show that a guitar didn't break, the power didn't blow and people showed up to is a fun show! Also, the Jagermeister Tours are always fun....as long as we all remember that while the jager backstage is free it doesn't mean we have to drink it until it starts coming out of us.
Did you guys think you'll get this far when first starting up the band? Yes, and i plan to get much much further. Seriously...if you don't believe in yourself this is the wrong business to be in. What does the rest of be band think about josh's nose piercing ... or whatever the hell he wants to call it? I most enjoy it when he puts a straw through it and allows me to drink a capri sun. When did you start to play your instrument/write lyrics, and who inspired you?
Age 15? Metallica is the band that inspired me. Not just because of their music but b/c of everything that they presented about themselves. Since then many many more people have sparked my inspiration but Metallica still remains at the top of my list. Tell us your favorite Jager story -
>From the lost tour diary vault: Pat: Having just rocked the stage, we
>went
over to the merch area and immediately were inundated with kids buying things like crazy and we were just signing posters, CD's, t-shirts, jackets, boobs . . . . you name it, we signed it. The free Jager and the beer started flowing, and I eventually wandered over to VIP to catch a few of Three Days Grace's songs, and Ric from the radio station, along with Kristi and Doug from Jagermeister had me do a few shots with them, and I chatted a bit with Paul (the guitarist from Hurt). The VIP area soon ran out of beer, so I started drinking Jager like it was beer, so much so that by 9:30 that night I was about 15 or so shots in, and ready to hit the van. . . . . it's not very rock and roll, but I didn't even see Staind play. Apparently, my twin brother had done much the same thing, and had passed out in the back of a pickup truck in the parking lot, causing much drama among the more-sober bandmates until he was finally found, when we were informed that the truck belonged to the one security guard. I woke up on one of the patio chairs back in the hotel area, Sean right next to me, when all of a sudden we both ejected a projectile stream of straight Jager all over the beautiful stone floor of the patio area . . . . you could have mixed this with Red Bull and not known the difference. That's pretty much what I remember from this particular evening. The next day was pretty much one long Excedrin headache the size of your fucking house, and answering all the MySpace messages and comments from all you badass RGV fans! Greg
Instrument: Bass/ Backup Vocals
DOB: March 6th
Hometown: Carmel NY
Likes/Dislikes: Likes- Drinking, Smoking and Rocking Dislikes - Any time when I can't Drink, Smoke or Rock.
Other band members thoughts about Greg: Ken - If you haven't meant Greg all i can tell you is that he curses and smokes a lot. haha. But beyond that there's much more. The guy goes out of his way for anyone, he's very set in his ways, he's a craiglists expert, over time he's somehow become more of a picky eater than josh, he enjoys any music that sounds like rock no matter how old or cheesy, he's great at arranging songs, writing harmonies, and helping me with the endless projects i seem to come up with. He's also the only guy in the band that can go without sleep as long as i can and bitches less than most others in the band. Bass wise this guy is top notch. On this new album he's really evaluated the songs and wrote parts that truly fit what the song called for, which is sometimes a challenge for people of his skill level.....or bassists who want to solo through an entire song. (check out shysty from 'a new sin'...it's actually very awesome) Josh - this man is the nicest most caring, giving, compassionate, considerate, loving, nurturing man alive. He puts on this image like he's too cool to care but he does, and when I say care I mean CARE...one time I could not sleep cuz I had the flu and was violently ill and he came to my house with soup, tea, flu medicine, and a big rock of crack and made me smoke the whole thing till I felt better. Then he sang me Billy Joel's album "GOODNIGHT MY ANGEL" from front to back till I was twitching and asleep. He truly is god's gift to mankind...
Pat - This man, on the other hand, is the benchmark I use on how to NOT live my life. Nevertheless, he is my best friend in the world and I would kill or die for this man with absolutely no regrets. Also by far the most talented member of the band in terms of muscianship, songwriting, and hair care.
Criminal Background: Well without going into details... I'm no longer allowed in the states of Wyoming, Utah or Idaho.
