Music
The best kept secret in music
Press
After almost a decade playing the area and releasing one CD under the moniker Calm Waterz, Donny Strackbein, R.J. Minichello, John Cammerota and Tim Munley decided it was time for a change. Under the new banner of Gemstone the foursome renewed their mission to bring their straight-ahead original rock to Northeast Pennsylvania. Their 8-song self-titled re-debut displays their heartfelt love of sincere and honest rock. The CD was recorded at Saturation Acres in Danville by former Badlees and current Cellarbirds Bret Alexander and Paul Smith. "Moving Van" is the first track to display their influence with its acoustic guitar and organ-inflected simplicity. "Candle Back Home" is moody and atmospheric, employing the slow-boil building of 90's alternative bands like Bush and Creed. Vocalist Donny Strackbein, lies somewhere between Greg Dulli, Tom Petty, and Eddie Vedder, and when he wails "I'm still raising three boys like they're dogs," you believe him. "To Be Like That" is both the shortest track and the best, moving fast, doing its job and getting out, while "Don't Matter" erupts into an explosion of blues riffage evoking Train or the Black Crowes. Gemstone comes recommended for local music fans who like their rock straight up.
www.galleryofsound.com - Phillip Price
Promising, developing, straight-ahead rock project. Good attitude and energy with solid instrumental ability.
- James Diener
This band has a strong sense of what rock is, it reminded me of the southern rock bands Gov't Mule, and Wide Spread Panic. The songs I felt had a bit more of a pop sound than those band and are more radio friendly. There definitely were some strong driven guitar riffs that added a fullness to the sound. - Devra Wright
Bret Alexander/Paul Smith (the Badlees)
THE RECORD ROCKS. Gemstone has a wonderfully diverse collection of songs that shifts and turns in ways that I think even surprised the band. There are elements of folk, punk, alternative, blues, and classic rock here, sometimes in the course of one song. They go from a whisper to a scream and back again before you know what hit ya. You can't really put your finger on it, but that is what makes the record work. I'd recommend it to anyone………..
Keep your ear to the ground for these guys and, take it from me, expect the unexpected. - Bret Alexander and Paul Smith
Discography
*Still (single which recieved airplay on 98.5 WKRZ FM in Pittson Pa in sumemr of 2002). Is also being played online at www.HbgPR.org , and is streamed on the bands web site for free.
*Moving Van is the Second single of their self titled debut and is getting airplay from many stattion including 98.5 FM in Pittston and 102.3 FM also in Pittston, Pa. With national distribution through FYE - Coconuts and Strawberries currently in the works the buzz keeps growing.
Photos
Feeling a bit camera shy
Bio
**News Flash**
-gemstone has signed with Indie label LiL' Chaos Records-
GEMSTONE is a four-piece rock band known throughout Northeast Pennsylvania. Their sound blends driving original songs and strong performances with many styles of contemporary music - alternative, folk, punk, blues and classic rock. This diversity creates the unique sound of GEMSTONE.
Recently the band has accomplished to gather much radio interest and live performance with a contest hosted by local radio station looking for opening band for Matchbox 20, with over 1000 submissions the band managed to be one of five bands picked to compete, and ultimately placed second. Following the contest the band was asked to open for Rock legend Ted Nugent, will share the stage in August 2003 with John Mayer and The Counting Crows,frequest the stage with Pennsylvania legends The Badlees, and the buzz keeps growing. The band rocks the house with its music and performance. They are attracting regional and national attention, and major labels are expressing interest with their released single “still” from the new album. Local top radio personality “Jumpin Jeff Walker” is giving the band support from WKRZ 98.5 in Pittston, Pa. Jeff says “I thought the new gemstone CD really stood out, it’s got a couple songs that could easily be radio hits if a label was backing them and supporting them.” Walker also says, “It’s a nice clean straight ahead rock sound that has some strong hooks."
Bands official web site is at:
www.gemstonerocks.com
Links
