Soundside

Issue 920
August 16-August 29, 2005

Soundside is an unpretentious, melody-driven rock band. It’s a quartet that unapologetically asks listeners to accept them on the basis of their playing, singing, and songwriting skills – and that’s it. That’s quite refreshing in a regional scene dominated by wannabe rock divas and ear-slittingly loud guitar bands, and that factor alone is making the group open some eyes.
Simply put, Soundside can sing and play- very well. The overall effect of this 11-track effort is one of thoughtful songwriting aided by expert playing and arrangements, a sound somewhat akin to such tunesmiths as Hootie & The Blowfish and Train. Lead singer Rich Arcati has a memorable, rich voice and actually has something to say with his tunes of romance, self-realization and passion. Guitarist Dan Reardon provides jarring earthy leads throughout, abetted by the rhythm section of drummer Chris Multari and bassist Paul Pellech.
Highlights include “Cursed,” featuring a sinewy melody that sticks in the head and reverberates in the heart; the opener “Broken Promises,” which establishes the band’s wholly professional sound; and “Denial,” a nicely rendered, driving tale of relationship angst.
The sound quality, achieved at such local facilities as Music House Mastering and Chung King Studios, is excellent. Only the lack of more complete liner notes (printed lyrics for a band this thoughtful should be a given) prevents the packaging from being perfect.
Our only question: Who is the incredible, sunglass-wearing brunette featured in the convertible on the back cover? Knowing our luck, she’s a girlfriend of one of the band members and is unavailable – but A Day Without Change soon will be available, and that’s good news in and of itself.
Soundside will perform at a CD release party at Munchaba Lounge on Saturday, September 17. For more information on this disc as well as future performances, log on to soundsideband.com.

-Syl Nathan
- Goodtimes Magazine Issue 920

Inside Connection Magazine
August 2006 Issue
Nationally distributed magazine – Over 70,000 copies printed

Introducing Soundside “A Sound that Sticks in the Head and Stays on the Scene”
By Karen Alsen

Hailing from Glen Cove, this alternative/progressive rock group is notorious for its catchy hooks and riffs that can easily get stuck in the listener’s head. Soundside features Chris Multari on drums, Topher DeDona on bass, and Dan Reardon on guitar and vocals that are tightly harmonized with lead vocalist Rich Arcati.

Their music is a combination of various styles of music including reggae, alternative, punk, hard rock, and 1980’s pop music. Artists that have deeply influenced them are Live, Pearl Jam, Dave Matthews, and Blink 182, and one can clearly hear each band in their songwriting and melodies.

Soundside was born in the winter of 2004, when longtime friends Arcati and Reardon decided to take their leisurely jam sessions to another level. Multari entered the group when Arcati came across a Craig’s List posting for a drummer and bassist that needed a band. After two practices in a moldy basement, Soundside was given life. The band struggled at first, finding it hard to keep a permanent bassist. After two unsuccessful tries, the pieces finally fit together when DeDona was introduced to the group via Myspace. All four members now had one goal in common: to take the best elements from numerous styles of music and combine them to form music that sounds good and lingers in the head. This ambition led to the creation of the name Soundside.

In the summer of 2005, Soundside released their debut album, A Day Without Change, on Mystery Sound Records. It included fan favorites such as “Broken Promises”, “With You”, “Endless Mystery” and “Never Take Me Alive,” which have all received airtime across New York State.

Soundside has just released their self-titled sophomore album. The 11-track disc was worked on by Grammy Award-winning mix engineer Steve Eigner (Nelly – Nellyville) and one of Sony’s chief mastering engineers, Joseph Palmaccio. The new album displays a mature and polished sound, and both fans and band members have extremely high expectations for it. As Reardon puts it, “We are confident that listeners will enjoy the album as much as we have enjoyed creating it.”

Soundside will also release a five-song EP containing some of the most popular previously recorded songs, sung in Spanish. The multi-dimensional sound that Soundside produces has great potential to cross over into the lucrative Spanish market. In addition, two of the band members are bilingual – Arcati is half Mexican and Reardon is a Spanish teacher.

