Open Air

Good things come to those that wait.

Since the video release of “Creatures”, the lead track, I have been waiting to hear what the band had in store for its latest album “Lessons from the Crow” from Calgary based rockers Open Air.

Open Air first caught my attention during a showcase performance, at which time they performed four songs. They came on rocked the hell out of the place, and then it was over. All that did was wet my appetite to hear more.

This was that opportunity.

On this night the bands launched directly into the first single off their new album. “Creatures”, is a solid rock offering from the band where you are treated the dynamic and soulful vocals of the bands lead singer, Steven Mansfield. It is evident that the guys who describe their sound as a, “blender full of Zeppelin, Deep Purple, and Cream with a dash of just about everything else rock,” are exactly that; however, that blended mix can only be described as Open Air, and it is fantastic.

Throughout the night the band continued through songs from “Lessons from the Crow.” “Creatures”, was followed by “Pareidolia”, and “Sirens”.

Now for me this was my first time hearing many of the songs from their new album, and after “Passionless” (not on current album), the group jumped into “Shangri-La”, which saw the return of Rob Holt (lead singer for The Outer, who were one of the openers on this particular night), to join the band on stage. I had no idea that Rob had been featured on this particular track on the album, and was fantastic to see these two great vocalists belt it out on stage.

The song “14 Days” followed, and then the band changed things up with their tribute to Royal Blood (who had just been through town with the Foo Fighters) by performing their song “Little Monster”.

It has to be said that in addition to sounding great, that Open Air has a great stage presence, as well as puts some thought into the layout of their show. Throughout the night the band took some musical interludes, which showcased the talent of the group, which included things such as a stunning acoustical solo by Garrett Greenhall, which followed “Little Monster”.

The night continued with “Preacher Man” off the band’s 2013 EP “Extended Play”, before diving back into music from the new Album with “Young Skeletons”, and “Chambermaids”.

Open Air finished the night with “Golden Times”, “Assassin”, “Traveler”, and “On Another World”.

What can we say other than Open Air, is a fantastic live act, that will keep you captivated throughout their entire set. Given the chance you should definitely check out their live performance. - Jeremy Dirom

Open Air is a four piece rock band from Calgary, Alberta consisting of Garrett Greenhall (guitar, backing vocals), Tyler Bourne (bass guitar, backing vocals), Steven Mansfield (lead vocals), and Josh Hearnden (drums, backing vocals. ‘Lessons From The Crow’ follows their EP ‘Extended Play’, which was released in early 2013.

The opening song, “Creatures”, was released shortly before the album and definitely gives the listener a taste of what to expect from the rest of ‘Lessons From The Crow’. “Shangri-La” has a much softer sound to it compared to the rest of the album, starting with acoustic guitar and soft vocals. It gives the album a bit of balance and showcases the band’s different talents. “Traveller” is probably my favourite off of the album other than “Creatures”, and again showcases how much talent this band has and how they can differentiate themselves from their usual sound. It’s softer and slower and allows the listener to just get lost in the music.

I have been waiting for a full length album from Open Air since I stumbled upon ‘Extended Play’ shortly after it was released and it was well worth the wait. ‘Lessons From The Crow’ brings back the classic rock sound in a way that would please any fan of the genre. The combine music akin to their influences such as Black Sabbath, The Guess Who, and One Bad Son with their unique sound and the outstanding power of Mansfield’s vocals in a way that will leave you craving more.

Rating: 5/5 - Amanda Hather

Band: Open Air

Album : Lessons From The Crow

Label: Independent

Release Date: August 28th, 2015

Open Air is set to release “Lesson’s From The Crow” upon an unsuspecting world on August 28, 2015. Why should you care? Amidst the noise of independent releases the band has crafted an fine album that all metal and hard rock fans should be able to appreciate.

