The Naked Stills
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The Naked Stills

Boston, Massachusetts, United States | Established. Jan 01, 2014 | SELF

Boston, Massachusetts, United States | SELF
Established on Jan, 2014
Band Rock Alternative

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"The Ground Up Breaks Ground"

Its funny, in a world that's over produced, over processed, and blatantly synthetic, along comes The Ground Up. The sincerity of their self titled Ep, is frankly . . . well human. The vocals provided by Rocco DeRosa show yearning for understanding and connectedness to his plight for who we are and who we need more to be. It's the subtleties of his voice that empower the message of not only the vocals and words being sung, but as the message as a whole that the band is playing for. Daniel King lays down the Guitar and backing vocals which are nothing short of tasteful and appropriately placed. There are layers of complex feel in his work that run the gamut of human emotion. It's a voice that doesn't speak at you, but rather to you. I find Ryan Callahan's bass playing to be absolutely superb. Most people don't realize how truly a bass player can be overshadowed by the other instruments and players in a band. His playing is clean and sincere, with plenty of feel and a solid backbone for the drummer and band to capitalize on. Doug Standley rounds out the band with a style reminiscent of so many great feel players of yesteryear. It's the fact that he makes simple playing so complex it's down right ingenious. If I could sum up this effort with an image it would be . . . It's like lying next to a friend whispering secrets that only the other person can hear knowing that what makes those words and thoughts so special, is that you know the message is getting across loud and clear. Much like any new friendship or new endeavor, one must always start from the ground up.

Thank you guys. - E. Carlton


"Cochecho finds a band taking their music to the next level, and it's worth joining them for the ride."

The Naked Stills are vocalist/rhythm guitarist Rocco DeRosa, lead guitarist Daniel King, bassist Ryan Callahan, and drummer Doug Standley. They are all New England musicians who gradually came together. They have played the local club and bar circuit and now are attempting to reach a new level of success with the release of their debut album, Cochecho. They are a rock and roll band who writes their own material. The lyrics are down to earth and realistic and fit the catchy nature of their music well.
The album may not have a cohesive feel but each track does have a distinctive nature. The memorable track is “Touchdown in Boston” with its bleak lyrics, which paint a picture of struggle and searching. “Impossible” is a song that explodes from the speakers, as the band is in full rock and roll mode. Cochecho finds a band taking their music to the next level, and it's worth joining them for the ride. - Blogcritics


"Keenly driven, 1960s – 1970s rock furnished with hints of blues pop and Americana of the present day. - Americana UK"

Boston, Massachusetts four-piece The Naked Stills were founded in 2009 by vocalist, rhythm guitarist Rocco DeRosa and guitarist, multi-instrumentalist Daniel King, later to be joined by Doug Standley (drums) and Ryan Callahan (bass). The boys on this their debut full-length album also have Mike Effenberger (Tan Vampires) lend his worth on Rhodes, Hammond B3 organ and space echo. As music rich in drive, body and on the likes of stand-out piece “Touchdown In Boston” the kind of lyrics that evoke unavoidable imagery. For dreamers, poets, romancers and people willing to let their heart and mind get up and wander wherever the urge draws them.
Whilst “Take Me Away” hasn't the feel of travel of “Touchdown In Boston”, a restless undercurrent of electric guitar and organ ensure an undeniable creative power rages throughout. As the vocals of DeRosa speak of what they have and of standing the test. Less complex and of cleaner production “The Price You Pay” has him count the cost of love, as he becomes resigned in having to let it have its way. Joyously so it seems as Hammond B3 swirls around his foraging styled lead vocals (plus jangling lead electric guitar).

Opening cut “Impossible” is an out and out rocker. I could imagine The Who, no less, doing this one. Talking of rock and superb guitar work “We Fall Apart” has a ton of commendable electric guitar lead solo entries (to go with DeRosa’s nail it to the wall vocals) as the likes of Eric Clapton comes to mind as do other influences. Nice work it is too. Maybe, next time, the boys will be a little more adventurous and decisive with their selection of material and give it an almighty go. They are well capable, they only need to cut the straps and run with it more, before we are to hear the best of them. - Americana-UK


"These guys are playing for what could be a huge audience at some point in the future."

