Music
Press
Ponchatoula band, NOD, is trying to make it big, lead singer Rusty Gregoire said. They have been playing at local venues over the past year, and are scheduled to perform at Ledbetter's Saturday night. A performance is also scheduled at Mule's in downtown Hammond, though a date has not yet been set.
The band's name is taken from the Bible story of Cain and Abel, though the band claims they are not a Christian band. Nod was the place Cain was exiled to after he killed his brother, Gregoire said. "Nod" was also taken from a Sanskrit root meaning "sound." According to the NOD Web site, the word is often used in the compound Nadabrahman, which is God as sound.
A music critic out of New Orleans quoted NOD's new self-titled CD as being "pure essence of rock 'n' roll." Gregoire says the band's sound is like "rock radio, stuff like 3 Doors Down, but maybe a little heavier."
Past performances by the band include gigs in Baton Rouge, Lafayette, Slidell and coming up, the State Palace Theatre in New Orleans.
Three of the band members--Gregoire (lead vocalist), Jimi Harris (drummer) and Chris Roundtree (bass player), went to Ponchatoula High School together, Gregoire said.
Sean Curry (rhythm guitar) has lived in the Hammond area for about three years and Jesse Harper (lead guitarist) has lived in Hammond for 10 years.
For more information on NOD and upcoming shows, visit their Web site at www.nodmusic.com.
- The Daily Star
NOD are five guys from Pontchatoula setting the stage afire and changing the stereotype of the music scene of small towns. They are vocals, Rusty Gregoire, lead guitar, Jesse Harper, rhythm guitar, Shawn Curry, bass, Chris Roundtree, and drums, Jimi Harris. I was lucky enough to get to spend some time with NOD after their gig at The Bar in Fat City and get to know a little more about them.
So how did you come up with the name of the band?
Rusty: Well, you know the story of Cain and Abel? Well, NOD is the place Cain was exhiled to after he killed Abel. And it’s also sanscript for sound. But we’re not a Christian band, we say “f-“ too much.
What are some of your influences?
Rusty: GunsNRoses
Jimi: No
Some laughing
Rusty: B.B. King and Robert Johnson
Agreement murmered
How did all of you meet?
Rusty: Chris and Jimi are lifelong friends. Then the rest of us met up during school. Chris and I met at SLU.
How do you describe yourselves as a band?
Mix of responses from all guys: Full out rock and roll musicians. Block which is a mix of blues and rock, with umpf.
How are you accepted in Pontchatoula? I mean it seems like most music there is either country or country?
Rusty: No, most of Pontchatoula is into Southern Rock really. We play a lot there. We’ve played at the Strawberry Festival, SLU…We have a pretty good fan base.
What got you into music? When did you start?
Rusty: I’ve been singing since I was 14. I sang in the choir. Jimi’s dad played drums with Bob Seger and Shawn’s dad played with Eric Clapton.
Jesse: I played for 7 years in the closet until they found me.
What do you think about the New Orleans music scene?
Everyone: It’s building. If it had the attention it deserved, I mean, everything is looked over, but we’re working on it
What do you think about the new trends in rock and roll?
Jimi: Half of it definitely sucks. Velvet Revolver is definitely one of the most awesome bands out there. Scouts need to be sent down to the south to find new talent.
Rusty: I think too what sets us apart is I’m not a screamer, I’m a singer.
How do you come up with your songs or covers that you’re going to do?
Spur of the moment…
Rusty: Every cover doesn’t sound like it’s supposed to. We try to put more feeling into everything.
How do you feel about the internet as a tool for exposure?
Rusty: For us it’s great, but it’s also a whole lot easier for bands that suck to be out there too. For example, there was band that had thirteen minutes of three notes on the guitar, no vocals, nothing else. It sucked. And there needs to be room for the people who really want to play. And that’s not to be cocky or sound like an asshole.
Chris: New Orleans has the best bands hands down.
