Music
Press
“[Ameritown] promises to have a wide musical range that pushes the genre boundaries of classical and rock and roll.” -Filter
“We like their fun, fervent blend of indie rock…” –URB
“Eastern Conference Champions, who impressed early with everything from their strong cult following to their high-energy flexibility, was spot on thanks to the pounding drums of Greg Lyons and the wide baselines of Vern Z.” -SPIN.com
“Eastern Conference Champions sound like the bastard child of Radiohead and The Jesus Lizard -- and who wouldn't want to hear that? Sample the sleazy, sloppy music being kicked out by this indie trio.” –ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY
“In the music universe, where predictability and formulaic songs are often the "champions" of the radio, Eastern Conference Champions are one of those bands that fight the conformity, and offer something unique and different for music lovers. Classifying their sound would be both impossible and unfair to the unique tempos and beats that constantly change throughout the whole album. Overall, the album is a testament to memories and experiences, presented in a form as unique as the band's name. Between the soft whispers of acoustics and the hard hitting screams of the piano, Eastern Conference Champions have created one of those albums that you may not hear blasted on the radio, but luckily you can just pop it in the CD player.” -BGNEWS.com
“There is an abundance of the quality music that we have come to expect from ECC on Ameritown. If there's one word that sums up Eastern Conference Champions, its passion, and this disc is full of it. Pick it up on July 19th.” -UPSTAGEMAGAZINE.com
“We’ve talked before here, and more than once, about Eastern Conference Champions, including picking their EP as one of the top 5 of the first half of 2007. They’re a fantastic band. Most of their new album, Ameritown (release date: July 19th) is anthem rock, screamers and stompers, as good as anything else I’ve heard this year. This is a band that must be LOUD to really be appreciated. They get my highest recommendation.”- BERKELEYPLACE.WORDPRESS.com
“Eastern Conference Champions is a band that may not be the biggest name in rock; however, the music says otherwise. With its newest release, Ameritown, the band is making its entrance into mainstream music with bold sounds and lyrics. Members of the band said they were not the typical rock group. They pride themselves in knowing their audience and appealing to their fans, not record executives. I enjoyed this album more than I expected. Ameritown leaves the listener with anticipation and curiosity, wanting to know more of who the band is and what its follow-up disc will sound like. Until then, you'll have to be satisfied with Ameritown - the album drops July 17.” –NTDAILY.com
“After having received a pretty cool EP by Eastern Conference Champions, I more or less knew what to expect from Ameritown. But this was beyond that expectation—their vocalist has a tremendous voice with terrific range and a stellar quality delivery. Musically the group is fitting right in with the last surge of good alternative pop-rock. This debut full-length has been highly anticipated by an almost rabid fanbase; I highly doubt one iota of them will be disappointed.” –SMOTHER.net
“Eastern Conference Champions will be releasing their debut album Ameritown on the 17th of July. Ameritown is chalked full of emotionally charged songs that have some powerful hooks, lots of dynamics, and nice melodies. The opening song “The Box,” is probably my favorite song with its sure fire grab you chorus. “Stutter” begins as a cascading piano song that morphs into an ethereal delicacy when all the instruments join. “Single Sedative” moves well with its drums and vocals approach, and never lets up with its’ repeating “Hey Yeahs” and intensity. “Pitch a Fit” is another really good song made up with spare piano and acoustic guitar. Ameritown is a good record of dynamic songs with engaging music and lyrics.” -PARASITESANDSYCOPHANTS.blogspot.com
Fans of the pitchy yowl that Smashing Pumpkins' Billy Corrigan or Kings Of Leon's Caleb Followill bring to their bands will find the off-key creeping vocals of Eastern Conference Champions front man Josh Ostrander perfectly comfortable. If you think rock and roll should be part vocal competition, Ostrander's eerie vocals will be an acquired taste. Rest assured the trio's infectious brand of spirited rock mayhem keeps you listening long enough to get used to Ostrander's unique voice and then some.
