CampX

Artist Information

Biography

Sometime over the past decade, commercial rock has been given a bad rap. While the general public’s thirst for the genre has been largely incessant since the days of Led Zeppelin, hipster distaste for the commercial aspects of the genre have become a voice seemingly louder than any other.
Longevity. Career-oriented. These terms mean little to the one-hit wonders of the world. Yet the bulk of musicians want to go about building their music career the good old-fashioned way: Working for it.
Enter Toronto rock band CampX, a melodic modern rock band that wants to dispel the myth that modern rock or commercial rock if you will, lacks substance. Camp X is ready to make their mark upon the world.
“We wouldn’t be here right now if we didn’t have a hunger to want to be successful with what we do. If you look up the word persistence in the dictionary, our picture should be there.”
So begins CampX front man Andrew Carswell.
Together with CampX bassist Aaron Okada, Carswell and Okada have been slugging it out together under the CampX moniker since 2009.
“Andrew and I played together on and off for a number
of years,” Okada affirms. “At the time we originally started playing, we had a completely different drummer and had also gone through a couple of lead guitarists.
Carswell’s brother Paul would join the band who are rounded out by drummer Jay Corby.
The band had the opportunity to flex their muscle on “Limited Edition”, an appropriately named, low profile 2009 release. As the group prepares to launch their new EP, the CampX work ethic comes to the forefront.
“Songwriting is something that is shared amongst all of us in the band,” Okada says. “We’re all songwriters sharing a common goal of wanting to write music that makes a connection with people.”
“We want to elicit something more than just a superficial connection with our fans. Music can be such a powerful tool to elicit emotion from people,” Carswell says. “I could write a song in two hours if I wanted to. The problem with that is that I have to believe in what I am saying. People can see through you when you are not being true to yourself or when you are pretending to be something that you are not. Pop music is great for making you want to dance; no one really pays attention to the lyrics in pop music.”
Fortunately for CampX, establishing life-long connections with their fans has come relatively easily for the group. How else might one explain the group being invited to perform on WRCN’s The Real Radio Show on three different occasions?
After an unforeseen and subsequently unfortunate delay at the U.S.-Canada border while attempting to make their WRCN debut, the group missed the opportunity to perform with Wonder Mike of the legendary Sugarhill Gang fame.
Mind you, their consolation prize didn’t turn out to be too shabby either: CampX was given the chance to perform with Blue Coupe, a classic rock trio / super group of sorts comprised of former members of Blue Oyster Cult along with Dennis Dunaway from Alice Cooper’s band. Not only did CampX get to humbly mingle with the classic rock legends, their set drew such a significant crowd of pedestrians that the NYPD was called in to lend a hand. CampX will be featured on The Real Radio Show’s NBC network debut later this year.
When it came to the making of the new CampX EP, it is safe to assume that CampX embraced the all-for-one, one-for-all mindset. Comprised of three newly written songs along with what the group felt was three of their strongest songs from their past. Neither Carswell nor Okada shy away from the fact that the six songs contained on the EP are rather commercial-sounding; very radio friendly.
Many bands however do not embrace writing music for a specific outlet including radio. This calls into question the whole artistic integrity versus commercial viability. What many fail to realize however is that writing songs that are naturally radio-friendly does not automatically compromise the band’s integrity.
“I think that if you really wanted to, you could make arguments both for and against writing music that is going to fit alongside what you are hearing on modern rock radio,” Carswell surmises. “But some people feel as though not as much artistry goes into writing music that could be played on the radio. Nothing could be further from the truth with CampX as far as we are concerned.”
“I believe that a lot of artists wrestle with the commercial viability versus artistic integrity issue,” Okada says.
“What we feel is great about our new release is that we found a happy balance of these two things,” Carswell continues. “We are very happy with the artistry that has gone into writing and brining these songs to life. As a band, we embrace our music having many layers and textures to it. We have always tried to write music that was dynamic and that balanced those soft moments with other moments that are more powerful.

Instrumentation

Andrew Carswell - Lead Vocals, Guitars
Paul Carswell - Keyboards, Background Vocals
Jay Corby - Drums, Percussion
Aaron Okada - Bass, Background Vocals
Chris Palazzo - guitars

Discography

Streaming tracks and downloads available on CampX Facebook Page and Official Website.

