The Paper Sons

Artist Information

Biography

The Paper Sons deliver spacey and soulful hard rock on their first full-length album, In the Throes....

Due out March 2010 via minus HEAD Records, In the Throes... conjures a new kind of progressive. Cuts like "Blackout" and "Set in Motion" seesaw from hypnotic hooks and swirling melodies to gnashing riffs and pulsating rhythms. Meanwhile, "The Tides" creates a pensive, poignant sonic trip. Fran Dickinson's bass rumbles with a guttural groove, while Dennis Rodriguez pounds out heavy blues beats and Phil Pristia's riffs crash from chaos into clarity. Over this backdrop, singer Tom McCullough bleeds poetic lyrics through an undeniable delivery.

The Paper Sons officially came together in 2007. Tom joined up with Phil, Dennis and Fran who had been playing together since 2003. After only five months of jamming together, they released their Fine Line EP and began to carve out a devoted fan base in Northern California. They followed up Fine Line with the digital release, Underground, in 2008. However, all of this paved the way for In the Throes....

Their new offering seamlessly blends heavy rock grit with classic soul gusto. Tom explains, "I'm a huge soul, R&B and hip hop fan. I've always loved to sing, and soul is a huge part of our sound. It just happens naturally. Every single song is a story as I'm very literal with the lyrics. I always feel like the music comes in at a spiritual level. Specific notes mean certain feelings, and everyone understands those. People can identify these songs with moments in their lives or past experiences. We want our music to help heal."

Songs like "Blackout" definitely have that power. It's a swirling heavy rock track that could stand proudly alongside classic heavy alternative from Deftones or Queens of the Stone Age. "Blackout" will be released on a 7-inch vinyl along with "Catch and Release" in January 2010, and it's the perfect intro to the band's sound. About their style, Phil continues, "I want people to feel the emotions in the music and get close to the songs. We really tried to capture that emotional element first."

The band's live show has garnered the attention of the San Francisco scene, and their presence continues to gain them new fans at every gig. It's because the music and the show are equally honest. "We don't want to sound contrived, and we don't want the music to feel over-thought," says Phil. "Many artists feel like there's a certain creative formula to follow. However, for us, if we're sure it feels right, we bring it to the crowd. I want people to take away a serious side and a fun side—the whole spectrum."

There's also a deep history tied to the band's moniker. Tom goes on, "Fran's a teacher, and he told us about the story of The Paper Sons. After the San Francisco fire of 1906, all of the immigration paperwork got burned, but these Chinese immigrants found a way to get around the system. They used forged paperwork to say they were American sons. This way, folks in San Francisco could find a way for other people to come from China. It's a plain and humble name, and we were all attracted to that. It can mean everything or nothing."

The name is just as universal as The Paper Sons' sound. The album title also perfectly sums up the band's mentality. "In the Throes means persevering through a state of chaos," says Tom. "At the same time, we never want to take the element of fun out of it. If you want to hear solid some rock n' roll, our music is good for you."

It's impossible not to feel good In the Throes... with The Paper Sons.— Rick Florino

Instrumentation

Tom McCullough - Vocals
Phil Pristia - Guitar
Fran Dickinson - Bass
Dennis Rodriguez - Drums

Discography

In the Throes... (minus HEAD Records March 30th 2010)
(Radio Airplay on: "Blackout", "Catch & Release", "Set in Motion", "Underground")

Blackout 7 inch LP (minus HEAD Records 2010)

Underground EP - self released in 2008 (Released Nov. 16th 2010 minus HEAD Records)

Fineline EP (self released 2007)

Links

• Facebook
• MySpace
• Twitter
• Last.fm
• YouTube Channel
• Amazon
• Reverb Nation

Audio

• Blackout
  Listen  
• Set in Motion
  Listen  
• Catch & Release
  Listen  
• Take Your Time
  Listen  
• Long Way Home
  Listen  

Lyrics

• Let Me Go
• Now I Know
• Blackout
• Restless
• The Tides
• Set in Motion

Video

Photo Gallery

Press

• OurStage.com Liner Notes: The Paper Sons- [+ Show ]
  

