I Saw a Ghost
Richmond, Virginia, United States | SELF
Music
Press
Who?
A six-piece post-hardcore band from Virginia with a steadily growing fan-base and a soon-to-be-released full-length album.
How is it?
It's a good first attempt. They really haven't done anything revolutionary, unique, or creative on this EP, but it's still an enjoyable listen for what it is. The harder tracks have a certain style to them, but when they tone it down and try to go for a more accessible sound, they kind of kill the listeners attention. The vocals on this EP are one of it's main flaws: the screams are solid, and the backup vocals work well - it's just the lead vocals that kind of detract from it in places; the lead vocalist really just isn't a great singer. In most places, he adequately covers it up with his delivery, which kind of overshadows the need for actually sung vocals. In the "heavier" tracks it's fine, but in the others (notably, "Watch the Skies") it really detracts from the flow of the disc. The instrumentation in the EP isn't really noteworthy, and if it wasn't for the over-intensive electronics in places, it would sound almost exactly like any other post-hardcore release.
The first two tracks "It's Funny What People Do At Gunpoint" and "Showcase Showdown" are two of the harder, more straightforward tracks that are immensely more impressive than the lighter tracks. They've got a few nice screaming parts spread throughout, and they both have some nice little pseudo-breakdowns. If the EP were made up of just these songs, it would be great. Unfortunately, they've included a couple of tracks that sound like they would be the perfect filler for a Sky Eats Airplane album.
I've got some interest for I Saw a Ghost's debut full-length. However, I'll be much more interested in checking it out if it takes the 3/5 of this EP that's solid and takes it to a new level; I won't mind if they leave out the filler. - Absolute Punk - Klatzke
Discography
2008 Album - Self Titled I Saw a Ghost EP (Single - Showcase Showdown)
2010 Album - That Makes Two of Us
2013 Single - Traitors & Turncoats
Music played on WGMU Radio (local collage radio)
Y101.1 Richmond Rock Radio- Interview/acoustic performance and airtime as well
Online Radio Streaming via online stores, iTunes, and various internet radio stations
Photos
Bio
Since their inception, I Saw a Ghost has always held their own ground. Beginning in 2006 by Patrick Bowman, Devin Cooper, Alex Garrett, Grayson Rhine, Darrell Talastas, and Patrick Mitchell; the band blended energetic rock/post-hardcore, emotive melodies and unique experimental electronica. After having their part in the band, Patrick and Devin soon disbanded and the band went on hiatus.
Under Alex, Grayson, Patrick, Darrell, and new members: Wes Dimond and Donny Sauer, the band regained hold and they soon released their debut self titled EP 'I Saw a Ghost'. Well received by many, it brought a very different flavor to the local VA music scene. With combination of physical copies and digital sales, the EP sold more than 1,500 copies.
Patrick Mitchell eventually left the band to pursue school and was replaced by good friend, Jesse Ferguson as the keyboardist, Alex Garrett also soon left and was soon replaced by Griffin Kentner as clean vocalist and guitar player.
In the Fall of 2010, the band traveled to Rochester Hills, MI to record their follow-up EP 'That Makes Two of Us' with Producer/Engineer Matt Dalton and Craig Owens, of Chiodos. While between sessions, Griffin Kentner was replaced by ex-Jefferson Third drummer to continue recording.
Fast forward to Summer of 2011, the band announced that they secured a date on the Vans Warped Tour in Camden, NJ. During the tour however, tensions arose due to complications with the release of the 'That Makes Two of Us' being late to release and by August of 2011, the band announced their breakup and members went their separate ways. With Wes joining The Downtown Fiction, Donny playing in Aim For The Weekend, and Grayson fronting In Visions, while Darrell remained.
2013 led to the notion of a reboot of the band with a different direction and sound. With new members and new music to bring to the table, 2013 will hold new life for the band. On July 30th 2013, the band released their long awaited song 'Traitors & Turncoats'.
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