Exit 380
Dallas, Texas, United States | INDIE
Music
Press
Exit 380 is a typical rock band, though you wouldn't know it from recent gigs. - Dallas Morning News GUIDELIVE. Author: Mike Daniels
"WINNER "Song of the Year - 'Alexander Stone' - FW Weekly Music Awards 2009 - Fort Worth Weekly. Author: Anthony Mariani
"...Denton's own Exit 380 brings innovative rock stylings to a raucous live show." - NBCDFW
Mr. & Mrs. Alexander Stone is Exit 380's fourth full-length effort, and it's by far the Denton band's most intricate and innovative piece of work. - Dallas Observer. Author: Darryl Smyers
"Exit 380's concept album The Life and Death of Mr. and Mrs. Alexander Stone. The new songs -- about the ups and downs of a fictional 1930s couple -- allow Blocker and the guys to move beyond the '90s-influenced alt-rock they've done in the past." - Quick Magazine. Author: Hunter Hauk
"Then, this week, the band's frontman, Dustin Blocker, emails along the above video for another song on the EP, this one called "Run For The Gold". And, even if for nothing else, the video would stand as an impressive clip just because it's a single shot. " - Dallas Observer *DC9 At Night* Author: Pete Freedman
"They continue their musical tour with Cities/Townies, a 5-song EP they're releasing later this month. Think of Cities/Townies as half rock, half country-folk. And don't be surprised if the band expands this idea to a double-disc release down the line." - Quick Magazine. Author: Hunter Hauk
"*5 Out Of 5 Stars* Live Show Review: Exit 380 @ The Scout Bar (Houston)" - Houston Examiner. Author: Rhonda Meredith
Exit 380 just gets better with time. They have a track, and they are staying that track, with a little subtle experimentation. This is what drives a band up and keeps them fresh. - The Shop Radio. Author: AnalogKidd
Nominated "Best Rock Act" - FW Weekly Music Awards (2007, 2008, 2010) - Fort Worth Weekly. Author: Staff
Exit 380 might be the quintessential local rock band. They play, play, play and unabashedly pay homage to their favorite grunge-era bands while maintaining a quirky, idiosyncratic edge. - Fort Worth Weekly. Author: Caroline Collier
The song ("Moonshiner Run"), which will also appear on the band's planned 2011 release, Townies, is among the best offerings we've yet heard from the band. - Dallas Observer *DC9 At Night* Author: Pete Freedman
No band has staged its own transformation as
precisely as Exit 380. The group originally consisted
of two guitarists, Jeff George and Aaron Borden,
supporting heavy-toned crooner Dustin Blocker. The
boys played open mic nights and some small bars in
the Metroplex.
With a handful of covers peppered with a few
original songs, the threesome aquired something of
a following. Pleased crowds showed up for raspy
versions of Stone Temple Pilot's
"Interstate Love Song," anything Dave Matthews, and
a bluesy version of Pearl Jam's "Indifference" that
some thought better than the original. Each
life's-a-party performance was full of talent and
energy.
Eventually, the covers thinned out of the set
lists, and original songs took the lead. Turning
Exit 380 into a full-service band, drummer
Cory Parker and bassist Jason Rasberry came on
board. Now the group has taken the next step.
The release of their first album, the self-written,
self-produced, self-marketed The Quenching Burn,
will be celebrated Thursday at the Aardvark.
The c.d. captures Exit 380's trademark talents
of bluesy rock performances at high energy levels.
Blocker's soulful voice fills the room during live
performances, and the recording captures both the
emotion and the melodic presence that he and the
band exude in person.
Without a doubt, Exit 380 is a party band. Their
commanding performances and energy are enough
to make anyone raise a glass. Unlike most party
bands, however, these guys have talent and are
going places. Look for Exit 380 to make things
happen.
--Jennifer Robertson - Fort Worth Weekly
Discography
(2000) "The Quenching Burn" LP
(2003) "Breakdown" EP
(2003)"Short Story" LP
(2005)"Old Songs. New Tape." LP
(2006)"Last Monday" (2006) LP
(2008) "The Life & Death" EP
(2008)"The Life & Death Of Mr. & Mrs. Alexander Stone" LP
(2010) "Cities Townies" EP
Photos
Bio
In the spring of 1999, spawned by an insidious need for attention; Exit 380 began its crawl in the wet streets of Denton, Texas from acoustic two-piece bar schlock to the more sprint ready five-headed alternative act wrought with electrified instruments. Best known in the North Texas region for its 11 years of rock and roll pandering, the band has begun to wear a new tread into its heel by hitchhiking down a more swamp laden, alt-country road.
Late nights, loud tirades and long winding tire sessions have honed five individuals into a hand-wrench diesel engine complete with minimal banter and maximum thrust. The formulaic live standards are lightly adhered to in the club setting and even less so within the studio; recording without the use of a net.
Standing on the frayed edges of alternative music Exit 380 has been well received by media types; quantified by accolades, interviews, reviews and general press niceties. Swimming in an ever changing sea of styles this is an act that stays fresh by keeping its toes in different waters.
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