War Stories

Enter from sunny Southern California an indie rock band, called War Stories, formally know as One Thousand Pictures. After lineup changes, record company problems, and changes to songs...War Stories was formed. Their debut self titled release is one of the best that I have heard this year. This album is a combination from some reworked songs from the previous group and some great new tunes. So old fans should embrace and love it. New fans will get caught up in the driving beats of up tempo songs like Lion/Take My Everything and my new personal favorite "Look to the Stars"! Other stand out songs are "TV/Cold Rain/New Lovers Voice".



The band is Evan(vocals,keys), Reid(guitar), Svend(drums) and Paul(bass).



Evan's vocals are deep and heartfelt and you can hear it clearly come out on the tune "What Does God see?"



Musically this CD makes you want to get up and get moving! Sitting quietly tapping your feet just won't do! So get up and BUY THIS CD NOW! And then TELL everyone you know about it! Please visit their Myspace page and order the CD and sign up as a friend: War Stories



The pictures you see on War Stories site and CD were photograhed by an incredible lady named Randi Curby. Please check out her personal website, her work is fantastic!
Visit Randi's site here: RandiCurby



So what you have overall is a great CD. If you live in the Southern California area, keep an eye out for live performances. Go support your local musicians. And for the rest of the country call or email your favorite radio stations and tell them to add War Stories to there playlists. Let's start a wave from the underground and get these guys some airtime they really deserve it!

http://www.squidoo.com/indiemusicnow - Michael Whelan (Boston-MA)

Enter from sunny Southern California an indie rock band, called War Stories, formally know as One Thousand Pictures. After lineup changes, record company problems, and changes to songs...War Stories was formed. Their debut self titled release is one of the best that I have heard this year. This album is a combination from some reworked songs from the previous group and some great new tunes. So old fans should embrace and love it. New fans will get caught up in the driving beats of up tempo songs like Lion/Take My Everything and my new personal favorite "Look to the Stars"! Other stand out songs are "TV/Cold Rain/New Lovers Voice".



The band is Evan(vocals,keys), Reid(guitar), Svend(drums) and Paul(bass).



Evan's vocals are deep and heartfelt and you can hear it clearly come out on the tune "What Does God see?"



Musically this CD makes you want to get up and get moving! Sitting quietly tapping your feet just won't do! So get up and BUY THIS CD NOW! And then TELL everyone you know about it! Please visit their Myspace page and order the CD and sign up as a friend: War Stories



The pictures you see on War Stories site and CD were photograhed by an incredible lady named Randi Curby. Please check out her personal website, her work is fantastic!
Visit Randi's site here: RandiCurby



So what you have overall is a great CD. If you live in the Southern California area, keep an eye out for live performances. Go support your local musicians. And for the rest of the country call or email your favorite radio stations and tell them to add War Stories to there playlists. Let's start a wave from the underground and get these guys some airtime they really deserve it!

http://www.squidoo.com/indiemusicnow - Michael Whelan (Boston-MA)

War Stories
By Carlie Illise

When War Stories takes the stage there is an almost reverent hush that falls over the crowd. For those who have seen them perform before, I'm sure it's a respectful anticipation of their vulnerable and spiritual lyrics coupled with the inspiring melodies. For those who haven't, War Stories commands a certain presence that catches your breath in your chest even before the first note has been played. A few others still, are most likely struck by Evan's ability to pull off a purple velvet suit.

With a name like War Stories, I was fascinated to know what battles had transpired. Evan explained to me that the instrumentations they wrote were a direct reflection of their personal experiences, both the difficulties and triumphs, and their challenges together as a band. Though they all approach songwriting from their different perspectives (Reid-guitar; Paul- bass; Svend- drums; Evan- vocals, keyboard, acoustic guitar) their message is always clear. Then when Evan approaches the finished melodies to add the lyrics, he takes care to draw on the mood of the music and combine it with their experiences.

Originally they called themselves One Thousand Pictures so why the name change? Evan replied, "Everyone has their share of shit to deal with. Good battles and bad, they're great things. Like when old men sit around and trade war stories. Everyone has their own stories. We like to share ours through song."

