A band has risen out of the ashes of the repetataive, look-alike, sound-alike hell of what some rock groups have succumbed to. Hard, raw music is all they can promise...
Strata is:
Eric Victorino: vocals
Ryan Hernandez: guitar
Hrag Chanchanian: bass
Adrian Robinson: drums
Formed in a suburb of San Jose, the group then known as Downside was expanding its horizons, and becoming more popular as their momentum grew. Victorino and Hernandez met in a cofee shop and saw the prospect of a band in each other. Chanchanian knew Victorino through the internet company they both worked at. Robinson was drafted after working with another band sharing the same facilities where Downside jammed.
They immediatly went to work.
In 2001 the band had a self-released LP under their new name Strata. An internet release was soon to follow and touring allowed their growing popularity to take root and spread. Even though many large labels showed an interest in their post-grunge sound, Starta decided to sign with Wind-Up, and their self-titled debut album came out July of 2004. Entirely self-produced and self-recorded in the band's own own studio, Strata took a highly unusual route recording this album. That is what Victorino claims to be one of the bands outstanding, defining elements. The band's approach on song writing is also very unusual; every member contributes to everything from lyrics to basslines. Oppening for Trapt, Smile Empty Soul, and Finger 11 this past spring on the Sno-Core Tour didn't hurt their reputation either. Their intense, confrontational, aggressive grooves have roused crowds across the United States.
"Ryan and I have a saying; if something doesn't give you chills, don't use it," Victorino states. "There are plenty of melodies and songs out there, but you need to be true to yourself." "Music is a powerful weapon if you use it the right way," adds Hernandez."It can definatly help people; it certainly has helped me." |
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