Above Ground

The two hour morning commute to your unrewarding job…seemingly insurmountable debt, an unstable relationship, rising gas prices and excessive crime on the local news…all of the perils and pitfalls we face on a daily basis. You look into the mirror and ask yourself “Can it get any worse”? The answer to that question is simple…”Yes”. The remedy…be thankful that you’re still Above Ground. That is the essence behind Above Ground and their music.

"Unearthed" in the summer of 2004, Above Ground is a bit of a rarity in today’s musical terms. Although their extensive musical backgrounds with rock and roll roots were terra firma, it wasn’t until they formed Above Ground that they were able to really stir the musical pot to a tepid boil. Their solid sound is as diverse as its members…from the tube laden hard rock guitar licks in “Disappear” to the laid back reggae rhythms of “Key West Alibi” to the soothing melody and devout lyrics in “Coming Down”. It is this musical fusion that moves audience members who have seen their dynamic live shows; and ultimately invokes instantaneous fans. "We have always admired artists who show diversity in their sound. There are a lot of bands out there that sound the same on every song. They become somewhat predictable...and that’s exactly what we are not” states drummer, Dave Dietz.

Passion is what drives them; passion of making music that reaches the listener’s soul. “What is so great about music”, explains guitarist Ron Derrick “is that it’s universal in the sense that if what you play sounds good to the ear, it can really appeal to a worldly audience.” Lead vocalist Jason Hively adds, "As a band we feel so fortunate to have music as our release from the bombardments of everyday life. We realize that we all face the same challenges in one way, shape or form and we want to bring our listeners to a place where all things melt into the moment…it allows us all be comfortable in our own space and have a good time."

Whether playing to a room of 5 or a festival of 5000, their passion and performance never waivers…it serves as the cornerstone of Above Ground. It is that passion that bleeds through their music touching listeners and inviting them to feel, live and breathe in the moment. Bassist Kevin Tomas states, “It’s all about bringing a positive energy and sharing that energy through our music. At the end of the show, we want our audience to feel that they were part of something special”.

While the Above Ground project is relatively new, the “live performance” experience brought to the band from previous projects includes some of the most famous rooms in South Florida including Tobacco Road, Rosebuds, The Culture Room, The Button South and many more. Currently, Above Ground can be seen throughout South Florida's best live music hotspots.