Alpha Rev

Artist Information

Biography

Alpha Rev is a journey into the depths of the human experience. Frontman Casey McPherson’s “supremely gifted songwriting” and rock inspired vocals mix with the classical instrumentation of a cello and an emotionally gripping violin, creating a multi-layered sound that “simply explode[s] with unrestrainable power.” (Soundcheck Magazine’s SXSW coverage). Their sound is reminiscent of such groundbreakers like Led Zeppelin, the Stones, and Radiohead. Their orchestral rock compilations have a sound that separates it from “a zillion competitors,” as McPherson’s own painful background helped form a band that produces music with a searing yet inspiring depth. (Fort Worth Star Telegram).

Home schooled in small town Texas, McPherson was classically trained as a child on piano for 12 years, and learned to play guitar left handed after figuring out it only worked when he played it upside down. The first band he started, Endochine, performed with Staind, Red Hot Chili Peppers, and Pete Yorn all over the U.S. During this time, McPherson lost his only brother and father to suicide. Although the band was succeeding on many levels, Endochine broke up as touring took it’s toll and Casey began to realize that his music, and his life, needed to take a turn in a more positive direction.

Finding meaning through these tragic experiences resulted in Alpha Rev’s groundbreaking sound that connects with people at their core. With Alpha Rev, McPherson’s songwriting dares others to search out hope in the bleakest of circumstances, including his own. The result is soulful American rock, and a sound that inspires others in meaningful ways. As Austin’s famous landmark club Antone’s raved on their website “witness Casey in action and you know God made this man to play music.”

While Alpha Rev continues to gain momentum with notable festival and television appearances, songs licensed on MTV, and increasing radio play throughout Texas, McPherson has continued to expand his efforts in mental health awareness.
The electric strings of Brian Batch and Dave Wiley, combined with a sultry rhythm section of Alex Dunlap,Tommy Roalson, and Candy Sanders’ “Ella Fitzgerald” style harmonies finally have come together with Casey in Alpha Rev’s first full length record produced by Matchbox Studio’s Dwight Baker (Zykos, Kelly Clarkson, Heart) in conjunction with Austin indie label Flyer Records. A release date and title for the record will soon be announced. McPherson’s pain, hope, and redemption resonates through every note of the record.


Extra Notes

• McPherson’s song “Colder Months” won the 2007 Sonicbids Snocap/American Songwriter contest. Casey will be featured in the November/December issue of American Songwriter Magazine as one of the best new up and coming songwriters, and the song will be distributed to a readership of over 30,000.
• Selected to showcase at NACA (National Association of Campus Activities) showcase in Little Rock Arkansas, for all states in the central U.S. /2007
* Selected to showcase at NACA National Convention in St. Louis, Mo. in Feb. 2008 for all U.S. colleges
* Selected to showcase at TAFE (Texas Association of Fairs and Events) in Austin 2008
• Showcasing in NY,NY at CMJ (College Music Journal)/2007
* Showcasing in Austin for SXSW 2008
• Myspace following well over 30,000 and counting
• Casey McPherson has recently filmed public service announcements for the Mental Health Association of America on suicide prevention
• Started a syndicated college radio program on suicide prevention, in association with “Better off Rock’d,” an organization that helps teens and young adults cope with mental health issues
• The song “Colder Months” was selected for the c.d. compilation “Breaking the Silence”
* McPherson has been selected as a featured artist for the 10th annual Jeff Buckley tribute at Uncommon Ground in Chicago Nov 17-19.
• Featured artists on mycoke.com
• Songs licensed by MTV: Underaged and Engaged; The Real World
• Radio play in Austin on KROX 101.5, KGSR 107.1, KLBJ 93.7 , and in Seattle on KEXP 90.3
• “Lower me Down” featured in the independent film “Pineapple”
• The first unsigned band on Yahoo! Music
• Alpha Rev is the subject of a documentary currently in production
* Selected by Austin Monthly Magazine as top band most likely to succeed out of Austin in 2008

Performance History

Festival Performances/Notable shows

• Summerfest 2007 in Milwaukee with Blue October
• Whitewater Amphitheatre 2007 with Blue October
• CMJ (College Music Journal) Showcase 2007/NY, NY
• NACA (National Association of Campus Activities) Showcase, central states, 2007
• Texas State Fair 2007 with Bowling for Soup
• Heart of Texas Rockfest
* Batfest 2007

National Acts Opened For

• Blue October
• Bowling for Soup
• Spoon
• Jet
• Bob Schneider
• Mellowdrome
• The Burden Brothers
• Staind
• The Red Hot Chili Peppers

Instrumentation

Casey McPherson - Guitar, Vocals, Keyboards
Alex Dunlap - Bass Guitar
Tommy Roalson - Drums
Brian Batch - Violin, Guitar
Dave Wiley - Cello, Guitar
Derek Morris - Keyboards

Discography

Endochine with Casey McPherson
2000 “I”
2002 “Day Two

with Alpha Rev
01/2006 - Alpha Rev (EP)
03/2007 - The Greatest Thing I've Ever Learned (LP) (recorded without full band)
2008 New Album – release date and title TBA. Originally recorded by Flyer Records.


