STEMM

Artist Information

Biography

STEMM PRESS BIO 2008

“This new STEMM CD is our Vulgar Display of Power” states lead vocalist / guitarist Joe Cafarella.

Comparing their latest release, ‘Blood Scent’ (Catch 22 Records) to the epic release by the Metal Gods, Pantera is admittedly making a bold statement, but Cafarella will not budge in his reasoning. “There is a lot that went into the making of this CD. We are not saying that we are the next Pantera, that’s not even close to what I am saying. We just wanted to make a CD that would not pigeon hole us into a certain cliché sound. Let’s face it, Pantera made it on their live performances. While MTV was playing ‘Walk’ and ‘This Love’ us metal heads were cranking Fucking Hostile and Mouth for War. I am telling you that you will get that same type of feeling on the new STEMM CD as you would listening to Vulgar. And it’s just as real…

And very real “Blood Scent” is… Rising above the sea of ‘flavor of the week’ metal that is over saturating the industry, Buffalo, NY based STEMM is the band that delivers the fresh breath of air the metal world hasn’t witnessed since the vocal pitch corrector was invented.

Power packed with crushing guitar riffs, a rock solid rhythm section and a vocal technique comparable to that of James Hetfield, Phil Anselmo and Corey Taylor all put together like some metal frankenstein monster, this new release from STEMM will surely have every metal head out there running to the store for a beer instead of the eyeliner!

“We never followed the rules” says Cafarella. “Our entire career we have felt like the underdogs. No matter how many hoops we jumped through for the industry people, it just wasn’t good enough.” But STEMM found an ally in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) who took a liking to the band in the beginning stages of their musical career branding them as “The soundtrack to the UFC”….We wrote a song called ‘Face the Pain’ which became the theme song for the UFC. “The song honestly doesn’t represent what we stand as today musically because we were a young band when we wrote the song.” laughs Cafarella. But, the UFC still uses the song for all Pay-Per-View events as well as many other STEMM songs from the bands musical library which is also heard as background music for UFC / SPIKE TV programs “Ultimate Fighter” and “Unleashed”… We’re honored to be recognized in the MMA (Mixed Martial Arts) community and be able to cross over aggressive music with aggressive sport.”

***(at press time it was confirmed that the track “House of Cards” from the new STEMM release ‘Blood Scent’ was selected as the theme song for ‘UFC Wired’ hosted by Joe Rogan (Fear Factor / UFC commentator) on the Fox Network for the 2008 / 2009 season.)***

Indeed, the UFC has given STEMM the same type of exposure and publicity as a label would bring for any other band, placing their music on various UFC related video games available on X-Box and Play Station.“The beautiful thing about the UFC audience is that it is NOT limited to the metal community.” says bassist Steve Crowl. “It allows our music to cross over throughout alternative rock, metal, and hardcore genres.” This invaluable promotional asset gives STEMM the ability to reach through and appeal to a wide and eclectic audience of all ages most bands and publicists would kill for.

Believe it or not, this type of exposure has placed STEMM on the same stages as legendary rappers, RUN-DMC, hard rockers, GODSMACK to the outrageous SLIPKNOT.

A 2005 indie full length release, ‘Songs for the Incurable Heart’ brought a licensing deal through I Scream Records which sold over 6000 copies, putting STEMM on tour in support in support for, Chimaira, Mushroomhead, Trivium, Arch Enemy and Bleed The Sky.

Now, armed with their own national distribution deal which enabled the band to start their own label (CATCH 22 RECORDS) the release of their upcoming November 11th 2008 release, ‘Blood Scent’ will be unleashed to the world on their own terms. “We’re either too smart or too old” laughs Cafarella, when asked why the band never pursued a home with a major label. “We don’t think there is anyone out there who will work harder for this band besides ourselves and our fans. Some bands break because they never get the ‘big deal’. We, on the other hand, simply over stepped that boundary…..”

www.stemm.net
www.myspace.com/stemm
www.catch22records.com

Instrumentation

Joe Cafarella - Lead Guitar / Lead Vocals
Alex Scouten - Guitar
Steve Crowl - Bass
Dan Nelligan - Drums

