Self Against City

What have YOU risked for rock n’ roll? Friends? Education? Security? EVERYTHING? Self Against City put it on the line for rock n’ roll and the gamble is paying off ten-fold. The band is preparing for their debut release on Rushmore Records and embarking on their first nation wide tour. Take It How You Want It is the title of their EP as well as an invitation to take a deeper look at this Sacramento-based band.

The very first time Self Against City played together, they wrote a song. Each had played with various bands and immediately recognized the creative ease they had with one another. They knew they had found the perfect combination. With the lineup solidified and songs being written, the band had to come up with a name. While listening to the radio, lead singer Jon Temkin thought he heard the DJ say, “self against city” and he knew it was a great name for the band. Upon reflection Jon thinks the DJ may have said “Suffragette City.” Either way, thanks to a dicey radio signal, the band had a name.

With influences ranging from Nirvana and Jimmy Eat World to The Cure and Oasis the band always had an idea of what they wanted to sound like. They recorded two songs and put them on PureVolume, a website where unsigned bands can host their music. Richard Reines, co-founder and owner of Drive-Thru Records heard the songs and was intrigued. The band kept Richard informed of their progress sending him new songs as they evolved. Eventually he invited the band to play for him and Drive-Thru partner, Stefanie Reines in Los Angeles. The Reines’ liked what they heard and invited the band to sign with their new label, Rushmore Records. A mere five months since their inception, Self Against City had a record deal and was the first band to sign with the new label.

The band’s debut, Take It How You Want It is set to release in April of 2005. From the opening track, “Tonight the Process” to the relationship chronicle “Speechless” the 6-song EP captures Self Against City’s ability to write catchy pop songs with rock n’ roll riffs. Jon’s lyrical prowess shines in the title track, which on one hand is about dodging rumors that tend to be taken as truths. On the other, it is an invitation for the listener to decipher meaning, because as he believes, everything is open to interpretation.

Self Against City’s live show is as honest and uncalculating as their music. They had the opportunity to open for The Startling Line and to date, it was the largest crowd they’ve performed for and most hadn’t heard their music. About walking on-stage, Jeff says, “I never felt more comfortable in my life.” As with every show they play, the strength of their music won over the crowd. What should have been a nerve-wracking experience was completely affirming and they are eager to hit the road and convert new fans.

Take It How You Want It is the accomplishment of a band that has achieved plenty in a short amount of time. It’s happened so fast, it’s almost surreal for them. Though they have achieved many of their goals, they have many more. “We want to take the band as far as we can. We want to be a timeless band,” says Jon. Adds Jeff, “We want to write a great album that kids ten years from now will discover and it’ll still be great.”