Founded in 2009, in Calgary, Canada, the band are revitalizing and modernizing the sound of the good old hard rock of the 1970’s. Their raw, and well organized lyrics, vocals and sound, provide a fresh look at a legendary era. This is a very well put together album, very solid, crisp voice, and lyrics from the heart. When this album came across my desk, I did not know what to expect from as my editor described it as, “groovy 70’s style hard rock with a killer vocalist,“ but listening to the album for the last few days, I am finding myself intrigued by the new, harmonious melodies and the uniqueness of each song. With influences like Led Zeppelin, The Who, Rush, Velvet Revolver, JET and many more, the album leaves me hungry for more. With the their evolution from All My Queen, a 6 song EP, to this new album, “Lessons from the Crow”, Open Air brings you a new taste of music heaven.

Creatures is the first song off the album, and this track, to me, depicts the contemporary feel of both the present day and an unforgettable 70’s feel . This song, reminds the listener not to get lost in the chase for the money and fame. You can really get to hear the powerful vocals of Steve Mansfield and what a good lyricist he is, drilling into your soul, with such voice.

14 Days is my favorite song off the album, and this is the quintessential blend of old and classic hard rock coupled with the new and refreshing vibe of the modern day. The drums are fantastic, Josh Hearnden gives life and a well defined tone to a down to earth album. I can loose myself in the lyrics of this song, it gets me thinking “where will I stand two weeks from now only time will tell”, and I’m left wanting more of their music.

Another track that stands out, is Assassin. This is probably the heaviest song of the album. The guitars are strong, bringing out the talent of musicians like Garrett Greenhall and Tyler Bourne. The amazing voice and drums wrap the song in a Led Zeppelin feel, but its all Open Air taste. The vocals do not cease to amaze the humble me. I am looking forward to see what their career will bring.

Each track is engaging with nary a filler cut, bringing out that cutting-edge voice of today and epic sound of the 70’s. It has that classic rock groove that paved the road for many of today’s bands. Each song invites you to find that lost love, let your guard down and be vulnerable, to be free and not afraid to take chances. This new album from Open Air, is an album for generations of music lovers of all ages. Enjoy!

Princess Of The Dawn’s Rating: 9/10 - Metal Nation Radio

That’s only one example, though, of how much the acts are willing to give to be a part of the benefit, with local act Open Air not only donating their time for the Calgary show, but also travelling to Vancouver on their own dime to be a part of the first West Coast Blank-Fest later this month.

“So they’re playing both events out of their own pockets, so they get a huge pat on the back from me and a ‘Woohoo!’ ” Harrison says with a laugh, before spreading that sentiment to all of the participating acts.

“It really is very moving to see what they’re willing to do.” - The Calgary Herald

That’s only one example, though, of how much the acts are willing to give to be a part of the benefit, with local act Open Air not only donating their time for the Calgary show, but also travelling to Vancouver on their own dime to be a part of the first West Coast Blank-Fest later this month.

“So they’re playing both events out of their own pockets, so they get a huge pat on the back from me and a ‘Woohoo!’ ” Harrison says with a laugh, before spreading that sentiment to all of the participating acts.

“It really is very moving to see what they’re willing to do.” - The Calgary Herald

Indie403 is proud to present Open AIR as our Feature Artist of the Month for February!
Overview

Open AIR has grown as a band, and as men. They are not a band of misfits. Open AIR is all about fun, but as they mature, their shows are about taking the band to the next level and becoming a band synonymous with Calgary. Open AIR are five guys who live, breathe and create high-tempo, soulful music that modernizes the classic rock sound that laid the groundwork for the music we love today. It is for this reason that they are Indie403's Featured Artists of the Month.
The New Record

Open AIR is Steven Mansfield (vocals), Steve Lilley (guitar and keyboard), Garrett Greenhall (guitar), Josh Hearnden (drums) and Tyler Bourne (bass), five best friends who all wanted the new record, Extended Play, “to be absolutely perfect.”

“We really wanted to make this one our own,” says Greenhall. “Everybody went in knowing what they wanted on a personal level, as far as guitar tones, drum tones [and] bass tones.” The band would pay for studio time to track a song, only to take it out of the record at the next session. As Hearnden puts it, “You go take after take, after take, after take and you’ll nail a take, and then still in your head, you think, I can do better.” That tenacity and drive allowed for the band to mature and get Extended Play the way they wanted it.