Official Website

http://www.campxmusic.com

Links

• Facebook
• Twitter
• MySpace
• YouTube
• ReverbNation

Audio

• Revelation #2
  Listen  
• Deadman Walking
  Listen  
• The Killing Kind
  Listen  
• Perfect Day
  Listen  
• Shine
  Listen  

Lyrics

• The Killing Kind
• Perfect Day

Video

CampX - When I Was King.mov

CampX Fan Video - Raise A Glass.mp4

Photo Gallery

Press

• Joe Bouchard Speaks About CampX [+ Show ]
  

  CampX is a dedicated young band. They recently came to New York City to do a radio show where I was...CampX is a dedicated young band. They recently came to New York City to do a radio show where I was a guest. They rocked their butts off. It was great to hear a new band that shows so much promise. Check out CampX!

• The Unsigned Band Review - Raw Warwick [+ Show ]
  

  CampX are a dynamic force of swirling psychedelic piano melodies combined with a rough, gritty hard-...CampX are a dynamic force of swirling psychedelic piano melodies combined with a rough, gritty hard-rock passion. Their danceable, fun-filled classic rock sound is delivered with hard-hitting execution, especially by the confident, robust vocals. They seem to be a very professional band who are well experienced in how to carry forth their musical zeal through the speakers and on to the listening public. Very much looking forward to hearing more from them.

• Bigger Than Beyonce - Caitlin Hoffman [+ Show ]
  

  Camp X is mighty mainstream, surely radio-bound. They rake in emotions by the pound, unafraid to exp...Camp X is mighty mainstream, surely radio-bound. They rake in emotions by the pound, unafraid to express.
  I can imagine a woman blasting their songs while she drives into the horizon, ready to change her name and start a new life. Their music gives you little glimpses into other people’s lives. They’d make a great addition to any soundtrack, any heart-felt trailer, any evening of self-reflection.
  At this point, they’re working to gather a fanbase and get the grapevine brewing. They are geared towards the future, all too eager to see success on the horizon. I’m doing my part to help them get there.
  If you like Kings of Leon, U2, or any other band born on the stage, you’ll like Camp X.
  Coming soon to a rock station near you.
  

• The Unsigned Band Review - Pete Donaldson [+ Show ]
  

  Very fond of this - why these guys aren't hee-uge I'll never know - like Spacehog meets Suede, and w...Very fond of this - why these guys aren't hee-uge I'll never know - like Spacehog meets Suede, and who doesn't want to fill their ears with that particular amalgam.

• The Edge CFNY 102.1 Toronto - Derek The Blind Movie Reviewer [+ Show ]
  

  Whether you're listening to their tunes or experiencing their live show. CampX will not only enterta...Whether you're listening to their tunes or experiencing their live show. CampX will not only entertain you; they'll leave a serious impact on you! So much talent on one stage!
  

• RPM Music Picks - Rick Parnell [+ Show ]
  

  Here’s a rock band designed to be big. The first comparison that comes to mind is U2. Everything is ...Here’s a rock band designed to be big. The first comparison that comes to mind is U2. Everything is tight without losing the distinctive quality in each of the musicians’ individual contributions. There is a tension that plays out between the lead guitar and the vocals, and both are solid. This is music meant for a big room that still plays well out of small speakers. CampX helps me think big.
  

• The Real Radio Show WRCN 103.9 Long Island - Henry K [+ Show ]
  

  CampX Rocks! We had them here on The Real Radio Show & they turned heads in Times Square. This is a...CampX Rocks! We had them here on The Real Radio Show & they turned heads in Times Square. This is a band on the move & a pleasure to have had on the show!
  

Setlist

A CampX set could be up to 120 minutes if needed.
Killing Kind
Into The War
Shine
Whatever You Want
When I Was King
As Good As It Gets
Raise A Glass
Perfect Day
Weightless
Guilt
Is This Real
Dead Man Walking
Heaven Knows
Everyone's Hiding
Once
Hopelessly
One Radio
Living Through Me
Revelation #2

Basic Requirements

Calendar