Grain
Gig Seeker Pro

Grain

Band Rock Punk

Calendar

This band has not uploaded any videos
This band has not uploaded any videos

Music

The best kept secret in music

Press


""The entire album flows gracefully from subtlety to full-on rock and roll""

Grain’s second album, The Bad Years, manages to capture the sounds of 70’s-era pop rock and effortlessly fuse it with elements of today’s edgier modern rock sound. Hailing from the midwest, this band brings certain panache to their music that you don't see in most younger bands. They write intelligent, upbeat, and catchy songs without sounding sugarcoated or overly produced. The opener “Landmine” swells to an incredible crescendo of vocal harmonies and a complex, weaving bassline. The next track, “I Ruined Love” is a soulful ballad that almost sounds country-inspired. The entire album flows gracefully from subtlety to full-on rock and roll aggression without feeling awkward or losing the listener. This is a hallmark of good musicianship. The tight guitar work, solid percussion, and excellent bass are further proof. All the tracks on the album stand firmly together. There’s no filler or weak material. Grain is clearly a mature band that knows how to create a foundational rock album for an audience weary of the current cookie-cutter trends of the pop rock scene. So many bands could take a lesson from Grain and make sure their songs were strong, cohesive and filled with excellent hooks, rather than attempts to sound like the next big thing. Hats off to Grain for making an honest, excellent, and repeatedly listenable album. I see great success in their future.
Reviewer: Benjamin Daniels

- Indie-Music.com


"Grain are one of the most exciting young bands to watch."

On their second release, Grain check in with an album of big sexy riffs and melodic anthemic rock. Recorded at David Lowrey's Sound of Music Studios in Richmond, Va., the 12 tracks on The Bad Years range from crunchy ‘70s pop to layered instrumentals and thoughtful ballads. Instrumentally, the band is rhythmically innovative, guitarist Wayne Smith plays some of the most catchy chords around and singer Carla Simmons has a crushing swoon that gives each number a soulful urgency. “Landmine” is a building rocker, the guitar-drenched “I Ruined Love” is bombastic, elegant and fierce, and “Understood” is soaring and hard to resist. Produced by Alan Weatherhead (Mary Timony, Clem Snide), The Bad Years is a smashing second album that shows Grain are one of the most exciting young bands to watch. – Alex Green

- Amplifier Magazine Issue 42 - May-June 2004


"'Grain's sound is both polished and raw, a sound that somehow encompasses in its guitar-driven rock echoes of the Velvet Underground, Sonic Youth and the classic rock radio bands of the '70s.'"

Grain, The Bad Years (Orangeworld). Grain's sound is both polished and raw, a sound that somehow encompasses in its guitar-driven rock echoes of the Velvet Underground, Sonic Youth and the classic rock radio bands of the '70s. The Bad Years, produced by Al Weatherhead and the band, is a swirly, edgy bit of rock and roll, a bit psychedelic but exceedingly tight and focused. At its best, the album, the second disc from the Pittsburgh-based quartet, explores these echoes, riding on the powerful foundation laid down by bassist Matthew Augustine and drummer Matt Lawrence. The guitar lines of Wayne Smith call up memories of Blue Oyster Cult and strands of Luna and Matthew Sweet, while Carla Simmons' reedy vocal moves from the etherealness of Sarah McLachlan to the earthier feel of Sheryl Crow. On "Landmine", "I Ruined Your Love" and "Everything You're Not", Smith is in hard-'70s mode, fuzzy, fast and focused, while Simmons offers her most effective vocal on "Landmine" and "Can't Lose", a song on which country-rock meets Luna and on which she sounds most like Sheryl Crow. But it is the instrumental "Third Floor" that is most intriguing, its repeating guitar lines and fuzz tone set atop perfectly calibrated drumming -- all shimmering texture and atmosphere. — Hank Kalet

- POPMATTERS.COM


""Hurling forth a whirlwind of post-punk delight...""