Discography

***CD Releases***

UFC: Ultimate Beatdowns Volume I
Nitrus Records / DRT Entertainment / No Name Records
Released: 2004

STEMM EP: Independent
Released: 2004

STEMM: Songs for the Incurable Heart
I Scream Records
Released: 2006

STEMM: Blood Scent CD/DVD Combo
Catch 22 Records / MVD Entertainment Group
Release Date: November 11th 2008

***Video Game Releases***

UFC: Tapout 2 (available only on X-Box)
TDK Mediactive
Released: 2003

UFC: Sudden Impact (Available on X-Box and Playstation 2)
Global Star Software / Opus / Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc
Released:2004

MX World Tour Featuring Jamie Little (Available on X-Box and Playstation 2)
Crave Entertainment / Impulse Games
Released: 2005

Audio

• "Awake" ***Released worldwide: 2008 "Blood Scent" Catch 22 Records***
  Listen   Download
• "Blood Soaked" ***Released worldwide: 2008 "Blood Scent" Catch 22 Records***
  Listen   Download
• "House Of Cards" ***Released worldwide: 2008 "Blood Scent" Catch 22 Records***
  Listen   Download
• "FACE THE PAIN" ***UFC Theme Song*** Released worldwide: 2004 UFC: Ultimate Beatdowns Volume I: Nitrus Records / DRT Entertainment / No Name Records
  Listen   Download
• "MONSTER" ***Released worldwide: 2006 "Songs for the Incurable Heart" I Scream Records***
  Listen   Download

Lyrics

• Awake
• Blood Soaked
• House of Cards
• Monster

Video

Awake Video

Photo Gallery

Press

• I’ve never heard a mixture of... [+ Show ]
  

  "I’ve never heard a mixture of music so perfectly screaming for heavy rock airplay…it’s as if PANTER..."I’ve never heard a mixture of music so perfectly screaming for heavy rock airplay…it’s as if PANTERA and a tinge of the melodic hook from CROSSFADE broke one off in the ass of HATEBREED…without even offering to pick up the dinner check!!!"
  
  "This is easily the best produced Metal album since the days of PANTERA’s Far Beyond Driven and any KILLSWITCH ENGAGE album ever released…nothing can touch this one!"
  
  AWAY-TEAM.com
  by: Bam Bam
  www.away-team.com/cdreviews.php?subaction=showfull&id=1239292281&
  archive=&start_from=&ucat=3&

• Both New Schoolers and Old Schoolers should enjoy [+ Show ]
  

  "Stemm present Groove Metal / Metalcore in a different light, in which both New Schoolers and Old Sc..."Stemm present Groove Metal / Metalcore in a different light, in which both New Schoolers and Old Schoolers should enjoy."
  
  "In Stemm's singer you can find a happy mixture of Phil Anselmo, Cory Taylor of Slipknot and even Disturbed’s David Draiman. With insurance, this is a hell of a mixture."
  
  "Stemm is the best definition to how Metalcore should sound and act. With hope that upcoming Metalcore bands will learn from these people."
  
  METAL EXPRESS RADIO
  by: LIOR “STEINMETAL” STEIN
  www.metalexpressradio.com/menu.php?main=reviews&id=2945

• The UFC and Stemm make a great fit [+ Show ]
  

  "The UFC and Stemm make a great fit, as these dudes are real trench warfare guys, It translates into..."The UFC and Stemm make a great fit, as these dudes are real trench warfare guys, It translates into the power of the songs, adding impact to the more physical parts of the band’s tunes that some groups have to think about to get to."
  
  "Stemm are a real band who embody a region’s frustration yet also embrace the outside world with identity intact, their eyes peeled and knives sharpened. There is a human side and a raw element, like the vibe of Louisiana’s Down influenced (but still their own rumbling beast of carnival purity)"
  
  CRUSHER MAGAZINE
  by: Morgan Y. Evans
  www.crushermagazine.com/features11_08/featstemm.htm

• Power Metal [+ Show ]
  

  "Chugging guitar riffs, heavy themes & dynamic metal song structure, STEMM have a new cd out that cr..."Chugging guitar riffs, heavy themes & dynamic metal song structure, STEMM have a new cd out that crushes the competition!"
  