The band members agree that Open AIR has changed entirely since the last album, taking the music and recording process more seriously. As Bourne notes, “We just kind of looked back at the first time we were in the studio, and just thought, these are the things we could do better.”

The album was supposed to be released in December, but the constant tinkering and the perfectionist attitude of the band continuously pushed the album back. The last album was released for a festival with no time to hype the release. This time, they’ve allowed their album to slowly get into the minds of their fans. Now with the album ready, Open AIR is ready to shake up Calgary.
Five Best Friends

A lot of bands we know and love consist of egos fighting for superiority. Singers battle drummers for the crowd’s attention, and bassists fight to get the song they wrote on the new record. Those battles don’t exist within Open AIR. They are five easygoing best friends who are following a collective dream.

“I came back from England when Garrett was first in the band, and I’m already getting ripped on by Garrett, the new guy, [on] day one,” reveals Mansfield. This ribbing caught the attention of the drummer, who immediately became a fan of the new guitarist.

“I went to jam with these guys for the first time, and … I didn’t know what to expect,” laughs Greenhall. “Twenty minutes into it, I was like, these guys are just as fucked up as me.”

Hearnden agrees: “(Garrett) fit right in. He made fun of our singer, and it was love at first sight.”

The band played at Blankfest in Calgary in November 2012 and took the long drive to Vancouver for that city’s version of the show. Some bands may fight throughout the long drive, but not Open AIR.

“The night before we left for Vancouver, we all came over to my place, and we ended up getting into the beer a little bit,” says Greenhall, revealing the secret to the band’s easygoing relationship. Hungover and tired from only three hours of sleep, the band didn’t fight at all during the drive.

Whether Open AIR travels, jams or writes, they always stay the same. Hanging out and playing music together helps the members relieve pressure and stress, and Mansfield adds that when the guys come to practice, “you check your baggage at the door.”

It’s clear the band has a strong, supportive relationship, and a special aspect of this relationship is the bond between the two lead guitarists. Open AIR’s shredders are a duo who always have each other’s back, and in the minds of Greenhall and Lilley, they each benefit the other.

“Steve and I both have really different styles, so when we do have two solos in a song, they are completely different,” states Greenhall. While these different styles might hurt other bands, Greenhall and Lilley have used this opportunity to grow. “That’s why I like having another guitarist in the band,” Lilley explains. “You always learn something.”

Not only have Open AIR learned from each other from a musical stand point, they have learned how to handle little mistakes that can eat at a perfectionist.

After revealing an incident where he switched to maple drumsticks during a show that constantly splintered, Hearnden describes the band’s approach to learning from screw-ups: “If you come off stage, and you’re moping around, and you’re sulking, you come off as an ass,” he explains. Mistakes are a learning experience, and Open AIR has a laid back attitude that keeps their music moving forward. The band knows that they will never play a perfect show, so as Greenhall agrees, “you learn from your mistakes [but] you’ve - Indie403

Indie403 is proud to present Open AIR as our Feature Artist of the Month for February!
Overview

Open AIR has grown as a band, and as men. They are not a band of misfits. Open AIR is all about fun, but as they mature, their shows are about taking the band to the next level and becoming a band synonymous with Calgary. Open AIR are five guys who live, breathe and create high-tempo, soulful music that modernizes the classic rock sound that laid the groundwork for the music we love today. It is for this reason that they are Indie403's Featured Artists of the Month.
The New Record

Open AIR is Steven Mansfield (vocals), Steve Lilley (guitar and keyboard), Garrett Greenhall (guitar), Josh Hearnden (drums) and Tyler Bourne (bass), five best friends who all wanted the new record, Extended Play, “to be absolutely perfect.”

“We really wanted to make this one our own,” says Greenhall. “Everybody went in knowing what they wanted on a personal level, as far as guitar tones, drum tones [and] bass tones.” The band would pay for studio time to track a song, only to take it out of the record at the next session. As Hearnden puts it, “You go take after take, after take, after take and you’ll nail a take, and then still in your head, you think, I can do better.” That tenacity and drive allowed for the band to mature and get Extended Play the way they wanted it.

