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Review:
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American alt rockers VersaEmerge were formed in the
early Noughties by guitarist Blake Harnage, releasing their
first EP in 2005. They then went through more band members
than they had hot dinners, picking up bassist Devin Ingelido
along the way. In 2007 Sierra Kusterbeck got the job as
vocalist despite lying about her age, claiming she was 18
when in fact she was only 16.
The three of them are augmented by various bods when
playing live. The music and vocals have obvious comparisons
with a more alt rock Paramore, their fellow stablemates,
but they are not afraid to go off piste. ‘Fire’ has an atmospheric
opening that sounds like Guilt Machine, it then turns into
a turbo charged rocker, before finishing with a coda that
reminds me of Danny Elfman’s music for Edward Scissorhands.
Other highlights include the opening rocker with a stutter
‘Figure It Out’ that has a touch of Muse about it; the monster
title track ‘Fixed at Zero’ (video on Female Voices Blog)
with its spiralling guitar riff that veers towards Lacuna
Coil; and the closing epic ‘Lost Tree’ that opens as a string
laced acoustic piece before a terrifying scream signals
the band exploding into life. It’s all skilfully recorded
by top producer Dave Bassett (Shinedown/Josh Groban but
not the Wimbledon manager!). If you like alt rock and bands
like Paramore, then this is well worth the investment, available
from all the usual outlets, their Myspace is http://www.myspace.com/versaemerge
. An emerging talent with a stunning lead singer that is
worth a lot more than zero, 8.5 out of 10. Florida band
VersaEmerge formed while (Guitarist & backing vocalist)
Blake Harnage and former drummer Anthony Martone were in
high school. They were originally in a band named "My Fair
Verona".[2] After MFV broke up, Harnage and Martone went
on to forming their own band. They chose the name "VersaEmerge"
from the terms (vice-versa) meaning opposite, and "emerge"
meaning to rise up.[3]
The band recorded their first EP, "Cities Built On Sand",
in 2005, featuring former members Spencer Pearson on vocals;
Anthony James on vocals, programming and synth; Josh Center
on Guitar (also writer of the music); and Nick Osbourne
on bass. With the departure of the four members, the band
recruited bassist Devin "Dirty D" Ingelido from Bury the
Ashes[4]. The following year, current vocalist Sierra Kusterbeck
auditioned for the vocal position by sending a tape online.
While members Anthony Martone, Devin Ingelido and James
Lano were not too sure about Kusterbeck, Harnage convinced
them she was right for the job and she soon joined the band
in 2007.[5] Little did they know that Kusterbeck lied about
her age saying she was 18 years old, when she was really
16, so she could get an audition.[6]
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