Straitlaced

The Philadelphia area’s Origivation Magazine has been giving these guys quite a bit of press in the past few months and I recently had the opportunity to find out why. An impressive live perfomance, amazing professionality, and a solid self-released EP top the list of why this band is in the top 10. With noticeable influences from modern rock and pop-punk acts, they seem to still be in the “finding their sound” stage. However, they are good and I am more than willing to enjoy the experience of watchign them grow up as a band.
- 8 December 2005 - By justin charles harlan http://crapfilter.net/2005/12/08/someone_sign_these_guys

I recently got the chance to sit down with this awesome local band:
For the four members of local punk/pop band Straitlaced, the past six months have been a journey into the life of what it could be to be rock stars. The group is just putting off what they see as impending fame until the end of the college semester. "Since I joined in April of this year, we are starting to get into a groove with shows. We haven't played a lot of them, we're just kind of treading water until the end of school. But we're always trying to get our name out there," said bass player of ten years -- and current University of Penn student -- Leland Weeks, "But from everything that I have seen in that little bit of time, the response has been simply awesome."

Straitlaced was formed in November 2003 by guitar player and vocalist Viv Peyrat and twins Dan (vocalist and guitar player) and Andy (drummer) Sinkler. They added Weeks as a bass player in April 2005. "Our band is really interesting and different because we never looked at it like there was a favorite song or a favorite type of song that we wanted to try to play," said Peyrat. "It was always more like that we always had a consensus on what songs and kind of songs we all hated and didn't want to do." "Since I've been with these guys, we never attempted or even talked about trying to do a single cover song. I like it that way, with all original music, and I'm pretty sure these guys agree with me."

The band -- now with an average age of 21 (19, 20, 20, and 25) -- is mostly looking for exposure. "The biggest thing is always to get ourselves that exposure, like any group would want," continued Weeks. "We are all trying to just get our names out there. I personally would like to date Kelly Clarkson and go to VIP parties, and these guys each have their own plans as well." It focuses a lot on playing in Philadelphia and some of its outlying areas. "Quakertown and Fallsington are two places that we go to sometimes," said Peyrat. "So it's definitely not just a home thing in the Abington area. One of the other best parts of being in a band is getting to go on tour across the US. The four of us have already been down to Tennessee for a tour, and our bus broke down two times on the way down there. So we got experiences in both music and life in our few months together."

For inspiration, the band turns to groups such as Jimmy Eat World and Taking Back Sunday. The Sinkler boys also look to their famous grandfather, jazz musician Charlie Parker. "I think of him as the Jimmy Hendrix of the jazz world," said Dan. "It's all about the music. Sure, we've got some things we've got to sort out before we make that next, big jump," said Weeks. " But once we do that, we should start to really roll." "We are literally waiting for the end of the semester to start another tour and to start playing out more," said Andy.

Straitlaced has four upcoming shows: Friday, November 4, at Emmanuel Episcopal in Quakertown; Saturday, November 5, at The Globe in Bethlehem; Thursday, December 1, at Double Decker in Allentown; and Friday, December 9, at the Bean Cellar in Kutztown. Further information is available on the Web at http://www.straitlacedrocks.com.

- By Brady Hicks http://philadelphia.metblogs.com/archives/2005/10/young_local_ban_1.phtml

