Stew
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Stew

Dallas, Texas, United States | SELF

Dallas, Texas, United States | SELF
Band Rock Classic Rock

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This band has not uploaded any videos
This band has not uploaded any videos

Music

Press


"Harm & Ease (Self-released)"

Stew's newly released EP, Harm & Ease, is not what it initially seems. The record's five tracks clock in at almost 40 minutes—longer than many full-length albums.
The band, however, wastes no time getting started: A forceful, growling bass line plays for a few bars at the top of the first track, "Chuck." The intro on its own is a rave-up, and when the entire band kicks in a few seconds later, the listener can almost envision white knuckles gripping the instruments as a choir of crazed howls serves as a backdrop for the remainder of the fast-paced song.
As the tracklist progresses, the psychedelic metal influence becomes increasingly apparent. The foundation of the second song, "Backstory Criminal," is a heavy riff that sounds like it's been swiped from an unknown Black Sabbath song. Stew's raw energy keeps the record moving at breakneck speed, but then it slams on the brakes for the EP's title track. "Harm & Ease" starts in a slow psychedelic dirge. Simple melodies are sung over drummer Joe Hardy's trance-inducing tom toms. A single bass note is held for the entire seven-minute song, which shows their ability to do much with only a little.
Clearly, this is an EP meant to be listened to in entirety. The way the songs transition from aggressive to sleepy and back proves to be the most effective route to showcasing the outstanding title track. - Dallas Observer


Discography

Harm & Ease - 2010
two tracks played on 102.1 The Edge on the Sunday Adventure Club

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Bio

The whole band is a coincidence. Previously a Dallas Observer nominated cover band called Holy Diver (but never a Dio tribute) that played the classic tunes from Hendrix, Stones, . Lee May, guitarist and singer had a broken heart and a new surge of inspiration, began writing songs of love lost that really caught the ears of bandmates, brothers Joe and John Hardy. They started writing together, and slipping them into their intense live shows and soon had a whole set that was well received by their fans. They changed their name, changed it again to Stew, and put out an album titled "Harm & Ease." Their CD Release show broke the attendance record at the Double Wide.