We Paint The Sky

It's been difficult for me to tear myself away from my spotify account these past few weeks, but up-and-coming post hardcore outfit We Paint The Sky made my most recent departure a worthwhile one. Founded by members from the late screamo/pop-core group Gun Barrel City, We Paint The Sky is a young five-piece band that falls into the category of what I'm just going to call post-hardcore, because the distinguishing features between genres like screamo, hardcore, metalcore, metal, etc. have become increasingly more arbitrary and nitpicky over the years.

The group will be releasing its self-titled debut EP this fall, a five-track glimpse into the intense musicianship that this group is capable of. The album is simultaneously popy and heavy, going from catchy melodies to chunky, math-y guitar breakdowns quite effortlessly, while all of the fiery screams and ardent singing provide a form of stability amongst the controlled chaos.

The vocals, especially on the track "Rick Steves" and the beginning of "Bonneville" are somewhat reminiscent of the sing-a-long, emotional style of groups like Scary Kids Scaring Kids or Circa Survive, while the instrumentation resembles everything from the epic, dance-y feel of groups like A Skylit Drive to the unnerving breakdowns of newer (but not too new) Underoath.

That's enough senseless namedropping; the point is We Paint The Sky has all of the youthful romanticism, eclectic musicianship, controlled angst and unbridled passion necessary to stand out from the majority of bands in this genre that remain stagnant from their cookie cutter approach to this style of music.

Fans of the now-defunct Gun Barrel City (last namedrop I promise) will be thoroughly pleased with the poppy energy found on this new manifestation of the band, and should be delightfully surprised with the newfound heaviness and maturity that We Paint The Sky have brought to the table. Due to how unfortunately small La Crosse's hardcore scene has become, I'm excited for a band like this to come along and hopeful for a fresh new start. Now, back to Spotify...

We Paint the sky will be playing their debut show on Friday, August 12 on day three of the Warehouse's annual music festival "LaCrossaPaLooza" alongside local hardcore/metal acts Before We Fall and Befriend and Betray. The We Paint The Sky EP will be available this fall. - Jason Crider, The Second Supper

It's been difficult for me to tear myself away from my spotify account these past few weeks, but up-and-coming post hardcore outfit We Paint The Sky made my most recent departure a worthwhile one. Founded by members from the late screamo/pop-core group Gun Barrel City, We Paint The Sky is a young five-piece band that falls into the category of what I'm just going to call post-hardcore, because the distinguishing features between genres like screamo, hardcore, metalcore, metal, etc. have become increasingly more arbitrary and nitpicky over the years.

The group will be releasing its self-titled debut EP this fall, a five-track glimpse into the intense musicianship that this group is capable of. The album is simultaneously popy and heavy, going from catchy melodies to chunky, math-y guitar breakdowns quite effortlessly, while all of the fiery screams and ardent singing provide a form of stability amongst the controlled chaos.

The vocals, especially on the track "Rick Steves" and the beginning of "Bonneville" are somewhat reminiscent of the sing-a-long, emotional style of groups like Scary Kids Scaring Kids or Circa Survive, while the instrumentation resembles everything from the epic, dance-y feel of groups like A Skylit Drive to the unnerving breakdowns of newer (but not too new) Underoath.

That's enough senseless namedropping; the point is We Paint The Sky has all of the youthful romanticism, eclectic musicianship, controlled angst and unbridled passion necessary to stand out from the majority of bands in this genre that remain stagnant from their cookie cutter approach to this style of music.

Fans of the now-defunct Gun Barrel City (last namedrop I promise) will be thoroughly pleased with the poppy energy found on this new manifestation of the band, and should be delightfully surprised with the newfound heaviness and maturity that We Paint The Sky have brought to the table. Due to how unfortunately small La Crosse's hardcore scene has become, I'm excited for a band like this to come along and hopeful for a fresh new start. Now, back to Spotify...

We Paint the sky will be playing their debut show on Friday, August 12 on day three of the Warehouse's annual music festival "LaCrossaPaLooza" alongside local hardcore/metal acts Before We Fall and Befriend and Betray. The We Paint The Sky EP will be available this fall. - Jason Crider, The Second Supper

Last weekend, I traveled to my point of origin (lovely La Crosse, WI) to file my taxes, visit my parents and go to a heavy metal show featuring local hardcore heroes We Paint The Sky.

My first impression is that the teenagers sure don’t dance like they did in the old days. My second impression is that We Paint The Sky has really expanded from their debut EP, which was only released about six months ago.

Take a track like “Rick Steves” from the self-titled EP. It’s got a lot of punk in it, some metal – reminds me of A Static Lullaby, Thursday – it’s good stuff.

Now, take the newest single, “I’ve Seen The Devil,” released in February. It’s still got some punk get up and go, but, once we hit the first verse, this is all metal – reminds me of Fear Factory’s more brutal beginnings – really good stuff.

So, I’m excited to see where We Paint the Sky is going to go with their sound. They’ve got strong musicians and a solid two-vocalist front, and they’re about as young than Mmmbop-period Hanson. Suffice to say, they’re not where they’re going to end up and they’re already treading through genres that much more established peers have been content to sit and explore.

Book ‘em Danno: wepaintthesky@gmail.com - Forest - The Round Table

Last weekend, I traveled to my point of origin (lovely La Crosse, WI) to file my taxes, visit my parents and go to a heavy metal show featuring local hardcore heroes We Paint The Sky.

My first impression is that the teenagers sure don’t dance like they did in the old days. My second impression is that We Paint The Sky has really expanded from their debut EP, which was only released about six months ago.

Take a track like “Rick Steves” from the self-titled EP. It’s got a lot of punk in it, some metal – reminds me of A Static Lullaby, Thursday – it’s good stuff.

Now, take the newest single, “I’ve Seen The Devil,” released in February. It’s still got some punk get up and go, but, once we hit the first verse, this is all metal – reminds me of Fear Factory’s more brutal beginnings – really good stuff.

So, I’m excited to see where We Paint the Sky is going to go with their sound. They’ve got strong musicians and a solid two-vocalist front, and they’re about as young than Mmmbop-period Hanson. Suffice to say, they’re not where they’re going to end up and they’re already treading through genres that much more established peers have been content to sit and explore.

Book ‘em Danno: wepaintthesky@gmail.com - Forest - The Round Table