Though Evan is very eloquent and has a "Rock Star" aura about him, he wasn't the only one with something to say. As a matter of fact every member has a fairly fascinating background. Reid, 26, grew up in Temecula and graduated from Cal State San Marcos with a degree in performing arts. His original plan was to go into music producing but discarded that idea after creating the band with Evan in 2004. Evan, 24, grew up in illustrious Fallbrook. Always certain of his devotion to music, he was in a previous band before finally settling with Reid. Svend, 27, moved to the U.S. ten years ago from Denmark to attend the Berkeley School of Music in Boston. He then moved out to LA to pursue his passion for percussion and joined up with Evan and Reid in the beginning of 2006. Evan claims that Svend is a fullblooded Viking who pisses excellence, slays goats then smears the blood on his chest, then goes about his business. Svend laughed and denied this vehemently. He seemed civilized enough to me but I didn't examine his chest to find out. Then there's Paul, 27, the rather quieter member, who also grew up in Temecula. He is a math and history teacher. He's always been in bands playing bass and was the last to join the band at the beginning of 2007.

Curious about the overt spiritual nature of some of their songs, I asked them about their personal beliefs. They answered that their music and lyrics were completely spiritual. Evan accredits everything to God amd Paul has been a Christian since he was a senior in highschool. Reid and Svend are a little more broad minded on the subject, believing that there is more then one way from point A to B and Reid says that he has always been captivated by the subject.They believe that their differing backrounds is an asset that allows them to touch everyone rather than just one demographic.. They can't be funneled into one label.

Perhaps it was this quality that led them to being signed to Columbia Records for two years. During this time their talents went unappreciated and after recording an album that went unreleased, they left Columbia in frustration. This didn't keep them down though, they went immediately back to recording and funded their own album.

They have no set destination. They do what they do because they have no choice. They're fulfilling their purpose. They want to develop a following all on their own, grass roots style. They love connecting, shaking hands, and messaging the people who appreciate their music. It's a positive thing and they measure their own success by having a vision they act on and by who they've connected with and touched.

So if you want to contact them you can look them up at myspace.com/warstoriesmusic. They have a full schedule of shows including an upcoming Northwestern tour. You can also buy their amazing cd for just $10.Plus all the sweet photography on their page was done by Reid's sister, Randi Curby.
- Carlie Illise

“War Stories is the sleeping giant about to be woken up…powerful, passionate, and uncompromising. This is a great album, not only for the heart, but for the soul.” - Editor’s Pick, 3.5 out of 4
– Leslie Krouse, Revolt In Style Magazine
- Revolt In Style Magazine

Temecula-based band War Stories battles on

10:34 AM PDT on Friday, July 13, 2007

Vanessa Franko

Video: Vanessa Franko's Audio File

War Stories is definitely living up to its name.

The Temecula-area band has plenty to share after a roller-coaster ride over a couple of years that found them with a major label record deal, showcasing for the industry, recording in Los Angeles and touring with burgeoning acts like Kasabian.

Then the wild ride stopped. Just two months before the album was set to be released, the label dropped the band.
Story continues below
Special to The Press-Enterprise
War Stories -- bassist Paul Lizarraga, left, guitarist Reid Curby, singer/keyboardist Evan Robinson and drummer Svend Lerche -- was dropped by its label in the middle of a tour.

But War Stories forged ahead, just releasing a long-awaited album on its own and playing Saturday at in Temecula.

This is the story behind War Stories.

(Enter the dramatic "Behind the Music"-style interlude here).

It begins with singer Evan Robinson and guitarist Reid Curby, who met while waiting tables at the Temecula Creek Inn. The two had been in other bands and traded demos with each other to get honest critiques.

"We were always on the same page musically," Curby said.

Finally, they were both free from bands at the same time and joined forces around spring 2004. They got a friend to play bass and taught him the instrument. They found a drummer. They wrote songs and recorded a demo.

They had played only about 10 to 15 shows in spring 2005 when the buzz caught on and they started showcasing for and ultimately signing to a major label as Onethousand Pictures.