The band members agree that Open AIR has changed entirely since the last album, taking the music and recording process more seriously. As Bourne notes, “We just kind of looked back at the first time we were in the studio, and just thought, these are the things we could do better.”

The album was supposed to be released in December, but the constant tinkering and the perfectionist attitude of the band continuously pushed the album back. The last album was released for a festival with no time to hype the release. This time, they’ve allowed their album to slowly get into the minds of their fans. Now with the album ready, Open AIR is ready to shake up Calgary.
Five Best Friends

A lot of bands we know and love consist of egos fighting for superiority. Singers battle drummers for the crowd’s attention, and bassists fight to get the song they wrote on the new record. Those battles don’t exist within Open AIR. They are five easygoing best friends who are following a collective dream.

“I came back from England when Garrett was first in the band, and I’m already getting ripped on by Garrett, the new guy, [on] day one,” reveals Mansfield. This ribbing caught the attention of the drummer, who immediately became a fan of the new guitarist.

“I went to jam with these guys for the first time, and … I didn’t know what to expect,” laughs Greenhall. “Twenty minutes into it, I was like, these guys are just as fucked up as me.”

Hearnden agrees: “(Garrett) fit right in. He made fun of our singer, and it was love at first sight.”

The band played at Blankfest in Calgary in November 2012 and took the long drive to Vancouver for that city’s version of the show. Some bands may fight throughout the long drive, but not Open AIR.

“The night before we left for Vancouver, we all came over to my place, and we ended up getting into the beer a little bit,” says Greenhall, revealing the secret to the band’s easygoing relationship. Hungover and tired from only three hours of sleep, the band didn’t fight at all during the drive.

Whether Open AIR travels, jams or writes, they always stay the same. Hanging out and playing music together helps the members relieve pressure and stress, and Mansfield adds that when the guys come to practice, “you check your baggage at the door.”

It’s clear the band has a strong, supportive relationship, and a special aspect of this relationship is the bond between the two lead guitarists. Open AIR’s shredders are a duo who always have each other’s back, and in the minds of Greenhall and Lilley, they each benefit the other.

“Steve and I both have really different styles, so when we do have two solos in a song, they are completely different,” states Greenhall. While these different styles might hurt other bands, Greenhall and Lilley have used this opportunity to grow. “That’s why I like having another guitarist in the band,” Lilley explains. “You always learn something.”

Not only have Open AIR learned from each other from a musical stand point, they have learned how to handle little mistakes that can eat at a perfectionist.

After revealing an incident where he switched to maple drumsticks during a show that constantly splintered, Hearnden describes the band’s approach to learning from screw-ups: “If you come off stage, and you’re moping around, and you’re sulking, you come off as an ass,” he explains. Mistakes are a learning experience, and Open AIR has a laid back attitude that keeps their music moving forward. The band knows that they will never play a perfect show, so as Greenhall agrees, “you learn from your mistakes [but] you’ve - Indie403

The Time to Hesitate is Through: An Interview with Open AIR

When you hear a song open with a rip of a guitar and the shiver of a symbol, you know you’re in for a good time. The judges thought so too… Meet the winners of Road to Indie Week: Alberta Edition! In the midst of releasing their latest EP, the boys from Open AIR are finding time to reign supreme. Self-described hard-rockers from Calgary, they are on a personal mission to bring back all the glory of classic rock, and melt our faces of with their live show in the interim. They are sure to show us why the rock revival coming out of Canada at the moment is only getting started…

1. Tell us about the initial interest in Indie Week. When did Open Air decide to throw their hat into the ring?

The timing worked out really well for us. We were wrapping up our new EP, Extended Play, around the time when submissions were due for Road to Indie Week, and we thought it would be a great way to showcase the new record and get the music out there to people that otherwise would not have heard it.

2. For the other bands still waiting for their chance to impress the industry, can you describe the night you played? What was the venue like? How many other bands were there? Tell us about the build up before you played.

The venue was great, and definitely full of energy. The place was packed with a lot of fantastic bands from the province, and a lot of people excited to see those bands perform. We played with 6 other bands from Edmonton and Calgary, all of which were great and an honour to share the stage with. We tried to just enjoy the show and not think of it as a competition, but the thought of going to Toronto was exciting.

