Stay the Night

It’s sometimes all too easy to miss the purity inherent within something simple. However, the fact of the matter is that a rock song - a good rock song-is, above all else, simplistic. It’s as easy to listen to as it is difficult to construct, and the key to any band making exceptional rock music is their ability to understand the simplest way to cut through pretensions and keep things as pure as possible.

As jaded as music scenes can get, it seems to be increasingly challenging to find bands not lacking a certain purity. Whether they be too immersed in style over substance, or simply trying to gain notoriety for the sake of it--there’s something to be said about getting back to basics. Fullerton’s own Stay the Night seems to embrace this ideal.

Formed out of a passion for music, and (perhaps even more so) a desire to not let good talent toil away in typical 9-5 drudgery, the guys in Stay The Night started in 2008 with a clear vision of simplicity: create a sincere rock band with a pop sensibility in the style of the bands they grew up listening to. Anthony (guitar), Carlos (bass), and Brandon (drums) then began searching for the remaining pieces of their puzzle.

In the Fall of 2009, after what seemed like an endless audition process with many different would-be singers, Nikki Simmons (vocals) answered an ad on Craigslist with aims to become Stay The Night’s not yet established face. She quickly found her place among the guys, and was easily able to land the gig. Her chilling vibrato and infectious charm now provide the band with its affable personality, and endless appeal.

Shortly after, they recruited Kevin Fifield (guitar) and then Stay the Night began doing what they love best: creating music together. Having recorded a 5 song EP titled "Against the Tides" with engineer David "Lunchbox" Franklin of Lunchbox Studios, Stay the Night’s official debut was mixed/mastered by Paul Miner (Thrice, New Found Glory, Death By Stereo, etc.) at Buzz Bomb Sound Labs and released in April of 2010.

It’s not that Stay the Night’s brand of rock hasn’t been done before, it’s that it is being done again. Not a rehash or an homage, but a continuation of the subtle intelligence it takes to design successful rock song. Influenced by bands like Further Seems Forever, Saves The Day, Jimmy Eat World, Acceptance, and Shai Hulud; the kind of aesthetic that a band like Stay the Night employ breeds positivity, and aims to create music for the sake of escapism as much as artistry. There is simplicity to that formula, which shows honesty, shows heart, and most importantly, shows purity