Power pop, screamo, punk… however you describe the band Straitlaced, they can be compared to [insert name of any Warped Tour band here]. That is in no way a low blow to their originality; it shows that they are worthy of being thrown on tour with dozens of other bands in the same genre, and can instantly win over hearts a plenty. Their debut self-titled EP illustrates that they definitely know how to feed the masses their heavier doses of emo. With their prominent drum beats, insane guitar solos and strong rhythms, they can easily fit on the bill for any Warped Tour genre concert. What gives Straitlaced that nice edge is their use of screaming. On "Half The Battle", they effectively use it as another instrument in the group rather than the main focus. Seeing as how we have enough bands out there that bitch out their enemies, hate the world and scream their lyrics, this change is much appreciated. The lyrics on that song are very well constructed for allowing the crowd to serenade the band on stage if, when, performed live: a good start for a band trying to make it. They really demonstrate their ability to be able to write for radio on Six Letters, with their catchy riffs, and again on "Burn." With constant changes in tempo, their music is not for the beginner - yet it also proves their talent as a group. The instrumentation on "Thank You, Goodbye" really expresses how much farther ahead of the 'unsigned band' pack they really are. They make sure the lyrics "Thank you for the good time/I hope your heart is as full as mine/I wish you could stay longer/It's been fun, but goodbye," which might seem simple as a read-over, are clearly sung in a way that you can imagine the circle pits ceasing for a moment while their fans sing with them, punching their fists in the air with every beat and totally involving themselves in the energy Straitlaced provides. Throw some Thrice, Taking Back Sunday, Yellowcard's catchy rhythms, lighter Blink and Good Charlotte into a blender and I think you'll have a nice taste of some high quality Straitlaced flavor for your ears.



- By Iris, AudioXposure http://www.audioxposure.com/artists/reviews/straitlaced.htm

Click on PRESS - www.straitlacedrocks.com

Philadelphia based rock quartet, Straitlaced, is young and on the right track. Sure, they are a lot of bands that play punk-influenced emotion-laden rock, but most don’t do it as well. Straitlaced knows how to produce solid rhythm and catchy hooks, while setting themselves apart with their high level of professionalism. They’ve toured all over and played with some huge names in the process. Locally, they have gotten press from several Philly area magazines and have secured a solid fanbase ranging from teenage kids to accomplished musicians. With a tight sound and a solid direction, it’s no surprise.

With a solid sound, I was curious as to their greatest influences. “Carson Daly, Ashley Simpson, and Subway,” was their reply when I inquired, showing they don’t take themselves too seriously despite being serious about their music. I always find this refreshing, because being a serious musician shouldn’t mean that you don’t like to have fun… and many artists think in order to be taken seriously as a band, you have to present yourself as serious people. Straitlaced proves that a professional approach to music can be accompanied by a jovial and fun attitude about life.

Keeping true to the “Under the radar” format that I started a few weeks back, I shot some questions over to the band via email and here’s what they (as a band) replied, along with some of my own commentary, enjoy:

CF: Who are the folks in Straitlaced and what do they play?

Straitlaced: Dan sings and plays guitar. Viv plays lead guitar. Leland plays bass, and Andrew plays the drums.

CF: Who is the best band you’ve ever played with?

Straitlaced: Hillside, Fell Far Behind, Counterpunch All new names to me, thus I will have to check them out, maybe you’ll get to hear more about them on here in the future

CF: Where is the coolest place you’ve been on tour?

Straitlaced: The Backbooth in Florida (the people there hated us)

CF: Tell the reads a funny tour story.

Straitlaced: Too many to tell

CF: What sets Straitlaced apart from other rock bands?

Straitlaced: The length of our penises The didn’t specify whether that meant they had long penises or small ones, I presume the latter… sorry boys, just a feeling I get

CF: Who would you say are your influences and/or heroes?

Straitlaced: Carson Daly, Ashley Simpson, and Subway I, too, enjoy Subway

CF: What is your favorite John Cusack movie? I have a slight obsession with Johnny, thus I inserted this one for my own benefit

Straitlaced: Conair

CF: Where do you see yourselves in 5 years?

Straitlaced: Touring the world

CF: What is one thing you want our readers to know about you?

