The Influence
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The Influence

Virginia Beach, Virginia, United States | INDIE | AFM

Virginia Beach, Virginia, United States | INDIE | AFM
Band Alternative Rock

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

Music

Press


"Jack Shannon-East Coast Entertainment"

" If "This Call" doesn't get heavy spins on alternative radio, I don't know what will" - East Coast Entertainment


"Jack Shannon-East Coast Entertainment"

" If "This Call" doesn't get heavy spins on alternative radio, I don't know what will" - East Coast Entertainment


"The Washington Post"

" Virginia Beach's The Influence makes beach music for the hurricane season: there's always something ominous on the horizon. On its self-titled debut disc, the quintet's sound is big, broad, and carefully balanced. The guitars of Will Clarke and John Zontini shimmer through the knuckle-punch rhythms of drummer Collin Cogan and bassist Chris Tully like sun through thunderclouds. On top of it all is the urgent yet gentil voice of Matt Stephenson, combining Bono's buoyancy with Dave Matthew's wry drawl" - Pamela Murray Winters


"Alfredo Torres WROX-FM"

" The Influence has a unique style that will certainly offer a fresh and exciting change to the everyday sounds that currently fill the airwaves. These hardworking young men play from their hearts and souls. The best part is you can see the fun they are having. No crying, No whining. It's good rock with a new twist" - WROX-FM


"The Washington Post"

" Virginia Beach's The Influence makes beach music for the hurricane season: there's always something ominous on the horizon. On its self-titled debut disc, the quintet's sound is big, broad, and carefully balanced. The guitars of Will Clarke and John Zontini shimmer through the knuckle-punch rhythms of drummer Collin Cogan and bassist Chris Tully like sun through thunderclouds. On top of it all is the urgent yet gentil voice of Matt Stephenson, combining Bono's buoyancy with Dave Matthew's wry drawl" - Pamela Murray Winters


"Brandon Webb- Mace & Crown"

" It breaks musical boundries. A vacation back to the early nineties. It is post grunge excellence. It is alternative, acoustic, and unsafe. They are wonderful purveyors of melody and lyricism. They prove themselves as a talented entitiy capable of producing great period music and of packaging emotion and alternative rock into one sonically satisfying box to be opened" - The Mace & Crown


"Alfredo Torres WROX-FM"

" The Influence has a unique style that will certainly offer a fresh and exciting change to the everyday sounds that currently fill the airwaves. These hardworking young men play from their hearts and souls. The best part is you can see the fun they are having. No crying, No whining. It's good rock with a new twist" - WROX-FM


"Paul Shugrue-WHRO-FM"

" One of the best bands out of Hampton Roads today!" A wonderful collection of listenable tunes" - WHRO-FM


"Paul Shugrue-WHRO-FM"

" One of the best bands out of Hampton Roads today!" A wonderful collection of listenable tunes" - WHRO-FM


"Doug Goffus-WEBR Radio"

" Every so often I run across a CD that deserves massive exposure. The Influence's CD falls into that category. The CD is great and really deserves exposure. The GRE will do it's part" - WEBR-Radio Fairfax, Va.


"Hardrockhaven.com"

Pig Radio, the second release from The Influence, is a mix of old sounds and new. The band could best be described on this album as sounding like a mix of U2 and Pearl Jam. There are splashes of catchy melody with a heavy dose of the grunge sounding guitars and vocal stylings.

If you’re looking for sunshine and rainbows, you’re not going to find it on Pig Radio. Archer Stephenson, the band's lead singer, writes largely introspective, dark lyrics. It’s hard to say whether he’s had a tough, dreary life or he’s just very good at emoting that in his writing. Either way, there are some tough, gritty lyrics on this album.

The band members are excellent musicians for certain. There are some challenging drum chops on the album as well as intricate guitar pieces. Most of that will be lost on the average listener and that’s fine. The end result is solid songs performed in a very crisp way.

The production on Pig Radio is excellent. The bottom (kick drum and bass) is tight, the snare is snappy, the guitar tones are full and the vocals are mixed in well. Hats off to the band’s producer Tim Roberts for his outstanding sound.