Editor's Pick: Grain - 'The Bad Years'. Sophomore releases tend to be where a band or artist stumbles losing steam from their debut. This isn’t the case with Grain’s contribution “The Bad Years”. Hurling forth a whirlwind of post-punk delight, this release in fact raises the bar seen in their self-titled debut from 2000. Recorded at Sound of Music Studios in Richmond, Virginia, “The Bad Years” features gorgeous female vocals overtop of well-knit guitar riffs and laidback rhythm. - J-Sin

- Smother.net


""Great arrangements and haunting lyrics will capture any music lover’s interest and approval on first listen. ""

Anyone who thinks it’s oxymoronic to say great band and Pittsburgh in the same breath should listen to Grain’s The Bad Years as evidence that incredible and intelligent rock ‘n roll is alive in our fair city. The music ranges from cerebral to just plain fun in eleven selections kicked off with an introduction that sets the stage for the remarkable experience that follows. It would be easy to compare Grain to some established artists ---listeners may hear hints of The Who, Julie Cruise, Cowboy Junkies--- but this band is definitely an original entity. Great arrangements and haunting lyrics will capture any music lover’s interest and approval on first listen. After that, The Bad Years just gets better and better each time played.
Tom Steiner ---The Citizen - The Citizen - Pittsbrgh, PA


"'Great record by little known band...'"

"The Bad Years" by Grain is a nice surprise from a band that falls into the "Where'd they come from?" category. The CD, produced by Al Weatherhead (Sparklehorse, Clem Snide) is a mix of rock and alt-country that features vocalist Carla Simmons, who at times resembles a more energetic version of the Cowboy Junkies' Margo Timmons. The best songs are "Everything You're Not," a ferocious rocker, and the lead track, "Landmine," an atmospheric, haunting track that echoes Siouxsie & the Banshees. - Tribune Review - Pittsburgh, PA


"Grain's newest album, The Bad Years, demonstrates how the use of myriad instruments doesn't necessarily result in a crowded jumble of sounds."

Grain's newest album, The Bad Years, demonstrates how the use of myriad instruments doesn't necessarily result in a crowded jumble of sounds. This local band's genius is the ability to render each song in an atmosphere of ethereality, while incorporating more instruments than there is room to list here. Some of their ensemble includes a mellotron, Hammond organ, tambourine, cowbell, shaker, maracas, Fender Rhodes and Moog. Carla Simmons has a raw, folk-singer voice that takes each syllable of a word and drags it out until it disappears into the background of the song, but this album is not a sleeper. The preponderance of electric guitars takes care of that. Wayne Smith, who plays anything from guitar to piano, deems it a very "organic recording. With the first [CD], we were really concerned with having a live sound on the record, this time anything goes." Working with Al Weatherhead was also a great experience for everyone -- he has recorded a lot of great bands, including Sparklehorse, Cracker and Mary Timony. Grain has come a long way -- from an acoustic band searching for a drummer to a tight quartet with various guests sitting in to create a lush, yet perfectly balanced, sound. -- MISTY FREY
- Pulp - Pittsburgh, PA City Paper


""This is sturdy and strong music, with few frills, coming straight from the heart.""

