:: Owl
Los Angeles-based Owl, a ground breaking tour de force, is set to release their much anticipated self-titled debut on Feb. 10, 2009. That one-of-a-kind sound that is by far an impeccable masterpiece of sound-bending angst is a delicate and complex endeavor. Yet OWL, with its signature wall-of-sonic fury sound, refined by a weaving of emotional DNA, makes OWL's equal parts raw rock, experimentalism and straight-shooter approach hard to ignore.
The trio, hailing from both the East and West Coasts, has that uncanny ability to seek the listener's hard rock soul through searing upright bass, apocalyptic drums, and layered fateful guitar work. OWL's stance on hard rock and the added element of experimental surprise provide the tapestry for eccentric and poignant bassist/vocalist Chris Wyse's (The Cult, Ozzy Osborne, Jerry Cantrell, Bob Rock, Camp Freddy) introspective vocals to hit home, based on the many stories near and dear to his tumultuous life as a major player in the Hollywood hard rock world.
Wyse feels forced to feed a void, saying, “OWL is the kind of band I wished would come out, so I just started with that fresh vision. OWL is what I know from my years on the road mixed with my gut instinct to write from my soul. OWL is also one of those bands I wished was around when I was a kid.”
The origins of OWL start with a chapter from the early lives of Wyse and drummer Dan Dinsmore. Meeting in high school, they discover that they have a joint love for mesmerizing, powerful music. The two start a band of a different name that won the hearts of the both their school's youth and the public at large. When the band split, the two vowed to continue their need to create magnetic music by finding new bands who shared their musical missions in life. Wyse eventually moves on to L.A. from New York and becomes good friends with OWL guitarist, Jason Mezilis (Your Horrible Smile).
Fast-forward to today, OWL, fronted by bassist/vocalist Chris Wyse, whose nimble skills on bass and vocals outshines the campfire sing-along nature of today's emo movement, moves fluidly as a cross between prodigy and genre-busting hard rock maestro. More often than not, Wyse will insert a shredding bass solo where typically a Fender Strat might be expected. Guitarist, Jason Achilles Mezilis, who rounds out the trio, with Dinsmore again providing the crushing backbeat, adds to that sentiment by saying, “It has been a long time since a band that mixes intelligence with mass appeal has hit the rock scene, Owl is music for music's sake. It's somewhat akin to what Queens of the Stone Age or perhaps even Tool brought to the proverbial table.”
Drummer Dan Dinsmore (The Clay People, Mike Clink, Neil Kernon), sheer muscle behind the trap-kit, is one to see things from another angle by describing Owl as such: “Chris Wyse creates a dizzying array of sounds and groove with his bass mastery while spouting smart lyrics and Jason, who crafts an almost grungy, menacing, dirt under the fingernails sound with that technical flair that is practically indescribable, are the recipe that makes who we are.” Chris returns the compliment by priding, “I've always felt Dan is one of the best drummers in the world that everyone should know about.”
::MORE Owl
