Check out my band everyone!!!! Need Support!!

[lespaul3013]

Hey guys, I'm in a few different bands and play everything from funk to country to hardcore...so I don't discriminate musically speaking

My hardcore band, Aperture, recently recorded our first EP in our drummer's basement (keep in mind we're all around the age of 18) so don't hate on us too hard...we've still got a long way to go, but I'm pretty proud of our first release. Any constructive criticism is welcomed though.

We are giving our 7 song EP away called "Loose Ends" for FREE on Band Camp and Sound Cloud, so ya'll can download it there if you like it...if nothing else, throw us a "like" or a "share" on Facebook - we're about to start playing tons of shows and promote this out the wazzzu...so we appreciate any support you can give!

https://www.facebook.com/apertureNC

http://aperturenc.bandcamp.com/

https://soundcloud.com/aperturenc

Thanks guys!!
Jordan

 

[bonedarrell]

Don't take this the wrong way and consider it a compliment....but all of this style of music sounds the same to me. That would mean, to me, your band sounds like all of the "big boys" playing the same style. So, you must be doing something right!! It is hard to know what differentiates one hard core band from the next? Is it the melodies, the hooks, the speed, the guitar sounds, the machine gun double bass???

I ask this sincerely. What do you think (musically) separates your band from all of the others playing the same style?

Overall, the production, tones and vocals sound par for this style. I say that because I don't know what would make your band sound superior regarding this style? It seems (to me...so no haters come out swinging....yet) that in this style of music, you either suck or you sound like everybody else. Again, to me, it is the melody, hooks, craftsmanship and, most importantly, the AIR that helps differentiate a band from others. Not to be better, but to be different and/or unique. This style of music seems to lack melody and air. All of the space is filled up with notes. Not dissing it.....just my opinion. There is obviously a market for it....I get that.

I will say this as well.....I sure's hell didn't have 7 original songs under my belt at 18y/o. So major PROPS to writing original material and staying away from doing the paint by numbers cover BS........

So, the constructive criticism you asked for; Nothing sounds unique enough to make me consider your band from any other hard core band.

Ok, NOW the haters can come out to play!!!!!!

 

[lespaul3013]

Don't take this the wrong way and consider it a compliment....but all of this style of music sounds the same to me. That would mean, to me, your band sounds like all of the "big boys" playing the same style. So, you must be doing something right!! It is hard to know what differentiates one hard core band from the next? Is it the melodies, the hooks, the speed, the guitar sounds, the machine gun double bass???

I ask this sincerely. What do you think (musically) separates your band from all of the others playing the same style?

Overall, the production, tones and vocals sound par for this style. I say that because I don't know what would make your band sound superior regarding this style? It seems (to me...so no haters come out swinging....yet) that in this style of music, you either suck or you sound like everybody else. Again, to me, it is the melody, hooks, craftsmanship and, most importantly, the AIR that helps differentiate a band from others. Not to be better, but to be different and/or unique. This style of music seems to lack melody and air. All of the space is filled up with notes. Not dissing it.....just my opinion. There is obviously a market for it....I get that.

I will say this as well.....I sure's hell didn't have 7 original songs under my belt at 18y/o. So major PROPS to writing original material and staying away from doing the paint by numbers cover BS........

So, the constructive criticism you asked for; Nothing sounds unique enough to make me consider your band from any other hard core band.

Ok, NOW the haters can come out to play!!!!!!

Hey man! Thanks a lot for the response...I really appreciate it!

I completely agree with what you're saying...I'm more of a funk/classic rock guy, so the "hardcore" thing is completely new to me. I'm gonna have to pick up some type of higher gain amp here soon because my mid-gain rig won't cover this stuff I had to borrow a 5150 to record this EP.

Our other guitarist is in the same boat as me, we basically got guilt-tripped into being involved in the band...but it turns out that it's really fun music to play! You can go crazy and people get super hyped up.

I don't think I can answer your question cause I really haven't listened to that much hardcore stuff, honestly. Our drummer and singer (screamer?) wrote the basics to these songs and I just came in and helped add little parts here and there...so I'm kinda trusting their judgement as far as what people like.

