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Skypark
Skypark

Who is Skypark?
What does a rock band do after they've been together for five years, built a devoted regional following, released a debut album on a major label and played shows in almost every state in the union? The unexpected answer from Orange County, California's skypark: Learn how to write music.

"All the bands I've ever loved...it wasn't because I saw them in concert. It was because they had that song, that sound," explains guitarist and background vocalist, Joey Aszterbaum. "After our fall tour, we listened to a cassette tape of the last show and agreed that the songs and the grooves were not up to snuff. A lot of our fans were in it for the visual performance, and that's great, but it was time for us to get serious about making music."


Keith at the drums.

skypark decided that they could keep spinning their wheels on the road (they added 18,0000 miles to the speedometer on their fall tour), or they could spend some time at home creating an album that would sell itself. Feeding upon rock and pop's greatest offerings (the Beatles, Led Zeppelin, Stevie Wonder, U2, Johnny Cash) and inspired by the ambition and scope of modern rock acts like Radiohead and Flick, that's exactly what they did.

"It's virtually impossible to write music when you're on the road, between hotel rooms, driving and sound check," says Tyrone Wells, lead vocalist. He rents a house with seven other people in Fullerton, Ca. "My room is out back, disconnected from the rest of the house, so I can play guitar and sing at full voice any time of the night."

Am I pretty? (Word/Epic), their major label debut released in 1998, received some raves in critics' columns, was nominated for a Dove award ("Best Modern Rock Recording"), and sold spectacularly for a band in their genre without much radio play or an opening spot on a major tour. But skypark's sights were much higher.

visit www.skyparkmusic.comFounder and bassist Tony Deerfield put it this way: "After meeting the band Flick, I had a revelation. It's not only possible, but it is a responsibility to transcend the limitations placed on modern music. So much music today is made for the quick fix, easy marketability. But the greatest albums seemed to have little to no concern for that... OK Computer, Dark Side of the Moon, Abbey Road, Unchained. Ten years ago I was impressed that I could play the Kinks' You Really Got Me. But now it's time to make rock history."

With the record company's support, skypark pushed back their sophomore release to May, 2000. They began a Monday through Friday writing regiment, converting Tyrone's bedroom into a rehearsal and recording studio. Winter turned to spring, with the band inviting all sorts of people in to critique the music. Thom Roy, who produced their debut, dropped in, as did Black Crowes guitarist Marc Ford.

"God has blessed us with a community of people and artists who have kindly offered their services to refine what we do," says drummer, Keith Gove. "We 've tried to take advantage of those opportunities to improve. It was difficult sometimes, but it brought years of experience to our music that we didn't have."

By summertime, skypark had written over forty songs. They recorded their ten best, affectionately (and appropriately) naming the project Bedroom Demos. They then hit the road for seven weeks, playing festivals and small venues in California, Oregon, Washington, Texas, Iowa, Illinois, Colorado and Alaska. Meanwhile, the demos caught the ear of producer Ed Stasium (Living Colour, The Ramones), who signed up to do the record.


Me and Skypark

skypark's focus on songwriting has paid off. The new songs balance killer grooves and super-hooky choruses with edgy musical experimentation and thoughtful lyrics, showcasing the band's strengths like none of their previous material has. The powerful force, emotional depth and soulful agility of Tyrone's voice, the punch and finesse of Keith's drumming, the creativity and story-telling of Tony's bass lines, the aggressive and playful guitar attack and killer vocal harmonies from Joey all fit seamlessly together. And they should, with no personnel changes, three indie records and six years of gigging behind them. One stand-out track, The Girl in Your Picture ("you're much nicer on Kodak paper, you're always smiling at me.... I really wish you could be like the girl in your picture") is bound to be a college and alternative radio hit, with it's power-pop delivery and smart lyric. Viva Satellite and Breathe, with their Zeppelinesque groove breaks and big vocals, are veritable rock anthems. Something Lit Up the Room is punked-up, surfy, pop fluff. The thundering Under Your Mercy and the soulful Waiting for the Son are Hey, Jude-like sing alongs, with the band's shared faith and refreshing spirituality setting the songs apart from the average rock material. Please Don't Go Away, with its memorable lead guitar line and stacks of harmonies, and That's What You Say, with its sparse arrangement and naked vocal, both express the aching at the end of relationships. The songs are diverse, without being eclectic, and employ all the techniques that made their influences icons. But while skypark has learned much from those imposing teachers, they don't sound like any one of them. They've learned the best lesson of all: to take creative risks and forge their own sound.

With the leap in artistry between these two recordings, the long-haul dedication of all four band members, and the same work ethic applied to their live show as they have to the new record, skypark will transcend the modern rock scene and make rock and roll history.


Buy these cds!

My Opinions on Skypark
I love these guys! I met them before I got into their music, and I am glad I had that opportunity! The guys of Skypark are so nice and friendly! You can really see God shining in their lives. Need some examples of what I'm talking about? A friend and I had asked for a picture, but they said that we should go downstairs to the booth since that was where everyone was headed, so we did and we waited paitently while they finished talking to some people, and they apologized to US for making us wait! I don't know about you, but that was the first time a band has every apologized to me! And they also gave us funnel cake! :) Their music is really great too! Everyone at the concert was up and dancing to the "head band." (it's a joke that they did at the concert) :) I plan to get their CD soon.


Me and my friend with Skypark!

Who are the members?

.:.:Tyrone Wells:.:.:Joey Aszterbaum:.:.:Tony Deerfield:.:.:Keith Gove:.:.
~*~(lead singer)~*~ (guitar)~*~ (bass guitar)~*~ (drums)~*~

Where can I find more information?
For more info, you can go to their official website www.skyparkmusic.com It has media, message boards, a fan club, merchandise, the hottest news right from the members themselves, and more! It's even in Flash so it looks really cool!

Listen to album clips of Over Blue City
Listen to album clips of Am I Pretty?

visit skyparkmusic.com


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