Soundside have already created a name for themselves in the local music scene. They are known for displaying an immense amount of passion and energy onstage. “We hope that people leave our shows feeling the same emotions we went through putting the songs together,” says Multari. The band is also famed for their professionalism onstage. “We take pride in performing as close to studio quality as possible”, explains Reardon. The band has played at notable venues such as Franklin & Marshall College and the Syracuse University Carrier Dome during their Relay Life Benefit. Soundside helped raise over $100,000 for cancer research.

Soundside attributes much of its large fan base to Myspace. “We are beginning to branch out of New York and have a great reception with [its] help,” says Multari. With the release of Soundside, the group plans to aggressively branch out to venues all along the East Coast. Soundside’s next performance will be at the Crazy Donkey in Farmingdale on August 10 at 8 p.m., where they will open for Days of the New. Tickets are available on their website, www.soundsideband.com.
- Inside Connection Magazine - August 2006 Issue

July 13th, 2006

For Immediate Release:

Soundside’s Sophomore Effort Hits the Mark

Long Island Powerhouse Rock Band Soundside
Set To Release Self-Titled Second Album July 2006

Glen Cove, NY – Soundside, the up and coming rock band returns this summer with their new album, the self titled Soundside on Mystery Sound Records.

Best known for a stage presence that demands attention, along with a sound all their own, Soundside has taken their talent from the stage to the studio. Their self titled second release contains tracks that will capture the listener’s heart and ears.

These talented four musicians, Rich Arcati (lead vocals), Dan Reardon (lead guitar, vocals), Christopher DeDona (bass) and Chris Multari (drums), have teamed up with mixing engineer Steve Eigner to create the 11-track masterpiece Soundside. Eigner has credits on albums such as grammy nominated Nelly’s Nellyville and Mary J. Blige’s Mary. Doug Robertson produced Soundside at Cove City Studios in Glen Cove, NY.

“This album demonstrates how we have grown together as a band, both musically and personally,” says Arcati. “It is a project we are very proud of and let us fully express our creative attributes. We wanted to create something fun and refreshing, and we feel we finally accomplished our goal.”

The first single off of Soundside is “Never Take Me Alive,” a straight up rock song with the underlying theme of seduction. Another track to look out for is “Stolen,” a passionately written ballad about love and emotion, featuring duel vocals, acoustic guitars, violin scores, a mandolin, and an accordion track. One thing is for sure, great things can be expected from these amazing young men.



About Mystery Sound Records:
Beginning in 2005, Mystery Sound Records is a company with a fast developing reputation that rests on its artist-friendly policies, long-range career development and visionary approach to discovering and nurturing musical talent. With the success of its forefront band Soundside, Mystery Sound Records is quickly becoming a rising record label in the international music industry.

- Mystery Sound Records Press Release

wildysworld.blogspot.com
Thursday, July 31, 2008
CD Review: Soundside - Seconds From Sunrise

Soundside - Seconds From Sunrise
2008, Soundside

New York City power-pop outfit Soundside released their third album, Seconds From Sunrise in 2008. The album is a return to the edgier rock sound from 2004’s A Day Without Change (their debut). Produced by Angus Cooke (The Ataris), Seconds From Sunrise places Soundside on the cusp of breaking free from their status as a regional band.

Seconds From Sunrise opens with My Bullet, My Baby. In spite of the slightly macabre title, this is a catchy, upbeat tune that has real radio potential. It establishes the sound that Soundside presents throughout Seconds From Sunrise: Big choruses full of harmonies, dynamic bridges and a high energy level that is infectious. I personally enjoyed Great Barrier Reef, a theatric piece of balladeering that stands out mightily. The crunchy guitar-pop of In Harm's Way is also quite welcome here. These three songs demonstrate the dynamic range that Soundside is capable of, and it is a range that most modern rock bands do not approach.

Soundside is part Collective Soul, part Gin Blossoms and part Pearl Jam. Add it all together and they really do not sound like anyone else. Soundside has created its own sound that should fare very well on modern rock and/or adult-alternative radio. Other highlights on Seconds From Sunrise include Espana, Driving On Empty, Catch Phrase, and Chasing The Real.