The album roars open with the splendidly triumphant rocker "The Box". The distant vocals seem to crawl out resiliently from behind the soaring drum and organ backdrop, carving out fascinating verses between the uplifting hook; making this one killer track not to miss. A stutter-step beat and cavernous bass line join grungy riffs for a grimy rocker that sounds escaped from the '90s on "Noah". The first two tracks leave listener - Various
Blender.com
(CMJ 2005 performance review) With the steady decline in the amount of acts willing to smile on stage, it was refreshing to see a band who actually looked like they enjoyed playing their songs. Not even a delayed start, a dropped bass or an extremely-chatty drunken fan could sour their mood—though it did test ours!—as the Bucks County, Pennsylvania trio strummed and hummed their way through upcoming EP The Southampton Collection. Singer Josh Ostrander's voice, which resembles an American Thom Yorke, blended seemlessly with the instrumentation, coaxing fans to sway in time and smile along with him. Having only three members, some tracks were entirely without guitar, utilizing only bass, drums and keyboard but they still managed to create a very full sound. Viva la champions!
www.neufutur.com
There is a sound to Eastern Conference Champions during tracks like 'Nice Clean Shirt" that mix the nasal sound of Thom Yorke (Radiohead) with a more intense brand of rock (think Queens of the Stone Age or Interpol) to create something new. In fact, if someone actually looks at the back of the cover of ‘The Southampton Collection" quickly, it looks like a Radiohead disc. The slower tempo of 'Hollywood" brings to bear another similar Radiohead sound to the disc, although the inclusion of a female voice into the mix really signals a shift away from Eastern Conference Champions' influences. What may be the
most interesting wrinkle in 'Hollywood" is the extended instrumental interlude, which does not separate vocal passages as well as it conveys a distinct sense of emotion.
The Champions tell a lucid story during this instrumentation, and this sedate sound only makes the next track, 'Power Hungry Meat Hart", that much more impressive. 'Power Hungry Meat Hart" is yet another facet of the Champions' sounding much more along the lines of the retro rock that was big a few years back. 'Gucci No 3" comes out with a Fastball meets Gigi D'Agostino type of sound, to make perhaps their most radio friendly track of the disc. The distinct lines that are drawn between indie rock and something much more hard is the key victory of the band on 'Springsteen", with the piano plinking through the track really pushing the song into the next realm. Not quite categorizable into the genres that are getting the most in the way of airplay now, the Eastern Conference Champions succeed through their malleability and distinct sound.
www.pulseweekly.com
The Eastern Conference Champions hail from Bucks County, Pennsylvania and mix together a stellar array of sounds and influences to create a broad sound that twitches with excitement. The melodic trio, who consist of members of some major label bands (let’s be vague) fuses post-punk with pop to wax a sound that is accessible, full of rhythmic phrasing, and danceable.
The band‘s angular angst is interesting, especially alongside the piano, which adds some depth to the band’s guitar/bass,/drums lineup. The Southampton Collection is a short, five song EP that shows great promise from ECC. We’re excited to hear more from these guys. (****) (out of 5)
www.entertainmentweekly.com
Download This: Eastern Conference Champions
Eastern Conference Champions sound like the bastard child of Radiohead and The Jesus Lizard -- and who wouldn't want to hear that? "Nice Clean Shirt" is the first single off their Southern Collection EP (in stores March 3). Sample the sleazy, sloppy music being kicked out by this indie trio.
Some Velvet Blog
Get ready for the Eastern Conference Champions to rock your world. They can float like butterflies and sting like bees. Band members include Josh Ostrander, Greg Lyons, & Vern Zaborowski, and their potential greateness is their singularity of sound and vision and joyous love of classical music and rock. At least that's what they say. Did I mention they're from Philly? Pick up their totally fly EP, The Southampton Collection
http://urbmagazine.imeem.com/blogentry/3U5bBs_t
Eastern Conference Champions: The Southampton Collection (Left Wing)
4 Stars
Promising debut from this Pennsylvania trio. The band cites influences from The Who to Mozart and, like their idols, they indeed do a successful job at capturing a mood that's full of surprises and enjoyment. Songs like "Gucci No3" leave listeners wanting more. Like, now!