3. You won! What went through your minds when you heard Open AIR called out for the victory lap?

We were definitely flabbergasted. We had our own favourites to win, and when they called our name it was surreal. There’s that moment of “NO WAY…”

4. There is still time between now and October. ..what’s on the docket for the rest of the summer?

There is a lot coming up for us in a short period of time. We’ll be hitting the road for a Western-Canadian tour in the latter half of July, followed by a lot of shows in the areas surrounding Calgary to help solidify our roots. We’ve also been working on a lot of new material, and some unplugged sets we’re excited to try out.

5. Your Road to Indie Week has just begun. What are you looking forward to most?

Where to begin? It’ll be great to get out east and be playing with the best of the best Indie bands in Canada. We feel very privileged to be considered part of that group. It’ll be great to meet both musicians and industry professionals alike; and it’s sure to be an enormous learning experience for us.

6. Are you daring to look past October and into the future?

Absolutely, we’re always looking forward to the next thing, or more aptly, things. We’ll be touring Eastern Canada in October (with Indie Week in the middle!). We’re also working on some new material that we will bring into the studio later this year/early next year to begin production on our first full-length album. We’re also planning a full Canadian tour sometime in the Spring of 2014.

7. What do you feel it means to be a part of Indie Week 2013?

It’s definitely inspiring. Here is a chance for Indie bands from all over the country and the world to come together and bring their music to new fans, meet and learn from each other and industry professionals, further develop their craft and passion, and hopefully see their futures in the industry a little more clearly. The enormity of all that is really hard to comprehend, and the fact that we are a part of it is pretty overwhelming, but we are very thankful to be a part of it and hope to both absorb and give as much as we possibly can.

8. Alive or dead, which musicians do you dream of jamming with?

The full list would probably be longer than War and Peace. For the sake of brevity, we’ll simply say any and every member of Led Zeppelin, Rush, The Who, The Beatles, and Pink Floyd.

9. What’s the best gig you’ve ever played?

It’s really hard to say, there have been a lot, but it was probably a show we recently played in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. We were invited out by our good friends in One Bad Son, who are really taking off right now, and we felt honoured to be asked to share the stage with them. It was their home town gig, and we had never played in Saskatchewan before, so we weren’t sure what to expect. The response from people was unbelievable, they gave us such a warm welcome and it was pleasantly shocking to get that kind of response from people who have never heard you before.

10. If you win the whole kit n caboodle you’ll be heading to Ireland. Thoughts on that?

That’s probably still in the realm of unbelievable for us. A chance to play internationally would be simply awesome. Especially since most of us have roots in either Ireland or t - Indie Week International

The Time to Hesitate is Through: An Interview with Open AIR

When you hear a song open with a rip of a guitar and the shiver of a symbol, you know you’re in for a good time. The judges thought so too… Meet the winners of Road to Indie Week: Alberta Edition! In the midst of releasing their latest EP, the boys from Open AIR are finding time to reign supreme. Self-described hard-rockers from Calgary, they are on a personal mission to bring back all the glory of classic rock, and melt our faces of with their live show in the interim. They are sure to show us why the rock revival coming out of Canada at the moment is only getting started…

1. Tell us about the initial interest in Indie Week. When did Open Air decide to throw their hat into the ring?

The timing worked out really well for us. We were wrapping up our new EP, Extended Play, around the time when submissions were due for Road to Indie Week, and we thought it would be a great way to showcase the new record and get the music out there to people that otherwise would not have heard it.

2. For the other bands still waiting for their chance to impress the industry, can you describe the night you played? What was the venue like? How many other bands were there? Tell us about the build up before you played.

The venue was great, and definitely full of energy. The place was packed with a lot of fantastic bands from the province, and a lot of people excited to see those bands perform. We played with 6 other bands from Edmonton and Calgary, all of which were great and an honour to share the stage with. We tried to just enjoy the show and not think of it as a competition, but the thought of going to Toronto was exciting.

