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 |