Smartpunk.com
Ranging everywhere from Radiohead-circa-The Bends to darkly anguished piano driven rock. Hints of the Rolling Stones and The Police. No frills rock and roll.
Spin.com
Attention, major-label act castaways currently bartending, landscaping, waiting tables, working in record stores, and giving guitar lessons: All is not lost. Just ask the lads of Eastern Conference Champions. Yes, frontman Josh Ostrander and drummer Greg Lyons lapped up some gleeful moments of budding stardom and national tours with their old band, Laguardia. But when Laguardia's debut record sputtered out, it was back to - Various
Discography
"The Southamption Collection EP";
"Ameritown" Suretone/Interscope Records.
Photos
Bio
In an age overrun with label created metrosexual rock bands, its pretty refreshing to see a group of guys walk on stage looking like they might just as easily be heading to work at a gas station. Perhaps its because Josh Ostrander (vocals/guitar/keys) and Greg Lyons (drums/synth) spent a summer doing landscaping work that the band lacks the pretension that seems to come hand in hand with a lot of groups today. It probably has just as much to do with Vern Zaborowskis (bass/sampler) no bullshit attitude and sense of humor. Regardless, they know theyre lucky to be playing music for a living, and their sheer delight shows in their stubble faced smiles every time they plant themselves in front of an audience.
Eastern Conference Champions hail from Bucks County, Pennsylvania. It was there that all three members grew up in the town of Southampton (hence the namesake of their debut EP The Southampton Collection). Longtime friends Greg and Josh had already worked together recording with the band Laguardia. Their full length Welcome To The Middle (2003) was a critical success, but big label politics kept the record on ice and left the band hanging high and dry. It was a frustrating experience for Greg and Josh, who had bent over backwards to please the execs only to receive little in return. Enough was enough, and the two left their friends and band mates to go back to work on their own terms. Unfortunately that meant getting real jobs.
The summer of 2004 was a character building experience for the two. Just a few months earlier theyd been a nationally touring major label act, and now they found themselves digging holes and planting saplings under the glaring sun. Not a couple of guys to bitch and moan about the hand theyd been dealt, the friends jumped right back on the horse and used their free time at night to write and record what would become the material for The Southampton Collection. The result was a wonderful set of songs reeking of liberation and lost love, fashioned under the influence of 7 a.m. Camel Light and coffee blue-collar wake up calls. Rough hints of The Who, Rufus Wainwright, and The Police can all be detected in the mix.
After 4 months of mowing lawns and putting down tracks, the two decided they were ready to take their music to the people. Theyd showered off the grass stains and stench of weed whacker gasoline, but Josh and Greg had one more hurdle to face. They needed another member to round out the group. Enter Vern, the equally disheveled and disgruntled ex-bassist of the band CKY. Hed heard what Greg and Josh were working on, and was interested in the idea of playing with them. As the other two recall, it was one evening while the three were chasing whisky with cold beer that Vern happily declared, alright, Ill play with you fuckers. Six words and the deal was done; with no frills or funny business the Eastern Conference Champions came to be. As Josh explains, the name is the result of making decisions that we thought were cool, and not having to answer to an idiot A&R guy. We wanted something original.
They began playing shows in Philly and NYC, catching attention with an unabashed approach to their live performances. With their music the band stray away from lofty goals like chart domination, settling for forming some kind of connection with the crowd. Publications like Blender took notice, remarking that they found it refreshing to see a band who actually looked like they enjoyed playing their songs. Theres nothing more disheartening than to watch a band play like they wish they werent there, and thats never the case with Eastern Conference Champions.
The band just finished recording its debut full length cd with famed producer Owen Morris (Oasis, Ash) to be released in July 2007 on Suretone/Interscope Records.
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