Brane

The Artificial Picture
Brane
LGM Records
When it comes to music,
there’s a fine line between
a hit and a miss, well done
and overdone, raw and just
plain messy.
Toronto’s Brane finds itself
on the right side of each of
those lines with its debut
album The Artificial Picture,
an excellent hard-rock
effort with great vocals,
substantial lyrics and some
absolutely blistering guitar
work.
The album has a definite hard edge but comes off
sounding remarkably polished, nicely straddling the
line between radio-ready hard rock and fist-pumping
heavy metal.
The pace is quick and the volume loud for much
of the album, except for the interesting and
effective instrumental/spoken word title track
near the end, and the nicely modulated Lost and
Alone.
On the whole, The Artificial Picture is a solid debut
album from a band that bears watching.
— Reviews by Mike Beitz, The Beacon Herald - Beacon Herald

BRANE (www.myspace.com/braneband) took the stage next in style. With a pre-recorded intro, each member jumped on stage one by one and broke into their first song ‘Broken Authority’, and had complete command of the crowd from then on. BRANE has been around for awhile and I met them during the last CMW festival in Toronto. Their name refers to a physics string theory, but they aren’t that smart. Neither am I though, and I’m the smartest person I know. Josh Wannamaker-guitar/vocals, says “I wanted to call the band Brain and base our character on the superhero premise, but that wasn’t going to happen.” Then they came up with BRANE. I like it, and them, as I did when I first saw them last March. The line-up is rounded out with Gavin Buehler-guitar, Maxim Shelkov-bass and Adam Perzia-drums/vocals.

They are basically a hard rock band with some metal elements, and a technical aspect that seems very natural, as opposed to contrived. Everyone fits with each other and compliments the band as a whole, and the bass is killer! (Had to say it). As I said, they had the whole crowd in the palm of their hand. When Josh commanded the audience to move closer to the stage, they did, and it provided an intimacy to their set that none of the other bands quite had. They plan to head into the studio soon for a new album, scheduled hopefully for early spring. If what I heard, ‘6/8’ and ‘Heavy’ are any indication, it should be killer.

http://www.fazermagazine.com/2009/09/08/the-industry-ball-at-the-reverb-toronto-saturday-august-30th-2009/ - Fazer Magazine

BRANE

By Ric Taylor


Quantum physics and the study to try and explain all of the
aspects of the world in a theory of everything might seem a tad
esoteric for band name fodder, but once you get into the music of
Brane, it’s more about the guttural reaction to some solid
melodies and rock hard riffs.
“A brane is the fundamental of all matter for the entire
universe,” quips guitarist Gavin Beuhler philosophically on the
origins of the band name and why it’s so apropos. “This means
that we’re already a part of you. You can’t live without Brane. That
is what makes this name so damn cool.”
Formed when Buehler and guitarist/vocalist Josh Wannamaker
came together in 2002, Brane have spent the last few years
completing what they deem the perfect band — with Maxim
Shelkov (bass) and latest recruit Adam Perzia (drums, backing
vocals) — and fashioning what they hope to be a little piece of
modern rock history with their recent recording, The Artificial
Picture.
Taking the nod from some of the music they grew up on in
the ’90s like Metallica, Nirvana, Dream Theatre and Green Day,
Brane are able to straddle their hard rock leanings with a distinct
pop sensibility. The self–produced The Artificial Picture CD offers
technically adept material that doesn’t get bloated with self–
indulgence and songs that can be catchy but without the fluff.
“This may be bold, but I think we’re one of the few bands I’ve
heard that has and uses such a unique blend of influences,” offers
Wannamaker. “It is rare to find a band that is really into heavy
technical music that also cares about pop. Even if so, most bands
usually sway to one style or another. Bands like The Police, No
Doubt or Queen were great at mixing styles and I think that’s why
they are so unique. We can only hope to be that original.
“The impact that the influence of these bands has had on me
is monumental,” adds Beuhler. “While their music and sounds captivated me, most of my intrigue came from the creativity of
what they were doing. Some of it was so simple, while other stuff
complex, but everything was new and fresh. This is what I wanted
to do with my band. When someone asks, ‘Who does Brane sound
like?’ I don’t want them to be able to reference any one group.”
If comparisons are made, one might mention contemporaries
like Finger 11 or 3 Days Grace but Brane hope to stand apart from
the pack. The live stage is where bands make it or break it and
with shows booked throughout Southern Ontario through the
winter, Brane may inspire thoughtful discussion in philosophy
with their name but when they hit the stage, it’s not rocket
science — it’s all about the rock.
“The show can be different at times but you can always
expect a truck load of energy,” smiles Wannamaker. “We don’t
want to just be considered musicians. We want to entertain you by
any means possible.
“One of the best parts of the show is when you’re done and
you get to talk to all of the people at the show,” adds the singer.
I love recording and hearing great mixes but when you see us live,
you really get what the band is all about. Although I think we have
a great CD, there’s so much more when you see us live.”
Brane play Burlington’s Legendary Red Rooster this Saturday
December 15 and there is no cover charge.V
[RIC TAYLOR]

