Static in Stereo

Static in Stereo was a Canadian band consisting of vocalist/guitarist Todd Kerns, his brothers John Kerns and Ryan Kerns, and drummer Scott McCargar. They released a self-titled debut album in 2002, and it spawned a Canadian TV and radio hit "Before My Time".In 2002, the band was nominated for a Canadian Radio Music Award for "Best New Group". [http://www.cab-acr.ca/english/media/news/02/nr_crma_jan1502.pdf]

History

After ten years of accumulating success in the 90s as Canadian alternative rock-band, Age of Electric, the band eventually dissolved to form other musical projects, one of which was Static in Stereo. Two of the band members, also brothers, Todd and John Kerns teamed up to form Static in Stereo with the goal of creating an album reminiscent of their musical influences growing up in Lanigan, Saskatchewan. In 2000, Static in Stereo released the very personal self-titled debut album that documented their struggles and new-found energy after the break-up of Age of Electric [Kerns (2000). “Biography” http://www.artistdirect.com/nad/music/artist/bio/0,,1225092,00.html] .

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From Age of Electric to Static in Stereo

Before Static in Stereo was Age of Electric, which was hailed as one of Canada’s leading alternative rock bands of the 90s.Fact|date=September 2008 The group consisted of Todd and John Kerns and brothers Ryan and Kurt Dahle. The group met while growing up in small town Saskatchewan and formed Age of Electric in 1989. The group received some success with the release of their EP "Ugly" in 1993; however, their commercial triumph followed the major label releases of their two last albums "The Age of Electric" (1995) and "Make a Pest a Pet" (1997). The bands last album went gold in Canada (sold more than 50,000 albums). Their hard-rock edge attracted audiences as they toured with bands such as Our Lady Peace. By the late 90s, the Dahle brothers had begun releasing albums with their side project Limblifter and the Kerns brothers had begun writing music that was going in a different direction. In 1999, the band broke up and soon Static in Stereo was formed.

"Static in Stereo"

The months following the break-up of Age of Electric proved difficult, as Todd Kerns remembers,

“You know that kind of guy who used to be somebody, who’s now a mess?...I was that guy. It was time to re-evaluate and pull it together.”

The Kerns brothers began writing songs about life after Age of Electric and set out to create a new musical identity for the group that set them apart from their former musical style. Teaming up with their brother Ryan and drummer Scott McCargar, they set out to create ‘the record to save rock ‘n’ roll’. In 2000 they released their debut album, which received wide-spread success. Their single “Before My Time” embodies the theme of the album as it describes the pitfalls of trying to form a new band and a new image. The group enlisted the musical talents of Matthew Good, who wrote the track “Super Drop” and Jeff Martin from The Tea Party who contributed vocals, as well as helped mix the album. The entire album is written in quasi-diary form, as each song chronicles the obstacles the band faced after Age of Electric. The track “Wrapped in Cellophane” describes the musical and personal metamorphosis that the band members experienced in the months before recording the album. Musically, the album pays homage to the bands that inspired Static in Stereo, such as The Rolling Stones, The Clash, and KISS. The different musical style of each band member is present throughout the album. Elements of punk, glam rock, country and rock ‘n’ roll can be heard in the musical arrangements of the instruments and vocals. Hard driving guitar and heavy bass are present in most of the tracks. Although the music has a gritty, loud, hard rock sound similar to late metal or grunge, it plays a backseat role to the vocals in both primacy and depth. The sentimentality and honesty of the lyrics allow for the listener to connect with the music, at the same time satisfying the rock ‘n’ roll criteria [McCoy, Heath (2001). “Growing up is hard to do: Former Age of Electric front man forms new rock band Static in Stereo”. Calgary Herald.] .

Static in Stereo formed with the purpose of creating the band that would "save rock ‘n’ roll". In an attempt to move on from their past musical careers, they set out to emulate the great bands of the 70s and 80s. In the process, they created an honest album that highlighted some of the difficulties bands, musicians and individuals alike experience when they are forced to start over.

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References