ChaosResolved
06-07-2006, 08:50 PM
Sign This Band
Day Without Dawn
Keyport, New Jersey
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/trackingthetrends/daywithoutdawn.jpg
Website: Day Without Dawn (http://www.myspace.com/daywithoutdawn)
Music: Myspace (http://www.myspace.com/daywithoutdawn)
Once upon a time there was a band called The Postman Syndrome. This band was a five piece from New Jersey specializing in what could probably best be described as experimental progressive rock, though there were certainly hints of hardcore and nu metal laced within the band's artistic vision. Yet, the band's real appeal was it's ability to switch almost instantaneously from melodic segments into bone-crushing metallic breakdowns. And that was the formula that made the band's debut album so refreshing in a time where every other band who was inclined to play hard rock wasn't concerned about the artistic merits of its music. This is not to say there weren’t other melodic metal bands on the market, but none who came close to the pinpoint consciousness of The Postman Syndrome. Yes, for many Terraforming will forever go down as one of the greatest albums ever recorded. From the cryptic lyrics to the intricate guitar work, Terraforming was a hauntingly blissful experience, tightly wrapping the listener's mind in a cocoon of despair and fear.
There are very few rock albums of the 21st century that I find myself continually playing years later. There are only a handful that I find myself returning to time and again -- albums like dredg--Leitmotif, Oceansize--Effloresce, Kayo Dot--Choirs of the Eye, The Grand Silent System--Gift or a Weapon, Clann Zu--Rua, Cave-In--Jupiter, and Codeseven--Dancing Echoes/Dead Sounds just to name a few. The Postman Syndrome's Terraforming also belongs on that list, and maybe even at the top of it. It is in many ways an instant classic, channeling the techniques of progressive bands of old and combining it with a new millennium worth of rock music. Like most masterpieces, Terraforming received high critical acclaim, but, as the public never really cares what critics have to say, it mainly went unnoticed. It's often said by music critics that they are a plane or two above the public's listening comprehension, and nothing really documented that better than Terraforming.
A streak of bad luck struck The Postman Syndrome when their label Now or Never was absorbed into a larger label and the band was dropped as a consequence. The resulting year or so saw the band recording industry demos and attempting to find a place on another label -- all to little success. I've heard these demos, which was very in tune with the band work on Terraforming, if not more experimental and challenging, and I can almost hear all the responses from labels, "Sorry, we just can't market this type of music." This is around the point in my life when I became very bitter at the music industry, because I claim that there is such a market for this type of music, but labels are just too lazy to go out there and discover the fan base. We're here, and we're hungry.
The Postman Syndrome went through a few lineup changes before calling it quits and resurfacing as Day Without Dawn (a name borrowed from one of those demos) and East of the Wall (http://www.myspace.com/EastOfTheWall) as well as drawing a formal connection to Dialation (http://www.purevolume.com/dialation). Unsurprisingly, Day Without Dawn is a revamped version of The Postman Syndrome, one that has dropped much of it's rough edges and has focused more on melody and harmonies. That's critic-speak for Day Without Dawn is now a marketable radio band. It's true, especially aided by the recent rise in popularity of "metalcore" bands, Day Without Dawn is looking much tamer in 2006 than it did five years ago. Hey, maybe they've even grown as people and matured as musicians? In any case, Day Without Dawn has dropped much of the “fat” and brought the “rock” to the table.
The band has a self-released EP out featuring five tracks of its new sound and an extensive summer tour lined up with none other than Rosetta (http://www.myspace.com/rosetta). No matter where you live (in the US), they are coming to a venue near you. What can you expect from this re-energized band? While the experimentation is still present, the band is much subtler about it, instead making conscious efforts to clean up its sound and make everything sound sharp and crisp. Jim Stang out does himself vocally, putting on the best performance to date. His unique, flavorful vocals highlight the band's sound and give it the extra push it needs to stay one step ahead of the competition.
In many ways, Day Without Dawn is just a tease for better things to come. As this is the band’s first proper release in over four years, this is the first taste of new material from this group of talented musicians for most of their fans, not including “Water Signs”. I’d liken myself as big a fan of these musicians as any, and it would be easy for me to call the EP disappointing for the amount of time we’ve had to wait for it. However, such an accusation would be foolish, for it’s clear that it has taken the band quite some time to rethink what it is they want to accomplish as a whole, and that is where the real payoff comes. The Postman Syndrome is gone and it will never return, take solace in the fact that the band has been reborn with a new goal in sight and this group of musicians is as passionate about its music as ever.
