Waking State

Artist Information

Biography

Washington DC’s modern rock band Waking State is on everyone’s short list these days. Greg Roche (“DC’s Rock Station” DC101) claims “this is a band that cannot be ignored,” and Billy Zero (Program Director, "Fred" Classic Alternative Rock, XM Radio), insists “you must pay attention to this band.” But a year ago, Waking State was going nowhere with a bullet.

The band’s first full-length release, aptly entitled “Hang On” (2005), suffered numerous delays, effectively stalling the band’s momentum for over a year. The album’s producer Ted Comerford (Ebo, American Hi-Fi) affirms that “any other band [in that situation] would have quit.” The original bass player did just that, forcing the remaining members of Waking State to hire fill-ins in order to keep playing shows while they waited month after month for production to be completed.

The release of “Hang On,” however, was to be a turning point for Waking State. The album’s moody, volatile music, with its rare depth and focus (evoking shades of early U2, Our Lady Peace and Pink Floyd), placed in the top ten on Entertainment DC’s poll of top albums and singles of 2005, and recently four songs were selected for an extreme sports video produced by O’Neill (release date: Fall, 2006). In addition, it attracted the attention of sonically divergent NYC bassist Nach Horn, who having stumbled across a couple songs from the album, made his way to DC to audition and ultimately join the band.

He found himself in good company. Goth-girl-next-door frontwoman Morrigan is a silken-voiced Janis Joplin, framed by the inventive riffs of guitarist Eric Anderson – the band’s muse and mad scientist - and the unhinged wallops of DC native drummer Brent Robbins. With the live show serving as the band’s only fix for nearly a year, Waking State infiltrated the DC music scene’s radar by building a reputation for incredibly passionate live performances, which have led to consistently sold-out shows - including their November, 2005 CD release party at the nationally renown IOTA Club and Café.

Waking State’s polished execution and stadium-sized sound have not only raised the bar locally; the band is now a regional presence outside of DC as well, with a swelling fan base in towns such as Detroit, Cleveland, Boston and Philadelphia. A Spring tour is planned as Waking State prepares to conquer territory on both sides of the Mississippi, including a showcase at SXSW 2006, opening for Sarah Bettens of K’s Choice. While there are no guarantees - as this battle-tested rock band knows all too well - devout followers and newbies alike can rest assured that no matter what happens, Waking State is here to stay.

“Hang On” was produced by Ted Comerford (Maverick Records, Ebo, Virginia Coalition), mixed by Paul David Hager (Avril Lavigne, The Donnas, Butch Walker), and mastered by Brent Lambert (Squirrel Nut Zippers, Carbon Leaf). Waking State music is distributed by The Orchard.

For more information, contact Chris Condo at 571-213-1200, or write to manager@wakingstate.net
Visit http://wakingstate.net and http://myspace.com/wakingstate

Instrumentation

Morrigan - vocals, backing guitars
Eric Anderson - guitars, backing vocals
Nach Horn - bass
Brent Robbins - drums, percussion

Discography

Debut CD released October 31, 2005.
Produced by Ted Comerford
Mixed by Paul David Hager

"Awake Asleep" single, unofficial release March 4, 2006.
Produced by Scott Spelbring and Waking State
Mixed by Jim Ebert

Audio

Lyrics

• Hang On
• My Offering
• If You're the Devil
• Awake Asleep

Video

Photo Gallery

Press

• In A Waking State [+ Show ]
  

  "Waking State's vocal and guitar lines seem to stalk as much as entertain the listener, and the inve..."Waking State's vocal and guitar lines seem to stalk as much as entertain the listener, and the inventive, layered production on their latest offering, "Hang On," helps to complete a mixture that is moody, volatile, and at the same time spiritually affirming." -Matt Cheplic

• Review of CD "Hang On" [+ Show ]
  

  "Evocative and dynamic...echoes of the Pixies and Mazzy Star...This is modern alternative rock gone ..."Evocative and dynamic...echoes of the Pixies and Mazzy Star...This is modern alternative rock gone pop, with classic rock structures." -Gary Hill

• Show review 5/4/06 [+ Show ]
  

  "I have seen Waking State several times in the past year and was used to the band I knew that brough..."I have seen Waking State several times in the past year and was used to the band I knew that brought a raw and perfectly balanced blend of original rock that left everyone wanting more. The acoustic show proved that point; from beginning to end they had the audience in a complete trance..." - Wes Neidig, Locals Only Radio

• Waking State
  

  "Energetic live show and powerful sound...the area's most promising rock band." - Jeff Jones

• DJ Quotes [+ Show ]
  

  "You must pay attention to this band!" -Billy Zero, XM Radio "Loved Waking State within the fir..."You must pay attention to this band!"
  -Billy Zero, XM Radio
  
  "Loved Waking State within the first 30 seconds of hearing them...definitely one of the most exciting bands rocking DC today!"
  -Jenni Chase, Z104 (DC)
  
  "This is a band that cannot be ignored." -Greg Roche, DC101
  

Setlist

Waking State plays all original music

Basic Requirements

Calendar