Aimless Gun

There are a lot of bands coming out of the Austin music scene these days, so it's impressive that Aimless Gun has been able to separate itself from the pack. It's the best of indie rock and country music joined together with personal lyrics that touch on the emotions and experiences of that make us human. - The Boulder Colorado Daily Camera

When Cody Rathmell took the stage at One 2 One Bar in Austin for Aimless Gun's CD release party, he was glad to see his dad cheering him on from the audience rather than playing bass next to him.

"He knew eventually he was going to have to be replaced," Rathmell said.
Before Aimless Gun was formed, Rathmell was the lead singer of a band called Exposition Blvd with his dad, Mike Rathmell, on bass.

At the same time, Miles Barker and Casey Conway were students at Bowie High School in a band called Steam Train Murphy. Barker played bass and Conway played drums.

"We were the biggest band to come out of Bowie in a while," Barker said. "The Battle of the Bands was held in the Bowie courtyard. One band would play while the next band set their stuff up. We had more people watching us set up than were watching the band that was playing."

The band of seven could not remain intact after they all graduated, however. So Conway started playing with his neighbor Cory's band, Exposition Blvd, who had just fired their drummer. They also needed a bass player, so the very next day Barker jumped on board.

The last step was finding a lead guitar player to replace Cory, who moved to California. Zach Lynch was introduced to the band through a mutual friend and seemed to fit in pretty well.

Exposition Blvd turned into Thanks for the Warning, which turned into Aimless Gun. The four, whose sound has been described as a blend between Alternative Country and Alternative Rock, began playing small gigs around Austin.

"At first we just had close friends coming out to see our shows," Rathmell said. "At this last show, there were a lot of people I've never seen before. They said they just heard our song on the radio and really liked it."

The jump from playing small shows in front of friends to playing big shows and being on the radio was greatly aided by two people with a lot of influence in the Austin music scene. Matt Noveskey, the bass player from Blue October, produced the band's three-song EP.

Then, Donnell Robinson, also known as 10-time Austin Hip Hop Artist of the Year MC Overlord, came across the band and liked them a lot.? "I was amazed that a group of guys could be so young and yet sound so professional," Robinson said.

Robinson is now officially their booking agent. In addition to booking shows for the band all around Austin, he has Aimless Gun scheduled for a Midwestern tour this summer in which the band will play in St. Louis and Chicago.

"I come from the Austin music scene of the mid to late ?90s," Robinson said. "I remember what people like Patrice (Pike) and Bob (Schneider) did for me. I just felt the need to take these kids under my wing and pay it forward."

Robinson and Noveskey were on hand at the One 2 One Bar last week for the band's biggest show to date. After what Rathmell said was a year of work, Aimless Gun released their EP, Find Your Way. Everyone in attendance received a free copy.

"CD release parties can sometimes be the kiss of death for bands," Robinson said. "There is so much pressure and expectation, it's sometimes hard to live up to. But these kids got up there and knocked it out of the park."

While the band is happy at the progress they have made in a city where bands can tread water for years before breaking through, they know these next few months will be crucial in terms of their long-term success.

"The next step for us is branching out of Austin," Barker said. "We're going on tour this summer across the Midwest, ending up in Chicago. I'm not in school right now, so I'm totally dedicating myself to the band. I'm ready to take off."

Before taking it on the road, Aimless Gun has some marquee shows in Austin, including the Saxon Pub on February 27.

"It will be our first time to play the Saxon Pub," Rathmell said. "We're going on after Patrice Pike, so I'm really looking forward to it."

Aimless Gun is currently working on their first music video for their song "Save Yourself," and, later on this spring, they will work with Vallejo to produce their first full-length album.

If the band is able to keep steady aim, they just might "find their way" in the town known as the Live Music Capital of the World. Robinson likes their chances.

?"I was talking to Matt Noveskey the other day and we agreed that there is something special about these kids," Robinson said. "You either have it or you don't and these kids absolutely have it." - Travis Atkins

Aimless Gun was up first (see http://livemusicinaustin.blogspot.com/2010/07/greatest-4th-of-july-on-3rd-ever.html ) and then Will Evans Project ( http://www.willevansproject.com/home.html ), here again we have some unassuming guys take the stage and really light it up. Will Evans Project has more of an Alt rock feel than Aimless, but very fun. They really came onto the stage and proved how eager they were to play for the crowd by firing it up right away. What made them so impressive was that they didn't seem like they were playing for the crowd but for the love of playing the music. More great tuneage for hanging at the lake (or on a boat as Angel Skye so eloquently put it earlier). Here we really got to see a little more of the early evening crowd that enjoyed Aimless swaying and rockin to the beat of WEP. Good thing that the beer was a flowin this evening because DAMN! it was getting hotter with the music and the sun. Check out the Will Evans Project page for club/appearances in Austin and the surrounding area. Here is a link to the video shot from the show ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cPMu3JO0uRo ). - Will Thompkins

Austin, TX - Austin-based Aimless Gun has been playing gigs around town for about two years. They have pleased many an ear with its blend of alternative and southern rock style tunes.

Smooth vocals mixed with catch guitar riffs, solid drum beats and gratifying bass lines creats a distinct sound, which will keep you asking for more.

The band 3-track EP, Find Your Way, is available on iTunes. - Fox 7 News