Questions from Fans:
- Do you think it's any more or less difficult for a metal band to make it now than it's ever been?
Hard to say. It seems like back in the 80's all you need was a guitar and long hair and you could get a deal. In the 90's it seemed like as long as you wore flanel and came from the Pacific Northwest... boom, you were famous. I figured it was harder now, then I saw the flood of bands stealing Iron Maiden riffs and screaming over them. SO... it seems like the balance hasn't really shifted all that much. Maybe it's just not time for Hard Rock yet... but that time is coming.
- What has been your greatest satisfaction - and your greatest frustration - about being in this band?
Satisfaction- Playing in front of our friends and fans with three of the coolest people I've ever known.
Frustration- Everything else.
- It's a perfect world, and Nickelback has been sentenced to death for their crimes against music. How would you carry out the sentence?
Hang them upside down from their feet at the front of the stage at a Slayer concert... and what will be, will be.
How do you guys handle the pressures of having a "a port in every town"?
Chicks tend to gravitate towards guys in bands, and the harder the music, the freakier the girls tend to be.
It's easier than it looks.
if you had a chance to have one of the two guys to dance nude to your music who would you pick....George Bush or Richard Simmons?
Bush... I think Richard Simmons wouldn't be nearly as humiliated. He'd probably like it. Our music would make for a great workout video.
What show that you played together was the most fun?
In recent memory, because let's face it... that's all I have, probably the strip club gig in Topeka. There's just something about having a bunch of half naked girls on stage that makes the show just a little extra fun.
Did you guys think you'll get this far when first starting up the band?
I figured we'd be farther. I'm very grateful for what we've gotten to do so far... but I want to do a whole hell of a lot more.
What does the rest of be band think about josh's nose piercing ... or whatever the hell he wants to call it?
It's where he gets his strength. Don't question the quill.... trust me.
When did you start to play your instrument/write lyrics, and who inspired you?
I started playing bass whn I was in 5th grade. It was all because of Duff McKagan. Long story, ask me sometime and I'll tell you.
Josh
Instrument: Guitar
DOB:10-10-1981
Hometown: Austin,TX
Likes/Dislikes:
I like bbq'ing, the lake, sitting around, and sitting around in my backyard or at the lake bbq'ing.
I dislike stupid/annoying animals, reptiles, fish or people.
Other band members thoughts about Josh: Ken - Josh is a changed man over the years. Gone is the over cautious fear of germs and unnatural fear of snakes. He still remains the funniest member of Powderburn though and never fails to lighten the mood whenever tensions are high. He also hasn't lost his freakish ability to quote from virtually any Seinfeld or Simpsons episode. Seriously, i can mention a part of a Seinfeld show and he can recite the whole scene word for word, it's like having my own little portable DVD player at all times. Guitar wise Josh has done more and more solos and i'm actually starting to believe he likes playing them. For years Josh wanted nothing to do with them because he didn't want to do anything cliché but now he's found ways to write solos but he and the rest of us like and i think it's a great thing. He's also a hell of a song writer and always has been. He's got a secret collection of acoustic songs, complete with vocals that are bound to see the light of day some time. And one day him and i are going to record an album of songs in a Johnny Cash like voice that Johnny Cash should have covered.
Greg - As I've said every time I'm asked about Josh... he's what makes Powderburn not just your "typical" rock band. Everything he does is just off the mark enough to be cool. On stage he's one of the strangest people I've ever seen. Have you ever seen someone in a shirt and tie shake the porcupine quill that's jammed through their nose in sync with the drums? I didn't think so...
Pat - No one is better to have on the road than Josh. He is probably one of the naturally funniest people I've ever met, when he strays from his repetoire of Seinfeld references. He's also the only one who's willing to competely lose control and drink far too much. He's my enabler, and I love him for it.
Criminal Background: minor arsen charge, lit some crap in a bag ...this ladys dress kinda caught on fire ...no biggie.
Questions from Fans:
- Do you think it's any more or less difficult for a metal band to make it now than it's ever been?
A: I think its more difficult now because there are more types of metal going on and hitting at different times so if you are not playing the right "kind" your boat may have passed for now, or may be still coming.
