Main Stage Sunday
A band called A BAND
CALLED PAIN. Call this band what you will, but they
cannot be called Mediocre. This talented and
musically tight foursome inflicts no pain on the
ears or minds of listeners.
In fact, their well crafted songs propelled by memorable riffs and lyrics, never fail to the capture the audiences' attention - allowing fans to forget about their own pain - even if only for a short while. Since 2001, A BAND CALLED PAIN has been developing their muscular style and have entertained thousands. Allen Richardson (vocals), Shaun Bivens (guitar & background vocals), AKILI (drums), and Bryan Dean, a.k.a Dark Kent (bass) form one of the best metal bands in the San Francisco Bay Area. From ballads to thrash, they do it all, and do it well. Allen's extensive vocal range and heartfelt lyrics, perfectly compliment the brooding music created by these seasoned musicians. Simply put, Allen’s onstage demeanor is dynamic - the perfect conduit for the pulsating live energy of the band. Shaun's aggressive guitar riffs, screaming chords, and passionate love of music shine through in each song. One cannot keep their eyes off of him while he shreds out a solo. Imagine a mad scientist melding the styles of Jimi Hendrix and Zakk Wylde. The ominous beats AKILI powerfully pounds onto the drums, keep heads banging and crowds dancing. From the sound of it, one could imagine him having an extra set of arms in order to play as complexly as he does. Dark Kent's (Bryan Dean) pocket oriented style and huge tone are the rivets on the track that keeps the train running smoothly. His signature barefooted playing style shows that he is grounded and at one with both the sound and the audience. Call them brothers in spirit, cousins in life, and a family bonded by rock and roll. A BAND CALLED PAIN is fresh, new, kinetic, energetic, accomplished, unexpected, and really, really good. A BAND CALLED PAIN has been very productive over the last six years and continues to work hard on their present projects. Their first CD, "Broken Dreams" was voted one of the top 10 best California releases of 2006 by Zero Magazine. One track from the album "Holy" was featured on the soundtrack to the blockbuster hit horror film "SAW 2". A second track, "Hell bound" was played during an episode of renowned comedian Dane Cook’s television series on HBO. The buzz began when Billy Steel, the former, but longtime DJ at local rock radio station 107.7 "The Bone” featured ABCP, on the popular show, "The Metal Zone". As quoted by the DJ, "I gotta tell you, your CD is the kind that goes into the CD player and stays there!" In 2008 ABCP was voted Best Metal Band by the San Francisco Bay Guardian, Best of the Bay 2008! A very prestigious award not to be taken lightly. A BAND CALLED PAIN has shared stages with great bands such as Living Colour, Mushroom Head, Prong, Shine down, and many others. They've also played larger gigs such as the Talking House Productions Special Industry Showcase, which included performances by members of Metallica, Guns and Roses, Velvet Revolver and Linkin Park. ABCP has traveled to Austin, Texas to perform at the internationally renowned South by Southwest New Music Festival, performed at San Francisco’s Haight Street Fair, Played at the popular San Diego Indie Musical Festival and has thrilled audiences in numerous well known venues and clubs up and down the coast. Besides their numerous live performances they have also appeared in numerous magazines and continue to gain new fans with each new appearance. Keep an eye on these talented musicians as looks can be deceiving.
A BAND CALLED PAIN is: |
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