SHREDnews

By: Steph Mirsky

On October 8, 2007, the band Hot Rod Circuit announced that they would be breaking up after playing for 10 years.  Yet, from every loss comes a new beginning and a new opportunity to succeed. The light among this darkness would be Death in the Park, an indie rock band formed by former HRC front man Andy Jackson and bassist Joe Ballaro. When Ballaro unfortunately left Death in the Park, Jackson rounded out the band’s lineup with Aaron Holmes (drums), Ronnie Gardner (guitar), Derrick Karg (guitar), and Jake Sloan (bass).  Do not let the name fool you; this band is the perfect synthesis of pop rock and punk.

Death in the Park was a band to quickly rise from the ashes of its predecessor and take strides in its own direction.  The band released its self-titled EP within a year of forming; the work produced is both strong and unique.  It would seem that Jackson is aiming for a slightly harder sound than HRC: bordering on a synthesis of Say Anything… and October Falls. Jackson’s unique vocals give the slightly poppy music a harsher tone that matures the lyrics and defines Death in the Park.  Fan favorite acoustic version of “Fallen” featuring Hayley Williams from Paramore, shows the band’s ability to transform a pop-post-hardcore sound into a beautiful acoustic song.  It would seem that Death in the Park is truly bending genre lines and creating a distinct sound that should carry them far in this music industry.

Death in the Park has already had some initial success that is acting as preparation for what is to come in the future. The previously mentioned EP was released on End Sounds Records, an indie label based out of Austin, TX.  Over the course of 2009, DITP did an online performance and interview with Fearless Radio and toured nationally with Alkaline Trio and Saves The Day. DITP has definitely been put in the ears of a multitude of genre listeners. Anticipation is quickly building around Death in the Park’s to be determined full-length, which is rumored to release sometime in late 2009 or early 2010.  In the end, anyone who allows Death in the Park to enter his or her ears will absolutely fall for the well-crafted music the band has to offer.

For Fans Of: Blue October // Conditions // Say Anything

MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/deathinthepark