"The Beauty of Falling Down" (EP) - Radio adds on KROX 101.5 (Austin), KLBJ 93.7 (Austin) and KEXP 90.3 (Seattle)

Links

• Flyer Records Myspace
• http://www.myspace.com/alpharev

Audio

• Phoenix Burn
  Listen  
• Upside Down
  Listen  
• Perfect Love
  Listen  
• Give It Up
  Listen  
• Colder Months
  Listen  
• The Right Place
  Listen  

Lyrics

• Colder Months

Video

Alpha Rev

Photo Gallery

Press

• 03/18/06 - Heart of Texas Festival 2006 [+ Show ]
  

  "Alpha Rev have "hit makers" written all over them and are easily the most accomplished and polished..."Alpha Rev have "hit makers" written all over them and are easily the most accomplished and polished artist that the Heart Of Texas has to offer, offering something unique to many bands these days - a real soul and simultaneously a radio-friendly presence. It can only be a matter of time before they're all over mainstream media and everyone is claiming to have seen them first."
  

• 10/05/06 - Alpha Rev/Alpha Rev EP Release [+ Show ]
  

  "McPherson...introduced the world to Alpha Rev. With sweeping, grandiose melodies backed by a violi..."McPherson...introduced the world to Alpha Rev. With sweeping, grandiose melodies backed by a violin, a cello, and lusty background vocals, McPherson's achingly sweet voice has finally found a musical context that does him justice, and the result is both exhilarating and sobering. Simply, undeniably, and overwhelmingly beautiful."

• 04/21/07 - Performance Review [+ Show ]
  

  "The most obvious difference between this band and its zillion competitors in Austin is the instrume..."The most obvious difference between this band and its zillion competitors in Austin is the instrumentation. . . . the result is a more deeply textured, often orchestral sound that allowed the band to take a variety of approaches to its material. This band certainly deserves to be heard."
  

• 02/14/06 - EP Review [+ Show ]
  

  "Atmospheric and dreamy...this is a beautiful produced EP with big orchestral sounding pop tunes. Tr..."Atmospheric and dreamy...this is a beautiful produced EP with big orchestral sounding pop tunes. Truly something for all hi-fi lovers out there!"
  

• Austin Chronicle ACL Preview [+ Show ]
  

  "Austin's Casey McPherson has played ACL Fest before with his former band Endochine. Since then, the..."Austin's Casey McPherson has played ACL Fest before with his former band Endochine. Since then, the Bono-meets-Jeff Buckley crooner has earned a devout following with a newfound solo career and mastery of the networking site MySpace."
  

• Houston Press Online [+ Show ]
  

  "This band is not afraid to bring the rock...the band frequents the sonic landscape of the British I..."This band is not afraid to bring the rock...the band frequents the sonic landscape of the British Isles but is definitely not British: American roots (and roots-rock) abound, as on "Phoenix Burn.""

• Alpha Rev at Stubb's [+ Show ]
  

  "The lineup [at Stubb's] showed the increasing power of pop/rock sensibilities from beginning to end..."The lineup [at Stubb's] showed the increasing power of pop/rock sensibilities from beginning to end... it featured some of the most attractive musicians in one showcase seen in years... the members of Alpha Rev are some of the friendliest rock stars I have mingled with [and] their kind demeanor translated into a stellar show that kept the crowd bobbing along."

• Blue October/Jason Mraz/Bob Schneider [+ Show ]
  

  "Casey McPherson, I mean he's the bomb in my eyes...I'm very proud to have him on the same stage and..."Casey McPherson, I mean he's the bomb in my eyes...I'm very proud to have him on the same stage and I'd love to have more shows with him."
  - Justin Furstenfeld from Blue October, 101X Uncut Interview
  
  "Casey is my favorite left handed producer of rock tears and goose bumps."
  - Jason Mraz
  
  "I love Alpha Rev's melodies...this is a must buy."
  - Bob Schneider

• 10/2/2007 [+ Show ]
  

  "It's evident that [Alpha Rev's] influences are more of the classic rock and I don't mean the oldie ..."It's evident that [Alpha Rev's] influences are more of the classic rock and I don't mean the oldie but moldy variety, but rather the rowdier forms of alt-rock . . . like Genesis, the Who, Yes, Moody Blues and Pink Floyd, to name a few. These are bands from an era referred by many as rock and roll's finest hour. . . I have no doubt that Alpha Rev will continue to be successful in the competitive world of Austin, but in their music, they also have the appeal and ability to jump the Texas border.. . having heard Alpha Rev's studio efforts and their live performance, I wouldn't be surprised in the least if they made the Billboard charts next year."

• MMF E news/CMJ 2007 [+ Show ]
  

  "The showcase was a huge success with a turn-away, full capacity crowd reached by Alpha Rev's set. ...."The showcase was a huge success with a turn-away, full capacity crowd reached by Alpha Rev's set. . . Alpha Rev, led by singer/songwriter Casey McPherson, featured his soaring vocals alone on stage first, then later complimented by a full band set of various stringed instruments and rhythm section levitating the room with their epic final song [Fade]."

Setlist

Original material to fill multiple 45 minute sets.

Basic Requirements

Calendar