Strait A Students
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Strait A Students

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"The Oryentation EP Review"

The Strait A Students' six song EP is something of a pop punk meets straight ahead punk rock jewel. Every song on the disc could be played one of two ways: either a more street sound, or the route the band chose, which is more of a pop punk sound. Nothing wrong with that decision, in fact is works just as good as if the band were just tearing through the songs so that they could get off stage and on to another beer. With each and every listen of this disc, more and more, I think it's more suited to the college crowd than say, radio tenniebopper punks. The band's songs about one night stands, too broke to eat, moving to Canada cause America sucks and getting laid out of charity are certainly not the themes that today's uninformed youth would be into. Well, then again... Strait A Students sound is kind of unique, although they bring to mind the best of the Ataris, MXPX, and Downtrodn. In fact, when I first started listening to "The Oryentation EP," immeadiately I thought, this is what Downtrodn would sound like if they ever decided to change their sound to a more pop punk offering. Not to stray from the work of the Strait A Students, this disc is a kick ass introduction to the band who are often times hilarious with their lyrics, especially sharp with their instruments and sounds, but most importantly the music is fun and entertaining without losing any integrity of becoming too poppy and not enough punky. Fans of radio friendly, college humor pop punk should check out the Straight A Students when they come to your favorite collegiate pub. - Hussieskunk.com


"Teens rock to fight hunger"

Kamiak High Key Club is partnering with local rock bands to fight hunger in the Northwest. The group is presenting “Punkilteo Knights - an all-out Rox-travaganza!” at 7:30 p.m. on Sat, Jan 5, at the Vortex, 4314 Russell Rd. Unit 103, Mukilteo, on the corner of Russell Rd and Cyrus Way. At the show, local teens will come together to share a commonality – music, and in turn help to fight hunger in the NW.
“The bands wanted to give back to the community,” Robin Fairbanks, a local booking agent said. “I contacted Kamiak High School and the Key Club already had a project called “Earcandy 4 Hungry”, to benefit NW Harvest Food Bank. Key Club Treasurer, Yoojung Kim, was enthusiastic in teaming up to help her charity and she and her committee have put countless hours in promotion and the pre-sales of tickets for this event.”
This is just one of several events that Key Club has planned in the New Year to benefit NW Harvest.
Doors will open at 7 p.m. with Kamiak High’s own Battle of the Band winner, “Adrenalyn” kicking off the show at 7:30 p.m. Other bands on the bill include: Our Fallen Heroes, Strait A Students, Jaded-52, and 3 Inch Max.
The All-Ages scene is very active in the NW with similar venues in Seattle, Redmond, Bellevue, Kirkland, and Renton. The Vortex is city approved with a capacity of 200. Parents are “always” welcome and are frequently seen sitting in the back of the room.
The club is tucked away just far enough off the beaten path for kids to claim it as their “hideaway” with an Industrial Underground feel.
“The stage is to die for,” Fairbanks said. “The light show is unbelievable and equal to any major club in Seattle, if not better. Bands lucky enough to play this venue use it to take promotional pictures and videos and the sound is equally impressive. It’s truly a jewel!”
For more information go to: www.myspace.com/vortex61 or email Robin Fairbanks at: robinfair@aol.com.
Tickets are $6 at the door or $5 with a canned food item. You may purchase advance tickets through any Kamiak High Key Club member until Jan. 4. Donations and additional sponsors are welcome. Contact Robin Fairbanks if you’d like to participate or donate. - Mukilteo Beacon


"Strait A Students"

Bellingham alternative rock band Strait A Students is finishing a new album, “The Pursuit of Hopelessness,” hoping to release it in late May or early June, vocalist and guitarist Ryan Richardson said. The eight-song CD is the second official release from the band, Richardson said, with a batch of songs on the serious and relatable side paired with more intricate music, moving away from previous Strait A Student goofiness, like covering the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles theme song. But don’t worry; no one’s getting too serious.

The band has gone through many transformations since its last release, “The Oryentation” EP, out in 2005. Since then, the band has shuffled through a handful of bass players and added Elliott Starks on lead guitar, Richardson said.

The band is Richardson on guitar and lead vocals, Ian Graham on bass and vocals, Starks on lead guitar and vocals and Gabe Rodriguez on drums. The group has been playing with this lineup since the fall of 2006. And on occasion, Tom O’King, a member of the late local rock group Robotronica, will hop on stage during live shows, grab a guitar and play along with the band.

The band is currently teetering between emo and goofy, and everyone is working on morphing the two genres to meet in the middle, Richardson said. “We could go to one place and play a set a go to another place and play a set, and you could think we were two different bands,” Richardson said.

But the future looks good, and Strait A Students plans to keep on moving forward with the music, Richardson said.

For more on Strait A Students, check out www.myspace.com/straitastudents.

UPCOMING SHOWS

Strait A Students is playing an all-ages show on March 29 with Seattle band Shotty and The Cherubs at WhAAM’s Old Foundry, 100 Maple St. The show starts at 8 p.m. with a $5 cover.

Also, check out Strait A Students on April 18 at the Rogue Hero, 1313 N. State St., with Truce and Peratus. The 21-and-older show costs $4 and starts around 10 p.m.

-Jessica Harbert - Bellingham Herald


"The Oryentation EP Review"

The Strait A Students are not going to change rock ‘n’ roll, but they sure as hell are having fun with it.

On their debut release, The Oryentation EP, these punk rockers fly through six songs about Canada, pizza and a one-night stand. This disc was recorded and mixed very well, with the guitar, bass, drums and vocals all coming in clearly and not stomping all over each other. Guitar player and vocalist Ryan Richardson finds a happy medium between standard punk rock bar chords and melodic guitar fills that keep the EP both interesting and intriguing.

