On June 26, 2008, Paladino’s, Tarzana’s resident rock rendezvous, hosted “Battle 1000: Battle of the Bands” in the tradition of “rockin’ the Valley.” Upon entering under the sign with a rearing white stallion, two large spaces welcome rock 'n' rollers: one, home to a full bar, pool tables, and vending machines, somewhat reminiscent of a college dorm entertainment area, and the other decked out with mirrored walls, a purple neon “Restrooms” sign that illuminates the black floors, several cocktail tables, a discreet DJ booth, and plenty of space for dancing, head banging, moshing, and more. Around the corner the lounging area for onlookers faces the club's most important feature, an impressively sized stage, especially for a local venue, with an extensive sound/speaker system and multicolored lighting arrangement.
With band names like Late on Thursday, My Sweet Revolt, Omega, Free Kingdom, and Preschool Fist Fight, it was no surprise that the most popular sound of the evening embraced a branch of the hardcore genre, from metal, “screamo,” thrash, to grind. Between each group, the quick set-changes were narrated non-stop by the MC’s auctioneer-style, “Let’s keep things rolling…” and by the seventh group listeners were well-prepared for supersonic booms.
Near the end of the evening when The Rising Sound graced the stage, clad in vibrantly colored T-shirts and “sneaks,” an energetic presence and fresh resonance permeated Paladino’s. Pleasantly surprised by the change, billiards players, focused previously on their game, and busy bar hoppers diverted their ears toward “the rising sound.” A cluster of fans scurried to the front and enthusiastically jumped and jived with each song, prompting Taylor Martyr (vocals/guitar) to exclaim, “Look at all these lovely ladies dancing… who are you and where did you come from?” TRS’s set list highlighted tracks from their upcoming record, including the band’s latest single “Freak Kingdom,” a heavy tune with soulful vocals and a Southern rock tinge. The swift tempo and chromatic chorus of “Lights Out” set devotees into motion and inspired them to gravitate toward the stage during the grungy and sultry “Baghdad Betty.” "Space's" mellower pace revealed a softer side of the rock quartet, but even these calmer melodies could not dampen the musicians' lively mood. Underlying Martyr’s clear, authentic voice and Kevin Holt’s (lead guitar) ringing riffs was tight-knit instrumentation generated by Tom Benzian’s (bass) resounding bass lines and Reade Pryor’s (percussion) dexterous drumming. The Rising Sound’s unique style, comprehensible lyrics, and dynamic charisma gave the quartet a leg up on the competition, and ultimately led TRS to victory over the gangs of growlers. The prize? $1000 and a place in round two of “the Battle” at the end of August, at Forbidden City in Hollywood (date TBA.). Their win of “Battle 1000” is another promising step in The Rising Sound’s expanding acclaim, and supporters can anticipate triumphant outcomes in this personable band's future. While The Rising Sound prepare for the final competition, fans can participate in TRS’s successful emergence by auditioning for their “Freak Kingdom” music video at Safari Sam’s in Hollywood on July 22.
Please visit www.myspace.com/therisingsound or www.therisingsound.com for photos, music samples, band bios, information on The Rising Sound’s new album, and upcoming show dates.