WHAT IS GRAIN? Grain. A great name for a band expert at separating the wheat from the chaff. Powerful at times, subtle at others. Unpretentious, and rooted in the heartland. And the perfect title for the band's self-titled debut. The name stokes images of upright silos in vast, golden fields near dusty country back roads. This is sturdy and strong music, with few frills, coming straight from the heart. There is no pretending to cater to trends, modern styles or "flavor of the week" mentality. Grain has a working knowledge of timeless music that goes back further than last week. The band's intelligence and willingness to experiment and straddle genres is one reason why their music sounds so familiar. But don't let that fool you: the band has a distinct voice of its own, a definite personality. While recording, the band had no thought of what sound was "in" or hip for the moment. Of course, like all musicians, they have their influences. The difference is they have GOOD influences. They wrote and recorded music that felt right. In some hands, this would be disastrous. With Grain, this is their charm and seductiveness, pulling you in. Take for example, "Secrets," the lead track. When was the last time you heard a voice as sweet against guitars as big? And what about the cryptic lyrics? "Secrets" is as confessional as anything X's Exene Cervanka wrote, with guitars and drums that wouldn't be out of place on a Neil Young and Crazy Horse record. "Messed Up" is another lyrically confessional chestnut like country songwriters used to write, before Nashville became "the machine." Set against the dramatic and dynamic backdrop of guitars and more guitars, "Messed Up" rocks in a kinder, gentler way. Nothing kind or gentle about "Endless," the third track. It just plain rocks, with a fury and emotional intensity recalling some of the best 1970s American punk bands, like the MC5. Great, hooky guitar solo, straight out of the Ace Frehley catalog. Simple and to the point, the way it should be. Big guitars. Big drums. Just plain big. The next track, "Miss You," is another straight-ahead rocker, with a descending hook strong enough to land a shark. A great track for cruising the highway with, but better watch the speed limit. On "Waiting" the band's country roots show, like maybe if Patsy Cline hitched a ride in a 1954 Oldsmobile with Buck Owens and Bruce Springsteen in the back seat. It may sound strange, but it works. "Drown" is the kind of ballad songwriters are afraid to write anymore: emotionally moving, with a sparse, poignant organ hook and an aching, sincere vocal. Heart wrenching, and reminiscent of Richard and Linda Thompson's best work. If you have any sensitivity at all this song will stay in your head for a week. "Landscape" is another powerful rocker, sounding like a possible outtake from REM's "Green," while the final cut, "Found," might be the result if Shelby Lynne were locked in a room with Velvet Underground-era Lou Reed. Very avant. Very cool. Thirty-five minutes and done. No wasted notes. No filler tracks. Grain finished when it felt right. The effort hangs together very well, cohesive and satisfying. Intelligent rock for grownups. This is their secret. This is Grain. (Mark Miller Review from Herald-Star) - Herald-Star Ohio


""Hands-down the best alt-country-cum-roots-rock band in the area.""

"Hands-down the best alt-country-cum-roots-rock band in the area. Lead singer Carla Simmons' voice is a treat, and the band's tunes are accessible and catchy, and can run the gamut from stomping rockers to mellow. Think combination Jayhawks, Cowboy Junkies, and Humble Pie."
- Pittsburgh Magazine


""Grain's sound is a versatile and continually morphs into different musical forms.""

"Taking their cue from the various forms of rock that were popular in the 70's (including power pop, riff rock, New York punk, and country rock,) Grain's sound is a versatile and continually morphs into different musical forms. Getting gigs opening for acts such as the Neville Brothers and George Jones, the group put in their time in the touring circuit until 2002, when they stepped into the studio and recorded their eponymous debut."
Bradley Torreano www.allmusic.com
- All Music Guide


Discography

GRAIN - 'Grain'
GRAIN - 'The Bad Years'

Photos

Feeling a bit camera shy

Bio

GRAIN has had the oppurtunity to open for a wide range of artsis in their home town of Pittsburgh, PA; including: The Mooney Suzuki, Cheap Trick, Mark Farner, Santana to acoustic sets opening for George Jones & Patty Griffin.

GRAIN's latest CD 'The Bad Years' was recorded at David Lowery's (Cracker, CamperVan Beethoven) Sound of Music Studios in Richmond, Virginia. It was produced by Alan Weatherhead whose recording and production credits include Sparklehorse, Mary Timmony, Nina Perrson & Clem Snide, Daniel Johnston.
Al helped the band capture its sound by blending lush arrangments while still keeping the bands raw rock & roll edge.

GRAIN feels that others are better in describing the band then the band itself. Here's are some reviews & descriptions of GRAIN's latest CD "The Bad Years" over the past few months:

'Grain's sound is both polished and raw, a sound that somehow encompasses in its guitar-driven rock echoes of the Velvet Underground, Sonic Youth and the classic rock radio bands of the '70s.'
- Popmatters.com

'They write intelligent, upbeat, and catchy songs without sounding sugarcoated or overly produced.'
- Indie-Music.com

'On their second release, Grain check in with an album of big sexy riffs and melodic anthemic rock...The Bad Years is a smashing second album that shows Grain are one of the most exciting young bands to watch.'
- Amplifier Magazine