BRANE
December 15, 2007
LEGENDARY RED ROOSTER
484 Plains Rd. E. Burl.
905.632.9992
myspace.com/braneband

http://www.viewmag.com/viewstory.php?storyid=5798

Vol. 13 No. 50 • December 13-19, 2007

- View Magazine

"Starting things on the second stage, Brane wasted no time at all,
kick-starting with a heavy metal fury. They certainly had the metal look too, with lead singer/guitarist Josh Wannamaker sporting long hair, a full beard and black clothes. He also had the distinctive metal growl. Their opening song, “Losing Control” was as catchy as metal can get and certainly got the attention of the crowd. Second guitarist Gavin Buehler’s background vocals were a nice complement and his solo fit well with the song. It certainly could be a single, or the theme for a WWE wrestler. A mature sounding band, Brane were one of the better acts of the night."

-Complete covereage of this years Indie Week by Jon Brazeau.
- Spill Magazine

It was a cold Friday night in November that I made my way to see a band play in Burlington. It was my first time at this venue so I kicked back, sipping a glass of red wine, enjoying the atmosphere when I noticed stickers for different bands all over the bar. There was one in particular that stood out the most: BRANE”, perhaps it was the unusual name or the logo that caught my eye - I couldn’t help but be intrigued since I wasn’t really sure what “BRANE” meant.

Oddly enough, I was contacted by Gavin (Guitar) from the band “BRANE”, requesting an interview. So, a few weeks later I met up with the guys from “BRANE” for an exclusive interview! Upon arriving at our location was Josh (Vocals), Gavin (Guitar), Max (Bass) & my partner in crime & photographer extraordinaire (Lee). Unfortunately their drummer Adam was unable to attend.

We ordered our drinks and were ready to go! I couldn’t help but start things off with getting background on the name of their band, “BRANE”. It was Josh who shed perspective on things. He indicated their name “BRANE” was not symbolic, although the name was intended to be non-conventional. In actuality, they wanted their name to be representative of what the band stands for because this is the most important factor behind the band and in the creation of their music. Josh indicated that “BRANE” is about “being yourself and not having others dictate what the band is about”.

With the exception of their drummer, Josh, Gavin & Max are the original members of the band. Originally formed in late 2005 by Josh and Gavin and later joined by Max, the guys have stuck together, pursuing their passion of creating music while maintaining a tight friendship. Josh and Gavin, prior to forming “BRANE” had been jamming together for years. Despite going separate ways for a short period of time, both reconnected again to create “BRANE”. Max, who joined in February 2006, was originally taking guitar lessons from Josh and through Max’s frequent visits to the rehearsal space along with the chemistry between the three of them, he just became part of the band and Max indicated he didn’t actually audition for the band because it “just happened” and was a natural partnership.

Now, 3 years later since the formation of their band “BRANE”, they continue to move their music forward, despite the challenges that have become more prevalent within the music industry in general. Over the past 4 – 5 months, they have put a lot of focus into live shows and have since released their debut album “The Artificial Picture” which is currently available at HMV. As they push their album forward, the band wants to continue playing live shows and hit the road to tour.