3. You won! What went through your minds when you heard Open AIR called out for the victory lap?

We were definitely flabbergasted. We had our own favourites to win, and when they called our name it was surreal. There’s that moment of “NO WAY…”

4. There is still time between now and October. ..what’s on the docket for the rest of the summer?

There is a lot coming up for us in a short period of time. We’ll be hitting the road for a Western-Canadian tour in the latter half of July, followed by a lot of shows in the areas surrounding Calgary to help solidify our roots. We’ve also been working on a lot of new material, and some unplugged sets we’re excited to try out.

5. Your Road to Indie Week has just begun. What are you looking forward to most?

Where to begin? It’ll be great to get out east and be playing with the best of the best Indie bands in Canada. We feel very privileged to be considered part of that group. It’ll be great to meet both musicians and industry professionals alike; and it’s sure to be an enormous learning experience for us.

6. Are you daring to look past October and into the future?

Absolutely, we’re always looking forward to the next thing, or more aptly, things. We’ll be touring Eastern Canada in October (with Indie Week in the middle!). We’re also working on some new material that we will bring into the studio later this year/early next year to begin production on our first full-length album. We’re also planning a full Canadian tour sometime in the Spring of 2014.

7. What do you feel it means to be a part of Indie Week 2013?

It’s definitely inspiring. Here is a chance for Indie bands from all over the country and the world to come together and bring their music to new fans, meet and learn from each other and industry professionals, further develop their craft and passion, and hopefully see their futures in the industry a little more clearly. The enormity of all that is really hard to comprehend, and the fact that we are a part of it is pretty overwhelming, but we are very thankful to be a part of it and hope to both absorb and give as much as we possibly can.

8. Alive or dead, which musicians do you dream of jamming with?

The full list would probably be longer than War and Peace. For the sake of brevity, we’ll simply say any and every member of Led Zeppelin, Rush, The Who, The Beatles, and Pink Floyd.

9. What’s the best gig you’ve ever played?

It’s really hard to say, there have been a lot, but it was probably a show we recently played in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. We were invited out by our good friends in One Bad Son, who are really taking off right now, and we felt honoured to be asked to share the stage with them. It was their home town gig, and we had never played in Saskatchewan before, so we weren’t sure what to expect. The response from people was unbelievable, they gave us such a warm welcome and it was pleasantly shocking to get that kind of response from people who have never heard you before.

10. If you win the whole kit n caboodle you’ll be heading to Ireland. Thoughts on that?

That’s probably still in the realm of unbelievable for us. A chance to play internationally would be simply awesome. Especially since most of us have roots in either Ireland or t - Indie Week International

It is refreshing, in this land of musical and technological advances, to come across a band that sticks to the basics. Refusing to fall in to the trap of machinery and far out electronic manipulation, Calgary, Alberta’s Open Air have respectfully nailed old school hard rock and its ethics down to a T.

Their recently released sophomore EP aptly titled Extended Play, is energetic, hard, and effective, leaving the listener hungry for more.

It begins with an intro called, well, “intro” and it’s a neat little airy entry point that transports you to trippy rock landscapes of days past. This immediately leads into “Snake Charmer”, which reminded me right away of Zeppelin with a Soundgarden thrown in for modern times sake.

In an EP full of dynamos, “Preacher Man” takes the title for diversity. Opening with a tinkling of keyboard and then the line “And I still fear the reaper, even though Blue Oyster Cult told me not to…” from there it kicks right in to a monster cut that sounds a bit like STP’s “Dead & Bloated” in form. The gentle keyboard intro is what really makes this tune fly though. You think you’re in for a chill ride and then the song just explodes all over the place, just like good hard rock is supposed to do.

Vocalist Steven Mansfield’s vocal delivery is pretty massive and he keeps nose to nose with the energy of the music surrounding him, which is a task because the music is pretty big, and with the addition of second guitarist Garret Greenhall, Open Air is now fuller and more rockin’ than before.