  One of the stalwarts of the OurStage Rock Channels is San Francisco’s The Paper Sons. Since 2007, th...One of the stalwarts of the OurStage Rock Channels is San Francisco’s The Paper Sons. Since 2007, this Bay Area four-piece has been churning out solid recordings such as their Fine Line EP and their digital-only release Underground. Fresh off the heels of their latest release on minus HEAD Records, In the Throes…, is their track “Blackout” which has been getting quite a few plays in the Alternative Charts thanks to its progressive melodies and a hard rock edge. The band’s singer gave us the inside scoop on the new track:
  
  The song “Blackout” started as a rough recording that (guitarist) Phil and I had laid down last winter at Secret Studios. Normally, we get to the studio, plug the computer into the mixing board and press record. Just plug in and go! For some reason, that day, the board just wasn’t cooperating. The only way to document the idea was through a built-in mic from my laptop. If you’ve ever made a live recording with a laptop mic, you’ll know what I mean when I say the quality was beyond poor. The crash symbols had drowned out the melody and the guitar crumbled whatever was left of the songs coherency. However, with all the confusion, there was something about the melody, combined with the over-all aggressiveness of the percussion that seemed to overshadow its humble form. The time signature for the song is somewhere between a “four, four” and a “six, six.” It might give the song a subtle “whip.” We wanted each phrase and measure to snap back and hit the air. I think we couldn’t decide whether it should be a “swing” or “stomp.” The end would be a combination of the two.
  
  For the lyrical content I reflected on a recent break-up I’d been dealing with. I had a lot of questions that ultimately couldn’t be answered. The title “Blackout” refers to the moments in a relationship that we choose to “Blackout” or forget voluntarily or involuntarily to protect the illusion of happiness. I found that some people tend to hold onto all the positive things about their life while ignoring the struggles and conflicts that got them their in the first place. Others hold onto the latter and forget about all the positive experiences they’ve had. I think it’s good to have a balance between the two if you want a healthy relationship with anyone.
  
  “Blackout” was recorded last summer at “Nu-tone” Recordings in Pittsburg, CA. Our engineer was the “great” Willie Samuels. We couldn’t be happier with the end result. It has a big sound that doesn’t take away from its subtle and brewing intensity. “Blackout” is one of my favorite tracks on the album. We hope you enjoy it to!
  
  By Sam Coren
  

• Underground EP review [+ Show ]
  

  The Paper Sons have been cranking out Indie Rock from the Bay Area since 2007 and each release seems...The Paper Sons have been cranking out Indie Rock from the Bay Area since 2007 and each release seems more polished than the last. Underground EP draws you in with the dynamically self-titled first track. By pounding electric rock rhythms while balancing out a deeply smooth and intriguing breakdown, the band is right back into contagious rhythms again. Tom McCullough has a great voice for this type of indie music and the harmonizing with guitarist Phil Pristia works beautifully. Overall, I was impressed with the dynamic feel of the re-released EP, utilizing a great amount of push and shove emotional/musical tension with full release. These guys are clearly musicians that love their music and it shows in the well thought out songwriting. Personally, I find this quite a refreshing splash of independent Rock’n”Roll and I encourage all fans of the genre to check out this hardworking and great sounding band’s Underground EP out now on Minus Head Records.
  -Numerous
  

• Underground EP review (7 out of 10) Outburn #57 [+ Show ]
  

  (7 out of 10) Noodle Rock: "...the ethereal guitar break that descends halfway through the title tra...(7 out of 10) Noodle Rock: "...the ethereal guitar break that descends halfway through the title track, which opens the collection, is truly beautiful."
  -Dan Slessor

• In the Throes... review (8 of 10) Outburn #53 [+ Show ]
  

  All of the tracks on "In the Throes..."are haunted by the insidious and subterranean tones typical o...All of the tracks on "In the Throes..."are haunted by the insidious and subterranean tones typical of a band like Tool, and this can be put down to The Paper Sons' predilection for restrained chuggery and the ghostly vocals of Tom McCullough, who could be the lovechild of Maynard James Keenan and Vaux's Quentin Smith. This is not to say the eight tracks here are not compelling in their own right, the band's own (creepy) identity infects proceedings,and they stick to their guns in every one. "Blackout" is perhaps most immediate, driven by an insistent rhythm and pushing its mechanical riffs into your face before breaking into a chorus that is somehow simultaneously deeply ugly and gracefully beautiful. The chiming melodies on the chorus of the driving "Fall Apart" are also particularly affective, harking back to Under A Blood Red Sky era U2. The surge of the throbbing bass that underpins the track conveys an irresistible sense of urgency, as if they're impelling the listener to run alongside them as they race for sanctuary. Closing things out with the dreamy "The Tides" ensures that the uneven feeling they've succeeded in instilling in the listener lingers long after the speakers have fallen silent, subtly enticing you to return to their dark world.
  -Dan Slessor

