Eschellon
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Eschellon

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"Into the fire Eschellon tackles life as a three piece"

Hushed guitars, Geddy Lee-like bass shifting and booming drums lead into the Coldplay-esque vibe of "It’s Just Me," the opening track on Eschellon’s second album, "The History of Fire."

A record that almost wasn’t, "Fire" finds Eschellon — bassist and vocalist Ryan Monahan, guitarist Bob Nuzello and drummer Brian Aiken — in a new position: making music without a second guitarist. Fittingly, the band cranked up another art-rocking three-piece, the Flaming Lips, while recording the new disc.

"We listened a lot to their last two albums," says Monahan, who grew up in Branford. "I think the bass and drum parts are really influenced by those two CDs."

The guys only had about half of "Fire" written when they retreated to the studio, beginning the process. A friend of Monahan’s, a recording major at the University of Hartford, wanted to use Eschellon as his guinea pig. "He was going to have the whole semester to just record us (at the Hartt School of Music) as part of his final project," explains the bassist, "and it was too good of an opportunity to pass up."

Jamming ensued. Three guys in a room, blasting their instruments and figuring out what works, the essence of rock, says Monahan. "A lot of it came out spontaneously. It’s more intuitive, you know, written in band practices and going more with the gut." The result is a more atmospheric, less catchy band than the one that put out 2001’s "Numb" and "The Blockade," an EP from 2003.

Concentrating less on sounding like an Americanized Radiohead, Eschellon found that when they just let the music go where it wanted, the results exceeded expectations. "We ended up going the route of being authentic," explains Monahan. "It’s more refreshing because that’s where we’re going. ‘History of Fire’ was a test run for our band."

While Eschellon will release "Fire" at The Space tonight, the future is what’s on Monahan’s mind. He and Aiken continue juggling the pressures of college and a functioning, on-the-rise rock band.

"It’s the biggest battle," says the bassist, a student at Central Connecticut State University. "It’s hard to take both seriously. It’s hard to have the (courage) to leave school and focus on music. Everyone says we’re great, and that we’ll make it, but those people are friends. It’s hard to be objective."

The band’s tasted big-time success, without quite grasping it. After Billy Zero from XM Satellite Radio featured Eschellon on the company’s "Unsigned" station — a channel that exclusively plays independent artists — the guys became the most requested band on the channel, earning a sniff from Geffen Records.

"I got an e-mail from them," says Monahan, "for some material. I sent it and then got a hand-written letter back. The guy said he liked it, but he didn’t hear a single; you know, that kind of stuff. I don’t know if I’m ready for Geffen yet, anyway."

A record exec not hearing a clear pop tune is almost exactly what Monahan hoped would happen with "Fire." "The friends I’ve played it for have been really emphatic about loving it, but older people, not so much. I think that’s great though. With our other stuff, they seemed to like it and it kind of freaked me out.

"Now I play it for my mom and she puts her hands over her ears. I’ve feel like we’ve accomplished something with that."
- Journal Register Company


Discography

Numb-2001

The Blockade Ep- 2003

History of Fire- 2004

Photos

Bio

Few suspected that when Eschellon (esh-a-lon) formed as an awkward bunch of gangly teenagers, that they would emerge as the most critically lauded band in the state of Connecticut. Hailed by press as “the best band in the state”, Eschellon has been likened to “The American Radiohead”; yet, the music is too accessible to be compared to their British counterparts. Before the music becomes too epic, it floats back down to earth with acoustic guitars, organs, synthetic undertones, whimsical lullabies, understated melodies, and the relieving feeling that “sense is just a lullaby.”

Too hopeful to be called angst-rock, and grooves too far in the pocket to be called Indie, Eschellon teeters between introspective subtlety, and passive-aggressive guitar explosions. The band draws their influences from Brit-pop/rock wit and sensibility, the raucous guitar-work of the New York-underground, the soundscapes of Iceland, and New England sensitivity - giving each song its own musical aura.

In 2004, Eschellon received national radio play on XM Radio with songs from their sophomore release, The Blockade EP. Just days after the band was featured on XM Radio 52 as “Band of the Week”, two songs from the EP topped the charts at the #1 and #2 slots – making Eschellon the most requested unsigned band in the US. The band has also received commercial radio play on CT’s 104.1 and 99.1, and Atlanta’s 96.1.

Recently, Eschellon spent three months to complete their third self-released title, The History of Fire. Released in October of 2004, the 11-track LP has already been reviewed as the band’s most impressive, and mature release to date.

Through their spontaneous and unpredictable live shows, the band continues to grow with the support of grassroots efforts, and close relationships with its fan-base. Touring the Northeast for the past three years, the band has played notable venues such as Toad’s Place, The Knitting Factory, Luna Lounge, Elbow Room, and Great Scott - sharing bills with V.A.S.T., The Breakfast, Mighty Purple, Jen Durkin, Oh My God!, and the New Deal. In 2002, the band showcased for Universal Records, and plans on signing with a label in the future in order to expand national promotion and recognition.

The band has recorded and released three CD's: "Numb" in 2001, "The Blockade EP" in 2002 and "The History of Fire" in October of 2004.