Makyo Star

Troy L. Smith
January 7, 2009

The members of pop-punk band Makyo Star are ready to walk down the aisle.

In the past 12 months, they've gone from guys who once referred to their band as a "girlfriend you're 100-percent committed with" to showing that they may be ready to take the next step.

Makyo Star (named for a fictional energy source in the Japanese anime cartoon Dragonball Z) recently became the flagship act for local upstart label Green Means Go Records. And the debut album that drummer Jon Garcia and his bandmates have been talking about for six months is set for a June release.

"I think the potential that was always there is finally starting to come out," Garcia says. "We still have a lot more to accomplish, but I think it's developing as we go."

Makyo Star's newfound focus is helped by the fact that the band members now all live in the same area (the green pastures of Churchville). Bassist Mike Landers returned home after graduating from college in May 2008, and the group recently added guitarists Dan Kwiatkowski (a former member of Makyo Star who just moved back from California) and Mike Pan, who replaced former guitarist Paul Rankin. The band says the additions have sparked a new creative synergy.

"Before ... it was mostly Tim (Landers, lead singer) driving the band," says keyboardist Cory Miller. "Now we're all sort of transforming the music and putting more into it."

Makyo Star's newest song, "Waiting," puts that evolution on full display, with well-placed synth sounds, precise duel guitars and a radio-friendly structure. "Waiting" far surpasses anything the band's done before and has Makyo Star sounding like a younger version of Fall Out Boy or The Academy Is ...

"Before when (we) would write songs, it was with a mentality of 'doing it just to do it,'" says Mike Landers, Tim's older brother. "Lately the writing seems more focused, and there's more of an understanding of what we're trying to do."

Now, Makyo Star is looking to get its music to anyone who will listen. The band members are Internet fiends who constantly interact with fans via MySpace and work on promotions with their street team.

And this past December Makyo Star stepped out of its comfort zone by playing the Holiday Havok show, in front of fans looking to rock out to heavier headliners like Shelflyfe and Cry To The Blind. But as the elder Landers tells it, Makyo Star doesn't discriminate when it comes to reaching out to potential fans.

"We just want to play," Mike Landers says. "I don't care where or who with. Put us on a bill with Korn or someone like that. I don't care."

The next big ... band

Name: Makyo Star

Members: Pictured, from left: Mike Pan (guitar), 19; Jon Garcia (drums), 18; Tim Landers (lead vocals), 21; Mike Landers (bass) - Rochester Metromix/Democrat & Chronicle

When the boys of Makyo Star were kids, their big finale song was a cover of Blink's anthem, Dammit. But, years later, it's their new self-titled album that truly embodies the line "I guess this is growing up." Between rehashing growing pains lyrically and the physical toll of commuting to Syracuse to record, it's no wonder that bassist Mike Landers remarks that "the making of the album impacted our lives for the whole time we were recording."

A lot has changed for this group of up-and-comers from Churchville in the last few years including a couple of lineup switches, some creative alterations and notably, their signing with Green Means Go records. However, that growing up process resulted in the core four members, brothers Mike and Tim Landers, Jon Garcia and Mike Panek, coming out on top with a new appreciation for their music development, and an album that reflects that mature outlook.

With fewer cooks in the kitchen, as they lovingly refer to their skinnied lineup, and total commitment from the rockers, came a drive to raise the musical bar from the band as we knew it. Backed by the GMG management team's vision for the future, and the members' persistent goal to always improve their musicianship, Makyo Star is the ROC local band to keep an eye on.

Stay tuned later this week for a first look at their latest album as we prepare for the CD release party at the German House on Saturday the 16th:

Time-Doors at 5:30
All Ages
Cash money- $10 presale through the bands or Ticketmaster - http://punkrochester.blogspot.com

For the first few listens of Makyo Star's new self-titled album, I was a skeptic. All this time spent and post-Waiting hype? There was nothing that really stood out to make it a unique pop-punk album, other than track 9, and that was because it features a cello. The poppy vocals won out as the predominant auditory focus, and there was nothing really shocking or different about their songs.

And then, I listened in my car with the volume up.

Suddenly, all the nuances in the guitars and drums were thrust right in front of me. The songs shredded, and, most importantly, though the boys of Makyo Star have streamlined their music into a consistent sound, they have not overlooked variety. No Worries, my personal favorite, features wavering guitar riffs that are undeniably metal, especially in the latter half of the song. Then, the album rolls right into Make Believe, mixing acoustic and electric guitar into a rock anthem. Later, they supplement with the swooning notes of a cello, which layers in a more intimate depth to Silent Mouths Empty Hearts.

What is most noticeable about this album is once you really let the songs rip, there is a robust, layered texture of music on each track. It helps that the boys are all well versed in both their instruments, and others onstage. This cross-instrument understanding allows them to craft more dynamic songs, regardless of whether they develop tracking or lyrics first.

It's easy to see that Makyo Star has left the school-age story lines of albums-past behind and moved onto the reflection of relationships that makes this album accessible for many audiences. The younger Landers noted that they stepped away from the trap that many pop-punk bands fall into –a whole album about girls– and explored the life changes that come with friendships, touring, and family upset. The result is as Panek describes an "epic...raw" album. (But for you emo punks out there, the songs about girls are tracks 2, 5 and 8)

From a music development standpoint, it's their commitment and vision that is helping drive Makyo Star forward from a pop-punk band, to a rock band with pop, classic rock and punk influences. True, the guys admit that they're influenced by mainstream pop acts, but they also draw inspiration from grittier, traditional rock bands (Check out Make Believe for its Smashing Pumpkin-like guitar and Hero's Van Halen-esque riffs). Their openness to genre-bending and professional admiration of each other is what created a stellar album.

Makyo Star is available online at Amazon.com, but I recommend buying a hard copy Saturday night at the German House for their official release. - http://punkrochester.blogspot.com

Again another music filled summer in Rochester is coming to a close. For the second straight summer the grand finale is at the Water Street Music Hall. Rage Fest’s schedule is packed with over a dozen local bands who will showcase their very best in front of a predicted sell out crowd. The main acts are pretty convincing. Sirens and Sailors offer brutal break downs with a mixture of crushing vocals and an ever prevailing pierce of high pitching screams. Makyo Star rings a different tune with considerate catchyness that pleases on first impression. The girls will be won over by their endearing vocals while their live performance will positively assure the true rocker’s heart.

Rage Fest is a great opportunity for Rochester’s music lovers to get an overall view on the progress and evolution of this great city’s music scene. Both sides of the Water Street Music Hall will be open as a warped tour-like atmosphere will triumph through the night.
Mark your calendar because Rage Fest is aimed to please. Tickets are available through the bands, at the Record Archive, and of course through Ticket Master. This event is presented by Angry Penguin on August 28th at the Water Street Music Hall in Rochester, NY. Doors open at 5pm. Ticket prices may vary depending on where and when they are purchased. - The Examiner

The last act we stayed for (how dare we shame Sirens & Sailors by leaving!) was the reason we came in the first place: Makyo Star. After an evening of predictable rock and unintelligible lyrics, MS's unpretentious pop punk rounded out our evening happily. We love their poppy track Perfect Score. - punkrochester.blogspot.com