• The Paper Sons — "It's not what you say, it's how you say it…" [+ Show ]
  

  The Paper Sons brilliantly bend and break rock 'n' roll conventions to their whim. That whim happens...The Paper Sons brilliantly bend and break rock 'n' roll conventions to their whim. That whim happens to be exceedingly refreshing, intriguing and unique. On their debut album, In The Throes…, The Paper Sons build simultaneously ethereal and crushing soundscapes, diving headfirst into the horrors of heartbreak and growing up. Sonically, the band sounds like the perfect middle ground White Pony-era Deftones and early Queens of the Stone Age—in other words, an aural headtrip worth taking again and again. For proof, just spin "Catch & Release" or the epic album closer, "The Tides."
  
  The Paper Sons frontman Tom McCullough spoke to ARTISTdirect.com editor and Dolor author Rick Florino in an exclusive interview about what's behind In the Throes…, some favorite poets and why it's all in the delivery…
  
  If In the Throes… were a movie, what would it be?
  
  It's kind of a tragedy, I guess [Laughs]. There's some pretty tragic stuff in there. The album runs the whole gamut from love to love lost to healing. It's probably a love story overall, though. Most of the songs are about to holding on to things that you love. Some things just don't work out, and some things fizzle off in the midst of other issues going on. It was mostly written about how you lose people because of some things, but you've got to follow your dreams. Some people disagree with it, while others stick around. You figure out who your real friends are and people that are close to you. It's definitely about the healing process. That's a good question…
  
  Is the album also about growing up?
  
  Yes, it's definitely about growing up. I wrote this when I was in the midst of my first year after getting out of college—the real world sort of sets in at that point [Laughs]. I had to talk about my real world experiences, whether they're as far back as middle school to right now. It's a culmination of all those things. It was a learning experience, and I grew up through all that. A lot of the album is based on relationships and breakups. I can't seem to get rid of that [Laughs]. It's not easy with being in a band. If you dated somebody before you joined the band and you take that step and starting taking it seriously that can cause a lot of conflict because that person may think you need to do something different or they didn't expect you to do that. It's hard because it's like your choosing between the person and the band, until you find somebody who just wants you, wants you to be happy and wants you to do what you want to do. A lot of the songs are about a specific breakup that ended that way.
  
  You've got to follow what's right for you because that'll lead to the best music. There's a real honesty to what you do.
  
  I can't really hide that; and I figured that out pretty early on. I have to be completely honest in the lyrics and completely forthright with everything. The honesty has to be there for me to make a coherent song and write coherent lyrics. It's a pleading for, not necessarily acceptance, but something bigger, I think. I try to leave out some of the anger, but I think it shines through a little bit. There's some anger there and a lot of resentment but coming to terms with that. Time heals that for the most part, but it's still pretty painful when you think about it—depending on how much time you spent with these people that wanted you to do a specific thing, it can still resonate later on.
  
  How do lyrics typically come about?
  
  It's natural. When we get in there to write, we'll figure out melodies. I'll have poems and things like that written out, but I generally go in and let the music dictate what I'm going to write. I don't do a whole lot of reading before I go into writing, but I'm reading the song, so to speak. I read how it feels to me and go from there. I listen to the music over and over again, and then I write the lyrics.
  
  Who are some of your favorite poets?
  
  I like Edgar Allan Poe! I got this really old book of American poets, and that was cool! I've read some of John Lennon's poetry, and that guy was pretty tripped out! I like a lot of that. I spend a lot of my time listening to the music and writing poetry. Growing up I didn't have a whole lot of exposure to that dark side of poetry. It didn't really register to me until I started writing music. I got into a lot of old school hip hop and rhyming, and I still linger in that period. Having that rhyme can really captivate people's memory. That's what I latched on to as a kid—the delivery of all of these really great hip hop artists. Then I got into rock. I began to think, "If these guys can deliver it so well, they can say anything." I don't want to strictly stick to rhyming though, now I want to get into delivery and the concept of how I sing it and what really needs to be said. I can only write so many songs about broken hearts and people I don't trust. I want to expand and start experimenting with the idea of delivery more. To be on point with the tempos is something I hold dear. I'm not the most outgoing person, but when I'm on stage that's when I get to be really outgoing and the delivery comes into play. Hopefully people can relate to what I'm talking about in the songs…
  