The most notable difference in Day Without Dawn is the band’s emotional output. Stang controls the reigns on this aspect of the band’s music, and it really does bring the band to a new level, as seen in “The Fall” and “The Acquittal”. “Inquisition” bursts out of the gates with a fury of guitar licks and toppling drums. You might confuse the sounds as coming from the first half of Cave-In’s Perfect Pitch Black, but you shouldn’t because Cave-in is really taking it’s cues from Terraforming in that album and “Inquisition” is a little gesture from the band that it hasn’t completely forgotten its roots. “The Plea” is a new sound from the band–a touch of jazz influence weaves into the composition and Stang’s cool vocals complement the friendly drumming and bendy guitars. “In the Holding Cell” provides a smooth instrumental introduction for “The Acquittal” which brings together all the elements of Day Without Dawn’s new sound. The band sheds all instances of its rough edges and the harmonies are brought to the forefront, symbolizing a new beginning for this band.
Can we expect to see Day Without Dawn on the radio anytime soon? Most likely not, as they still have a long way to go before Joe Average will like the band. It's probably for the best, because if you put "Inquisition" into high rotation it would just make the rest of radio-rock look ridiculously amateurish and childish. We'll keep Day Without Dawn confined to the indie world for the time being, but it's long past time they started getting the respect from labels that they've deserved for years.
~Jordan Volz
Day Without Dawn/Rosetta Summer Tour Schedule (check Day Without Dawn (http://www.daywithoutdawn.com) for updates):
Jun 23 - PA, Philadelphia @ Plan B House
Jun 24 - NY, Allegany @ Allegany Skate Park (w/ Hello, Star Vega, Everything and You, Everything Ends)
Jun 25 - NY, Watertown @ Velocity Fun Park (w/ Long Since Forgotten, Ready Set Fail, Between Walls, Avignon, more)
Jun 26 - NY, Syracuse @ Fortress of Barnitude
Jun 27 - ME, Portland @ Geno's
Jun 28 - MA, Quincy @ Dee Dee's Lounge
Jun 29 - DAY OFF
Jun 30 - CT, Wallingford @ Wallingford American Legion Hall (w/ By The End of the Night, Capillary Action, Buxton)
Jul 01 - RI, Providence @ AS220 (w/ Sin Of Angels, Tides, Throwing Shrapnel, Seabeast)
Jul 02 - NY, Brooklyn @ Water Street Lounge
Jul 03 - NY, Long Island
Jul 04 - DAY OFF
Jul 05 - NJ @ Brighton Bar
Jul 06 - MD, Baltimore @ Sidebar Tavern
Jul 07 - DC, Washington @ The Warehouse Next Door (w/ Wetnurse, The Heuristic)
Jul 08 - VA, Richmond
Jul 09 - NC, Murfreesboro @ Zakk's Coffeehouse
Jul 10 - NC, Wilmington @ The Soapbox Laundrolounge
Jul 11 - SC, Myrtle Beach @ Monkey Business
Jul 12 - GA, Atlanta or Savannah
Jul 13 - FL, Gainsville @ Wayward Council
Jul 14 - FL, Tampa or Tallahasse
Jul 15 - AL, Birmingham @ Cave 9 (w/ Brothers and Sisters, Hematavore)
Jul 16 - LA, Monroe @ Fleur De Live (w/ Intronaut)
Jul 17 - TX, Dallas @ Red Blood Club
Jul 18 - TX, Austin
Jul 19 - NM, Las Cruces
Jul 20 - NM, Albuquerque @ The Cell (w/ Opus Dai)
Jul 21 - AZ, Phoenix @ Joe's Grotto (w/ Opus Dai)
Jul 22 - MX, Tijuana @ Las Trancas Bar
Jul 23 - CA, South Gate @ The Allen Theater (w/ Opus Dai)
Jul 24 - CA, Bakersfield
Jul 25 - CA, San Francisco @ The Egg (w/ Opus Dai, Makanda, Curse of the Zero)
Jul 26 - DAY OFF
Jul 27 - OR, Portland @ Rock and Roll Pizza (w/ Origin, Opus Dai)
Jul 28 - ID, Boise
Jul 29 - WY, Jackson @ Log Cabin Saloon (w/ Opus Dai)
Jul 30 - WY, Jackson @ Log Cabin Saloon (w/ Opus Dai)
Jul 31 - UT, Taylorsville @ Rebecca's Dance Studio (w/ Opus Dai)
Aug 01 - CO, Denver @ 15th Street Tavern (w/ Across Tundras)
Aug 02 - KS, Lawrence @ Haunted Kitchen (w/ Dead Commuter)
Aug 03 - IA, Des Moines @ Hairy Mary's (w/ Thisdialogue, Castle, The Autumn Project )
Aug 04 - MN, Minnesota @ The Quest Nightclub - Ascott Room
Aug 05 - WI, Wausau @ Ticho's Barn
Aug 06 - IL, Chicago
Aug 07 - DAY OFF
Aug 08 - MO, St. Louis
Aug 09 - TN, Chattanooga @ Ziggy's
Aug 10 - TN, Nashville @ The Muse
Aug 11 - KY, Louisville
Aug 12 - OH, Dayton @ The Nite Owl
Aug 13 - IN, Fort Wayne @ 1624 N. Harrison St.
