Holding Mercury

“Each lighter-waving chorus on the group’s consistently impressive debut is polished until it practically gleams.” Andy Downing - Chicago Tribune

"’Hit’ is the key word, as Holding Mercury certainly have the hooks to spawn a few.”
Jeff Pizek - Chicago Daily Herald

“There is a certain strength in Hoffer's vocal and an uncommon bit to his lyrics.” Jason Behrends – gapersblock.com

“Holding Mercury’s album entitled Downfall of an Empire is a cyclone of fury that decimates extraneous, imposing remains on its path when you least suspect it.”…..”Downfall of an Empire is lock, stock and barrels filled to the brim with passion.”….” They really nail it here with an album that can be listened to straight through without skipping over tracks.” 8.5/10. John Berkowitz – celebritycafe.com

“This is a very cool band with a lot of qualities. The opening "Stuck In A Box" is a beautiful melodic rock piece a'la Melodine with a perfect edge a'la Cheap Trick, and the second one out "I'm Not Well" continues the race. The softer "Anchors Away" where Matt Hoffer (I wrote about his soloalbum back in 2005) shows his qualities is fantastic and ninth out "Do You" is really cool 80's smelling pop with a flirt of Tears For Fears goes Chameleon. All spiced with an american edge. Beautiful stuff. “ 3.5/5 stars. Par Windberg – melodic.net

“The melody [in “I’m Not Well”] is hooky as hell and the singer has a pretty good voice. When I checked out the band's website, I saw a review that compared them to Cheap Trick. I guess I can hear that.” The Pop Eye Blog

“If you like your rock and roll with equal parts good hooks and brains, then I implore you to pick up Downfall of an Empire on November 4th. Final Score: 8/10” TJ – Viva La Mainstream Blog

“You couldn’t ask for a more mainstreamrock sound than what you’re going to get from Holding Mercury’s “Downfall of an Empire.” With obvious influences from Cheap Trick and the 90s alt-rock sound, the new record is a crisp pop album that sounds completely ready for radio” . . “The best part of the album is that they they’ve got skills on top of the great production here. They lyrics are good and PG (lots of lines about caffeine, none about coke), the hooks are terrific, and the vocals are pitch perfect. This is not what you’d expect from an indie band.” Ekko – Berkley Place Blog

“I think if Holding Mercury’s “I’m Not Well” (which you can listen to below) gets into the right hands it has a shot of enjoying some significant airplay.” Rock Sellout Blog

- Various

Contact-Matthew Kelly/Bulletproofmgmt@aim.com
Web:www.myspace.com/holdingmercury
The Players: Matt Hoffer, vocals, guitar; Ashok Warrier, guitar, backing vocals; Andy Titchenal, bass; Jason Batchko, drums; Larry Schroeder, guitar backup vocals.

Material: There's nothing more annoying than bands that take the stage and then drag their audience through a meandering set that covers little ground. But that isn't the case with Chicago's Holding Mercury. These 80's influenced rockers bring songs such as the angst-laden "Anchors Away", the monotony-spawned "Stuck in a Box" and the hook-heavy "I'm Not Well". All of the material makes the band's points nicely and without reservations.

Musicianship: It's clear that these guys aren't new to the game. Seasoned musicians with tight chops, they execute each song skillfully. Guitarist Matt Hoffer and Larry Schroeder (since replaced by Ashok Warrier, who made a Metro cameo) take turns on snappy solos that include tapping harmonics and understated two-handed pull-offs. Their songs are well structured and often catchy. A smattering of 80's influences are evident, but aren't overbearing. Strains of Dexy's Midnight Runners, U2 (particularly on the song "Let it Go"), Led Zeppelin and the Smithereens are chief among them.

Performance: With a strong opening set, Holding Mercury used their stage time wisely with a variety of originals - most of which were higher-tempo rockers. Vocalist Hoffer wasn't afraid to explore the stage and sing off mic, which worked in the 1,100 capacity Metro and lent the group's 40 minute performance an air of audience solidarity. The second song into the set was "I'm Not Well", which is perhaps their most hit-worthy offering.

