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Even though the Baton-Rouge-based alternative rock band Ethylene has flown under the radar, the band has managed to build quite a strong following for itself.
Since forming in July of 2005, Ethylene, which includes members Caleb Hymel (vocals/guitar), Brandon McBride (guitar), Jordan Snyder (bass), and Sam Anderson (vocals/drums), has already completed extensive tours and produced two EP’s.
Their first four-track EP, “From the Ashes,” was released in the spring of 2006, and their second five-track EP, “Flicker,” will be released on June 16 at The Caterie.
“We’re booking as much as possible because we want to establish ourselves as a regional band first,” Hymel said. “We just want to get our music out to as many people as possible.”
Hymel and former member, Karl Boudreaux, conceived Ethylene in one of the most natural places for a band.
“I ran into Karl at The Caterie one night and he said he wanted to put a band together,” Hymel recalled. “I brought him to my car and played a mix tap of mine for him. We added Jordan on bass and then all started jamming together.”
Considering Ethylene is Hymel’s first band, I wondered if there was any additional pressure on him to perform well.
“My view on it is that it means a lot more to me. It adds pressure on me to work harder. It’s my only focus.”
“I’m the only one in this band that hasn’t been in another band,” Hymel said. “I’ve never played anyone else’s music. It’s always been about our music.”
The original roster of Ethylene has undergone some slight changes. The band was first a three-piece, until McBride joined six-months ago.
“I originally heard of Ethylene through Another Big Machine,” McBride explained. “They were just awesome from the start. I became a supportive fan.”
Then, McBride heard Ethylene was holding tryouts for a guitar player.
He admitted that he was pensive about auditioning.
“I called and said I couldn’t do it because there were people out there that could do better for them than me,” he said.
Obviously, the band didn’t agree and McBride was asked to join.
As for Boudreaux, he recently left Ethylene due to work conflicts. He was replaced by Anderson, who played his first show with the band on Thursday, April 26 at Clicks Billiards.
“I played in a band called September Son, a semi-regional band, and Ethylene opened for us one time. I fell in love with the music they play, and then I grew a beard, and now we’re here,” Anderson said with a laugh.
Although member shakeups are inevitable for a band, Ethylene now seems to be fit perfectly.
“We are all best friends that play music together,” Snyder said.
You can catch Ethylene this Thursday, May 3 at The Caterie for an acoustic show with Another Big Machine and Break or Burn.
For more information on Ethylene, visit their MySpace page at www.myspace.com/ethylene. - By SAMANTHA MORGAN Special to 2theadvocate.com
Discography
-"From The Ashes"-2006-
Produced by:Toby Templett
---1.Cry Once
---2.Lesson Learned
---3.Lip Service
---4.The Rose Of All Stars
-"Flicker"-2007-
Produced by:Rhett Mouton(GVE Records)
---1. Vile
---2. Flicker
---3. Asses and Elephants
---4. Anything
---5. Watch Us Die
Photos
Bio
Passion is something you cannot put a price on. Sincere and honest song-writing is not easily found. Ethylene boasts both attributes loudly and aggressively on stage. With every down-stroke of the guitar, pluck of the bass, and crash of the cymbals, the Baton Rouge, LA based rock band demands nothing short of your undivided attention.
Formed in the summer of 2005, Ethylene then was comprised of singer/song-writer Caleb Hymel, long time friend and drummer Karl Boudreaux and bassist Jordan Snyder. In just 1 years time, Ethylene built an amazing local following that continuously expands to other areas of the country. Selling over 1200 copies of their debut EP "From the Ashes" in just a few short months. Ethylene to this day still receives song request in parts of the country the album is just now reaching. Amongst these requests is the powerful "Cry Once" track, which tells a story of a close friend fallen at the hands of a drunk driving incident. Etching mental pictures into your brain with lyrics like "Every look you gave to me that day is burned into my memory". With truthful and powerful stories such as these it's no wonder that Ethylene continues to grow so rapidly and maintain such a loyal following.
In late 2006, after Ethylene completed their latest EP "Flicker", Karl Boudreaux decided to part ways with Ethylene due to career advancement opportunities. Which left Caleb and Jordan in search of a new stick flipper. During their time together Caleb, Karl, and Jordan played with many great bands, one of which was called September Son. Their drummer at the time, Sam Anderson, was multi-talented performing as a drummer and vocalist. After developing a friendship with September Son, Caleb and Jordan were immensely excited to learn of Sam's interest in joining the band. Sam Anderson joined Ethylene in early 2007, Ethylene was then able to finalize their new EP "Flicker" and gear up for its highly anticipated release and tour promotion. With a new drummer, additional vocalist and a renewed sense of direction, Ethylene has continued to win over crowds from all regions of the country. Having sold out of the intital run of the 2007 "Flicker" EP, Ethylene now prepares to re-enter the studio to release it's debut album, which has yet to be named. " We're really excited to be moving forward." says Caleb, frontman for the group. " The release of 'Flicker' came later than we expected, so it's good to get back in the studio. Our goal is to put out a record that envelopes you from start to finish." The new record , which will be released in 2008, will feature 10 new tracks, with a re-release of the song "Where's My Juliet?". Catch Ethylene on tour, or pick up "Flicker" on iTunes and CDBaby.
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