Aug 14 - MI, Detroit @ 2500 Club (w/ Ganon)
Aug 15 - OH, Columbus @ Acme Art Co
Aug 16 - PA, Pittsburg @ Mr. Roboto Project
Aug 17 - DAY OFF
Aug 18 - NY, Buffalo
Aug 19 - ON, London
Aug 20 - ON, Hamilton
Aug 21 - ON, Toronto
Aug 22 - DAY OFF
Aug 23 - ON, Ottawa
Aug 24 - QC, Montreal
Aug 25 - NY, Hudson @ St. John's The Evangelist Church (w/ Mammoth, Fight Amputation, The Bitter Life Typecast, The Bell County Silence, Aficiando, The Motel Bible, Kitty Little, Tiger Stripes)
Aug 26 - NY, Poughkeepsie
Aug 27 - NJ
~~~~~~~~~~
Previous Sign This Band
Johnnyrook (http://www.decoymusic.com)
Dolly Trauma (http://www.decoymusic.com/vb/showthread.php?t=5829)
Hundred Year Storm (http://www.decoymusic.com/vb/showthread.php?t=3122)
Day Without Dawn
Keyport, New Jersey
http://www.decoymusic.com/images/trackingthetrends/daywithoutdawn.jpg
Website: Day Without Dawn (http://www.myspace.com/daywithoutdawn)
Music: Myspace (http://www.myspace.com/daywithoutdawn)
Once upon a time there was a band called The Postman Syndrome. This band was a five piece from New Jersey specializing in what could probably best be described as experimental progressive rock, though there were certainly hints of hardcore and nu metal laced within the band's artistic vision. Yet, the band's real appeal was it's ability to switch almost instantaneously from melodic segments into bone-crushing metallic breakdowns. And that was the formula that made the band's debut album so refreshing in a time where every other band who was inclined to play hard rock wasn't concerned about the artistic merits of its music. This is not to say there weren’t other melodic metal bands on the market, but none who came close to the pinpoint consciousness of The Postman Syndrome. Yes, for many Terraforming will forever go down as one of the greatest albums ever recorded. From the cryptic lyrics to the intricate guitar work, Terraforming was a hauntingly blissful experience, tightly wrapping the listener's mind in a cocoon of despair and fear.
There are very few rock albums of the 21st century that I find myself continually playing years later. There are only a handful that I find myself returning to time and again -- albums like dredg--Leitmotif, Oceansize--Effloresce, Kayo Dot--Choirs of the Eye, The Grand Silent System--Gift or a Weapon, Clann Zu--Rua, Cave-In--Jupiter, and Codeseven--Dancing Echoes/Dead Sounds just to name a few. The Postman Syndrome's Terraforming also belongs on that list, and maybe even at the top of it. It is in many ways an instant classic, channeling the techniques of progressive bands of old and combining it with a new millennium worth of rock music. Like most masterpieces, Terraforming received high critical acclaim, but, as the public never really cares what critics have to say, it mainly went unnoticed. It's often said by music critics that they are a plane or two above the public's listening comprehension, and nothing really documented that better than Terraforming.