Summary: Holding Mercury is a solid band who aren't afraid of blending influences with original ideas. They opened Metro's "Rock Against Recession," a longtime Wednesday night staple. Thanks to a confident stage presence and catchy songs, these boyscould and should look toward a higher billing.

-Rob Putnam - Music Connection Magazine - July 2008

For centuries, hatters used mercury to more easily shape their hats and the process drove them to madness. “Mercury is a metaphor for happiness, but if you hold onto something for too long it can poison you,” explained Matt Hoffer, lead vocalist of Chicago quartet Holding Mercury. Hoffer’s soft, attractive features are contrasted
by his piercing green eyes, which glow with an intense vision for the band and a certain dedication that borders on madness. “We’ll sell everything we have to make this [Holding Mercury] happen.”

SCENE caught up with Hoffer and bassist Andy Titchenal in the West Town Five Star lounge for a couple two–or three–cans of Tecate. Hoffer and Titchenal met back in the day on a suburban traveling hockey team, but it was music not hockey that has endured into their professional lives. “We cut our teeth on bands like Megadeth, the old Metallica,” Titchenal said, his shoulder length dark hair and dark eyes fitting for his hard-rock core.

Their tastes have developed into a blend of 1980’s pop and hard rock music that is nearly impossible to encapsulate. “We love all the elements of great pop music, but we were kinda hard rock guys growing up and [Matt’s] got a voice that isn’t hard rock and our guitarist is into Brit pop music,” Titchenal explained.
Like most bands, Holding Mercury has seen its lineup change. The recent incarnation features Brooklyn native Ashok Warrier on lead guitar and Jason Batchko, formerly of major-label band Caviar, on drums. “With Jason and Ashok, we’ve never sounded so good,” Hoffer and Titchenal agreed. Not only do they share the same professional vision, they like and respect one another. Their self-produced debut record, Downfall of an Empire, is available
for downloads on the band’s site,
Holdingmercury.com, as well as making the rounds of radio stations like Q101.

Mercury explains their sound with the tag line, “The Police chasing The Killers in getaway Cars.” Whatever Downfall is, no two songs sound alike, which may explain why it took 18 months to produce.

Some of the ambient synthesized harmonies, especially at the opening of several of the 10 tracks, bear undeniable marks of the edgier pop bands of the ‘80s like Crowded House and The Cars. But it’s a terrible simplification. Franz Ferdinand
beats run into Killeresque explosiveness, there’s some angry dark howling in the chorus of the single “I’m Not Well” that harken to their speed metal roots, and the ballad “Anchors Away” showcases Hoffer’s vocal range. If anything,
Hoffer’s smooth but powerful voice is the only constant running through the album. }}
87

However different the songs are, they are unified by the bands’ dedication to investing everything they have to making it work. “If you want to make it you can’t have a serious day job and be a musician,” Hoffer said, “I’ve tried it and it just doesn’t work.”

After college and dismal stints in the corporate world, Titchenal and Hoffer reunited and formed Holding Mercury.
“I live on eggs and jalapeños,” Titchenal said happily. “Like Matt [Hoffer] said, we’ll sell everything we have to keep it going because we love the music.” They’ve gotten enough funding to create a mid-level indie label, Bad Nero Records, they booked their gigs, developed their own website and are making the rounds not only on Q101 but at venues
like Metro, Double Door and the second coming of Bottom Lounge. They’re also increasingly appealing to younger crowds. On their way down to this year’s South by Southwest they picked up some festival cash by stoping for a gig at Ottawa High School. “Most of those type of gigs [college cafeterias and high school auditoriums] you’re playing next to a popcorn machine,” Hoffer said. There were over 1,100 screaming students who showed up. “They bought everything we were bringing down to SXSW,” Titchenal laughed.
Tapping into the younger crowd has given Mercury a stronger, loyal following. Young women, especially, are keen on the good-looking rockers with the dark edge.
Listening to Downfall, checking out Holding Mercury locally, their sound runs around your head like, well, a hat. And their expectation of success isn’t mad at all; it’s inevitable. scene

88
music scene
- Chicago Sence Magazine - September 2008 (Pg. 86-88)

http://rocksellout.com/2008/10/01/radio-ready-holding-mercury/

I recently heard Your Vegas’ “In My Head” playing in two different stores when I visited the mall to blow a few of my hard earned dollars. I remember predicting way back in February that the band was commercially ready to invade a Best Buy store near you. I was right, gosh darnit!

