One Year Reign

I work for a local band called One Year Reign. So far I’ve taken photos for all their shows since we met and I’m currently working on a review to hopefully get posted on a widely viewed site or paper.

One Year Reign is an Alternative Rock band from New Lenox Illinois. The band has been together in different forms for years. Currently they have Robbie Peterson as their lead singer, his brother, Justin on rhythm guitar, Zach Gardner on lead guitar, Ryan Grace on Drums and Matthew Walusek on bass. Recently they released their first album “End of an Arrow” and are currently working on their second album, the name of which I’m not sure even they are aware of. If I were asked to describe End of an Arrow I’d have to say it’s eclectic. In terms of genre, imagine if Metallica and The Foo Fighters had a baby (with a twist). Many of the songs were written by members of the band while they were still in high school which, I think, helps them connect to the demographic that most comes to their shows. Now, do not misconstrue what I said to mean that One Year Reigns sound is juvenile or underdeveloped. It lacks the generic, angst you get from a band that hasn’t grown up yet but it does have the energy you’d expect from a young band. Go to one of their shows and I can personally guarantee a great night. They play gigs every month at various venues in the Chicagoland area ranging from bars to small concert halls specifically. No matter the show they always have the crowd losing its mind. Between the intensity and speed of Mach, the rhythmic beat of Sound of Running Water and the wild finale of The End, you will move, you will mosh, you will jump and you will want to see them again.

After practice a few months ago I interviewed the band. They wanted to tell their fans who they were and I wanted to find out. They all have a history with music, some more than others, and some more rigorous than others. They all have their own genre background. Robbie and Matt prefer a bit of punk with their rock, Zach has a thing for trumpets, Justin likes metal because metal is harder than rock, and Ryan enjoys a medley of styles ranging from alternative rock to post grunge to punk.

Amongst the obligatory questions that go with an interview was the ever so predictable “What makes you (as a band) worth listening to or seeing live?” came up and by God were the answers long. I’m not saying they were being pretentious; the answers were just so sentimental and philosophical. What struck me was that Robbie and Zach were saying which I think was best put by dear Zachary saying, “I think the biggest reason I, we, make music is because there’s a song for every feeling. Plus without music -well- music helped me a lot when I was younger. It helps to express yourself,” which Robbie added “The reason I play music and go up on stage and perform is because I know what music has done to help me and I want to inspire someone to pick up an instrument and let it help them,”. I found what they said subtle and fascinating because musicians always talk about inspiring their fans to try to sound down to Earth and relatable but One Year Reign is trying to inspire people with music to make music. It’s the business plan for a self-sustainable music industry! Of course I’m paraphrasing because if I didn’t this would become profane and off topic but every member of the band, in their own way, expressed the idea that they make music because they love it. Yes it’s cliché but it’s so very valid, because if the people on stage aren’t feeling ‘it’, why should their audience?

With that, I conclude. One Year Reign is bound for success, and frankly I hope, for their sake and the sake of their (Current and future) fans, that they do find it. If their intentions remain true and they keep their sense of professionalism we may all have a healthy new beacon of inspiration, and some wonderful alternative rock and roll to listen to. - Kyle H. Horn

I work for a local band called One Year Reign. So far I’ve taken photos for all their shows since we met and I’m currently working on a review to hopefully get posted on a widely viewed site or paper.

One Year Reign is an Alternative Rock band from New Lenox Illinois. The band has been together in different forms for years. Currently they have Robbie Peterson as their lead singer, his brother, Justin on rhythm guitar, Zach Gardner on lead guitar, Ryan Grace on Drums and Matthew Walusek on bass. Recently they released their first album “End of an Arrow” and are currently working on their second album, the name of which I’m not sure even they are aware of. If I were asked to describe End of an Arrow I’d have to say it’s eclectic. In terms of genre, imagine if Metallica and The Foo Fighters had a baby (with a twist). Many of the songs were written by members of the band while they were still in high school which, I think, helps them connect to the demographic that most comes to their shows. Now, do not misconstrue what I said to mean that One Year Reigns sound is juvenile or underdeveloped. It lacks the generic, angst you get from a band that hasn’t grown up yet but it does have the energy you’d expect from a young band. Go to one of their shows and I can personally guarantee a great night. They play gigs every month at various venues in the Chicagoland area ranging from bars to small concert halls specifically. No matter the show they always have the crowd losing its mind. Between the intensity and speed of Mach, the rhythmic beat of Sound of Running Water and the wild finale of The End, you will move, you will mosh, you will jump and you will want to see them again.

After practice a few months ago I interviewed the band. They wanted to tell their fans who they were and I wanted to find out. They all have a history with music, some more than others, and some more rigorous than others. They all have their own genre background. Robbie and Matt prefer a bit of punk with their rock, Zach has a thing for trumpets, Justin likes metal because metal is harder than rock, and Ryan enjoys a medley of styles ranging from alternative rock to post grunge to punk.

Amongst the obligatory questions that go with an interview was the ever so predictable “What makes you (as a band) worth listening to or seeing live?” came up and by God were the answers long. I’m not saying they were being pretentious; the answers were just so sentimental and philosophical. What struck me was that Robbie and Zach were saying which I think was best put by dear Zachary saying, “I think the biggest reason I, we, make music is because there’s a song for every feeling. Plus without music -well- music helped me a lot when I was younger. It helps to express yourself,” which Robbie added “The reason I play music and go up on stage and perform is because I know what music has done to help me and I want to inspire someone to pick up an instrument and let it help them,”. I found what they said subtle and fascinating because musicians always talk about inspiring their fans to try to sound down to Earth and relatable but One Year Reign is trying to inspire people with music to make music. It’s the business plan for a self-sustainable music industry! Of course I’m paraphrasing because if I didn’t this would become profane and off topic but every member of the band, in their own way, expressed the idea that they make music because they love it. Yes it’s cliché but it’s so very valid, because if the people on stage aren’t feeling ‘it’, why should their audience?

With that, I conclude. One Year Reign is bound for success, and frankly I hope, for their sake and the sake of their (Current and future) fans, that they do find it. If their intentions remain true and they keep their sense of professionalism we may all have a healthy new beacon of inspiration, and some wonderful alternative rock and roll to listen to. - Kyle H. Horn