Steadily engineering a new wave of rock and bringing a new sound to the table, the progressive four-piece band from Tennessee inflicted an injection of solid rock that was both familiar and fresh, much to the anticipation of the captivated crowd at the Viper Room in Hollywood.
From the moment the velvet curtains opened it was clear that Halo Stereo was not your usual bar trotting rock band. Electronic devices littered the stage and found their way in throughout the set. It gave the music an unexpected boost above typical rock ‘n’ roll and added depth to Halo Stereo’s LA showcase that’s pioneering music in the modern era and getting noticed.
From left to right: Nathan McDonald (guitar), Andrew Fry (vocals/synthetics/guitar), Brian Meeks (drums) and Jody Hicks (bass/vocals)
The skilled musicians that make-up Halo Stereo include: Andrew Fry (vocals/guitar/synthetics), Jody Hicks (bass/vocals), Brian Meeks (drums/synthetics) and Nathan McDonald (lead guitar). They released their second full length album, Invisible War in April 2008, an innovative prog-metal masterpiece that earned the group “Unsigned Artist of the Month” on Fuse TV and featured the music video for “Blindfold.” It’s a mystery why Halo Stereo remains unsigned.
Even without the helping hand of a label the band has been able to get songs featured on radio and television as well as organizing national tours. The stick-to-it-ive-ness and dedication to Halo Stereo are one of the main reasons McDonald believes that the band was able to get this far.
“There’s always been a fine line between whether you have a day job or you don’t,” said McDonald, “We have all made it a priority because we are all sort of married to [the band] and you have to decide if you’re going to do it or if you’re not. Sticking to that decision is the hardest part.”
What’s refreshing about Halo Stereo is that their music goes beyond typical rock ‘n’ roll clichés of sex, women, broken relationships and partying. Vocalist, Andrew Fry’s songwriting brings up deep feelings of desolation, hope and salvation on Invisible War. Each song you can really grab mentally, making it more than simply ear-candy. It gave the album a unifying feel of angst with both highs and lows, expressed by the album’s artwork.
“The guy who is sitting in the bathtub on the cover of the record and in the music video, we wanted to personify him and some of his alienation,” explains Fry. “The running theme of the album is a real desperation and [a sense] of being on the edge. There is emotional nakedness and [the feeling that] you are vulnerable and have nothing left to lose.”
It’s hard to lump Halo Stereo’s signature sound into one specific genre. Their music is comprised of highly melodic choruses and breakdowns, tight vocal harmonies that span an incredible range from somber hums to intense screams, all layered over a foundation of solid driving rhythms.
You can call it alternative, progressive, nu-metal, indie – even go as far as electro, but perhaps it is better to just simply listen and make up your own mind. Halo Stereo will definitely be one of those “I heard them before they were big” bands. Jump on the wagon now and let Halo Stereo take you to what it’s like at the end of the world.
nJ3ce9 Wialkng in the presence of giants here. Cool thinking all around!