A streak of bad luck struck The Postman Syndrome when their label Now or Never was absorbed into a larger label and the band was dropped as a consequence. The resulting year or so saw the band recording industry demos and attempting to find a place on another label -- all to little success. I've heard these demos, which was very in tune with the band work on Terraforming, if not more experimental and challenging, and I can almost hear all the responses from labels, "Sorry, we just can't market this type of music." This is around the point in my life when I became very bitter at the music industry, because I claim that there is such a market for this type of music, but labels are just too lazy to go out there and discover the fan base. We're here, and we're hungry.
The Postman Syndrome went through a few lineup changes before calling it quits and resurfacing as Day Without Dawn (a name borrowed from one of those demos) and East of the Wall (http://www.myspace.com/EastOfTheWall) as well as drawing a formal connection to Dialation (http://www.purevolume.com/dialation). Unsurprisingly, Day Without Dawn is a revamped version of The Postman Syndrome, one that has dropped much of it's rough edges and has focused more on melody and harmonies. That's critic-speak for Day Without Dawn is now a marketable radio band. It's true, especially aided by the recent rise in popularity of "metalcore" bands, Day Without Dawn is looking much tamer in 2006 than it did five years ago. Hey, maybe they've even grown as people and matured as musicians? In any case, Day Without Dawn has dropped much of the “fat” and brought the “rock” to the table.
The band has a self-released EP out featuring five tracks of its new sound and an extensive summer tour lined up with none other than Rosetta (http://www.myspace.com/rosetta). No matter where you live (in the US), they are coming to a venue near you. What can you expect from this re-energized band? While the experimentation is still present, the band is much subtler about it, instead making conscious efforts to clean up its sound and make everything sound sharp and crisp. Jim Stang out does himself vocally, putting on the best performance to date. His unique, flavorful vocals highlight the band's sound and give it the extra push it needs to stay one step ahead of the competition.
In many ways, Day Without Dawn is just a tease for better things to come. As this is the band’s first proper release in over four years, this is the first taste of new material from this group of talented musicians for most of their fans, not including “Water Signs”. I’d liken myself as big a fan of these musicians as any, and it would be easy for me to call the EP disappointing for the amount of time we’ve had to wait for it. However, such an accusation would be foolish, for it’s clear that it has taken the band quite some time to rethink what it is they want to accomplish as a whole, and that is where the real payoff comes. The Postman Syndrome is gone and it will never return, take solace in the fact that the band has been reborn with a new goal in sight and this group of musicians is as passionate about its music as ever.
The most notable difference in Day Without Dawn is the band’s emotional output. Stang controls the reigns on this aspect of the band’s music, and it really does bring the band to a new level, as seen in “The Fall” and “The Acquittal”. “Inquisition” bursts out of the gates with a fury of guitar licks and toppling drums. You might confuse the sounds as coming from the first half of Cave-In’s Perfect Pitch Black, but you shouldn’t because Cave-in is really taking it’s cues from Terraforming in that album and “Inquisition” is a little gesture from the band that it hasn’t completely forgotten its roots. “The Plea” is a new sound from the band–a touch of jazz influence weaves into the composition and Stang’s cool vocals complement the friendly drumming and bendy guitars. “In the Holding Cell” provides a smooth instrumental introduction for “The Acquittal” which brings together all the elements of Day Without Dawn’s new sound. The band sheds all instances of its rough edges and the harmonies are brought to the forefront, symbolizing a new beginning for this band.
Can we expect to see Day Without Dawn on the radio anytime soon? Most likely not, as they still have a long way to go before Joe Average will like the band. It's probably for the best, because if you put "Inquisition" into high rotation it would just make the rest of radio-rock look ridiculously amateurish and childish. We'll keep Day Without Dawn confined to the indie world for the time being, but it's long past time they started getting the respect from labels that they've deserved for years.