  —Rick Florino
  03.17.10

• In the Throes... album review [+ Show ]
  

  "In the Throes is a great example of an album that gives careful attention to the detail of high qua..."In the Throes is a great example of an album that gives careful attention to the detail of high quality recording. From top to bottom, this album sounds superb in terms of production quality, with a heavy emphasis on the underlying frequencies that make for a very stellar listening experience. In terms of musical quality, I love what The Paper Sons are doing. I see it as a very fine blend between the raw edge you would expect in today's rock music and a more experimental and airy approach to the vocal melodies. Personally, hard-driven "power" rock really gets my blood pumping, but I find that the more blended approach of power and melodies on this album opens the door for a more diverse group of potential listeners to enjoy. Fresh off the Minus Head Records roster, this is definitely an album worthy of your precious music-listening time."
  -Numerous

• YMM SF Finals [+ Show ]
  

  The Paper Sons take 2nd place in the Your Music Magazine San Francisco Band Olympicks Finals. YMM ...The Paper Sons take 2nd place in the Your Music Magazine San Francisco Band Olympicks Finals.
  YMM #75
  
  Please follow link for full article.

• Interview with Tom McCullough
  

  Interview with Brian Crabtree

• YMM band Olympicks San Francisco
  

  Your Music Magazine band Olympicks San Francisco

• Long Way Home #1 on Songplanet! [+ Show ]
  

  The Paper Sons have had two tracks chart in the top ten over the last two months. "underground" rea...The Paper Sons have had two tracks chart in the top ten over the last two months. "underground" reached as high as number 3 on the charts in the months of May and June. Mike Cameo even listed "underground" as one of the top 10 songs in indie rock for the month of August. Check out his podcast, indiestop10.com for more info.
  
  Long Way Home charted #1 just 8 days after being uploaded to the songplanet.com archives.
  
  The Paper Sons headline a Bay Area show on Saturday September 20th, 2008 at Bottom of the Hill.
  
  

• Featured Artist: The PaperSons [+ Show ]
  

  Imeem.com featured The PaperSons this week(starting 9/4/07) on their music page. This honor has inc...Imeem.com featured The PaperSons this week(starting 9/4/07) on their music page. This honor has increased the visibility of the The PaperSons on imeem and exposed them to a whole new fan base.

• 5 Stars: The PaperSons [+ Show ]
  

  The Papersons, formerly known as Midnight in a Perfect World, bounced back onto the music scene with...The Papersons, formerly known as Midnight in a Perfect World, bounced back onto the music scene without missing a beat after Sean Cass (lead singer for MIAPW) parted ways with the group around March of 2007. I am truly impressed with the groups ability to continue to make great music. Their new singer, Tom McCullough, fits in perfectly with the sound, chemistry & energy of The Papersons. It is always a pleasure to see this group live.
  
  http://www.baymusicscene.com/band/reviews.php?id=872

• THE PAPER SONS RELEASE DEBUT ALBUM, IN THE THROES…, ON MAR. 2 [+ Show ]
  

  Dec. 17 -- San Francisco-based quartet, The Paper Sons, are set to release their debut album, In...
  
  Dec. 17 -- San Francisco-based quartet, The Paper Sons, are set to release their debut album, In The Throes…, on Mar. 2 via minus HEAD Records.
  
  A relative newcomer to the Northern California touring circuit, over the past two years the band has carved out a loyal following with the release of two self-released EPs (Fine Line and Underground) and a unique musical hybrid of soul meets progressive metal. Singer Tom McCullough, explains, “I'm a huge soul, R&B and hip hop fan. I've always loved to sing, and soul is a huge part of our sound. It just happens naturally.”
  
  A number of Bay Area outlets have extolled the band’s music and live shows including SFist, Your Music Magazine, The Onion (San Francisco) and others.
  
  The first single, “Blackout,” will be released on 7-inch vinyl in mid-January with their next live performance slated for Jan. 15 at Club Six in San Francisco. minus HEAD Records is currently streaming "Blackout" on their MySpace page, listen here: http://www.myspace.com/minusheadrecords.

Setlist

35 - 45 minutes of all original rock/alternative music.

Basic Requirements

Calendar