I think if Holding Mercury’s “I’m Not Well” (which you can listen to below) gets into the right hands it has a shot of enjoying some significant airplay. There’s a market for this stuff…I know it, you know it. It might not be a record you or I are going to pick up, but I guarantee a few kids living on your block will love this shit. I think it fits in nicely with the Fall Out Boys and Good Charlottes of the world. I don’t mean to be disrespectful with that reference, but that crowd will more than likely relate to this.

The band’s forthcoming album Downfall of an Empire drops on November 4th. Sound like something up your alley? Click here to pre-order.

MP3: Holding Mercury - “I’m Not Well”
- Rockstarsellout.com

“As a producer, I typically focus on the singer’s voice when considering a project and see if it has the tonal quality and character that can move masses and you’ve [Matt’s] got that.”Butch Walker, A List Producer/Writer for Avril Lavigne, Pink, Lit, Fall Out Boy, Pete Yorn, Lindsay Lohan, and many others

“Out of the 12,000 original songs I heard during the audition process [for CBS’ ‘Rockstar Supernova’], your song [‘Anchors Away’] is the one that sticks in my head the most.”Jason Newsted, former bass player for Metallica

“’Stuck in a Box’ sounds like a hit-worthy, one-listen, no-brainer homerun to my humble ears.”Anthony (ajax) Resta, Gold and Multi-platinum awarded producer/composer for Collective Soul, Duran Duran, Megadeth, Elton John and many others

“It [response to ‘Stuck in a Box’] has been incredible. ‘Stuck in a Box’ sounds like gold on the radio. Honest. You have evidently done something VERY right in the early stages of branding this band. [It’s] Rare to get such a volume of love.”Ryan Manno, DJ for Q101, 7PM-midnight, Monday - Friday.

“I have been fortunate enough to have had the opportunity to both perform and write songs with Matt Hoffer of Holding Mercury over the past year. On stage Matt is a triple threat with amazing vocal abilities, fluid guitar technique and a passionate performance style. As a songwriter he is melodically gifted and possesses intriguing lyrical clarity. I am always amazed how easily he creates these complex musical arrangements in a matter of moments that leave me humming along for days. Matt Hoffer has been far to unknown for far too long ... and that is about to change.”Marty Casey, CBS’ “Rockstar: INXS” runner-up, Marty Casey & Lovehammers

"MAtt plays the sh*t out of the guitar" Tracii Guns - L.A. Guns

“A(nd) how the guy sings… phew… What comparisons should I mention to
you… hmmmm… Coldplay, John Mayer and Geoff Byrd are three names I
start to think of.” Pär Winberg - Melodic.net

“Hoffer put a great show for the people who were there," she said. "He is a very talented, skilled guitarist and I wish more people could have been there to see him." Kristen Hugger, President of SPC-Marist College



- Butch Walker, Jason Newsted, etc.

http://berkeleyplaceindie.blogspot.com/2008/10/holding-mercury-downfall-of-empire.html

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2008

HOLDING MERCURY-"Downfall of an Empire"
You couldn’t ask for a more mainstreamrock sound than what you’re going to get from Holding Mercury’s “Downfall of an Empire.” With obvious influences from Cheap Trick and the 90s alt-rock sound, the new record is a crisp pop album that sounds completely ready for radio . . . Even if, on the lead track, they claim to be “running away from the corporate mainstream.” The best part of the album is that they they’ve got skills on top of the great production here. They lyrics are good and PG (lots of lines about caffeine, none about coke), the hooks are terrific, and the vocals are pitch perfect.

