State Of The Art: Missouri’s THE STROPPERS [Track Stream]

Hailing from Kansas City, Missouri, The Stroppers serves you a great combination of blues and garage rock. The two-piece band, consisting of Joel Monroe riffing on guitar and screaming vocals, and Jasmina Bonilla creating the thunder on drums, has recently gone under some major changes: A name change, new image, and rebranding of their debut album. Recently known as Play Pretend, they released their debut album in the spring of 2018 on CD and major streaming sites. The band has been on a rocket ride to success ever since. Continue reading

State Of The Art: Missouri’s ECHOES FROM ASHES [Track Stream]

Photo Credit: Money Shotz Photography

*This is part of our State Of The Art series, showcasing bands every Monday from the featured state. This month’s state is Missouri.*

Hailing from Saint Louis, Missouri, Echoes From Ashes delivers their soulful hard rock tinged with early 2000s post-grunge sensibility. The four-piece, consisting of Matt Kelly (guitar/vocals), Michael Wallis (guitar/vocals), Dan Stefl (bass/vocals), and Derek Keller (drums/percussion) formed the band in 2017 and have just recently released their debut self-titled EP in 2018. With the help of Michael Bivens as engineer and producer, along with Stefl, the five-track EP was recorded at Redwood Studios and released to solid local airplay and rotation on major streaming platforms. One of the more powerful singles from the release is “Victim (In Your Hands)” that starts off with a Pantera “5 Minutes Alone”-influenced opening riff and progresses into a melodically heartfelt verse and chorus, reminiscent of genre veterans Chevelle and Breaking Benjamin. Continue reading