Under the Influence
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Under the Influence

Seymour, Texas, United States | SELF

Seymour, Texas, United States | SELF
Band Country Rock

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

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Press


"Influence's 'Delayed' makes its arrival"

Some of their fans say that Under the Influence plays alternative country.
"Some call us upbeat country," said lead vocalist and Texas Department of Transportation employee Lance Burnett. "our T-shirts have a logo that says 'country music with a shot of rock 'n' roll," said lead guitarist and railroad employee Jeremy Jowers.
"But it's really more rock 'n' roll with a shot of country," he said.
Whatever kind of music the band plays, there's no doubt that the group likes to rock--and they enjoy coutry music with a capitol H, as in Haggard.
You can soak up those rock-meets-country sensibilities Feb.23 when the five-piece band from Seymour, Texas, plays a CD release party for the group's first album, "Delayed," at the Iron Horse Pub.
The 10-song CD, recorded at Wichita Falls' Outback Studio, took a while to come to fruitation (thus the title).
But in the process, Burnett said, "We've learned a lot. There are things we want to do different next time."
Despite the stress and hard work, now it's just a matter of waiting for the UPS truck to deliver the finished CDs.
The band member, who range in age from the mid '20s to mid '30s, perfer playing music to working full-time jobs. But would they quit their jobs to play music full time?
"That's a scary question," Burnett said.
"I could live with it," rhythm guitarist and welder Rodney Janes added.
"There's four of us with full-time jobs." Burnett said. "We'd have to be pretty good, because of our families and insurance policies and things like that. Really, that's a dream."
The band member live a little of that dream and satisfy their entertainment jonesing by playing shows at the Pub with the likes of Mike McClure and Reckless Kelly. They've also performed shows at Outskirts and gigs in Vernon, Texas and Duncan, Okla.
The band was formed seven years ago by Burnett and bassist Dalton Hembree, who along with Burnett, works on the highways. Drummer John St. Clair joined soon after; and Jowers and Janes became members in 2004. All are from Seymour; except for Jowers, who's from Quanah, Texas.
While there are several versions of how the band got is name, Burnett said that most likely it came from Alan Jackson's album, "Under the Influence," a collection of cover songs.
"Back when we played all covers, we were going to play a gig and needed to have a name for the paper real fast, so we were learning a song off of Jackson's album, so as best I can remember, that's how it happened."
Over the years, the band has refined its sound to playing just good-time, upbeat songs. On the country end of things, they are serious Merle Haggard fans. On the rock side, it's a little more complicated.
"Our influences are pretty diverse," Burnett said. "I am a huge Skynyrd fan."
"Anywhere from Jimi Hendrix on down," Jowers said.
"Our base player is as huge a Metallica fan as there is," Burnett Said.
It's not uncommon for them to play something country-rock oriented and then jump off into a cover song like Alice in Chains' "Man in the Box." Most of the band was raised on '80s bands like Motley Crue, and that influences the way they roll.
It's all about making the people in the audiance happy, the members of the band said.
Despite all the delays, the band's first CD should arrive by the time of the group's Feb. 23 concert at the Pub and will also be on sale at Hastings, Lonestarmusic.com and the band's Web site, www.undertheinfluenceband.com
Four of the songs from "Delayed" can be downloaded fromt he band's MySpace page at myspace.com/undertheinfluence2000.
But does a hard-working man's band have a chance in the music business?
"Not a chance in hell," said Janes with a laugh. - Richard Carter for the Times Record News


"Influence's 'Delayed' makes its arrival"