The Naked Stills - Cochecho (Independently released CD, Pop)
The Naked Stills is the quartet comprised of Ryan Callahan (bass), Rocco DeRosa (vocals, rhythm guitar, acoustic guitar), Daniel King (lead guitar, lap steel), and Doug Standley (drums, percussion). The band began in 2009 and has been gaining steady momentum ever since. The band's influences include Ryan Adams, Wilco, and Dawes...and this would give a good indication of what the songs on Cochecho sound like. The main difference is that these songs are not overproduced and overly slick...which means there's still some true threads of emotion happening here. These guys are playing for what could be a huge audience at some point in the future. Their songs are melodic, accessible, and they have that familiar sound that should appeal to a wide cross section of listeners. Twelve well-crafted cuts here including "Impossible," "Is That Enough," and "Hands of Love." - BabySue


"These guys are playing for what could be a huge audience at some point in the future."

The Naked Stills - Cochecho (Independently released CD, Pop)
The Naked Stills is the quartet comprised of Ryan Callahan (bass), Rocco DeRosa (vocals, rhythm guitar, acoustic guitar), Daniel King (lead guitar, lap steel), and Doug Standley (drums, percussion). The band began in 2009 and has been gaining steady momentum ever since. The band's influences include Ryan Adams, Wilco, and Dawes...and this would give a good indication of what the songs on Cochecho sound like. The main difference is that these songs are not overproduced and overly slick...which means there's still some true threads of emotion happening here. These guys are playing for what could be a huge audience at some point in the future. Their songs are melodic, accessible, and they have that familiar sound that should appeal to a wide cross section of listeners. Twelve well-crafted cuts here including "Impossible," "Is That Enough," and "Hands of Love." - BabySue


"Poppy 'U2'­like song "Touchdown In Boston" reminiscent of a band like "Counting Crows" ....that applies equally to the LA rock band "Dawes' remembering and strongly sung song " We Fall Apart". ­ Rootstime (Belgium)"

http://www.rootstime.be/CD%20REVIEUW/2013/MA1/CD60.html

Four young guys came in early 2009 on the initiative of singer-guitarist Rocco De Rosa and guitarist Daniel King together in a cafe in Boston, Massachusetts. Bassist Ryan Callahan and drummer Doug Standley soon locks on to the idea of a modern pop and rock formation on. So the Group was ' The Naked Stills ' christened and this band could go to work in peace on the songs that for quite a while in Rocco DeRosa's tray layers for the inclusion of a first album.

That debut album is there after the release of an ep-tje in 2011 only really come in november 2012 with the twelve original compositions from existing album "Cochecho" that it was launched during a performance in the ' Hard Rock Cafe ' of Boston. These numbers are the result of a harmonious confluence of folk, rock and blues music from the 60 's and 70 's that these young musicians in their youth years had recorded through plates of their parents and through a number of performances they had attended.

With the songs "Impossible" and "Goodbye To Time" gets pretty rocking started on "Cochecho", so named after a small river that in addition to the recording studio in New Hampshire beyond kabbelde. The attention to a raft in the ear melody line is, however, already from the beginning present in the music of ' The Naked Stills '.

Poppy ' U2'-like song "Touchdown In Boston" evokes memories of a band like ' Counting Crows ' and the hit environment "The Price You Pay" with handsome Hammondorgel work of guest musician Mike Effenberger (from ' Tan Vampires ') earns frequent airplay on pop and rock radio stations. That applies equally to the to the L.A. rock band ' Dawes ' reminiscent and strong song "We Fall Apart".

"Let It Go" (see video) and "Pennsylvania Sky" are the first rock ballads on this cd and let especially the vocal qualities of Rocco DeRosa. The pace is even get some delayed for the ballad "My Dream", one of our favourite tracks on this record. The highly-charged emotional closing track "Hands Of Love" is our second favorite song of this album, that if debut record of ' The Naked Stills ' deserves a lot of credit and a spacious award manages to gather for a hopefully soon to be expected successor of "Cochecho". - Rootstime (Belgium)


"The Naked Stills show enormous potential on Cochecho CD"

