The Observer, October 13, 2006
Volume XXXIX, Issue 7
Case student makes recording debut with Driver Side Impact
When most people think of a "local" music scene, a bunch of experimenting teenagers with whiny voices attempting to play cover songs of famous bands is probably what comes to mind.
But Driver Side Impact, whose members include Case student Austin Bishop, is living proof that just because a band is "local", does not mean they are subpar.
Combining a hard rock sound with meaningful lyrics and great musicianship, DSI is releasing their debut EP We Will Disappear today. The release of is being celebrated with a live show at the Agora Ballroom tonight.
DSI is a relatively new band. It was formed in mid-2004, and is comprised of members solely from northeastern Ohio. One member, Austin Bishop, is actually a Case student, and is the keyboardist in the band. They have already gained a legion of loyal fans through their frequent local live performances, but We Will Disappear should give them an even larger fan base.
The band's website, www.myspace.com/driversideimpact, has more information, including pictures, lyrics to a few songs, and song samples from the EP. You can also order T-shirts and other merchandise there.
The album was recorded locally at Track Six Studios in Cleveland: the sound quality is clear, powerful, and very professional. One thing you understand from listening to DSI: they are serious. For the members of DSI, the band isn't just some meaningless side project; they care about this music, and it is evidenced in the quality of their album.
We Will Disappear contains six songs, none of which sound alike. Each one succeeds as an individual track. The opener, "Cowboys and Indians," jumps around from a mellow intro to a powerful scream in the middle, and then quiets to a dull roar by the end. There actually is screaming on the album, but it's not prevalent, and it's done in small amounts.
DSI also has great musicality. The vocals fall in the rock-tenor range, and the vocalist, Branden, has great control, going from screaming to singing within seconds, such as in the EP's fifth track, "The Artist." He screams, blasts a very high full-voiced note, and soars into his falsetto, all within about 30 seconds.
The two guitar players, Mikey and Jack, anchor the band with their background guitar licks and occasional solos. Zach, who plays drums, helps hammer the rhythms into the listener. Teddy and Austin, the bass player and keyboardist, respectively, add depth and round out the band's sound. Even through the great vocals, the instrumental ability of DSI shines through.
The lyrics of We Will Disappear convey every intended meaning. In the album's closer, "Life Like Movies," the lyrics are a poignant narrative to a lost love. "But what if there's nothing left to see/Can we pull off our blankets and dream our one last dream?" It is a very sad song, disguised in hard guitar and pounding drums.
Driver Side Impact is definitely on the path to fame. They sound very well put together, as if they have been together for much longer than two years. Their music is more mature than most college bands, and that is part of the reason they have such a large fan base. On the opener, the previously mentioned "Cowboys and Indians," DSI sings, "I'm here with nothing to lose; I've just got something great to prove to you..." With We Will Disappear, they have definitely proven that they will be a force in the Cleveland music scene in the near future.
DSI's shows is tonight at the Agora Ballroom, 5000 Euclid Avenue, at 7 p.m. Tickets are ten dollars, and other bands, including Arbor's End, Wake Hollywood, and Rely will be performing as well. The band's debut album is currently available.