- What has been your greatest satisfaction - and your greatest frustration - about being in this band?
A: Getting this cd done is a big one for all of us. It was a bitch, we chose a different game plan and it was not an easy one. It was grossly time consuming and trying on our patience but the end result is great and its been a good learning experience of what we can do similar as well as different from now on! Greatest frustration would have to be watching some of my friends bands rise and fall because of petty crap or due to tradgedy.
Either way it's a brutal shame and frustration to me.
- It's a perfect world, and Nickelback has been sentenced to death for their crimes against music. How would you carry out the sentence?
A: Id make them let me write a song for em! Id have a horn section, and a kazoo section and ... well it would be awesome.
How do you guys handle the pressures of having a "a port in every town"?
Chicks tend to gravitate towards guys in bands, and the harder the music, the freakier the girls tend to be.
A: I dock at the hotel with a chastity belt on.
if you had a chance to have one of the two guys to dance nude to your music who would you pick....George Bush or Richard Simmons?
A: come on!! Simmons. What show that you played together was the most fun?
A: maybe our last backroom show before it closed in '06 Did you guys think you'll get this far when first starting up the band?
A: nope, but we have changed a lot as people and focused our goals a little more since '99 What does the rest of be band think about josh's nose piercing ... or whatever the hell he wants to call it?
A: Chopstick, toothpick, paintbrush, whatthehellisthat, are some common confusions. But it is in fact an actual porcupine quill.
When did you start to play your instrument/write lyrics, and who inspired you?
A: I was 12 and was inspired by tool , manson, soundgarden, green day, pennywise, among many others. I mainly was influenced by what I could actually play at the time.
Tell us your favorite Jager story
A: this is an oldie but a goodie, me and greg drank a lot of jager once and he had to go to the hospital and after they put him on the bed with electrolytes pumping into his veins for like 3hrs, hes gets up and rips all the IV's out just to pee on the floor in front of a cop on duty at the hospital. I was in tears laughing which im sure did not help the bill.
Pat
Instrument: Drums
DOB: 10/12/78
Hometown: Flushing, Queens, NYC
Likes: Cold beer, colder Jager, New York City, The Yankees, reading books, watching movies, Irish pubs in bad neighborhoods, redheads, extreme forces of nature, not catching VD, every kind of music ever made, and my woman. And sometimes, your woman.
Dislikes: Jager at any temperature above 36 degrees, not living in NYC, boring, comfortable people who live boring, comfortable lives, tuning drums, car maintenance, my failing liver, and you. . . . . and sometimes, your woman.
Other band members thoughts about Pat:
Ken - Easily the most entertaining and dramatic member of the band. He's like a little energizer bunny at shows and as long as the alcohol is flowing he's right there with it. The funny thing is as soon as the van starts moving he and Josh are fast asleep like little babies...seriously it takes 3-5 minutes. When it comes to songs Pat seems to always know exactly what kind of beat is appropriate for the song. He's never one to over play and he's very solid. He's also great with lyrics and together we've become a great team. In the future i hope to do more one on one jamming with him. We seem to come up with a new song idea every time we're together and the parts flow so effortless the other guys assume it's something we'd been working on. He's also very willing to compromise when it comes to song writing which is a rare quality. Like everyone Pat is really great with the fans but he loves to tell stories more than any one else and so it's not unlikely to see him after a show with a crowd of people around him listening to hear the crazy story from the night before. Josh - me and pat have a strong effect on each other. Whether its positive or negative is the flip of the coin. We will end up greco-roman wrestling by the end of the night, or be singing country songs till the wee hours with arms around shoulders.
Greg - As it has been and always will be... Pat is my partner in crime.
Whenever there is beer to be drank, cigarettes to be smoked, or girls to be hit on... Pat is by my side. He's a great drummer and the only one I can really "lock in" with. When it comes to writing songs he disagrees with every single idea I ever have... which is how I know it's a good idea and worth fighting for. Plus, on the road, if I can come up with a ridiculous idea that we probably shouldn't do... he'll do it with me.
