Music
Press
The Trade isn't one of those bands whose members just stand around and stare at their shoes while they play.
"I go right to the people," singer Chris Lopez said.
Consider yourself warned for an up-close and personal encounter when the Riverside band plays Anthem in Mission Grove tonight.
Lopez was inspired to go to the people by an article he read about the Strokes and how they couldn't get a reaction from label execs until singer Julian Casablancas left the stage and got in their faces.
"If the attention's not on us, I'm going to them," Lopez said.
During a show in LA, Lopez, drummer Samuel Villalta, keyboardist Marcos Barboza, lead guitarist Eric Estrada and bassist Dan'O were playing, but a few people in the back were chatting with friends. When the band got the audience to clap along, Lopez pointed at the offenders and motioned for them to clap along with the beat. They cooperated.
"I'm not scared to go up to people," Lopez said. "They're going to remember who we are at the end of the show."
Don't get the wrong idea. The Trade isn't a band of thugs. The band's music has elements of early U2 and some new wave, like New Order, paired with thoughtful lyrics. On the buzz meter, the band played South by Southwest in Austin, Texas this year.
But the band isn't about trying to nab a major-label deal. The members really just love music. Talking with Lopez about the songs is like being let in on a private VH1 "Storytellers" session.
The lyrics of "Fine Line" came to him while he was a student at the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising in LA. He was walking to the bus stop and an older woman lay on the ground. A number of classmates, in designer clothes, just walked over her.
"They were stepping over her like she was a ghost," he said.
It struck him about how our society is a fine line.
A woman the band met one night inspired another song "Hush." The woman had moved from another state to be with her boyfriend but he had beaten her. She was fleeing, but had no where to go.
The experience inspired the lyrics, which include, "Hush don't scream now, oh you'll find, a way from death and harm."
"Each song is a story," Lopez said.
The Trade plays with Nevea Tears, Planes Crash, Building Rome in a Day and A Romance Thesis at Anthem in Riverside at 19900 Grove Community Drive tonight. Follow the signs to building C. Tickets are $7 and doors open at 6 p.m. For more information, visit www.thetrademusic.com. - The Press-Enterprise
Discography
The Trade - (Self Titled EP)
1. Let It Down - Radio Airplay (KROQ 106.7FM, Indie-103.1FM & KCCX 103.9FM)
2. I Plan - Radio Airplay (KCCX 103.9FM)
3. White Noise
4. Hush
5. Fine Line
Photos
Bio
Some look to the stage as an altar to place themselves on to be worshiped. THE TRADE sees the stage as a place to grab your attention away from the noise of the day and, maybe for the first time, get you to look around. “We’re declaring all out war” sings Chris Lopez on "Let It Down”, which calls for an end to false and misleading ideas that are shaping our world today. There is still hope over the horizon though.
THE TRADE reminds us that there are power in numbers, with the belief in uniting through a musical movement. THE TRADE shows constantly draw crowds from far and near to hear a refreshing breath of music where you definitely receive more than you give. “I go right to the people”, commented Chris in a recent article in the Inland Empire’s The Press Enterprise, “They are going to remember who we are at the end of the show.” When Chris Lopez (vocals), Eric Estrada (guitar), Marcos Barboza (keyboard, guitar) Omar Ahmed (bass) and Tyler DeYoung (drums) take the stage, you can’t help but be swept up in the passion and energy of music with a message. And the message is getting out. THE TRADE has played all over Southern California and with a notable performance at last year’s SXSW (South By Southwest) Festival in Austin Texas, it is no surprise that radio airplay of their self-produced, self-titled CD is growing and can be heard on KROQ 106.7 and X103.9. THE TRADE's recent EP can be found on iTunes.
Their recently released self-titled CD is a seamless combination of uncompromising rock, underpinnings of electronica, and deeply-felt inspired lyrics. THE TRADE doesn’t write simplistic love songs or anthems of mindless angst. Chris, the lead lyricist of the band, writes in response to what he sees going on in the world around him. Speaking up for those who cannot speak for themselves motivates the guys of THE TRADE. This past year, they helped raise $11,500 for an African relief fund by World Vision and continues to involve themselves in matters that gives them an opportunity to be salt and light to the world.
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