"It was a trip," Curby said.

A year later, the band had finished recording the album with the producer who did The Killers' "Hot Fuss." After using a studio drummer for the album, they found Svend Lerche. They went on the road with Kasabian, playing for audiences ranging from 800 to 2,000 people. They made a music video for "As I Am." The record was set to come out in January.

In November, they had a tour stop in Cleveland. The phone rang. It was the label. The band had been dropped.

"All of our hopes and dreams were gone in a phone call," Curby said.

After a bitter period around the holidays, they regrouped. The band's original bassist left and Paul Lizarraga joined. The members christened themselves as War Stories and decided to move forward on their terms.

"Now we have complete control," Curby said.

They went into the studio in Riverside, re-recording about half of the material from the shelved album and recording new songs as well.

"What took us three months in LA took us three weeks in Riverside," Curby said.

And the band's ordeal has made for some inspiration for songs on the new album, such as "Rage," which features the line, "Then through my eyes I see them promise the sun. A flashlight no batteries is all we got from that."

War Stories reminds me of a more melodic Interpol, with better and more distinctive vocals and a shout-out or two to moody '80s new wave.

War Stories might be the perfect soundtrack to a makeout session after watching "Pretty in Pink" in 2007. I can't stop listening to "Lion."

The band is playing local dates and being very D-I-Y.

"We're going for survival now," Curby said.

Check them out Saturday at The Vault in Temecula with Jupiter, Fire Rocket Red, The Trade, Silver Side and This Way After. Tickets are $10. For more information on the band, check out www.myspace.com/warstoriesmusic.





- The Press Enterprise

Temecula-based band War Stories battles on

10:34 AM PDT on Friday, July 13, 2007

Vanessa Franko

Video: Vanessa Franko's Audio File

War Stories is definitely living up to its name.

The Temecula-area band has plenty to share after a roller-coaster ride over a couple of years that found them with a major label record deal, showcasing for the industry, recording in Los Angeles and touring with burgeoning acts like Kasabian.

Then the wild ride stopped. Just two months before the album was set to be released, the label dropped the band.
Story continues below
Special to The Press-Enterprise
War Stories -- bassist Paul Lizarraga, left, guitarist Reid Curby, singer/keyboardist Evan Robinson and drummer Svend Lerche -- was dropped by its label in the middle of a tour.

But War Stories forged ahead, just releasing a long-awaited album on its own and playing Saturday at in Temecula.

This is the story behind War Stories.

(Enter the dramatic "Behind the Music"-style interlude here).

It begins with singer Evan Robinson and guitarist Reid Curby, who met while waiting tables at the Temecula Creek Inn. The two had been in other bands and traded demos with each other to get honest critiques.

"We were always on the same page musically," Curby said.

Finally, they were both free from bands at the same time and joined forces around spring 2004. They got a friend to play bass and taught him the instrument. They found a drummer. They wrote songs and recorded a demo.

They had played only about 10 to 15 shows in spring 2005 when the buzz caught on and they started showcasing for and ultimately signing to a major label as Onethousand Pictures.

"It was a trip," Curby said.

A year later, the band had finished recording the album with the producer who did The Killers' "Hot Fuss." After using a studio drummer for the album, they found Svend Lerche. They went on the road with Kasabian, playing for audiences ranging from 800 to 2,000 people. They made a music video for "As I Am." The record was set to come out in January.

In November, they had a tour stop in Cleveland. The phone rang. It was the label. The band had been dropped.

"All of our hopes and dreams were gone in a phone call," Curby said.

After a bitter period around the holidays, they regrouped. The band's original bassist left and Paul Lizarraga joined. The members christened themselves as War Stories and decided to move forward on their terms.

"Now we have complete control," Curby said.

They went into the studio in Riverside, re-recording about half of the material from the shelved album and recording new songs as well.

"What took us three months in LA took us three weeks in Riverside," Curby said.

And the band's ordeal has made for some inspiration for songs on the new album, such as "Rage," which features the line, "Then through my eyes I see them promise the sun. A flashlight no batteries is all we got from that."