Seconds From Sunrise is a great rock and roll album. While many bands in today's market are creating hybrid sounds to try to catch a piece of market share, Soundside shows there's still life in rock.

Rating: 4 Stars (Out of 5)

To learn more about Soundside check out www.myspace.com/soundside. You can purchase a copy of Seconds From Sunrise at www.cdfreedom.com/artists/soundside. - Wildy

Oct 9th, 2006

For Immediate Release:

Soundside Sponsorship

Long Island Rock Band Now Sponsored By Sam Ash Music Stores

Glen Cove, NY - Sam Ash, known as “The World's Favorite Music Store,” has officially signed an agreement to sponsor hit Long Island rock band, Soundside, through 2007. Known all over the world for offering the most complete selection of musical instruments and accessories at famous discount prices, Sam Ash has over 30 Megastores nationwide located in California, Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Nevada, New York, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee and Virginia. The company also runs a pro services and parts division, Sam Ash Professional and an Educational Division that specializes in servicing schools.

In addition to free gear, Soundside’s website will be linked on SamAshMusic.com and the band will be promoted at local Sam Ash stores.
- Mystery Sound Records

In The Spotlight
By: Alex Nordenson

Boston College - The Heights Newspaper
Issue date: 1/18/07 Section: The Scene

Boston College really has not produced too many affluent rock bands over the years. Seriously, have you heard of any? Well, now you have. Soundside is based out of New York City and is headed by former BC Marketing major, Rich Arcati, BC '03.

The four-piece band formed in the winter of 2004 and released their debut album, A Day Without Change, in 2005.

Musically, Soundside resembles a blend of popular rock outfits such as Nickelback and the Goo Goo Dolls. The band has impressed many across the country and has successfully played many venues nationwide, including the Carrier Dome at Syracuse University.

Soundside has only higher aspirations from here. For more info, hit up their Web site at www.soundsideband.com or check out their music at www.purevolume.com/soundside.
- Boston College - The Heights Newspaper Issue date: 1/18/07

Soundside is know sponsored by Mountain Dew (PepsiCo) Amp Energy Drink to take on 350 plus college radio stations as a part of their 6-Pack new music program.

During the spring and fall months, Mountain Dew – Amp Energy will service a CD featuring Soundside to over 350 college radio stations around the country. It features 6-minutes of audio (a 6 Pack) from Soundside that features a few of their songs as well as dialogue that gives listeners some insight into where the band is coming from.

What's an AMP 6Pack? Indie artists create a 6-minute audio press-kit that features 2-3 snippets of songs with dialogue/interview of the band. These recordings go onto an AMP 6Pack CD compilation, which features 11 other Indie artists. The 6Packs are a free service for music discovery to over 400 college, high school and community radio stations around the country. There are other opportunities with the AMP College Circuit once we get your 6Pack released. Also, the 6Packs are the basis for being eligible to become a part of our broadcast special called MTV2's Dew Circuit Breakout. Finalists are chosen by our college network.
- Mountain Dew - Amp Energy

http://neufutur.com/?p=1987

Soundside – Seconds From Sunrise / 2008 Mystery Sound / http://www.soundsideband.com /

It is sad that at this point, the vast majority of fans of Soundside are in New York. The band's music, especially during "Seconds From Sunrise", should be known by a fan base that is thousands deep in every state in the United States and every country in the world. The band is slowly expanding this fan base, and the tracks on "Seconds From Sunrise" are strong enough to ensure that by the end of 2008, they will have multiplied their fan base by a considerable number. The first track that stands out during "Seconds From Sunrise" is "Mind Over Maria", which is a track that links together bands such as Matchbox 20 and The Starting Line to Soundside's own unique style.