The Naked Stills released their debut CD Cochecho late last year, and it’s an impressive amalgam of classic rock, blues, and folk born in the 1960s American music renaissance. There is a breezy, wide-ranging sense of expression in the vocals and instrumentation in all 12 tracks. There is also a much needed freshness in this music as it brings us back to a less pretentious time in rock. Earthiness abounds in every guitar sustain, drum fill, bass run, and vocal approach. It’s easy to picture this band finding support a 30 city bus tour.
“Impossible” kicks off this album with bouncy, fuzzy guitar riffs and a lead vocalist who puts emotion above showiness. The authentic grit in the guitar rhythm is rooted in the past, when rock and roll meant something. The lead vocal’s belty sustains are vast projections of talent, but they stem from what the song needs, not a singer’s ego. The song is full of drive, verve, and style. It makes a listener feel like popping the disc into the dash and cruise the long highway.
Twisty rhythm guitar and a palpable rhythm section pull the listener into the mid-tempo flow of “Goodbye To Time.” Here, The Naked Stills create a wide, sweeping sonic landscape to conjure the emotion of letting go of the pressures of time. A lead guitar cuts through the classic rock vibe with a resonating crispness, vigorous, full of life.
The Naked Stills bop their way into “Let It Go” with a steady groove that’s packed with feeling and meaning. Lead vocalist Rocco DeRosa finesses his lyrics with a shiny soulfulness all his own. Frisky guitars prance and jump around beneath the vocal, punctuating the voice with resonating persistence. Throw in some subtle cymbal work and you have a first rate song.
“My Dreams” offers a touch of pop sensibility with gentle guitar notes tap dancing around the beat. DeRosa’s whispery soft vocal embraces and infuses this ditty with amicable warmth. It’s just a treat to hear him caress the tune while guitars assert their own personality and timbres. Drummer Doug Standley offers a lot of cleverness playing a mesh of things on the spacey ride out portion.
“Pennsylvania Skies” is a gliding piece of vocal bliss and jittery guitar phrases. It’s impossible not to get swept away on this soft cloud blown across the horizon on a summer wind. An edgy guitar lift off makes you feel like a really cool companion is floating up to meet you in flight and travel alongside. There is certainly something special going on with this piece. Its architecture is high and wide and loaded with sonic structure.
“Is That Enough” takes its sweet time unfolding a large vocal presence and sweeping guitar rhythms. There is an earnest soulfulness in DeRosa’s empowered vocal reach. He coats the melodic phrase and rhythmic underpinnings beneath him with muscular coos and sustains that give a sense that something huge is going on.
“Touchdown In Boston” is one of the most hauntingly beautiful songs on this album. DeRosa laments the strange isolating he feels in the deadness of the city’s winter. He accurately captures the deadened forlorn feeling of being in a big city during the low temperature season. Guitarist Daniel King paints a vivid landscape with his mournfully beautiful guitar atmospherics. Thrown in with a rhythm section that knows how to anchor such a painterly song, and you have a another potential radio hit.
The boys mellow out again for “Take Me Away.” The guitar notes ring out with lonesome honky tonk heart as DeRosa wears his heart on his sleeve. This singer puts across wide sweeps of emotive lyrics with a confident easefulness. Drummer Doug Standley adds a little extra something in the down tempo portions before kicking the song into first gear with a steady pushiness.
“The Price You Pay” finds The Naked Stills playing in a peppy vibe. Mild manner guitars and tasteful drumming hit with just enough pluck to hold the ear and to support their theme of making sacrifices in relationships. DeRosa sings in a poignant plaintive manner. His voice rises in pitch as he lists his losses and gains, and that makes the song resonate with more of the band’s soulful appeal.
The boys kick right into “All I Need.” This one swaggers with a knobby bass line and palpably feisty drumming. You can feel yourself swept along by the hip rhythm section when they apply their snappy techniques. The vocal and guitar lines playing out over the groove depend on the rhythms to strut around. And\ they make full use of the wide swings to do some impressive stuff. DeRosa is again emotive and empowered and King’s lead guitar cries out with feeling.
“We Fall Apart” has a fulsome drum sound. Those skins are just dollops of percussive rhythm. Subtly and nuance are the other strengths here. Twitchy guitar sweeps kick in with zinging charisma. An incisive guitar line practically skates the surface of authority. You get a vivid sonic landscape along with a really good rock song.
The Naked Stills close out their album with “Hand - Bill Copeland Music News


"Release Review"