I had the opportunity to listen to their album prior to our meeting and wanted to discuss a few songs and get their feedback. I was particularly interested in hearing from the guys about the song “Choices” because I found it interesting they used chimes, which isn’t something that is commonly used. Also, I noticed this song had the highest hit rate on their MySpace page. They indicated the use of chimes was intentional because they wanted to add an ambient mood/element to the song. Once they started creating this song, they indicated that “it just happened” and therefore resulted in, according to Gavin, a song representing a “snap shot of life that anyone can relate to”.

I was also intrigued to know more about the songs “Artificial Picture Part 1 & 2” because it is a split song that I felt took a different approach from others on their album. They indicated in the creation of this song, it was based on the desire for an instrumental song which then became “self-gratifying”, growing to become more then what they had intended. Once it was completed, it was a long track and because they didn’t want to compromise the song by taking parts out, they decided to split it into 2 parts.

So, who is “BRANE”?

Quite simply, they are a band that has the passion and desire to create music that represents their own individual uniqueness. Their album "The Artificial Picture", which is intended to reflect today's society where reality is easily masked by media propaganda, corporate programming to superficial pop-culture is a testament toward these values that are the core foundation to their music.

- justlinda.com

Brane features fresh rock sound

Murray Green
Editor

With comparisons to Finger 11, Foo Fighters and 3 Days Grace, Brane
is a band that is quickly gaining popularity in Canada.
Brane is a modern rock band from Toronto with Josh Wannamaker on
vocals and guitars, Gavin Buehler on guitars, Maxim Shelkov on bass
and Adam Perzia on drums and backing vocals.
The band mixes solid rock with good writing and it's only a matter of
time before the band polishes their technique and receives a big
following. Out west, they draw early comparisons with Nickelback.
They have some heavy rock, but when they ease up a little and rely on
their voices, the lyrics shine through.
Brane's debut album, The Artificial Picture reflects today's society
with lyrics that cover topics from media propaganda to superficial
pop-culture.
The album contains 12 tracks. Three tunes clearly catch your ear and
get you scrambling for the replay button. Choices, The One of Us and
Lost and Alone are solid rock songs. All three have a lighter touch
than most of the remaining songs on the CD. Choices will soon be
hitting the radio stations and will be a good first release for the
band.
Taking the nod from some of the music they grew up on in _the 90s
like Metallica, Nirvana, Dream Theatre and Green Day, _Brane are able
to collect their hard rock leanings with a distinct _pop sensibility.
The self-produced CD offers_good material that can be catchy, but
without caving in to the soft pop that sells on most stations.
Check out websites www.myspace.com/braneband or www.braneband.com to
listen to the band's new CD.

- Camrose Canadian

BRANE
The Artificial Picture

By Catherine Dawes – Rockridge, West Van BC

Profound inspirational lyrics talk to teens.

This album captivates its listeners with its catchy beats and great lyrics. Some of the songs are written in poetic verse and have a message about the group’s thoughts on modern society. The music genre is alternative, rock, and metal. One song that stands out the most is “The Artificial Picture 1.” It’s a two set song, which sounds a lot like Jim Morrison’s readings from The Doors; the song talks about the perception of reality. Two other great songs are “Hollywood” and “Beautiful.” This CD has the potential to be a big hit for this up-and-coming new group. - Youthink Magazine

Brane - The Artificial Picture

(LGM Records, 2008)

Fusing elements of rock and metal, Brane sounds like a sonic soup of Green Day, Finger Eleven, and Foo Fighters. Hailing from Toronto, the band includes Josh Wannamaker (guitar/vocal), Gavin Buehler (guitar), Maxim Shelkov (bass) and Adam Perzia (drums).

Their debut album is a punchy one, with lots of heavy hitting numbers and crunchy guitars. Highlights include Losing Control, Hollywood, Lost and Alone, Better Off Dead and Broken Authority.

Brane plays at the Horseshoe Tavern in Toronto on Feb. 15.

