Gate 1

Gate 1 is a band with an interesting conglomeration of diverse, loud and proud personalities. Their passion for music is evident in their eagerness to perform, as well as their ability to have a genuine loud, rowdy, rock n' roll time.

At the root of it all, they are four down-to-earth guys, the kind-of guys you would like to share a beer with in a smoke-filled, hole-in-the-wall bar.

They are an asset to the local music scene, being that they bring back a fresh attitude and personality to their music. It has a nonchalant, sort-of comfort and coolness, reminiscent of the clean guitar sounds that came out of the early '90s emergence of the alternative-metal scene. Some of their songs have early punk influences, as well as a heavy metal aspect countering it. They draw from many influences and styles, everything from jazz to blues experience, and guitar solos with funky undertones. The band's hook-driven melodies are reminiscent of Velvet Revolver and Foo Fighters.

Not your typical teen garage band, these guys are older, established, with responsibilities, bills, and maybe even a 401-K. Despite this, they still manage to rock, and no one is telling them they shouldn't be.

The band consists of TC on vocals, Barry Seiver on guitar, Mike Murphy on bass, and Nik Blonder on drums. Blonder is from Frederick and Murphy from New Market. TC lives in Harper's Ferry, W.Va., where the band rehearses.

In April, the band released an album titled "Maximum Pumping," and like many other bands, have high hopes to eventually take their music to a larger level. Their debut 10-song CD is just the first of what they hope will be many albums to come.

The album, composed entirely by the band, is something they hold in very high regard. Blonder said, "The fact that we have had no outside help with recording, mixing and (the production) of our debut album, all the way down to cover design -- that is something I feel very proud of." In conjunction with their new album, the band has made other changes within the last few months, including the addition of guitarist Barry Seiver, who lives in Fairfield, Pa.

Despite their short time playing together, the band still has a tight, rock 'n' roll sound. They have a solid set-list of about 10 or so songs that they are able to fly through with ease.

Seiver describes their sound as "modern rock in concept, almost punk in delivery, classic in tone and instrumental application, simplicity in structure, hooky, enjoyable hard rock 'n' roll."

Murphy says Gate 1 sounds more "like a buzz-saw."

With a true devotion to their music, it is clear that Gate 1 will eventually succeed in whatever goals they set for themselves, because they haven't given up.

Seiver described his feelings on music as "a special language that only other musicians can converse in, but millions can relate to." Further driving the point home, he later said, "The day I stop playing music is the day I don't wake up."

In fact, everyone in the band mentioned they had felt a true love for music since they were very young. Murphy had nothing but nice things to say about his fellow bandmates, mentioning the reason he got up each day is because he and his band "have a lot of love and respect for each other." Blonder said, "I'd go crazy if for some reason I couldn't play," because "it's an addiction for me."

Gate 1 has played many shows, some of which were with other local bands from the Frederick area, including Earth Note Syndica3te. While they do support their fellow artists, they are not entirely concerned with making friends either. Vocalist TC said, "This is a tough business to be in, and all my time is dedicated to Gate 1 only."

As for how they feel about the serious lack of all-ages venues in the Frederick area, and if that has proven to be detrimental for their turn-out, Seiver responded with a father's perspective. "As a parent, I would never let my kid go unsupervised to an event like that. I know what happens there and I don't tolerate that stuff in my family. As for my band, we seek out venues that book regional and national touring acts, and bars where good rock bands play. I've never been comfortable playing for a really young audience."

On the subject, Blonder said, "Most of the people who come to see us are in the range of 21 to 35, so we do not suffer too much at not having all-ages venues. What is a big problem is that most of the venues prefer to book bands that play covers than those like us, who play primarily original material." Vocalist TC added, "The club Jaxx in Virginia has been very good to us, and we play there a lot."

On the local scene, check out Gate 1 on Thursday, July 10, at Olde Town Tavern, 9 p.m.

By Lauren Monaco
Special to the News-Post

http://www.fredericknewspost.com/sections/art_life/display_ent.htm?StoryID=77292 - Frederick News-Post