Music
Press
By Robert Benson
Published Sep 06, 2007
Basic Rock Outfit
When famed producer Sylvia Massy Shivy (Tool, Dishwalla, Johnny Cash) called on the band "Basic Rock Outfit" to deliver a project that is "retro and really classic," the veteran Florida rockers, Jeremy Thomas (Vocalist, Songwriter, Guitarist), Jason Alfano (Drummer), Jason Gaines (Bass) and Joe Sanders (Guitar) took her to heart.
With the debut CD from the band called "Thank You for the Pain," the band proves that they belong with rock's elite. Using vintage equipment, their sound is captured in a collection of well-articulated power rock, with fresh melodies and refined acoustics.
With the four expert musicians that make up the band and using the years of musical experience loving the music that they play, it is impossible to not only hear the passion in which they play, but to actually feel it as well.
"Every song has a life of its own," explains Jeremy, the main song writer of the band. "I had so many co-writers on this CD and it makes it really special to give so many different people in my life credit for helping make this project a reality."
And the cumulative reality of all these "helping hands" is exemplified by the stories in the songs, stories of love, passion, loss and rebuilding, stories of the life we all live and the journeys we all take.
Listening to the cut "Alabama," with its melodic, sweet haziness and heartfelt lyrics of a love that didn't last, is so brilliantly articulated that you can feel the hurt. It becomes an intrinsic part of the musical experience. The band changes gears on the start and stop rocker, "Shell," with its infectious tempo, addictive hooks and energetic refrain, the song is burning up Internet radio and belongs (and would be right at home) on any rock station in the land.
While staying well within the wheelhouse of guitar pop, the band exhibits impressive range, from the driving rocker "Alive" to the broodingly and bluesy "Broken Man" to the ballad "Flowers & Champagne," with its sublime ascent to crescendo. Thomas' singing masterfully brings the best out in each song, on the full-throated belting (with just the right dash of rasp) on the title track and other up-tempo numbers. From beginning to end, "Thank You for the Pain" delivers music that is at once modern and classic. Simply put, Basic Rock Outfit's sound will never go out of fashion. Believe it: Its Basic Rock Outfit's time.
Visit the band at their web site and join in a grand listening experience! www.basicrockoutfit.com
- Associated Content
"You may not have heard of them yet...but you will soon! It's Basic Rock Outfit's lead singer Jeremy Thomas." - NBC's iVillage Live Talk Show
"In a stripped down acoustic setting, B.R.O's songwriting shines through. The boys can be counted on to give an intimate, heartfelt performance without losing sight of their rock edge."~Nathalie Voirin, producer, CBS 10 Tampa - WTSP 10,CBS (Tampa)
"Four inordinately gifted musicians, laying down basic rock licks and hooks that have been ramped up into refinement and kicked hard with a shot of hooch and provocation."~ REAX Magazine - REAX Magazine
Discography
Now Aware EP (2007)
Thank You For The Pain LP (2007)
Produced By Sylvia Massy Shivy and Jim Wood
Photos
Bio
Basic Rock Outfit started from the vision Jeremy Thomas had of Elvis's jumpsuit laying on a messy hotel bed. A Basic Rock Outfit is glamorous, tough and could back up the talk and swagger. Well, life is not always formed by silly visions and, the fact of the matter is Basic Rock Outfit is just 4 guys’ that have put their whole heart, life, and soul into the music they create and play. They love to play music every night of their life and, do so with their heavy schedule of 6 shows a week. The band stays continuously busy playing festivals, state fairs, bike fests, concert events, charity events, as well as, club dates throughout Florida. In February of 2007, Basic Rock Outfit finished their Debut CD on Tightnotes Inc. Records. The CD entitled Thank You for the Pain is a collection of rock songs that go beyond the surface of just hooks and guitar riffs. These songs have real meaning and passion behind them and set this release apart from any other recording coming out this year. Yes, they are basic rock songs with formulas, tricks, hooks and giggles but, ultimately they tell a story. The story they tell is a story of love, passion, loss, and re-building. It is a journey through life that we all take as we walk the road of our mortal lives. It is great CDs like Thank You for the Pain that really can make life a little sweeter!!!
Thank You for the Pain was produced by Sylvia Massy-Shivy (Tool, Dishwalla, and Johnny Cash) and Jim Wood (Dishwalla) at Radiostar Studios in Weed, California. At the start of the project the words from Massy-Shivy were, "Let's go for something retro and really classic,” and that's what Basic Rock Outfit got out of their debut CD, Thank You for the Pain. The sound and brilliance created in the CD was accomplished using all vintage equipment and the engineering hands of, Jim Wood, the co-founder of the rock band, Dishwalla. Wood played keyboards on a large part of the CD and, accompanied with a string arrangement on the fourth track of the CD, Alabama, as well. "Every song has a life of its own," says Jeremy Thomas, the main songwriter in the band. “I had many co-writers on this CD. It makes it really special to give so many different people in my life credit for helping make this project a reality. That goes for everyone - from management, to our fans, to all the people that worked on the production!"
Basic Rock Outfit’s live performances are filled with driving guitars, huge hooks, addictive music and, real songs about life that will slap you in the face with reality. The soaring vocals from Jeremy Thomas have already proven him to be one of today’s most powerful rock voices, as mentioned many times in editorial show and recorded critical reviews. Basic Rock Outfit’s multi-platinum producer, Sylvia Massy-Shivy (Red Hot Chili Peppers, Prince, Smashing Pumpkins, Tool) stated while in the production process for the debut CD, “Jeremy Thomas’ voice is the best I have recorded at my studio.”
A full on marketing campaign, beginning in May '07 with the release of the Thank You for the Pain CD, means that the sky is the limit for a rock band of this caliber. A coast to coast concert tour is scheduled in all major markets and, in-studio radio promotions will include live, unplugged performances. Touring for the CD will begin in July '07 and, the rest will be rock and roll history in the making!! Go to the bands MySpace page at Basic Rock Outfit MySpace and join the group at Basic Rock Outfit MySpace Group and make sure and support these guys as they hit your town!!!
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