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Somehow Still Alive |
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ACE Features -
Random Notes of the Music Writer Dude
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Written by B. Noel Barr
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Wednesday, 12 March 2008 |
Knowing that sanpedrobands.com named Lucas Valenzuela of Somehow Still Alive as “one of the finest rock vocalists” performing out of San Pedro is amazing, given that Valenzuela started out trying to be a rap artist . But what the groups latest release, After All, shows is that broadening one's horizons is good for the soul. “On borrowed Time” and the title track are excellent examples of rock, but the strength in all this material is lyricism. The Last track, “Acceptance,” which is about Valenzuela’s grandmother is thoughtful and moving, not to mention a magnificent ending to a damn good CD.
The name “Somehow Still Alive” itself came from the title of Valenzuela’s first album. Inspired by his grandmother, he began to write the words for his raps that eventually turned into at least one song from the time of his initial recording. “I was writing about my grandmother, who eventually passed away, but she always wanted me to go back to school.”
Though her health eventually failed, he still dreamed of being a rap artist. Frustrated by constantly trying to find singers to sing the musical hook in the rap—“ I was a closet singer,” he says—he would finally just fill the sung parts himself.
It was only after he went back to school, fulfilling his grandmother's wish, that he met Nate Rock, the group's first guitarist. “I passed him my CD,” Valenzuela explained. “He thought they ought to be rock songs.”
Lucas and Nate, would eventually only use one of those numbers from the original rap album and turn it into a rock song. John Miho joined them on drums, and stayed on when Nate eventually left to do his own thing.
In short order, Andrew Hargis, then 19, stepped in on guitar, followed by Alex Martinez. “We’ve doing this hardcore for about two years,” Andrew explained. Recently, Miho left, but the band barely missed a beat.
“Our new drummer Will McKenna, who is still in High School at San Pedro is a prodigy,” Lucas said excitedly. “He played on our album after having only been in the group for a couple of weeks.” Somehow Still Alive has played at a number of large local events, which include Bloody Thursday and Fisherman’s Fiesta, as well as a number of venues in the Hollywood area. “We’ve done the Hollywood thing numerous times.” acknowledged the young singer.
The band played February 21 with five other Pedro groups at the Whisky a go-go, in what was nicknamed Pedropallooza (see “Random Notes” column on show). The band had played the famed nightclub on Sunset Blvd with a similar set of Pedro bands in April 2007. “At the time I was rapping the song and singing the chorus, now I’m singing the whole thing in a melodic form.”
Lucas pointed out that the band was working to branch out, and make a name for themselves. “When we started, we didn’t want to play just San Pedro, though we’ve always played local shows, we started playing everywhere. We have played Barstow, Big Bear, Yucaipa, Corona, and Downey all over.
Like a number of bands coming out of the harbor area in the DIY (Do It Yourself) way, the group financed, produced, recorded, and promoted its first release After All on their own. The album is being distributed internationally by Sunstone, the same label as San Pedro Latin jazz favorites One World. “The album came off very quickly. It is straight forward rock,” commented Andrew. The band is currently putting together their management, booking, and publicity apparatus together, taking nothing for granted.
The band described their influences as being diverse. Andrew indicated he was into Jazz but explained that, “We have all kinds of influences we are not just into rock.” Lucas Stated “I started in on rap and the whole West Coast thing. A friend got me into the Cult, which just opened me up, Lucas explained. “I got into other sounds like the Smiths, System of a Down.” Yet rock is what they do best and they are very good at it, with excellent lyrics and a solid balls-to-the- walls sound. They are not typical of the “Pedro Sound,” this is not punk, ska, reggae, or hard core metal.
These are polished well-written lyrics, performed with steely intensity, accessible to listeners of Indie 103 or KNAC online, this is a good solid first outing for a band that has the potential to make to the big rooms of the world.
After All kicks off with song “This Time It’s Personal” with a lone guitar that suddenly doubles in concert with a full on attack by the band that would make any hard rock fan grin, this is a very strong opening track. This followed by “Poppin Pills” and “I am No One” these songs have different strengths, but on the later cut, I love the vocals here this time the vocals are doubled and an almost Everly Brothers harmony is taking place.
The proof is in the pudding brothers and sisters if you have not heard this CD you must get a copy A.S.A.P.
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Last Updated ( Thursday, 28 August 2008 )
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