Criminal Background: I am shamefully un-rock-and-roll when it comes to this.
I haven't eaten my old bassist's brains, I haven't killed anyone with an axe, and I've only gotten one traffic ticket in my life. Where are the Norwegian black metal guys when you need them? This scene needs some mortal combat!
Questions from Fans:
- Do you think it's any more or less difficult for a metal band to make it now than it's ever been?
I think this is the most difficult time for ANY band of any genre to make it. People either have no concept of what illegal downloading does to artists on every level, or they don't care. Bands, conversely, have greater tools at their disposal at any level, like MySpace, downloadable ringtones, and so on. I think, in the end, I guess it still comes down to how bad you want it and how creative you can get in the face of adversity. I at least have the perspective to know it's not as hard as learning to walk after a stroke or any of the other truly awful possibilities life throws at you. I wouldn't want it if it was easily gotten, anyway.
- What has been your greatest satisfaction - and your greatest frustration - about being in this band?
The frustrating things are also the most self-evident. It's the daily grind of promotion and not having the time we would like to write and updating websites and all of the business end of the music world. It's also sometimes hard for four intensely creative people to be trapped in the same room, slave to all their OTHER frustrations, and try to make art happen. The satisfaction simply comes when you somehow manage to do exactly that.
- It's a perfect world, and Nickelback has been sentenced to death for their crimes against music. How would you carry out the sentence?
Why does Nickelback get to die? That's quick and doesn't teach them anything. I just simply think they should have their millions of dollars and their houses and boats and slave boys and all the rest confiscated, and they should be forced into normal, boring jobs - living their whole lives knowing this could have been avoided if they'd had the audacity to stray from the same three chords and sophomoric vocal melodies.
How do you guys handle the pressures of having a "a port in every town"?
Chicks tend to gravitate towards guys in bands, and the harder the music, the freakier the girls tend to be.
You really don't have any idea just how nuts they can be. The official word is that we all have girlfriends, and are perfect angels. Say otherwise and I'll punch you in the heart.
if you had a chance to have one of the two guys to dance nude to your music who would you pick....George Bush or Richard Simmons?
I would simply have to have them both.
What show that you played together was the most fun?
They get more and more fun to me as we go, but the Slayer/Killswitch Engage/Mastodon show and the Staind/Drowning Pool/Hurt shows still stick out as the most fun, what I remember of them after the free Jager bar.
Did you guys think you'll get this far when first starting up the band?
I didn't know we'd gotten very far at all. I won't be happy until I have the record deal, and the 30-room house, the apartment in NYC, the five cars, and you working as my pool boy.
What does the rest of be band think about Josh's nose piercing ... or whatever the hell he wants to call it?
I don't even notice it anymore, unless I see something like Terry from Lokey sticking his straw through the piercing hole and drinking his Jack and coke through it. Then, I find myself feeling nauseous all over again!
When did you start to play your instrument/write lyrics, and who inspired you?
As embarassing as this is, I feel you all deserve the truth. I was inspired by the video for "Love of a Lifetime", by Firehouse. There were shining, white drums everywhere, like nine or ten toms, and dazzling cymbals everywhere, and he spun his sticks and I wanted to be just like him. Then, I found Metallica and Iron Maiden, and I found out just how difficult and amazing playing drums could be. Writing lyrics came from the twofold reasons of having something to say, and being afraid of never getting a writing credit in an album jacket. Drummers that don't write lyrics get screwed. . .
. that's the lesson for the day, kids.
Tell us your favorite Jager story
Come to my next show and buy me a shot of it, and I'll tell you in person.
LINE UP
Ken Lockman
Josh Klayman
Greg Enkler
Patrick Swift
DISCOGRAPHY
ECHOED IN RED (Self Released>2007)
Echoed In Red
Perfect Line
Here’s To The Time
A Bloodstained Memory
Oceans
Here And After
LINKS
Powderburn>www.powderburn.net
FURTHER LISTENING
Soundgarden
Metallica
Stone Temple Pilots
Review date: April 2007 |