  "...they are a 4 piece band that plays music I’d best describe as “Power Metal”, which is a term that I first remember hearing Pantera use, & it really says it all! "
  
  -Bob Suehs, Rock-N-Roll Experience
  
  

• a sound that brings to mind Pantera and Metallica [+ Show ]
  

  "'Blood Scent' is hard-hitting, mean, and covers just about everything you need in a new metal act."..."'Blood Scent' is hard-hitting, mean, and covers just about everything you need in a new metal act."
  
  "This modern metalcore act brings the thunder, with crystalline radio-ready production and a sound that brings to mind Pantera and Metallica."
  
  GOATS DEN
  
  WWW.goatsend.blogspot.com/2009/03/stemm-blood-scent-cd.html

• Relentless and full of sound [+ Show ]
  

  "Relentless and full of sound makes you wake up quick and realize these guys aren’t fucking around."..."Relentless and full of sound makes you wake up quick and realize these guys aren’t fucking around."
  
  "STEMM are not afraid to show all sides of the band which entails the melody driven elements and their singer/guitarist Joe Cafarella not only has that rash rugged growl but damn the guy can sing."
  
  "If I had to describe the album on whole I would say fans of bands like Pantera-due to the metal guitar attacks that are equally shown from song to song, Mudvayne and even Chris Cornell with the vocal arrangements and the melody driven areas that intertwine easily with the metal backdrop of sound."
  
  THE DAILY ROCK
  EAST COAST ROMPER
  by: Stephanie Stevens
  
  www.thedailyrock.com/2009/03/16/stemm-blood-scent-cd-review/
  www.myspace.com/eastcoastromper

• Breath of fresh air! [+ Show ]
  

  I Scream Records' latest signing Stemm should be seen as a breath of fresh air to music listeners wh...I Scream Records' latest signing Stemm should be seen as a breath of fresh air to music listeners who feel that the metal/hardcore genre has been getting extremely stale. With their debut album, Songs for the Incurable Heart, the band breaches the lines that separate metal and hardcore with traditional hard rock. This creates a new and unique sound that fans of both genres should be able to appreciate.
  
  
  The vocals on this album are constantly changing, which helps keep it fresh throughout. Equal mic time is given to clean vocals and screaming, and the screaming styles seem to change quite a bit. One thing is clear from this release, and this is that both TJ Frost and Joe Cafarella really push their vocals to the limit. The singing on this album is what helps to set Stemm apart from other bands of this type, as they are closer to hard rock groups rather than metal or hardcore ones. The combination of these two styles work well, and is definitely something that Stemm should continue in the future.
  
  Each track on Songs for the Incurable Heart changes tempos, keeping things interesting. The album starts off with the hard-hitting, fast paced "The Memory Remains", and after a few fast paced tracks transitions into some slower ones. Another thing that should be mentioned is the drum work. Dan Nelligan does an excellent job and combines traditional hard rock drum patterns with staples of the metal genre, such as intense double bass work. Stemm's instrumentals sound a lot more hard rock oriented than metal, which helps them to stand out.
  
  Fans of hard rock music that don't mind a little bit of screaming will not want to miss Stemm's debut album. Likewise, metal fans who are growing tired of the same metalcore style guitar riffs and vocals will find Songs for the Incurable Heart to be a breath of fresh air. This album is definitely a surprise hit from I Scream Records, and hopefully the group will continue on to produce even more hit albums in the years to come.
  
  http://www.iscreamrecords.com/
  
  Chris Dahlberg
  16 January 2007

• STEMM have a new cd out that crushes the competition! [+ Show ]
  

  "Chugging guitar riffs, heavy themes & dynamic metal song structure, STEMM have a new cd out that cr..."Chugging guitar riffs, heavy themes & dynamic metal song structure, STEMM have a new cd out that crushes the competition!"
  
