Music
Press
It’s understandable if you’ve never heard of this band. They can disappear like a crack-head that finds a twenty dollar bill. Pffft…gone. And like the crack-head, Seven Story Drop always returns, maybe a year or so later. “Line up changes have really caused the ups and downs,” explains guitarist Jeff Current. He should know. He founded the band in 2000 – the first and only band he has ever played in. “I’m the most driven person in the world and some people just don’t have that. If we’d have had a solid line up with dedicated guys, we’d be much further along.”
Few bands stick around as long as SSD. Even fewer have tasted recurring popularity and anonymity as often as these guys. Not long ago, SSD was billed right up there with the Fair To Midlands and the Bowling For Soups of the local scene. Momentum, a fan base, trademark sound - all seemed to vanish with yet another line up change. “Andrew (Ramirez, guitar) was our last new member in May, 2007,” Current says. “We’ve really got a solid unit now.”
The new incarnation includes Ramirez, Dewayne Dickeson (bass), Jimmy Dereta (drums) as well as lead guitarist Mark Yant. “I’m not the greatest guitar player in the world,” Current admits in a display of humility impossible to find in most artists. “Mark is riff driven, which I’ve never had before, so the sound has changed, absolutely. It’s heavier and more dynamic. I’ve still got my style of writing – more melodic with the vocal melodies – but we throw it back and forth now.”
The new sound is better than ever, including the rerecording of some older favorites. “Our new style just appeals to more people,” Current says. “It’s edgy, but still very melodic.” Current admits a desire to be on the radio and the band’s sound is evidence of that, but SSD doesn’t simply churn out pop drivel. Their new disc, Skeletons, will be out this month and it sounds awesome. Sample the songs up on their MySpace page (/sevenstorydrop) and you’ll immediately hear off-the-charts song-writing ability and quality musicianship at every position. Cap it off with Current’s vocals, a rare mix of pop accessibility and hardcore legitimacy, and SSD just might reach the penthouse after all.
Don’t miss the CD Release of Skeletons at Firewater on August 16th. - Lit Monthly Magazine by Mark Beneventi
It’s understandable if you’ve never heard of this band. They can disappear like a crack-head that finds a twenty dollar bill. Pffft…gone. And like the crack-head, Seven Story Drop always returns, maybe a year or so later. “Line up changes have really caused the ups and downs,” explains guitarist Jeff Current. He should know. He founded the band in 2000 – the first and only band he has ever played in. “I’m the most driven person in the world and some people just don’t have that. If we’d have had a solid line up with dedicated guys, we’d be much further along.”
Few bands stick around as long as SSD. Even fewer have tasted recurring popularity and anonymity as often as these guys. Not long ago, SSD was billed right up there with the Fair To Midlands and the Bowling For Soups of the local scene. Momentum, a fan base, trademark sound - all seemed to vanish with yet another line up change. “Andrew (Ramirez, guitar) was our last new member in May, 2007,” Current says. “We’ve really got a solid unit now.”
The new incarnation includes Ramirez, Dewayne Dickeson (bass), Jimmy Dereta (drums) as well as lead guitarist Mark Yant. “I’m not the greatest guitar player in the world,” Current admits in a display of humility impossible to find in most artists. “Mark is riff driven, which I’ve never had before, so the sound has changed, absolutely. It’s heavier and more dynamic. I’ve still got my style of writing – more melodic with the vocal melodies – but we throw it back and forth now.”
The new sound is better than ever, including the rerecording of some older favorites. “Our new style just appeals to more people,” Current says. “It’s edgy, but still very melodic.” Current admits a desire to be on the radio and the band’s sound is evidence of that, but SSD doesn’t simply churn out pop drivel. Their new disc, Skeletons, will be out this month and it sounds awesome. Sample the songs up on their MySpace page (/sevenstorydrop) and you’ll immediately hear off-the-charts song-writing ability and quality musicianship at every position. Cap it off with Current’s vocals, a rare mix of pop accessibility and hardcore legitimacy, and SSD just might reach the penthouse after all.
Don’t miss the CD Release of Skeletons at Firewater on August 16th. - Lit Monthly Magazine by Mark Beneventi
Discography
1) Seven Story Drop EP - 2007
2) Skeletons LP - 2008
Photos
Bio
Seven Story Drop is a 5 piece rock band that formed in the late months of 2005 and quickly took shape. With Jeff Current as lead vocals, Mark Yant on lead guitar, Andrew Ramirez on rhythm guitar, Dewayne Dickeson on bass guitar and Jimmy Dereta on drums, each member’s contributions combine to create a staggering musical experience.
The Seven Story Drop sound is a collaboration of melodic rock, with aggressive guitar riffs and powerful vocals that fuse together on stage to create an overall sound that is simply magnetic.
SSD completed their long awaited, full length album Skeletons in May 2008 with Alex Gerst of Indian Trail Studios and plans to release the album on August 16, 2008 to the public. Since forming in 2005, SSD has shared the stage with national acts including Journey, Great White, Seven Mary Three, Sponge, 38 Special, Zac Maloy(formerly of The Nixons), LA Guns, Stroke 9, and Edgewater. The band also received 3 Telly Awards in May of 2008 for their music video Shattered for Best Music Video, Best Use of Music and Best Editing.
- Review of Seven Story Drop's CD Release Show at Firewater Bar & Grill on 8-16-08 by Jailhouse Live:
"SEVEN STORY DROP released their new CD Skeletons at Firewater and JL was pleased to be a witness to this band of talented musicians and be at the launch of their journey. First saw SSD at the Dallas Music Fest after a few changes they have taken themselves to greatness. The crowd was engaged with Current’s vocals, Yant’s leads, Andrew’s Rythum, Dickeson’s Bass lines and Drummer Dereta. This 5 piece pushed this show over the top. As I said JAILHOUSE LIVE had been waiting for this CD release party for weeks and Saving the Best for Last, for last night is an understatement. Current drew in the crowd as he made sure to touch as many adoring fans as one man could in the short time he had with them. Looking into each person’s eyes and laying his hands on them, it almost felt he was connecting with a part of you that hadn’t been touched before. The band, while performing their biggest show of their career . . . so far, seemed very relaxed, having a lot of fun and not having to work at it this amazing performance. There was a constant motion through the crowd, driven from the high intensity from the stage. The entire band is very sexy and has the combination of talent to go far on this journey. The answer to “How Do You Like Me Now” is a hands down YES We Love You, and I would like to send out “What it Feels Like” to my EX. Both songs hit and you can imagine each with the most intimate details. After last night my Soul is Not Dead. Look for great things to happen from these 5 guys and to put Dallas back on the map for one of the best locations for great music. Thank you for an extraordinary show, thank you for the CD and signatures. This was an amazing night and experiencing it from the front row I can’t say enough . . . . only Thank You, Thank You, Thank You. I look forward to another extraordinary night with you guys in the near future, say Aardvark Aug 30?!"
Links