The Naked Stills – Cochecho
Saturday, November 10th was an important night for Boston based band The Naked Stills. Not only were they headlining the Saturday night show at The Hard Rock Café, which included music from Joe Young, Jared Salvatore, and Luddy Mussy, but they were also releasing their debut CD Cochecho. Performing for a nearly packed house, The Naked Stills played songs off their new album before bringing up all the bands that were playing that night for a collective sing-along of The Band’s classic song “The Weight” (a band tradition).
The release of Cochecho is a big moment for The Naked Stills. The band, originally known as The Ground Up, formed back in 2009 and released a 4-track self-titled EP (The Ground Up EP) in February 2011. While the songs from this EP have been polished and added to Cochecho, the band’s name was changed before the album release. Funding the project through Pledgemusic.com, The Naked Stills were able to get the financial backing they needed from their strong fan-base to release the debut album. With a new name and a new album, things are only looking up for The Naked Stills.
Cochecho is one of those albums that feels like it could be the soundtrack to your Summer road trip. Walking the fine line of old country music and rock and roll, with a little blues and blue grass thrown into the mix, the album successfully captures the essence of laid back rock concert that equally makes you want to have a glass of whiskey or get up and dance. Pulling influence from bands like O.A.R., The Band, Counting Crows, and The Shins, Cochecho has a little bit of everything. Lead Singer & Rhythm Guitarist Rocco DeRosa displays his ability to paint a lyrical picture while Bassist Ryan Callahan, Lead Guitarist Daniel King, and Drummer Doug Standley pull the entire experience together with their musical backing and style.
Tackling topics of love, life, and desire, Cochecho has an appeal that caters to a broad audience. From the first, fast-paced track “Impossible” to the final slow, heartfelt song “Hands of Love”, The Naked Stills have produced a solid album that almost anyone can find a favorite track on. Seeing as how this is the time of year people are saying what they’re thankful for, I would have to say I’m thankful there are still local bands like The Naked Stills putting out great music.
To get the album, head over to Bandcamp today and pick it up! You can also grab a FREE download of “The Price You Pay” on The Naked Stills website! - Inner Voice - M. Gugliotti


Discography

Still working on that hot first release.

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Bio

"The Band, Counting Crows, and The Shins...Cochecho has a little bit of everything." ~ Inner Voice

"...an impressive amalgam of classic rock, blues, and folk born in the 1960s American music renaissance...The Naked Stills can only grow huge after such an impressive, dynamic debut. ~Bill Copelands Music News

"Poppy 'U2'like song "Touchdown In Boston" reminiscent of a band like "Counting Crows" ....that applies equally to the LA rock band "Dawes' remembering and strongly sung song " We Fall Apart".
~ Rootstime (Belgium)

"Keenly driven, 1960s 1970s rock furnished with hints of blues pop and Americana of the present day."
~Americana-UK

The Naked Stills released its debut full length album Cochecho in November 2012 to a sold out Hard Rock Cafe in Boston, Massachusetts. Founded in early 2009 by vocalist and rhythm guitarist Rocco DeRosa and guitarist/multi-instrumentalist Daniel King, The Naked Stills was born out of their mutual love for the pioneering folk, blues, and rock movements of the 60s and 70s. The two began writing material together and performing at local bars and clubs in the Boston area, when drummer Doug Standley was introduced to the duo at an open mic and instantly found a connection with their sound. Shortly thereafter, fellow Massachusetts native and bassist Ryan Callahan joined the band, completing their current lineup. With a budding and impressive resume of shows played in New York City and Boston, and winning a slot on WBOS Earthfest, the Naked Stills are already making themselves heard all over the northeast.

Cochecho boasts a hooky blend of rock and americana without a fear of a healthy dose of pop. The Naked Stills influences, including Ryan Adams, Wilco, and Dawes, can be heard throughout the album, but they also arent without the occasional bluesy sound, as heard in Is That Enough. The lead track, Impossible, pulls the listener in from the start with a full rock and roll sound, and the bass groove on Let It Go will keep you there. Touchdown in Boston is sure to touch the heart of any beantown native as it paints a perfect picture of the bleak nature of Boston in the winter and the homelessness of someone who travels more than they care to while searching for somewhere to grow roots. Cochecho blends genres seamlessly to maintain a cohesive feel as an album, but every track can also stand on its own.

Joining The Naked Stills in the studio for the recording of Cochecho was Mike Effenberger (Tan Vampires), who played rhodes and hammond on the entire album. All album instruments on Cochecho were recorded by Christopher Chase (Gin Blossoms, Smash Mouth, and Wycleff Jean) at 1130ft Studios. All vocals were recorded by Brian Packer (Cahill, Kate Klim, Yellowbirddd) and the album was mixed by Brian Packer.

Please check out The Naked Stills latest release, Cochecho. If you have any questions, comments or would like to set up an interview or are looking for more information, please contact Rocco DeRosa at our website thenakedstills.com.

Band Members