Pig Radio should be a big hit on the alternative college scene. It’s usually pretty inexpensive to hit those play lists and The Influence will be a perfect fit. This will be one of those albums that those people hip to the hot music will recommend to their friends. - Hardrockhaven.com


"Doug Goffus-WEBR Radio"

" Every so often I run across a CD that deserves massive exposure. The Influence's CD falls into that category. The CD is great and really deserves exposure. The GRE will do it's part" - WEBR-Radio Fairfax, Va.


"The Influence - Self Released"

Virginia based, The Influence has been gaining the attention of new fans along the East Coast since their 2005 debut album and are back now with their sophomore effort, "Pig Radio." While they carved their name out backed by an acoustic sound, "Pig Radio" departs a bit from that and focuses a little bit more on a bigger rock sound that begs to be compared to late 70's era Peter Gabriel (especially vocals) combined with a dash of modern day Pearl Jam. It has been a long time since a rock-based band captured my attention the way that The Influence has on this album, but it's safe to say this band has it all. From the excellent lead vocals to the big guitars that will easily fill arenas to the thumping bass lines you will find yourself falling in love with the Influence if you give this album a spin. - www.allageszine.com


"The Influence - Self Released"

Virginia based, The Influence has been gaining the attention of new fans along the East Coast since their 2005 debut album and are back now with their sophomore effort, "Pig Radio." While they carved their name out backed by an acoustic sound, "Pig Radio" departs a bit from that and focuses a little bit more on a bigger rock sound that begs to be compared to late 70's era Peter Gabriel (especially vocals) combined with a dash of modern day Pearl Jam. It has been a long time since a rock-based band captured my attention the way that The Influence has on this album, but it's safe to say this band has it all. From the excellent lead vocals to the big guitars that will easily fill arenas to the thumping bass lines you will find yourself falling in love with the Influence if you give this album a spin. - www.allageszine.com


"Mike Hume-Falls Church News Press"

"Trying to connect The Influence with who they sound like is about as easy as trying to force magnets with similar poles to touch. The truth of the matter is, the band from Virginia Beach seems to possess a rare commodity in the music industry these days-ORIGINALITY. They can't be lumped in with other artists, which, ironically, is perhaps why they draw comparisons to DMB....The effect of the various sounds and songs is an interesting, as well as entertaining one. Not only does The Influence provide good listening, their intrguing sound begs the question of whether appearance is everything. What lies beneath the eyes of the happy, shiny people walking around you? The fact The Influence's sound alone can raise sociological questions, speaks volumes about their uniqueness in a musical landscape white-washed with corporate pop songs on cut and dried emotion" - Falls Church News


"Mike Hume-Falls Church News Press"

"Trying to connect The Influence with who they sound like is about as easy as trying to force magnets with similar poles to touch. The truth of the matter is, the band from Virginia Beach seems to possess a rare commodity in the music industry these days-ORIGINALITY. They can't be lumped in with other artists, which, ironically, is perhaps why they draw comparisons to DMB....The effect of the various sounds and songs is an interesting, as well as entertaining one. Not only does The Influence provide good listening, their intrguing sound begs the question of whether appearance is everything. What lies beneath the eyes of the happy, shiny people walking around you? The fact The Influence's sound alone can raise sociological questions, speaks volumes about their uniqueness in a musical landscape white-washed with corporate pop songs on cut and dried emotion" - Falls Church News


"Cactus I.V."

"It's the album Dave Matthews meant to write.... for those with a craving for the rock, the amphitheater vibe, the dedication to a solid song, there's "Pig Radio" by The Influence"....."Pig Radio" is a full band rock album...... - Lisa Sokolowski


"Cactus I.V."