The simple but fun vocal hooks also had me humming along before I even knew the songs, and the lyrics kept me laughing. The only suggestion that I would have for the Students would be to expand a little more into other areas of musical interest, to help separate them from their contemporaries.

This is a great debut EP from The Straight A Students, filled with energy and humor. - What's Up Magazine


"The Oryentation EP Review"

The Strait A Students are not going to change rock ‘n’ roll, but they sure as hell are having fun with it.

On their debut release, The Oryentation EP, these punk rockers fly through six songs about Canada, pizza and a one-night stand. This disc was recorded and mixed very well, with the guitar, bass, drums and vocals all coming in clearly and not stomping all over each other. Guitar player and vocalist Ryan Richardson finds a happy medium between standard punk rock bar chords and melodic guitar fills that keep the EP both interesting and intriguing.

The simple but fun vocal hooks also had me humming along before I even knew the songs, and the lyrics kept me laughing. The only suggestion that I would have for the Students would be to expand a little more into other areas of musical interest, to help separate them from their contemporaries.

This is a great debut EP from The Straight A Students, filled with energy and humor. - What's Up Magazine


Discography

The Pursuit of Hopelessness - 2008 (LP)
- Terrific review in What's Up Magazine October 2008 issue.
- Distribution in Regional Best Buy Stores.
- Get Lost "Track of the Week" on Garageband.com week of September 29, 2008.

DEMO - 2007
- "Sunday Morning Horror Show" & "How Does it Feel" featured in NW Dirt Culture III "ENDUB EMPIRE" Motocross DVD.

Creeding your Heart Out - 2006 (EP)
- "TeeOh'd" rewarded Track of the Day on Garageband.com.
- "TeeOh'd" included on "Music for your iPod" compilation featuring Mayday Parade from FTS Records in Florida.
- "Werkin' from Home" featured on Cakewalk Music Products MySpace page.
- Digital Only release available only as a free download for owners of "The Oryentation EP".

The Oryentation EP - 2005 (EP)
- Streaming on "Rant Radio" online radio out of Delta, BC (Canada).
- "Tonys Pizza Night" featured on KDHX out of St. Louis, MO.
- 3 tracks (Tony's Pizza Night, Don't let Mikey, New Tomorrow) nominated for Track of the Day on Garageband.com
- "Canada" appearing on early 2007 compilation from Roadtrip Records.
- Strong review at Hussieskunk Online Radio @ Hussieskunk.com
- Very positive review in "What's Up Magazine" February 2006.
- Available thru a large list of online and brick & mortar retailers (SmartPUNK, Interpunk, CD Baby, Melodic Revolution, Everyday Music, Avalon, iTunes, Napster, Rhapsody, AOL Music Now, etc).

Photos

Bio

Strait A Students is a four-piece, Aggressive-alt-rock band from Bellingham, WA. Jared D. “What’s Up Magazine” Feb 2006 wrote, “The Strait A Students aren’t going to change Rock-n-Roll, but they’re sure as hell having fun with it!”

Strait A Students has played more than (50) live shows regionally and sold hundreds of their debut release "The Oryentation EP" on the internet and at live performances. The Strait A's have had (4) tracks named “Track of the Day” at Garageband.com and have been included on two music compilations distributed at Warped Tour 2006 and 2007. In March 2007, they were named “Band of the Month” at Bandfocus.com and they took home 2nd place in the KISM/Harley Davidson’s “Last Band Standing” competition last October. Recently, they were interviewed on Kate Delany's "America Tonight" Online Radio Show with close to a half million listeners and their music will be featured in the mountain bike and motocross DVD: “N.W. Dirt Culture III” coming Spring 2008.The band will be promoting their upcoming release, “The Pursuit of Hopelessness”, throughout the Summer of 2008 with a slew of shows at popular fairs, festivals, and clubs. This [their 3rd official release in as many years] can only be described as a Pop-Punk meets Alternative Rock masterpiece...

Matt G. Aug 2006, in “Hussieskunk”, “Strait A Students is often times hilarious with their lyrics, especially sharp with their instruments and sound, but most importantly, the music is fun and entertaining without losing integrity of becoming too poppy and not enough punky!”

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Now a bit about the men behind the power chords...

Ryan
“The Joker”

Led by the Hi-Jinks of Founding member Lead Singer/ Guitarist Ryan Richardson, he is animated and dynamic with wit that keeps even the most indifferent crowds thoroughly entertained.

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Ian
“The Rebel”

Bassist Ian Graham's style is noted as "Razor Sharp". Armed with a StingRay bass guitar, this tall and tattoo'd dude sounds as good as the ladies say he looks. He tops it off with angelic harmonies and consistent energy throughout each and every live show. At 6'3, his high flying rock jumps can cause bodily injury so look out...

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Elliot
“The Thinker”

Not to be outdone is the laid-back persona of Elliot Starks. Elliot lends that "Calm Before the Storm" kind of cool to the band and might be the sexiest Northwest musician you haven't heard of. Although he does not say alot, he'll let his fingers do the talking with intricate leads and dead on guitar harmonies.

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Gabe
“The DON”

Co-founding member and percussion specialist Gabe Rodriguez lays the beat down and keeps the family together.

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Strait A Students upcoming release will embody a force so strong, head banging, with devil hand raised to the heavens will not be a rare side-effect!

“The Pursuit of Hopelessness” … The future is now (as in available now)!

Visit Strait A Students Website: www.straitastudents.com where you’ll find links to downloading tracks off their upcoming release, tour schedule, merchandising, and don’t forget to sign-up on their e-mail list.

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For booking & licensing information please contact Robin Fairbanks at 425-761-5638.

Write the band at:
6321 16th Ave SW, Seattle, WA 98106

Or E-mail them...
straitastudents@yahoo.com.