Some of their fans say that Under the Influence plays alternative country.
"Some call us upbeat country," said lead vocalist and Texas Department of Transportation employee Lance Burnett. "our T-shirts have a logo that says 'country music with a shot of rock 'n' roll," said lead guitarist and railroad employee Jeremy Jowers.
"But it's really more rock 'n' roll with a shot of country," he said.
Whatever kind of music the band plays, there's no doubt that the group likes to rock--and they enjoy coutry music with a capitol H, as in Haggard.
You can soak up those rock-meets-country sensibilities Feb.23 when the five-piece band from Seymour, Texas, plays a CD release party for the group's first album, "Delayed," at the Iron Horse Pub.
The 10-song CD, recorded at Wichita Falls' Outback Studio, took a while to come to fruitation (thus the title).
But in the process, Burnett said, "We've learned a lot. There are things we want to do different next time."
Despite the stress and hard work, now it's just a matter of waiting for the UPS truck to deliver the finished CDs.
The band member, who range in age from the mid '20s to mid '30s, perfer playing music to working full-time jobs. But would they quit their jobs to play music full time?
"That's a scary question," Burnett said.
"I could live with it," rhythm guitarist and welder Rodney Janes added.
"There's four of us with full-time jobs." Burnett said. "We'd have to be pretty good, because of our families and insurance policies and things like that. Really, that's a dream."
The band member live a little of that dream and satisfy their entertainment jonesing by playing shows at the Pub with the likes of Mike McClure and Reckless Kelly. They've also performed shows at Outskirts and gigs in Vernon, Texas and Duncan, Okla.
The band was formed seven years ago by Burnett and bassist Dalton Hembree, who along with Burnett, works on the highways. Drummer John St. Clair joined soon after; and Jowers and Janes became members in 2004. All are from Seymour; except for Jowers, who's from Quanah, Texas.
While there are several versions of how the band got is name, Burnett said that most likely it came from Alan Jackson's album, "Under the Influence," a collection of cover songs.
"Back when we played all covers, we were going to play a gig and needed to have a name for the paper real fast, so we were learning a song off of Jackson's album, so as best I can remember, that's how it happened."
Over the years, the band has refined its sound to playing just good-time, upbeat songs. On the country end of things, they are serious Merle Haggard fans. On the rock side, it's a little more complicated.
"Our influences are pretty diverse," Burnett said. "I am a huge Skynyrd fan."
"Anywhere from Jimi Hendrix on down," Jowers said.
"Our base player is as huge a Metallica fan as there is," Burnett Said.
It's not uncommon for them to play something country-rock oriented and then jump off into a cover song like Alice in Chains' "Man in the Box." Most of the band was raised on '80s bands like Motley Crue, and that influences the way they roll.
It's all about making the people in the audiance happy, the members of the band said.
Despite all the delays, the band's first CD should arrive by the time of the group's Feb. 23 concert at the Pub and will also be on sale at Hastings, Lonestarmusic.com and the band's Web site, www.undertheinfluenceband.com
Four of the songs from "Delayed" can be downloaded fromt he band's MySpace page at myspace.com/undertheinfluence2000.
But does a hard-working man's band have a chance in the music business?
"Not a chance in hell," said Janes with a laugh. - Richard Carter for the Times Record News


Discography

Our first album, Delayed, had two singles Happy Song and Take a Ride, played on the Outlaw 94.9 out of Wichita Falls, TX. Also our Album is on Internet stations www.radiofreetexas.org & www.tossmmusic.com

Photos

Bio

The band was formed in 2000 by Burnett and Hembree. St. Clair joined soon after, and Jowers and Janes became members in 2004. Under the Influence has a unique sound ranging from country to blues to rock n roll. Their influences include, but not limited to: Merle Haggard, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Cross Canadian Ragweed, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Willie Nelson, John Lennon, and Superman.They are all from Seymour, Texas except guitaritst Jeremy Jowers who is from Quanah.
Although there are several versions on how the band got it's name Burnett said the most likely reason is back when they were playing all covers, they needed to come up with a name for the paper fast and they were learning a song off of Alan Jacksons album Under the Influence.
Although they all have day jobs they all come together for the same reason: The absolute love for the music and to entertain. They truly are passionate about music and performing for the crowd.
Some of the venues they have played at are The Cotton Boll in Vernon, Texas, Iron Horse Pub, in Wichita Falls, Texas, Farm Fest in Chillicothe, Texas, and Graham Central Station as well as many others venues in Texas and Oklahoma. They have also played with many great bands including: Cross Canadian Ragweed, Mike McClure, Shooter Jennings, Brandon Jenkins, Johnny Cooper, Brandon Rhyder, and many more.
When describing the bands unique sound they collectively say it is Brewed in Texas with the Red Dirt flavor you're sure to enjoy! This is the Real stuff! Accept no imitations!"