From what I gather, hardcore music is really more of an underground kinda thing unless you're one of the bigger, more mainstream bands. So I guess people don't really try to deviate from the formula that works that much as far as song-writing goes...but I like what you're saying, maybe next go-round I can add a little funk influence to our stuff.

Sorry I couldn't really answer your question...I'm by no means an expert on this type of stuff

I'd love to hear some ideas from different people as far as what could be added/subtracted to really make this stuff "pop" out from the rest! I know the screaming vocals aren't for everyone, but even just from a musical perspective...what would take this to the next level?

 

[OldSkoolNJ]

I was excited to hear it when you said Hardcore band That isn't hardcore IMO Maybe one of the 1000 other sub genre's they attached to hardcore.
I am not saying it was bad but it certainly wasn't what I was expecting to hear when you said hardcore band

 

[skoora]

Maybe I'm too old but Hardcore to me is Cro Mags and Sick Of It All. This just sounds like screamo? Hardcore, at least the stuff I grew up with is much more groove conscious, not so erratic with dissonance and beat/feel changes or lack of a consistant beat. I'd expect to see a video where the bass and guitar players do those very emotionally charged neck dives and twirls with very hit

Good luck with it and like to hear anything you got that's more in the classic rock realm.

 

[lespaul3013]

Thanks for the feedback guys! Like I said, I'm new to this whole genre...so technically it might not be hardcore, but that's what I think of when I hear the word "hardcore"

I've got another funk/classic rock band in the works with some older, more experienced musicians. We're doing stuff from Deep Purple to Jeff Beck to Allen Stone...so we'll have some recordings here in the next few months - I'll definitely keep you guys in the loop!

I can't wait to tell my buddy (our drummer) what you guys are saying...I totally get where ya'll are coming from, and I agree with most of it - but he's been a "hardcore" fan forever so I'll be interested to hear what he has to say in response

 

[bonedarrell]

Don't take this the wrong way and consider it a compliment....but all of this style of music sounds the same to me. That would mean, to me, your band sounds like all of the "big boys" playing the same style. So, you must be doing something right!! It is hard to know what differentiates one hard core band from the next? Is it the melodies, the hooks, the speed, the guitar sounds, the machine gun double bass???

I ask this sincerely. What do you think (musically) separates your band from all of the others playing the same style?

Overall, the production, tones and vocals sound par for this style. I say that because I don't know what would make your band sound superior regarding this style? It seems (to me...so no haters come out swinging....yet) that in this style of music, you either suck or you sound like everybody else. Again, to me, it is the melody, hooks, craftsmanship and, most importantly, the AIR that helps differentiate a band from others. Not to be better, but to be different and/or unique. This style of music seems to lack melody and air. All of the space is filled up with notes. Not dissing it.....just my opinion. There is obviously a market for it....I get that.

I will say this as well.....I sure's hell didn't have 7 original songs under my belt at 18y/o. So major PROPS to writing original material and staying away from doing the paint by numbers cover BS........

So, the constructive criticism you asked for; Nothing sounds unique enough to make me consider your band from any other hard core band.

Ok, NOW the haters can come out to play!!!!!!

Hey man! Thanks a lot for the response...I really appreciate it!

I completely agree with what you're saying...I'm more of a funk/classic rock guy, so the "hardcore" thing is completely new to me. I'm gonna have to pick up some type of higher gain amp here soon because my mid-gain rig won't cover this stuff I had to borrow a 5150 to record this EP.

Our other guitarist is in the same boat as me, we basically got guilt-tripped into being involved in the band...but it turns out that it's really fun music to play! You can go crazy and people get super hyped up.

I don't think I can answer your question cause I really haven't listened to that much hardcore stuff, honestly. Our drummer and singer (screamer?) wrote the basics to these songs and I just came in and helped add little parts here and there...so I'm kinda trusting their judgement as far as what people like.

From what I gather, hardcore music is really more of an underground kinda thing unless you're one of the bigger, more mainstream bands. So I guess people don't really try to deviate from the formula that works that much as far as song-writing goes...but I like what you're saying, maybe next go-round I can add a little funk influence to our stuff.

