American Mantra | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Dallas, Texas, USA |
| Genres | Rock, Indie, Experimental |
| Years active | 2008–present |
| Labels | n/a |
| Past members | Austin Radford Alex Balash Joseph Veazie Dustin Beck Wesley Brown |
| Website | American Mantra Facebook |
American Mantra is an American rock band from Dallas, Texas that formed in late 2008. In 2009 they released an EP entitled "Foreign". They have been compared to such bands as Incubus, Glassjaw, and Circa Survive.
Formation, Foreign (2008-2009)
editThe band was formed in late 2008 by Vocalist Austin Radford, Guitarist Alex Balash, Bassist Dustin Beck, and Drummer Wesley Brown. Radford had recently parted ways with post hardcore band Memphis May Fire in which he played bass. After writing what would be their first song (Utor Iter Itineris) with Brown, they soon recruited long time friends and former band mates Balash and Beck and began working on the framework for their debut EP. During the summer of 2009 the band entered the studio with producer Geoff Rockwell to record said EP, entitled "Foreign". "Foreign" was released digitally on September 8, 2009. Tangible copies were made available on Smartpunk and on tour.
Schema Sessions, Introduction of Joseph Veazie (2010)
editIn May of 2010 during a show at Lochrann's Pub in Frisco, Texas the band announced that they would be expanding to include second guitarist/vocalist Joseph Veazie. During the set, Veazie came on stage and sang/played acoustic covers of Kanye West's Heartless, Kings of Leon's Use Somebody, and Outkast's Hey Ya. They also announced Veazie's entrance on the band's Facebook and Twitter.
The band re-entered the studio with Geoff Rockwell from May 24 to May 31 to record 3 new songs. One of which (a song called Endeavorest) is available via the band's twitter. The release, entitled Schema Sessions, features Joseph Veazie on backup vocals and was released on Nov 5th followed by a regional tour.
Aphasianado, Departure of Veazie, Brown and Beck (2011)
editIn April of 2011, Joseph Veazie announced via Facebook that after only 9 months, he would be leaving American Mantra to focus on his solo album and his personal life. He expressed no ill feelings toward the band and stated "I always have and probably always will love their music. It's something I enjoy listening to and playing, but definitely challenging to write with. They are some of the most talented individuals I've ever encountered, and I felt as though I wasn't on the same level as them and wasn't really contributing much." [1]
In June, Ernie Ball announced via Facebook that American Mantra, had won the Ernie Ball Battle of the Bands and (for the second year in a row) would be appearing on the Dallas, Tx date of the Vans Warped Tour. The band appeared as a 4 piece with Radford playing guitar and Beck singing backup vocals.
In July, the band announced that they had been in the studio, once again as 4-piece, with Memphis May Fire guitarist Ryan Bentley producing/engineering. Throughout July, they posted updates on their progress and videos of Balash tracking guitar on the band's Facebook. The EP, titled Aphasianado, is set to release on Oct 11th.
Shortly after recording the drums and bass for Aphasianado, Brown and Beck both decided to part ways with the band, citing a dwindling music industry, and creative differences as their reasons for leaving.
Past Members
edit- Austin Radford - Vocals (2008 - 2011)
- Alex Balash - Guitar (2008 - 2011)
- Joseph Veazie - Guitar/Vocals (2010 - 2011)
- Dustin Beck - Bass (2008 - 2011)
- Wesley Brown - Drums (2008 - 2011)
Discography
edit- Foreign (2009)
- Schema Sessions (2010)
- Aphasianado (2011)