Ire & Sentiment

Formed late 2005 in South Plainfield, New Jersey, IRE & SENTIMENT started as a band that wanted to create music with no limits and refuse to be leery when trying new things.

Their foundation as a band was made in the September of 2005 when guitarist Addison Bjork and drummer Danny Ramos met through a New Jersey-based musicians Internet community. The pair instantly hit it off and started writing material within their first month of practice. From there, Danny contacted bassist Ruell Brown who was returning from military service in Iraq and played along side him in a previous band. Singer Mike Martin, who had also played in a band with Danny, soon heard word of this new band, and after one audition, joined the trio right away. After many months of practice, the group of four knew they missing one more piece of their musical puzzle, so Mike encouraged his long time friend Tony Melendez to join the band as the second guitar player. Needless to say he was sold from day one, learned the material quickly, and joined up with the guys.

With all five members playing and listening to different styles and genres of music, their main goal was to create a very original sound. A sound that took catchy vocal melodies with sound song structure, and the intensity and strong musicianship of metal and post hardcore. In a matter of a few short months, they found the fresh sound they wanted to achieve, and began composing groundbreaking material.

But before the material could be unleashed upon the masses, they needed a name.

They decided on a name to best explain not only type of music but to represent the individuals and the message they would spread. The name IRE & SENTIMENT is a concept in two parts. First, the name is a description of the raw heavy metal guitar riffs with heartfelt emotional lyrics and inspired melodies. Secondly, the words themselves contrast between the beauty and horror found in most common place events, feeling and everyday happenings.

This concept would be the overwhelming theme of their first EP.

In May 2006, they recorded their debut EP "A Beautiful Era Of Self-Built Dreams" at Burning Bridge Recordings in Indianapolis, Indiana. The EP (Released in August 2006) quickly sold several pressings, and has received a great response from their fans and garnered many new fans along the way.

IRE & SENTIMENT have also shared the stage with MANY national signed and touring acts and have impressed many with their energetic stage show.

After only several shows as a band, IRE & SENTIMENT entered Pennsylvania based promotions company East Coast Independent's Battle For Warped Tour. After a blistering performance, the band won and secured a slot on the Old Bridge, New Jersey date of the 2006 Van's Warped Tour. So, after being together only seven months the band played August 6th 2006, on the East Coast Independent Stage.

Always gaining momentum, IRE & SENTIMENT began to self book and self finance several "mini tours." These mini tours took them out of state to New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Ohio, Michigan, and Indiana, and easily gained them many fans all over the Midwest and East Coast.

They have easily gained a positive reputation for amazing performances and always gain contingent of fans that stem from nearly every scene.

With an extensive US tour planned for summer 2007, and new material constantly being pieced together, IRE & SENTIMENT shows no signs of slowing down. Their "do it yourself" mentality and vigorous drive will always stay in tact.

CHRONOLOGY:
- Formed in Winter 2005
- First show: Hamilton St. Cafe, Boundbrook, NJ - (March 2006)
- Wins final round of East Coast Independent's Battle Of The Bands, securing a slot on the 2006 Van's Warped Tour (April 2006)
- Recording of EP, "A Beautiful Era Of Self-Built Dreams" at Burning Bridge Production, Indianapolis, IN (May 2006)
- Release of EP, "A Beautiful Era Of Self-Built Dreams" (Self Released, August 2006)
- Played Van's Warped Tour (Old Bridge, NJ - August 6th, 2006)
- Secured endorsement and sponsorships with several companies (Adesso Clothing, Improper Clothing & Krank Amplification - Fall 2006)
- Mini Tour: Northeast USA (October 2nd - 9th, 2006)
- Mini Tour: Northeast/Midwest USA (December 16 - 22nd, 2006)
- Becomes part of New Jersey-based Stars & Scars Booking's artist roster (January 2007)
- Signs with Cleveland, OH-based management firm HM Management (April 2007)

Ire & Sentiment has shared stages with many national acts such as: A Change Of Pace (Immortal Records), Parkway Drive (Epitaph/Resist Records), Roses Are Red (Trustkill Records), Anapparatus (Debello Recordings), Vanna (Epitaph Records), Tokyo Rose (SideCHO Records), Showbread (Tooth & Nail/Solid State Records), She Could Be King (Refugee Records), and Suicide City to name a few.