A Gathering of None, or "AGON" as their
initials state, is a band that is bringing back a certain 90's
inspired edge to rock music that is missing in the indie/DIY music scene these
days. Let me enlighten you folks a bit. A Gathering of None is a New England based
ensemble with the likes of former co-founder/singer/songwriter & guitarist whom
most of you have come to know as TB Monstrosity of the Virginia
based band Blitzkid. Let’s fast forward
to 2015 and just call him Tracy Byrd,
and a band that is a whole new beast to be reckoned with!
The lineup A Gathering of None has assembled could be
considered an underground super group of sorts. Joining Tracy is another
original member of Blitzkid who went in a different direction once the scene was established and
that man is Chris White. Chris White, or “Dukey”, has been a part of the music scene in
southwest VA for just as long, mostly in the early days with Tempal and then
later forming the band This Machine. Joining these two men on the bass & throwing
in back-up vocals is Doug Schwenker, a man who you may recognize from his work
with NJ based band Darrow Chemical Company. Doug has joined forces with Tracy,
Chris & now Justin Travis Osborn, who handles rhythm and lead guitars and
backing vocals. Justin has been a member
of the San Antonio music scene for more than a decade laying down
riffs and vocals in bands such as Celebrity Sex Scandal and The
Bloodfuckers.
"Nothing Left To Lose” is definitely a bold title
for an album, but it backs that up from the
opening track and beyond. Even without
knowing the history of the band or the members, its full of energy &
attitude that gets your attention right off. This is the 2nd. release from the
east coast rockers, with the prior independently released 4 song EP
"Purging Empty Promises" that debuted in 2013.
But speaking of said band members & history, this
band has it's very own unique collection of some very talented guys that have
been doing this along time, & had you told me that I'd one day get to hear
this side of their talent and the way is just flows together, the emotion &
just straight up ROCK behind it, I may have been in dis-belief. But nonetheless,
it’s there, it’s hard hitting & is a
GREAT follow up to the 1st. EP that left you wanting more. The band has sounds & Influences that go back to the
likes of Ignite, The Foo Fighters, The Smashing Pumpkins, Helmet, Corrosion of
Conformity, Farside, Miltown, Alice in Chains just to name a few. “Nothing Left to Lose” was
recorded & tracked @ Sonic Design Studios & Engineered by Mike
Stephenson in Bristol,TN. , and is also the first release for the Maryland/DC
area based Label Devils Music. This album is somewhat concept based with every
lyrical theme detailing loss on a personal level to some degree, yet it pulls you in with it’s
fast upbeat guitar riffs. The twelve songs contained on this album remind me of
the kind of rock records that were standard for bands going in the direction of
the influences listed above, yet sounds
fresh in 2015. For anyone familiar with Tracy’s earlier work, you are
definitely in store for something much different, but just as enjoyable.
Track Listing (lenght ca. 48minutes):
1. Fall where they may
2. Harry Houdini
3. Right there with you
4. A Perfect Plan
5. Always the hard way
6. Like a Razor Blade
7. Ryhme or Reason
8. Light my way
9. Blueprint
10.The death of a friend
11.Fading Away
12.Abandon Ship
The artwork/layout & Design is also a great fit
for this release, and was handled by Charlie J.J. Krueger
Guest appearances on the album feat. the following artists:
Jonah Carden -Solo on Harry Houdini & 1st. Guitar
Solo on Ryhme & Reason
Patrick Carter (Appearing courtesy of Stonecaster)
Guest Vocals on Ryhme & Reason
John Lancaster (Appearing courtesy of John Lancaster
& CHUM) Guest vocals on Always The Hard Way...
find AGON on the web by following the links: :
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