"It's the album Dave Matthews meant to write.... for those with a craving for the rock, the amphitheater vibe, the dedication to a solid song, there's "Pig Radio" by The Influence"....."Pig Radio" is a full band rock album...... - Lisa Sokolowski


Discography

1. Debut self titled album "The Influence" was officially released on January 1st. 2006
2. Dewey Beach Music Conference 2006 Compilation contained " Dust and Sun"
3. Aware Records Ear Snacks 2007 "Yesterday"
4. "Pig Radio" Released September, 2007
5. "This Call" Video June 2008
6. "Dust and Sun" EP October 2008
7. "Old Bones" Single, November 2009
8. "Falling Objects" Released September, 2010

Photos

Bio

“The Influence shimmers like sun through the thunderclouds!” – The Washington Post

The Influence – a modern-rock five-piece based in Virginia Beach – are at the vanguard of the East Coast music scene. The band is influenced by the familiar sounds of the great 90’s rock movement but is undeniably rooted in late 60’s and early 70’s rock sensibility. Critics have compared the band’s music to recent releases from acts such as Pearl Jam and Kings of Leon. They combine all the lasting contributions of Rock & Roll tradition into an innovative, fresh sound that continues to break boundaries.

Matthew Archer Stephenson’s smoky vocals provide a candid look into the harsher, more provocative themes usually locked deep within the vaults of more tortured minds. Channeling the introspective and often desperate ideas in the songs are the beautiful intermingling guitars of Chris Kendrick and Will Clarke. The passion in each song is striking when paired with the dynamic rhythms of drummer Collin Cogan and bassist Chris Tully. The Influence’s on-stage delivery is pure chaos in its search for perfection. The band’s raw performances showcase tag-team drum solos and explosive choruses with multiple backing harmonies, leaving the stage dismantled and the audience enamored.

The Influence’s impressive tour history includes venues ranging from college bars and historic Rock & Roll clubs to festivals and arenas. National acts such as Jimmy Eat World, Silverchair and Paramore along with scores of regional artists have shared the stage with The Influence over the last four years. Word of the band’s formidable live show and studio work has spread to various local and national media outlets earning The Influence numerous awards and accolades.

The Influence released their third album “Falling Objects” in September of 2010 with Sony/RED with the support of producer Ted Comerford (Jukebox the Ghost). Included on the project were mixer Ian Schrier (Velvet Revolver) and masterer David Collins (Soundgarden).

Achievements
2007 Album of the Year Nominee (Virginian Pilot/Port Folio Weekly, Falls Church News Press/WHRO-FM)
2008 Hollywood Music Awards Nominee
2008 Effigy Award Winners (Best Overall Artist/Best Vocals/Most Popular Artist)
2008 Portfolio Weekly Winner (Artist of the Year/Album of the Year)
96X-FM Battle of the Bands Winner
Billboard Songwriting Contest Honorable Mention
Next Big Hit – iTunes Podcast from New York
3 Songs on Fame Games Top Ten All-Time
ESPN-U Sports Center and March Madness Broadcast
NACA Associate Member
“Windows” Fame Games Track of the Week
“Slippin” Garageband.com Track of the Week
“This Call” Added to Over 100 Radio Stations Nationwide
“Slippin” Added to Over 100 Radio Stations Nationwide

The Influence has shared the stage with:
Emery
Papa Roach
Silverchair
Jimmy Eat World
Red Jumpsuit Apparatus
Saosin
Paramore
Shiny Toy Guns
Innerpartsysten
Angels and Airways
The Starting Line
Finger Eleven
CKY
Ryan Star
Los Lonely Boys
Hootie and the Blowfish
Bowling for Soup
The Bravery
Vertical Horizon
Fighting Gravity
Carbon Leaf
Jimmie’s Chicken Shack
Sun Domingo
Honor By August
Sister Hazel
The Bodeans

College Campus Performances:
University of Maryland
William and Mary University
East Carolina University
Old Dominion University
Virginia Commonwealth University
Longwood University
Virginia Tech University
Florida Institute of Technology
Elon University
George Mason University
James Madison University

Contacts:

Management/Booking
Kyra Wilson
Flying Eye Records
kyra@theinfluence.com
757-818-4088

Legal
Ron Bienstock
Bienstock & Michael, P.C.
rbienstock@musicesq.com
201-525-0300