Straitlaced: When Leland records or plays live, he drops his pants because that helps him play better I don’t recall this happening when I worked with them, but perhaps it did

CF: Finally, who would win in a fight, Harrison Ford (Han Solo era) or Dave Chappelle in a fat suit? My attempt at a clever and funny finisher failed

Straitlaced: Harrison Ford And though I love Han, I think their answer is incorrect

End of interview

So, the point of the story here is that Straitlaced rocks and haqve fun while doing it. I noted their professionalism before and that may not be something a lot of people pick up on, but as a concert promoter/organizer I had been very impressed in how they marketed themselves with their press kit and how they handled themselves all around. There is no doubt in my mind that Straitlaced will get a deal soon enough if they keep working hard and approaching music in a professional, yet fun way. Check them out at one of the links below.

StraitlacedRocks.com
Straitlaced on Myspace
Straitlaced on Purevolume

- Justin Charles Harlan http://crapfilter.net/2006/01/04/under_the_radar_straitlaced/

June 7, 2006
By Alan K. Stout Music On The Menu

The band Straitlaced takes its name from a term, used by the group’s circle of friends, to describe “anything cool.”

Fans of the fiery quartet might say it’s a pretty good fit.

The young band was formed just a few years ago in Abington, just outside of Philadelphia, and its current lineup has been in place for just one year. Though the group’s music has been described as power punk/pop and even “screamo,” guitarist Viv Peyrat, 19, prefers a more simple description.

“I would just call it alternative,” he says. “I would just call it rock. We try to cover a lot of areas of rock, and don’t just stick to one. There are a lot of influences. Everyone likes heavy shit, but they also like some good pop/rock. We try to mix it up.”

Straitlaced self-titled EP includes the tracks “Burn,” “Half The Battle,” “Six Letters,” “Pull The Plug” and “Thank You, Good-Bye.” Group members also include Dan Sinkler on vocals and guitar, Andy Sinkler on drums (they’re twins) and Leland Weeks on bass. Interestingly, the band’s bio offers some almost humorous insight into the songwriting process:

“Our songs usually are created from a guitar riff by Viv or Dan, and then we argue about how Andrew should play to it,” it reads. “Next, Leland plays the most simple, yet intricate bass part possible without looking like a complete (dork). Then, Dan writes the words that none of the other members understand until they are recorded … some of the songs happen to be about stupid things Dan has done while partying.”

Peyrat agrees with that description.

“Honestly, that’s how it goes down,” he says with a chuckle. “Someone will come up with stupid little ideas, and we’ll kind of feed off of it and work off of it for an hour or two. Maybe nothing will come of it, or something good will come of it, and then Dan puts lyrics to it.”

And what inspires the songs?

“It’s usually just life’s events – girls and stuff.”

Though the group’s influences and favorites include acts such as Blink 182, Jimmy Eat World and Taking Back Sunday, it has also made a conscious effort to forge its own sound.

“Guitar, to me - distorted guitars - are real important,” says Peyrat. “It’s all about letting a lot of energy out through your songs.”

Sometimes, say Peyrat, you might even hear a few seconds of an Eric Clapton or Eddie Van Halen influence. Even the shifting-gears style of drumming, he says, brings a unique dynamic to the songs.

“I try to throw in a lot of solos, or more solos, than some other bands and we definitely like to switch up within a song. Andrew likes to go to a lot of different places when he’s playing drums.”

Peyrat says the group’s live shows are both professional and energetic and that its main goal is to connect with its audience – and audience that the band would like to see expand nationwide.

“That’s the ultimate goal – the record deal, touring, the tour bus,” he says. “I definitely want to be signed by a label, go on some nice tours, record some albums, and then start thinking about maybe getting on the radio and trying to write some hits.

“Making a living would be great, but it wouldn’t be as sweet as making it huge.”

Go:

Who: Straitlaced, with The Alexandria Machine, Beyond Bleeding Eyes and One Shot Shy of a Shooting

Where: Café Metropolis, 94 S. Main Street, Wilkes-Barre

When: Friday, June 9. Doors at 7 p.m. Music at 8 p.m.

Cover: $5

Info: www.cafemetropolis.com

Band on the web: www.staitlacedrocks.com
- Alan Stout, TimesLeader