Tension Speak

"Although they were the last act of the night, Tension Speak's energy level was off the charts and more than took them through what was an in-your-face rock show. With sounds streaming from Drowning Pool, Flaw, and Godsmack, this quintet brings it with superb songs and stage presence that you don't want to miss. If you want to have a good time and hear some great heavy music, make sure you go out and check out this band!" - The Edge Magazine

Publication Date : January 28, 2009

THE BAND: Tension Speak
THE MEMBERS: Mike Doll, lead vocals; Ray Martinez, guitar and vocals; Dan Baird, guitar; Andy Chinigo, bass; Randy Martinez, drums and vocals

THE SOUND: Tension Speak can play radio-rock music, slow but heavy, with deep melodic vocals - the band can even do acoustic.

But when Tension Speak decides to play heavy, the music is borderline metal, much more aggressive than its radio-rock peers.

Lead singer Mike Doll's high ranging vocals are met with drummer Randy Martinez's bloodcurdling screams; the slow beat is filled out by rolling double-bass, and the combination of palm-muted distortion and fast-picked guitar leads.

Bass player Andy Chinigo keeps up as well and is endorsed by Spector basses and Basson Sound Equipment.

"A lot of companies are showing interest as far as working with us," guitarist Ray Martinez said. However, the members realize that nothing comes for free.

The group has self-financed two California tours, where it had the opportunity to play venues such as The Roxy on the Sunset Strip.

This weekend, the band is scheduled to begin recording its first full-length album, Six Year War. It will include new versions of two very different songs.

"Blink of an Eye," a thoughtful acoustic song about a father going off to war, will be recorded with a full band and electronic equipment. "Shatter," one of the band's heavier songs that begins with lots of double bass, will be recorded acoustically by Martinez and Doll.

"We like to change it up and keep the crowd really interested," Martinez said.

THE BACKGROUND: The band's current lineup has only been around since November, but the idea began in the fall of 2002 when Ray Martinez and his younger brother, Randy, started jamming together and with other local musicians.

Tension Speak in its first form lasted from spring 2003 until about two years later, when it began losing members. Since then, the band has had many auditions and changed members a few times.

Dan Baird, 31, has been in the band for two years and is its third guitarist.

They put out ads in search of a singer and bass player, which is how Doll and Chinigo heard of the group. The members auditioned three bass players before finding Chinigo, and 11 vocalists before Doll.

"A guy drove from Missouri twice to try out for the band," Martinez said. "I hated telling him no."

It's been six years since Tension Speak formed, and the members finally feel they have the right lineup.

"I think everything has finally fallen into place, where we have the right maturity level, as well as the right mix of talent and dedication," Martinez said. "The current lineup is the one that we're putting everything behind."

WEB SITE: tensionspeak.com; myspace.com/tensionspeak - 210sa.com, Jonathan Munson