Sorry I couldn't really answer your question...I'm by no means an expert on this type of stuff

I'd love to hear some ideas from different people as far as what could be added/subtracted to really make this stuff "pop" out from the rest! I know the screaming vocals aren't for everyone, but even just from a musical perspective...what would take this to the next level?

Wow! Are you sure you're just 18??? You show much more maturity in your desire to improve the song and the ability not be defensive in the face of criticism than most 30 y/o dudes, much less 18 y/o!!! Anyway, I am no expert on this style of music to speak intelligibly. But, perhaps, NOT going the direction of the stereotypical scooped mid mesa tone and going more jangly/twagny fender with the machine gun drums and satan vocals would be a change of pace and would separate you from the masses??? Sounds radical, but the point is to try what's not the normal formula. Best of luck! Keep writing!!!!!

 

[OldSkoolNJ]

Thanks for the feedback guys! Like I said, I'm new to this whole genre...so technically it might not be hardcore, but that's what I think of when I hear the word "hardcore"

I've got another funk/classic rock band in the works with some older, more experienced musicians. We're doing stuff from Deep Purple to Jeff Beck to Allen Stone...so we'll have some recordings here in the next few months - I'll definitely keep you guys in the loop!

I can't wait to tell my buddy (our drummer) what you guys are saying...I totally get where ya'll are coming from, and I agree with most of it - but he's been a "hardcore" fan forever so I'll be interested to hear what he has to say in response

You would probably like Chris Haskett's guitar playing with the Rollins Band on The End of Silence & Weight both bass players that played on each album added a good dose of funk and fusion too.

 

[jwhitman]

First thing that bothered me...


Vocals are buried in the mix. I can't hear what your singer is saying when he's actually singing clearly. The screams are plenty loud though. Just a production note I suppose.

 

[lespaul3013]

Wow! Are you sure you're just 18??? You show much more maturity in your desire to improve the song and the ability not be defensive in the face of criticism than most 30 y/o dudes, much less 18 y/o!!! Anyway, I am no expert on this style of music to speak intelligibly. But, perhaps, NOT going the direction of the stereotypical scooped mid mesa tone and going more jangly/twagny fender with the machine gun drums and satan vocals would be a change of pace and would separate you from the masses??? Sounds radical, but the point is to try what's not the normal formula. Best of luck! Keep writing!!!!!

Yessir...thanks for the kind words! I really just wanna improve what I'm doing - I've gotten a pretty early start and so I wanna capitalize on that as much as I can

You would probably like Chris Haskett's guitar playing with the Rollins Band on The End of Silence & Weight both bass players that played on each album added a good dose of funk and fusion too.

Thanks! I'll check them out!

First thing that bothered me...


Vocals are buried in the mix. I can't hear what your singer is saying when he's actually singing clearly. The screams are plenty loud though. Just a production note I suppose.

Yep - I noticed that a bit too in some spots. Our drummer (who recorded it) had them up higher in the mix at first, but when he sent them off to get them mastered - the dude suggested that he should lower the vocals a bit so it didn't sound too much like a pop song...

Not sure how I feel about that, but overall - I think it's a pretty decent sounding recording for being done in a basement.
Listening to the songs through nice monitors really helps too, obviously...I love the bass

 

[fuzzyguitars]

sounds good for what it is!

much better than what I could do when I was a teen.

 

[garey77]

Sounds great for being produced in a basement by a bunch of teens. Actually, I know dudes that have been recording for years that still can't get as clean a sound as this... nice job. Not my cup '0' tea musically, but nice job.

 

[lespaul3013]

Sounds great for being produced in a basement by a bunch of teens. Actually, I know dudes that have been recording for years that still can't get as clean a sound as this... nice job. Not my cup '0' tea musically, but nice job.

sounds good for what it is!

much better than what I could do when I was a teen.

Thanks guys!

Honestly, I'm still a little iffy about the screaming vocals and lack of one consistent "hook" or "riff" throughout a song...but it's growing on me

 

[lespaul3013]

Anyone else??

 

[skoora]

This stuff is probably dated by now but this was and still is a favorite album of mine from the 90's that showed where hardcore could go.

a more straight ahead type of approach from the same album