And NOD is proving it. Their shows are becoming more and more prevalent, and they are truly taking the city by storm. And perhaps the saying on their page on NewOrleansBands.net will be true, “NOD is a Hard Rocking Band out to have fun and take over the world in our spare time.”
- nolabands.com
Originally planned as a CD release for NOD with guests, In Media Res, the night had a few last minute changes. Unfortunately, the CD’s did not make it in on time, and In Media Res had to cancel. Human Error and Persona Five filled their spot. The Bar in Fat City was previously known as the Ski Lodge. The interior is still like a Colorado ski lodge somehow displaced in Fat City. The double-faced fireplace serves as just one spot of seating for those enjoy the show, but forget hot chocolate here…slide on up to the fireplace and have a seat with a cold beer.
NOD is five guys from Ponchatoula setting the stage afire and changing the stereotype of the music scene of small towns. They are vocals, Rusty Gregoire, lead guitar, Jesse Harper, rhythm guitar, Shawn Curry, bass, Shannon Louque, and drums, Jimi Harris.
NOD dominated the stage. These five guys from Ponchatoula fuse their own songs with ingeniously interpreted covers. They are the pure essence of rock and roll. Their sound is consistent, hard, and rhythmic. Rusty Gregoire’s vocals are more than your usual gut wrenching screams. He can actually sing. They have recreated Hank William’s classic “Jambalaya” into a hard rocking unique version, which could definitely become a new classic. Nod’s original songs like “Awakened” and “Disbelief” deserve recognition of their talent also. The band has its humorous side too. Best of all was their rendition of a Sesame Street favorite. I mean you can actually picture a tattooed and pierced Cookie Monster thrashing out “C is for cookie.”
They are definitely a band to take time out to see. Their shows are becoming more and more prevalent, and they are truly taking the city by storm. And perhaps the saying on their page on NewOrleansBands.net will be true, “NOD is a Hard Rocking Band out to have fun and take over the world in our spare time.” - Written By Jennifer LaSalle-Edwards
Discography
Nod Released A Demo entitled "Thiaroble" in late 2003 and a Self titled Full length album in July of 2004. Nod has just finished inital work on thier 2nd full length album tentatively entitled Everything Falls.
Photos
Feeling a bit camera shy
Bio
Tired of being force fed soulless music, Nod’s sound is raw and unadulterated. Influenced by everything from the Seattle grunge scene to B.B. King and Black Sabbath, Nod is a fusion of punk, funk, and metal, yet Nod likes to call their music just straight up rock. Limitless energy and high-octane shows have given Nod the reputation of being a hard-hitting and hard-working band both on and off-stage.
Hitting the music scene in 2004, Nod quickly became known as "one of the best bands in Louisiana." Not timid with getting their hands dirty, Nod takes promotion to another level with aggressive tactics and street teaming.
In just a short time, Nod has played some of the best clubs in Louisiana including The Hard Rock Café (NO), Click’s Billiards (Baton Rouge), Ponchatoula’s Strawberry Festival (2nd largest festival in LA), Mule’s Pub (Hammond), The Buzz (Hammond), Natal’s (Slidell),Changes (Lafayette), Hammerheads (Metairie), Augustine’s (Hammond), The Sports Corner (formally The Firehouse in Covington), Hi-Ho Lounge (NO), Burmaster’s Basement (Arabi), Ledbetter’s (Ponchatoula), The Bar (Fat City), Southeastern Louisiana University... and more.
They have performed with many regional acts like Maven, Chris Grey, In Medias Res, 68 Rouge, and Revelation Theory and national acts like Zebra. Also, Nod's first self titled album has gained support on UC Music, a music video TV show and has been charted in the CMJ on KSLU 90.9 fm, as well as being featured on KLSU 91.1 fm, KOOJ 93.7 fm, KKND 106.7 fm.
Nod is constantly trying to take it to the next level by going back into the studio every summer to record more of their “unique sound". But most importantly, Nod is taking their stage presence and their ability to promote on the road in order to pollute the nation with their music.
Links
