August and Everything After

"The Manor, the ambitious 10-song CD by August and Everything After, opens with "Run," a song that tries to kindle the kind of slow-burning adolescent angst that makes a whole new crop of eighth-graders buy Pink Floyd's The Wall each and every year. And that's quite a big chunk to bite off."

"What the band does really well is creating cool, spooky textures. Surfy, delay-drenched guitars cascade down the minor and diminished chords, over a rhythm section that can introduce ideas of its own or lay back as needed. "Chance" packs a sweet melody, as do the piano-dominated ballads "Catharsis" and "Precious World." "Perfect" is a solid, Radiohead-meets-STP creep song." - Pittsburgh City Paper

With an introductory album already behind them, August and Everything After is ready to face the pressures of becoming acquainted with fame. Now, this group with nothing to prove and even less to lose is showing live audiences all over just how focused they are.

Under the Radar - August And Everything After
Written by Thomas Agnew
Josh Gerba, lead vocals and guitar
Zakk Fine, guitar
Shawn Klocek, drums
Jake Gerba, bass
Brandon Zebrowski, guitar

Black Out: With the album what do you look to prove to the music world?

August And Everything After: The album's main purpose is just to introduce ourselves to the world, as opposed to really proving anything. Prior to this, we've only been recognized by those who have seen us live. With the release of the album we're looking to draw as much attention as possible.

Black Out: You put a lot of energy into your performances, how does that work for you and does it ever cause a problem with how much emotion you put in show after show?

AAEA: Our music is very honest and when you perform music with any amount of sincerity, emotions are bound to fly. But once you've played a song hundreds of times its easy to forget what and who you're doing it for. So you just have to focus on the music you're playing and the energy and emotion will follow.

Black Out: What helps you write your lyrics as of getting good content?

AAEA: Again, our music is very personal. Now certainly we pull from the situations and experiences of those around us, but for the most part they're all a direct reflection of our own lives. Our goal is to make a connection with the audience, and to give them something they can both understand and relate to.

Black Out: Do you feel that artists are obligated to take some sense of responsibility for the content of their music and the affect it has on the young people listening to it? Why?

AAEA: That's all such a grey area. You can't be fully responsible for how certain things are interpreted, but the effect your music will have is definitely something that should be taken into consideration. The line between appropriate and inappropriate is fine in the entertainment business.


Black Out: What do you think is your group's best quality?

AAEA: That's a tough question to answer about ourselves, but the authenticity of our music is something that people have noticed and brought to our attention. More than likely this is best exhibited in our live show. Now, that's not to say that the album doesn't possess this quality, but trying to recreate the same energy and charisma that exists when the five of us take the stage is nearly an impossible thing to do. On the other hand, recording an album gives you the opportunity to really take your time which yields a more intimate vibe.

Black Out: Being an indie band have you attracted any large record labels?

AAEA: Not yet!

Black Out: Do you ever feel pressure to be like another group or follow the same path to success as someone else?

AAEA: We draw influences from such a wide variety of music. So, we're not just picking two or three other bands and trying to be like them. If we wanted to be a cover band then we'd just do that, but we're not so we don't. As far as following the same path to success as another band? Absolutely. No one in particular, but you have to be able to learn from those who have done it. Now, if it were only a matter of following their path, that would be great. But it’s not that easy. We've run into countless problems along the way. All of which required us to make our own decisions.

Black Out: Working in a group seems rough with all the different thoughts and ideas, is there ever any clashing?

AAEA: Ever? How about always?! When you've got five separate brains all with the same amount of authority trying to make a decision, there is tons of clashing. It’s all a part of the game. You've got to be able to compromise. Now, fortunately we've been doing this for a pretty long time and we've known each other for even longer, so we've got pretty good at compromising and giving everyone their fair shares of input. But it wasn't always that easy. There's just got to be a certain amount of trust so that when someone else feels really strongly about something and you disagree someone has got to be able to say, alright I trust your decision here. Then you just move on

Black Out: If I was new listening to your music, what would keep me compelled to listen to you?

AAEA: That's another tough one to answer. We just put it out there for people to take it or leave it. Surely, we'd love for everybody in the entire world to like our music but we know that's impossible. So we just do our thing and hope for the best. If you listen to our music and find certain qualities that you enjoy and feel compelled to come back for more, then that's great! That is the greatest feeling for us. But if you listen to our music and don't like it, t - Genesis Magazine

Rising Band has local ties
By takeheart

POSTED: 11:45 a.m. EDT, Aug 13, 2007

August And Everything After (AAEA), out of the Pittsburgh Pa. area making their move on the music scene, have local ties.

James Elchlinger, Police Officer for Wadsworth PD, is a cousin to Band member Brandon Zebrowski. James introduced the band to local resident, Ken Weiner. Ken has assisted the band with professional growth and CD promotion and presenting the band to the professional community.

The band hails from Monongahela, Pa. and having grown up in a very small community developed skilled musical talents that could take them a long way in the music business. The band will be performing August 30th at the Pittsburgh Hard Rock Cafe with a local band opening for them. August And Everything After will be releasing their next CD, The Manor' at a cd release party in Wadsworth very soon. - Ohio.com