War Stories reminds me of a more melodic Interpol, with better and more distinctive vocals and a shout-out or two to moody '80s new wave.

War Stories might be the perfect soundtrack to a makeout session after watching "Pretty in Pink" in 2007. I can't stop listening to "Lion."

The band is playing local dates and being very D-I-Y.

"We're going for survival now," Curby said.

Check them out Saturday at The Vault in Temecula with Jupiter, Fire Rocket Red, The Trade, Silver Side and This Way After. Tickets are $10. For more information on the band, check out www.myspace.com/warstoriesmusic.





- The Press Enterprise

Temecula band has War Stories

05:48 PM PDT on Tuesday, September 11, 2007

By VANESSA FRANKO
The Press-Enterprise

Who: Evan Robinson, vocals and keyboards; Reid Curby, guitar; Svend Lerche, drums; and Paul Lizarraga, bass

From: Temecula

Formed: 2004
Story continues below
Special to The Press-Enterprise
From left, Paul Lizarraga, Reid Curby, Evan Robinson and Svend Lerche make up War Stories.

Sounds like: Catchy college rock with a dash of '80s new wave combined with songwriting skills of Coldplay and a little bit of Interpol thrown in, too.

Releases: Self-titled CD

Sample the music at: www.myspace.com/warstoriesmusic

See it live: Monday at the Derby, 4500 Los Feliz Blvd., Los Angeles

Here's the short version of the origins of War Stories. Robinson and Curby were friends for a long time and would play each other's demos of their bands while working as waiters in Temecula. In 2004 they joined forces and became Onethousand Pictures. After playing about a dozen shows, the band signed to a major label and started to work on an album. Onethousand Pictures toured with Kasabian, readied for the album's release and then got unceremoniously dropped by the label. Instead of packing it in, the band renamed itself War Stories and did everything the D-I-Y way.

The band has already self-released its debut album, packed with solid songwriting, good music and Robinson's distinctive voice.

War Stories has booked a West Coast tour, from Seattle to San Diego, for later this fall.

"We're really excited about it," Curby said.

Check out the full group or small acoustic sets Robinson and Curby have been playing around the area.

"It's cool to mix it up," Curby said. "The songs have totally different arrangements."

Reach Vanessa Franko at 951-368-9575 or vfranko@PE.com or

www.myspace.com/Audio_File
- Press Enterpirise

Temecula band has War Stories

05:48 PM PDT on Tuesday, September 11, 2007

By VANESSA FRANKO
The Press-Enterprise

Who: Evan Robinson, vocals and keyboards; Reid Curby, guitar; Svend Lerche, drums; and Paul Lizarraga, bass

From: Temecula

Formed: 2004
Story continues below
Special to The Press-Enterprise
From left, Paul Lizarraga, Reid Curby, Evan Robinson and Svend Lerche make up War Stories.

Sounds like: Catchy college rock with a dash of '80s new wave combined with songwriting skills of Coldplay and a little bit of Interpol thrown in, too.

Releases: Self-titled CD

Sample the music at: www.myspace.com/warstoriesmusic

See it live: Monday at the Derby, 4500 Los Feliz Blvd., Los Angeles

Here's the short version of the origins of War Stories. Robinson and Curby were friends for a long time and would play each other's demos of their bands while working as waiters in Temecula. In 2004 they joined forces and became Onethousand Pictures. After playing about a dozen shows, the band signed to a major label and started to work on an album. Onethousand Pictures toured with Kasabian, readied for the album's release and then got unceremoniously dropped by the label. Instead of packing it in, the band renamed itself War Stories and did everything the D-I-Y way.

The band has already self-released its debut album, packed with solid songwriting, good music and Robinson's distinctive voice.

War Stories has booked a West Coast tour, from Seattle to San Diego, for later this fall.

"We're really excited about it," Curby said.

Check out the full group or small acoustic sets Robinson and Curby have been playing around the area.

"It's cool to mix it up," Curby said. "The songs have totally different arrangements."

Reach Vanessa Franko at 951-368-9575 or vfranko@PE.com or

www.myspace.com/Audio_File
- Press Enterpirise