~Jordan Volz
Day Without Dawn/Rosetta Summer Tour Schedule (check Day Without Dawn (http://www.daywithoutdawn.com) for updates):
Jun 23 - PA, Philadelphia @ Plan B House
Jun 24 - NY, Allegany @ Allegany Skate Park (w/ Hello, Star Vega, Everything and You, Everything Ends)
Jun 25 - NY, Watertown @ Velocity Fun Park (w/ Long Since Forgotten, Ready Set Fail, Between Walls, Avignon, more)
Jun 26 - NY, Syracuse @ Fortress of Barnitude
Jun 27 - ME, Portland @ Geno's
Jun 28 - MA, Quincy @ Dee Dee's Lounge
Jun 29 - DAY OFF
Jun 30 - CT, Wallingford @ Wallingford American Legion Hall (w/ By The End of the Night, Capillary Action, Buxton)
Jul 01 - RI, Providence @ AS220 (w/ Sin Of Angels, Tides, Throwing Shrapnel, Seabeast)
Jul 02 - NY, Brooklyn @ Water Street Lounge
Jul 03 - NY, Long Island
Jul 04 - DAY OFF
Jul 05 - NJ @ Brighton Bar
Jul 06 - MD, Baltimore @ Sidebar Tavern
Jul 07 - DC, Washington @ The Warehouse Next Door (w/ Wetnurse, The Heuristic)
Jul 08 - VA, Richmond
Jul 09 - NC, Murfreesboro @ Zakk's Coffeehouse
Jul 10 - NC, Wilmington @ The Soapbox Laundrolounge
Jul 11 - SC, Myrtle Beach @ Monkey Business
Jul 12 - GA, Atlanta or Savannah
Jul 13 - FL, Gainsville @ Wayward Council
Jul 14 - FL, Tampa or Tallahasse
Jul 15 - AL, Birmingham @ Cave 9 (w/ Brothers and Sisters, Hematavore)
Jul 16 - LA, Monroe @ Fleur De Live (w/ Intronaut)
Jul 17 - TX, Dallas @ Red Blood Club
Jul 18 - TX, Austin
Jul 19 - NM, Las Cruces
Jul 20 - NM, Albuquerque @ The Cell (w/ Opus Dai)
Jul 21 - AZ, Phoenix @ Joe's Grotto (w/ Opus Dai)
Jul 22 - MX, Tijuana @ Las Trancas Bar
Jul 23 - CA, South Gate @ The Allen Theater (w/ Opus Dai)
Jul 24 - CA, Bakersfield
Jul 25 - CA, San Francisco @ The Egg (w/ Opus Dai, Makanda, Curse of the Zero)
Jul 26 - DAY OFF
Jul 27 - OR, Portland @ Rock and Roll Pizza (w/ Origin, Opus Dai)
Jul 28 - ID, Boise
Jul 29 - WY, Jackson @ Log Cabin Saloon (w/ Opus Dai)
Jul 30 - WY, Jackson @ Log Cabin Saloon (w/ Opus Dai)
Jul 31 - UT, Taylorsville @ Rebecca's Dance Studio (w/ Opus Dai)
Aug 01 - CO, Denver @ 15th Street Tavern (w/ Across Tundras)
Aug 02 - KS, Lawrence @ Haunted Kitchen (w/ Dead Commuter)
Aug 03 - IA, Des Moines @ Hairy Mary's (w/ Thisdialogue, Castle, The Autumn Project )
Aug 04 - MN, Minnesota @ The Quest Nightclub - Ascott Room
Aug 05 - WI, Wausau @ Ticho's Barn
Aug 06 - IL, Chicago
Aug 07 - DAY OFF
Aug 08 - MO, St. Louis
Aug 09 - TN, Chattanooga @ Ziggy's
Aug 10 - TN, Nashville @ The Muse
Aug 11 - KY, Louisville
Aug 12 - OH, Dayton @ The Nite Owl
Aug 13 - IN, Fort Wayne @ 1624 N. Harrison St.
Aug 14 - MI, Detroit @ 2500 Club (w/ Ganon)
Aug 15 - OH, Columbus @ Acme Art Co
Aug 16 - PA, Pittsburg @ Mr. Roboto Project
Aug 17 - DAY OFF
Aug 18 - NY, Buffalo
Aug 19 - ON, London
Aug 20 - ON, Hamilton
Aug 21 - ON, Toronto
Aug 22 - DAY OFF
Aug 23 - ON, Ottawa
Aug 24 - QC, Montreal
Aug 25 - NY, Hudson @ St. John's The Evangelist Church (w/ Mammoth, Fight Amputation, The Bitter Life Typecast, The Bell County Silence, Aficiando, The Motel Bible, Kitty Little, Tiger Stripes)
Aug 26 - NY, Poughkeepsie
Aug 27 - NJ
~~~~~~~~~~
Previous Sign This Band
Johnnyrook (http://www.decoymusic.com)
Dolly Trauma (http://www.decoymusic.com/vb/showthread.php?t=5829)
Hundred Year Storm (http://www.decoymusic.com/vb/showthread.php?t=3122)