CPM
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CPM

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"Christian Porn Machine- Live"

My personal bias when watching live shows is the stage presence of the band. I’ve seen bands whose music I love, only to be disappointed in person— not because the music sounded any different, but because there was nothing on stage that made my physical presence there necessary. I have seen bands that appeared to be playing to a blank floor, ignoring audience interaction for the sake of their art. Some prefer that. I happen to prefer shows where the crowd is surging with energy and where the band can hardly keep themselves in form because they are literally transported by their own music. And when the music is up to par, with an excellent stage performance, the show becomes spectacular.
Christian Porn Machine, who call themselves CPM for short, is composed of four men whose influences range from U2 to AC/DC, coalescing in a completely unique style of their own, a sound that the listener would have a difficult time placing in any one area of music. Calvin Cearley and Aaron Harden share vocal duties, with Cearley on guitar and Harden on bass. Mike Cagliuso sits at the drums, and Mark Cichra rocks out on guitar. Originally from South Florida, Cearley and Harden found themselves in Boston, discarding their old band (they were previously Enterlost and then Revolution Rockshow) and diving into the local music scene. In the summer of 2003, Cearley and Harden joined up with Cagliuso and Cichra, a match that enabled the band to solidify their sound. Their debut EP is entitled "The Red Lion EP", and the show I saw at the Paradise Lounge was recorded live and available after the show.
Christian Porn Machine opened at the Paradise Lounge on January 23rd, for less important bands- the band that followed CPM was so boring that I was compelled to leave and miss the headlining act. Their brand of music can be classified as depressing, framed within happy sounds. My favorite moment: Aaron (the bassist/singer) singing “I am the ugliest person I know / I am the ugliest flower that grows” on top of energetic and guitar-heavy music. The set overall consisted of song after song with jarring hooks, sudden crescendos, and the three standing members flinging themselves about the stage with such energy (in distinctive ways) and complete immersion into their music that I couldn’t see how people weren’t jumping all around the club in a sort of contagious osmosis. The energy was really the most remarkable thing about this band, and it is one of the better displays of stage presence, that is so crucially important to having a good show. The music is complex and layered without sounding muddled, and CPM integrates their audience into the music, making it possible to be carried away with the band. All the band members showed unique personality on stage, making the entire performance fascinating to watch. They put on a fantastic show, combining the two essentials: showmanship and good product.

By Betsy Yoon - The Local Mix


"Boston Band Shows Promise"

C.P.M.'s debut release, The Red Lion EP, perfectly blends slower, melodic music with its faster, harder choruses. This melodic/punk Boston College band displays a lot of promise with this four track demo. With thought-provoking lyrics and solid instrumentals, C.P.M. adds a fresh talent to the pool of BC bands.

"Tomorrow Now" invites the listener in with its catchy rifts and uplifting spirit. Aaron Harden's (A&S '03) voice fits perfectly in this song, ranging from passion-filled choruses to softer moments. "Tomorrow Now" expresses the emotions felt when spending time with a loved one, but shows frustration with this fickle character. The chorus sings, "You change your mind / Everytime I think your mine."

"Cleanse" provokes a more haunting sound with the ringing chorus, "We're all going under." Back-up vocals by Calvin Cearley perfectly accompany Harden on the chorus of this introspective track. This song brings an almost Jimmy Eat Worldish feel to it.

The gem on the demo is "Last Rose." Many bands drowned out the voice of their lead singer with guitar rifts, but Cearley's stands out. With a more garage band feel, the song starts out with singing, before breaking into a guitar solo, followed by the captivating chorus. Cearley seems to reflect on the ever-changing elements in life proclaiming, "Back in high school when punk was still cool / Nothing lasts forever / Nothing lasts forever." The guitar solo by Cearley on the bridge guided by the beat of Bobby Plunkert, A&S '06, adds a special touch to the song.

"Last Rose" proves that C.P.M. is no short-song punk band, with this song clocking in at around six minutes.

"The Cardinal Law," the last track, is carried by a lingering baseline on this more opinionated song. "The Cardinal Law" speaks about the contradictions in the Church in light of the recent scandal. The song fluctuates between guitar chords and resounding bass to create a curious sound.

With C.P.M.'s first recording finished, they are staying busy with local performances. Along with playing at the April 25 Cancer Walk, C.P.M. can be seen on open-mic nights at the Bluestone Bistro. When asked about upcoming projects, Harden comments, "We will hopefully garner enough support to do a full length in the next year or so."

Collectively, this trio packs a fresh, interesting sound. C.P.M. possesses instrumental and lyrical talent. Overall, as a demo, the music seems to follow a general trend while changing the mood, resulting in a great variety of tracks. The Red Lion EP is one that will leave you repeatedly singing the choruses.

By Barry Mills - Boston College


Discography

The Red Lion EP (2002)
Instant Live: The Paradise, Boston (2004)
CPM (2004)
Burn Brighter Acoustic (2006)
Live At Dukes (2007)
Machina Xian Porna (2008)

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Bio

CPM GOT ITS START IN SOUTH FLORIDA AS A BAND CALLED "ENTERLOST," FEATURING CEARLEY AND HARDEN FROM THE BEGINING. SOON AFTER, THE 2 BROUGHT THE BAND UP TO BOSTON AND CHANGED THE NAME TO "CHRISTIAN PORN MACHINE."

INFLUENCES INCLUDE U2, SMASHING PUMPKINS, WEEZER, THE PIXIES.

THE NAME WAS NOT ONLY A REACTION TO THE NEW ENGALND CHURCH SEX SCANDAL BUT A BROAD SCANDAL OF FAITH. CPM BEGAN MORE AS AN IDEA THAN A ROCK BAND. THE IDEA BASICALLY HARNESSING THE PHILOSOPHY OF RELIGION BECOMING LESS AND LESS ABOUT A LIFESTYLE AND MORE ABOUT A WELL ADORNED PROPAGANDA SUCCESS STORY.
PORN, IN THE SAME WAY AS PROPAGANDA, SEEKS AN IMMEDIATE REACTION. THERE IS NO NURTURE, ONLY NATURE. CHRISTIAN PORN: CHRISTIAN PROPAGANDA.
SO ONCE THE WELL OILED MACHINE GRABS YOUR ATTENTION YOU HAVE TO FALL IN WITH THE REST OF THE FLOCK.
SALVATION lies WITHIN.
ON THE COAT TAILS OF A POST-MODERN AGE CPM SEEKS TO USE MUSIC TO SPOTLIGHT THE GROWING GLOBAL FRUSTRATIONS WITH A SPIRIT-FREE SPIRITUALITY...AND IN THE SILENCE OF THE ARGUMENTS...WE WILL BRING THE ROCK.