- Belleville Intelligencer

Brane is not the typical rock band.
As it witnessed in the group’s debut, The Artificial Picture, the band is one with potential as its 12-track CD features selections that are tinged with shades of Everclear, while also offering the listener guitar and drum-fuelled traditional rock.
In essence, Brane’s cohesiveness as a band and storytelling
style of songwriting make the band easy to appreciate through such selections as Beautiful where leader singer Josh Wannamaker waxes poetic about a love interest whose all “ego, no pride.” Sound familiar?
Tracks 11 and 12, featuring the same title as the CD, has a Talking Headsesque beginning
and is followed up by a screed focused on the perils of commercialism, Big Brotherstyle governments and selfishness.
Indeed, The Artificial Picture, comprised of Wannamaker and Gavin Buehler (guitars), Maxim Shelkov (Bass) and Adam Perzia (drums and backing vocals), reminds the listener that in a real way, the ‘80s are back. But, that’s not all bad.
Visit www.braneband.com. Copies of the CD are available both online and at HMV
stores.
- The Clinton News Record

Brane-The Artificial Picture
Tuesday, November 10, 2009

“Being true to yourself is honesty.” Those are just some of the great lyrics heard on the CD, The Artificial Picture by BRANE out of Toronto, Ontario. When it comes to BRANE, those lyrics couldn’t be more true. This is a band who knows what they want to sing about and play and they bring it straight to the fore front of your speakers. The group sounds as if you were to combine the vocals from Mudvayne’s radio hits, mixed them with Hoobastank’s guitars and threw it all together with Trapt’s song writing. But don’t worry, it’s not as cookie cutter as you may think.

The album starts off with the song Beautiful. This is a song that could easily be heard on today’s main stream radio. The topic of the song is about beauty being on the inside, something that hits home in today’s world. With lyrics like, “You think you’re so beautiful/ What’s in your head/We won’t praise you anymore/ It’s not worth our breath”, you’ll be singing them by the second chorus. I’ll be honest, I caught myself doing the same. The vocals have that slight reminder of the lighter side of Mudvayne’s vocalist Chad, with crunchy hard rock guitars and solid drums. What is nice on this CD is the bass tone’s clarity. As a fellow bass player it is always a constant battle to get your instrument heard and mixed well on CD. Producers always want it keep it subtle or on the low-end for some reason, but on BRANE’s CD, the bass is heard crisp and clear. The music is great, but it’s the lyrics that pull you in.

The CD progresses into the second song Losing Control in which influences from Hoobastank are heard. Don’t be confused, this is not a rip off of a Hoobastank song, but simply the similarities in the vocals and hard rock verses are what make the chorus have a pop like sound. This song could very well be a strong second single for the group. It is hard-hitting from start to finish and has a nice open bridge that allows the song to breathe a bit.

The album progresses much like you would expect any album to, but soon it was the song Hero by ‘RIP’, that caught my ears. It is this song that more metal influences of the band show through. The song has a continuing double bass pounding throughout, but starts with a guitar riff sounding as if it was from an Avenge Sevenfold B side song. The bridge displays more technical scale progressions, the drum fills of a Neil Peart student, and the solo reminiscent of Dream Theater. The bass kept up with the guitars the whole time while keeping the backbone of the song still in place. This song keeps you bobbing your head throughout the track.

The bass is a strong part of The Artificial Picture, and it’s most noticeable on the song Forever. It holds down the main verse riff that makes you turn your head. At a BRANE show, if the crowd isn’t jumping during this song then there is something wrong with everyone.

It is after this track though that the CD takes a weird turn, both good and bad. The song Lost and Alone is full of awkward transitions from verse to chorus and chorus to bridge that make you wonder if it is an unfinished song or just added as a filler. Followed by this track is the song Better Off Dead, a good song but clearly different from their normal format for song writing. However, they go towards a little more progressive route in their writing which is nice. I am not sure why they didn’t do this earlier in the CD, but they clearly have the chops and talent to do more technical playing and writing.

All in all the, the CD kept you listening and wanting more. Ranging from radio hits with a message to edgier more progressive songs, The Artificial Picture is a great album that needs added to any music lovers collection. If you are looking for music you can sing to but still hear true musicianship, then BRANE is definitely the band to follow, and The Artificial Picture is certainly a CD to own.

*Brane did not have a ReverbNation page with a widget so to check out their music please go to their MySpace page to hear the CD The Artificial Picture.*
The Official Myspace of BRANE (myspace.com/braneband)
- EMURG.com