The track is masterfully produced, and the resulting track is something that could easily be heard on rock rotation radio. The fact that the band can meander off into a ska type of style during the track (imagine early No Doubt or Sublime) is a further testament the band's ability. Continuing their strong effort on "Seconds From Sunrise" with "GBR", Soundside is able to insert vim and vigor into a style of rock that is cluttered with the efforts of acts that failed to capture the hearts and imaginations of possible fans. The emotions captured during "GBR" tie together with a catchy chorus and a set of influences that range the gamut from hair metal acts such as Bon Jovi all the way Sevenmarythree and Three Days Grace. The fact that Soundside can pull from so many parts of the corpus of rock will ensure that fans can find something that they can appreciate no matter their own preferences on "Seconds From Sunrise".

"Loss For Words" has to be the band's biggest hit off of "Seconds From Sunrise", and the epic nature of the track is what will immediately perk up listeners' ears and get them focused on the track. The bombastic drums further set the stage, while the driving arrangements that come forth soon after ensure that individuals are strapped in for the ride. While Soundside approach more of the current rock sound with "Seconds From Sunrise", they are able to maintain their own unique sound during this track. This bodes well for the band; the act will be able to release further singles that captures this same unique sound and provide a chance for Soundside to be the next big thing. With everything in place, it should only be a matter of time before the act is recognized more broadly.

Top Tracks: Loss For Words, GBR

Rating: 7.7/10 - Neufutur.com

A Hard Rock Broadside from Soundside

By: Mark Kirby (Associate Writer)
2008-03-18

If I had the power, I would change the title of the new Soundside CD from "Seconds to Sunrise" to "Working Man's Soundside." No, not as some type of homage to the Grateful Dead or their album of the same name, but because in today's segmented music scene dominated by generic suburban pop, ring tone rap for real and fake ghettos, and indie rock for the college-educated hipster, there is a definite dearth of good honest rock and roll. The kind of rock that gets you through a day of loading boxes onto palettes or house painting. Rock for the unpretentious, for folks that work in delis or hang sheet rock. Soundside brings back the old school rock sound - hard but not metal, melodic but not Justin Timberlake, and with a touch of grunge, minus the tortured angst.

If this Seconds to Sunrise had come out twenty-five years ago, they would have been hailed as the new gods of power pop or new wave by way of Cheap Trick. In other words, it's chock full of hard rock hooks, pop sensibility, and pogo-beat rhythms along with sensitive, low key, acoustic guitar-laced moments. "Back To The Beginning" kicks things off with a radio friendly two chord rock anthem that has a danceable groove, over which Rich Arcati sings nostalgically of all night partying fun: "I reminisce the time I made us, it's been awhile but how could I forget... who remembers what time we got home? / It's just another morning that I can never wake up... Back to the beginning of our lives." The music here is kick ass rock and roll, with a crisp backbeat and bass and guitars hitting all the right marks.

"With You" starts out softly with acoustic guitar and voice. When the rest of the band comes in it's on a lower intensity musical plane, mixing the emotional sincerity of a ballad and driving rock. This and most of the CD are carried by front man Arcati, with his vocal mix of Eddie Vedder and Robert Plant (at his least screechy), and guitarist Dan Reardon. "Living in the Rain" flips the script on the classic rock song form of soft to loud by giving a heavy metal blast of an intro followed by low volume acoustic guitar and voice. This gives way to a section of melodic, country-tinged rock that would fit in between Sheryl Crow and Nickelback on a VH1 set. Its companion piece on the CD is "Beautiful Life," a straight rock ballad with touches of violin and cello and a simple piano riff underscoring the vocal line.

"Creepin' In My Mind" is another example of full-on rock intensity, with a heavy, guitar-driven groove straight from the old Detroit rock city sound of Alice Cooper and Iggy Pop. This song, and the others on this filler free CD, is locked and propelled by Karina McMahon and Matt Fox on drums and bass, respectively. "Stuck In A Memory" rocks in a loping hard rock, headbanging almost-waltz that nods to Led Zeppelin. This changes into a power pop chorus that is at once sweet and savage yet tasteful and true. In fact, this could be said about the whole Seconds to Sunrise. Soundside draws from the wellspring of guitar driven, kick-out-the-jams rock, giving the listener the musical equivalent of an honest day's work for an honest day's pay. No bones about it, Soundside is definitely maximum rock and roll.

www.soundsideband.com - Musicdish.com - Mark Kirby