  Rock N Roll Experience
  www.angelfire.com/rock/e4/march2009.html

• Stemm is toeing a line between the better hacks and the true greats of popular modern metal. [+ Show ]
  

  Stemm is toeing a line between the better hacks and the true greats of popular modern metal. Eschew... Stemm is toeing a line between the better hacks and the true greats of popular modern metal. Eschewing even mid paced poppishness for a slower, almost numetal funk and riff combo, the singer, when screaming, is all hardcore flex, and when the melodious lyrics pop up he adds a throatiness that reminds me of Fear Factory, or even Sevendust who, in my opinion, were one of the few very good 'numetal' acts to come out of the 2000 popmetal scene. The compositions are actually compelling, in a more or less expected way, and so I have a hard time finding a real reason to dislike these songs. Moreover, the way the band performs them is without crap and with the idea to get the listener to forget all the popular bullshit and remember that metal CAN be both accessible and integral.
  
  A good, crisp and sharp recording complements the band's strengths and keep the energy level high. The musicianship is more than adequate, but certainly not on the Lamb of God tier. The only real drawback to all this is that the band, for all it's verve, is another popular modern metal band, so the vortex is sucking in the background no matter how hard you try to ignore it. If you can get zen on this thing you can get the metal you need from it. But if you can't you spend as much time thinking about the bands you don't want to hear anymore as you do thinking about this band, and that is a problem. There are clichés and you will hear them.
  
  The bottom line ends up positive, though. This four sing EP/Sampler had me nodding and losing myself even as I worked. Perhaps the brevity of the thing adds a little to it's charm, but I would like to hear a full length to see for myself. Great quality, great performances and great composing that even the specter of popmetal boredom can't completely shroud, this is a chugging little listen and gets a recommend.
  

• ***Face the pain with STEMM*** [+ Show ]
  

  ***Face the pain with STEMM*** It's Saturday night, the gladiators are preparing for battle. You ...***Face the pain with STEMM***
  
  It's Saturday night, the gladiators are preparing for battle. You hear the music and you know what's coming: the anticipation is growing; the blood is pumping, and the adrenalin levels are rising. Suddenly, an eruption of sound is unleashed followed by a barrage of heavy guitar riffs and repetitive beats of loud drums. The warrior screams "Time To End the Suffering" and begins the battle.
  
  The event is the UFC and the band behind the sound is STEMM. Since 2003, STEMM has been providing the sound and music of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) and has carved a mark for itself in the MMA extreme fighting and metal communities.
  
  Vocalist Joe's answer comes with a smile when being asked to choose between ultimate fighting styles 'ground & pound' or ‘submission of the senses' to describe their music, and he comes up their own style: "Fighting Through Life" Music.
  
  Five years into their existence, the four band members from Buffalo, New York, have been very successful. STEMM are Joe Cafarella (vocals, lead guitar), Steve Crowl (bass), Alex Scouten (guitar), and Dan Nelligan (drums). The band member's influences are wide-ranging, including Pink Floyd and Led Zeppelin to Metallica, tool, Pantera, Sevendust and Sepultura. "Some of us are even getting heavy into country lately. If it's a good song, we will give it kudos no matter what genre," Joe says.
  
  In their creative process, the band does everything but fight. In writing their music Joe explains "we all put in our 2 cents, someone is always bringing in a guitar riff or a few ideas and we work it out as a band. I like to do a lot of arranging. It's a great challenge that I enjoy taking on." In writing the lyrics, the approach is the same as Joe explains further "lyric writing is an open door policy in STEMM. I normally write a lot of the lyrics, but there have been many, many times where Steve or Danny has come in with their ideas and just like the music, we work it all out."
  
  STEMM's music is not only inspired by direct personal experiences but also indirect life experiences: "Every day life situations that hit us on an emotional level. We don't even have to experience the situation ourselves to be inspired," Joe says. "Sometimes it's a friend, or a current event and we try to interpret what it would be like to be in that situation. Sometimes, our friends and family outside of the band need a voice also."
  