With influences reading like a who’s who of rock Godliness, taking bits of it all and making it their own, Open Air sound like Brit rock and grunge holding court with glam rock while dirty metal keeps them all in check. It’s musical alchemy like this that totally works and will solidify their spot as one of Calgary’s best new emerging bands. - The Portal Magazine

During the 1:06 instrumental introduction of Open Air’s newly released EP, I swear that I had a flashback to 1977. Suddenly I was 15 again, (long-hair, bad attitude and all), hanging at a friend’s house, doing bong hits and listening to tunes.

“Pulling from their musical influences, which include Led Zeppelin, AC/DC, Jet and The Answer, Open Air brings back everything that was wonderful about 1970’s Brit Rock, but with an updated, modern taste.” So states the band’s website, www.weareopenair.com and clearly they have achieved their goal if my opening statement is anything to go by.

One of the interesting things about getting older is that one sees things go round and come back again, often repeating in cycles over a span of decades. Open Air is treading ground that has been trod before – in some cases with excellent results. When I first cranked Open Air through the Behringers the band that came to mind was Black Crowes, a band who had success in the early nineties – the singles from “Shake Your Money Maker” are staples on classic rock radio today.

Open Air’s newly released EP brings that same energy back with superb production that rocks hard with plenty of sparkle and enough bottom end to kick you squarely in your tender parts. After setting the tone with the introduction the band kicks it into gear with “Snake Charmer” the tune that brought to mind the Black Crowes reference. From this point it is clear that the riff is the thing which is hardly surprising considering the band’s list of influences.

The EP’s next track, “New Design” rocks hard, bordering on metal, and is sure to get your head banging. The tune features some of the hottest wah-tinged lead work you’ll hear anywhere in any era. The frenetic pacing of this track really sets up a dramatic and effective mood swing as the EP moved to its next track, “Preacher Man”, a slower paced epic tribute to mid-70’s guitar greatness. The final track is the EP’s lead single, “Golden Times”, a frolic in more hard-rocking, groove-riffing goodness.

If there is a seminary of 70’s hard rock then Open Air graduates with an M.Div. – they are masters of divination of all that made hard rock and the birth of metal in the 70’s great. Superb melody, songwriting, fretwork and production make this a release well worth your time and energy. 5/5. - Indie403

During the 1:06 instrumental introduction of Open Air’s newly released EP, I swear that I had a flashback to 1977. Suddenly I was 15 again, (long-hair, bad attitude and all), hanging at a friend’s house, doing bong hits and listening to tunes.

“Pulling from their musical influences, which include Led Zeppelin, AC/DC, Jet and The Answer, Open Air brings back everything that was wonderful about 1970’s Brit Rock, but with an updated, modern taste.” So states the band’s website, www.weareopenair.com and clearly they have achieved their goal if my opening statement is anything to go by.

One of the interesting things about getting older is that one sees things go round and come back again, often repeating in cycles over a span of decades. Open Air is treading ground that has been trod before – in some cases with excellent results. When I first cranked Open Air through the Behringers the band that came to mind was Black Crowes, a band who had success in the early nineties – the singles from “Shake Your Money Maker” are staples on classic rock radio today.

Open Air’s newly released EP brings that same energy back with superb production that rocks hard with plenty of sparkle and enough bottom end to kick you squarely in your tender parts. After setting the tone with the introduction the band kicks it into gear with “Snake Charmer” the tune that brought to mind the Black Crowes reference. From this point it is clear that the riff is the thing which is hardly surprising considering the band’s list of influences.

The EP’s next track, “New Design” rocks hard, bordering on metal, and is sure to get your head banging. The tune features some of the hottest wah-tinged lead work you’ll hear anywhere in any era. The frenetic pacing of this track really sets up a dramatic and effective mood swing as the EP moved to its next track, “Preacher Man”, a slower paced epic tribute to mid-70’s guitar greatness. The final track is the EP’s lead single, “Golden Times”, a frolic in more hard-rocking, groove-riffing goodness.

If there is a seminary of 70’s hard rock then Open Air graduates with an M.Div. – they are masters of divination of all that made hard rock and the birth of metal in the 70’s great. Superb melody, songwriting, fretwork and production make this a release well worth your time and energy. 5/5. - Indie403