This is not what you’d expect from an indie band.

Let It Go

Stuck in a Box

I'm Not Well
POSTED BY EKKO AT 9:41 PM - Berkley Place Indie Blog

- Holding Mercury’s album entitled Downfall of an Empire is a cyclone of fury that decimates extraneous, imposing remains on its path when you least suspect it. The group embraces all sophisticated and traditional elements and molds it into a great set of melodies they crank out. For an alternative rock band, what floors me about Holding Mercury is the singing occasionally of a vast selection of eloquent lyrics in a very poetic and waving way that is very uncommon. I’d expect this from a more traditionally modern singer/songwriter, but as a group delivering it in harmony, it’s really a terrific splendor given to this aural experience.

Downfall of an Empire is lock, stock and barrels filled to the brim with passion, which is most evident in the slower ballads. The tempos vary, which is certainly a plus. But in the slow songs, you can hear the tender voice with exposed layers in a course of reveal under control. With 10 breezy tracks, they make their stake in the indie world with catchy tunes that we can latch onto. Holding Mercury utilizes tried and true methods to produce an album that never lets up.

Each track stands alone with a unique identity in the diverse threshold of Downfall of an Empire. Holding Mercury does everything from short, quick breathed lyrics to longer, more drawn out ones in more sentimental songs. They really nail it here with an album that can be listened to straight through without skipping over tracks. With an impressive insert of their own particular style into the formulaic ebb and flow of the standard rock song, Holding Mercury never falters.

Reviewer: John Berkowitz

new
Reviewer's Rating: 8.5 - TheCelebrityCafe.com - Alternative CD Review (8.5/10)

http://melodic.net/latestReviews.asp#7198

3 1/2 stars
Holding Mercury
"Downfall Of An Empire"
(Bad Nero Records,2008)

Producer: Garret Hammond
Genre: Modern Rock
Format: Album
Website: www.holdingmercury... Reviewed by: Pär Winberg

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I put this 4-piece band under the modern rock category. That kinda wrong but we don't have a category called "modern with a twist of powerpop - all spiced with an 80's edge..." If we had - Holding Mercury would fit perfect in that category.

This is a very cool band with a lot of qualities. The opening "Stuck In A Box" is a beautiful melodic rock piece a'la Melodine with a perfect edge a'la Cheap Trick, and the second one out "I'm Not Well" continues the race. The softer "Anchors Away" where Matt Hoffer (I wrote about his soloalbum back in 2005) shows his qualities is fantastic and ninth out "Do You" is really cool 80's smelling pop with a flirt of Tears For Fears goes Chameleon. All spiced with an american edge. Beautiful stuff.

- Melodic.net

http://vivalamainstream.blogspot.com/200....scent-with.html

Sunday, October 19, 2008
Holding Mercury Begin Their Ascent with a Downfall

I'm backlogged on my Album A Day project, but I assure you it's still active. Friday's album came to me by way of a recommendation from reader Beth. It's from a band called Holding Mercury, the album entitled Downfall of an Empire.

Holding Mercury sound like they got sandwiched between the electronica-fueled rock of the 80s and the smoother, everyman rock of the 90s. Imagine, if you will, what OAR would sound like if they mixed in some synthesizers. Now take that analogous sound, and make it AWESOME. Now you've got Holding Mercury. They've got the sensibility and intelligence of some of the better mainstream acts like Matchbox 20 or even shades of Everclear, but they've also learned how to be loud and shout-along friendly like 80s favorites Cheap Trick or The Cars. Downfall of an Empire sounds like what I expected from the hugely disappointing Carolina Liar record. If you like your rock and roll with equal parts good hooks and brains, then I implore you to pick up Downfall of an Empire on November 4th.

Final Score: 8/10
Holding Mercury - I'm Not Well

Again, the album drops November 4th. Look for Holding Mercury to be on the radio show for awhile.

Back later today to play catch-up from the weekend.

==TJ== - Viva La Mainstream Blog