  The band not only leaves a lasting impression on UFC fans, but delivers knockout live performances. What Joe really enjoys the most when performing live is "looking out into the crowds and seeing people singing your songs back to you and going crazy! It's very surreal for us because we wrote these songs at work or in our bedroom. To see so many people connect with us is unbelievable."
  
  The energy STEMM transmits in their music and on stage is highly contagious and surely gets you going. The band's aspiration, to achieve "world domination," as Joe puts it, may not be in the far future. Read on and find out more about STEMM and their role in the UFC and The Fight Network.
  
  
  "In your own words" – ONE on ONE with Mel and Joe
  
  Mel: How and when was your music discovered by the UFC?
  
  Joe: We started working with the UFC in 2003. Our music was passed on to the music director for the UFC by a mutual friend. We have been working with the UFC ever since.
  
  Mel: Where were you the night your music first premiered on the UFC? Which event was it?
  
  Joe: Actually, I was in my living room in my house and the UFC aired our music for the first time on a TV program called AS REAL AS IT GETS on ESPN.
  
  Mel: Which UFC heavyweight fighter best fits your style of music?
  
  Joe: Randy Cotoure. We're getting older, but we can still stand with the best. (laughs)
  
  Mel: How has your affiliation with the UFC helped your music career?
  
  Joe: They broke our musical career and exposed us to a world outside of the metal genre. We are very proud to be known and affiliated with the MMA Fight Community. Because of the UFC, we have performed at many MMA related types of fight events. It's amazing to see how many people know who we are from the UFC. Plus, we have built a friendship beyond music with many people involved with the UFC. It's a special family to be a part of that, we do not ever take for granted.
  
  Mel: Which one of your band members could last the longest in the octagon against Rampage Jackson?
  
  Joe: I would say our drummer, Danny. He plays a lot of double bass, he's always moving. I figure he could run around the octagon and tire Rampage out before he could do some serious damage to him. (laughs)
  
  Mel: How did The Fight Network come across your music?
  
  Joe: Pure chance again. The music director just happened to be in Buffalo, New York, as the local radio station was playing our music and he loved what he heard, researched the band, and found out that we were the UFC band as well.
  
  Mel: IndieSolo is launching an interactive MMA Music section that will creatively promote some of its top metal and heavy rock bands. What are your thoughts about having a section dedicated to MMA and how would STEMM like to be involved? Interested in headlining one of our shows in Toronto?
  
  Joe: We are honoured to be the first band in this new segment of indieSolo! We are not the type of band that expects anything, we appreciate everything that comes our way mainly because, we have to bust ass to move one inch in this business. So, when cool cats such as indieSolo approach us, its a bonus. We would love to stay active with indieSolo, as well as play a show in Toronto. We just caught Iron Maiden at Air Canada Centre last week. Killer time! Toronto is a great city filled with great people!
  
  Mel: How did you come up with your band name and what is the meaning of it?
  
  Joe: We all come from much heavier genres of music from death metal to hardcore. We always felt the music was still heavy, just a bit more easy listening than what we used to do. While discussing the name of the band, this topic came up and someone said, "It's like we ‘stemmed' from our musical roots." We thought it was a cool name at the time (laughs).
  
  Mel: Which artist would you like to record a song with and why?
  
  Joe: That's a tough one. So many. Phil Anselmo (Pantera / Down), Max Cavalera (Soulfly / Cavalera Conspiracy), Eddie Vedder (Pearl Jam), David Gilmoure (Pink Floyd), Cory Taylor (Slipknot / Stone Sour). They seem to be the type of people that say the things that most people are terrified to say, so they say it for you.
  
  Mel: Who will be crowned champion at UFC 83 in April - Georges St. Pierre or Matt Serra?
  
  Joe: I never like to talk about that, because I am usually wrong, and Matt is a friend of the band.
  
  -end
  
  http://www.indiesolo.com/artists/STEMM/interview.htm

Setlist

STEMM performs an all original high energy set.
Length of time depends on how the band is booked.
In a headlining situation, the band can perform a solid 60 to 90 minute. In a support slot, the band has been known to play a 15 to 90 minute long blistering set.

Basic Requirements

Calendar