Feature:
3
Over 35 years after 1969, Woodstock still knows how to rock. Out of these woods come 3. Few bands are so difficult to describe, and though their following is still relatively small, they have become a true inspiration among those privileged enough to hear them. 3 is fronted by Joey Eppard who is known for his unique flamenco-meets-slap-bass-on-guitar style (often on an Ovation electric/accoustic) and for his somewhat high-pitched yet smooth voice. The band formed in the early 90's as a trio coincidently, consisting also of drummer Josh Eppard, and bassist Chris Bittner. 3 was one of the featured local bands to play Woodstock 94 and shortly after found themselves signed by Universal. Before 3's first album was released, a corporate merge led the band into corporate purgatory. 3's first album finally saw the light of day in 1999; Paint by Number contains mostly songs written for the scrapped Universal debut. After this album, was released however, the band parted; Josh joining Coheed and Cambria, and Chris moving on to producing (later producing Coheed and Cambria albums). Joey decided to form a new band under the same name consisting members of the local funk-rock band Peacebomb. Since then drummer “Gartdrumm” and percussionist/keyboardist Joe Stote have become unstoppable crowd-pleasers (their drum duets are something to be heard), while Billy Riker has added metal spiciness to the mix. Recently the funky sounds of Joe “Cooch”s bass have been replaced by the worthy Daniel Grimsland. Aside from the concentration of talent, and Joey's long time reputation as a "musical triple threat" (great vocals, songwriting/lyrics, and guitar playing) 3 is also known for being a band that cares a lot about their true fans, and after seeing them live at least 10 times and meeting them, I assure you that it’s an understatement. 3 is definitely on the rise and whether or not they explode, their music is gold and their live performances magic.
Paint by Number3 already had a strong cult following in the local scene when this album finally dropped. The songs show an untapped potential but still manage to stand alone as great, honest, funky pop/rock. Had the contract with Universal not fallen through, this album would have been a sure hit, and while it may have made a positive impact in the sea of garbage found on the radio, I shudder to think of the restrictions it could have put on the band. Singing along to songs like
Wrongside is inevitable.
You Call me Baby tickles the soul brilliantly and show off Joey Eppards great vocal and lyric capabilities.
WrongsideBuy itHalf LifeA true turning point for 3; Half-Life is a live recording with studio polishing, featuring the best of the old with all kinds of great new. The album was released after a major line-up change and features some of the bands funkiest recorded material, about half of which are B-sides, and the rest are from Paint by Number or Summercamp Nightmare which was not yet released. The album never leaves my car, where I enjoy recorded music the most, and the windows are never up when the sun is shining. The album only hints at the bands truly amazing live performances, but it remains enough to both soothe and funkify.
Wrong Alright (Gangstaship)Buy itSummercamp Nightmare
3’s first album as a tightly knit 5 piece, Summercamp Nightmare made it clear that the band was both ever-evolving and ridiculously talented. The album was heavily promoted by former 3 drummer, Josh Eppard, and the rest of his current band, Coheed and Cambria, but 3 has hardly used the opportunity as a free ride; in a world that was more open to great music from the underground, no help would be needed, as this album is a beautiful musical landscape. It’s Summercamp Nightmare that began to show 3’s diverse influences, and it often draws comparisons of everything from Prince, to Primus to Pink Floyd.
Broadway AlienBuy itWake Pig
This is by far 3’s heaviest recorded material, though still very accessible. I know many people who listen mostly to pop music and can allow this album to penetrate them. This was originally planned as an EP but the band rushed to make a full album out of it. Its initial release, though its flow is coherent, is actually cut and pasted from all over the place. “
Dregs” and “
Amaze Disgrace” were also on Summercamp Nightmare, “
Where’s Max?” is a cover of the Peacebomb intro/outro, the title tracks contains parts from an pre-PBN song, and more than one other track seem to be B-sides from the Summercamp Nightmare era or earlier. Even so, Wake Pig is a loose concept album in the same way that Radiohead’s OK Computer was a concept album, only substitute machines, aliens, and the future with the apocalypse. Right after it’s release, 3 was signed to Metal Blade Records, and soon after they put out the album they wanted to in the first place, remastering Wake Pig, adding 2 songs and vocals on the song “
Where’s Max?” (sung by Max Olsen).
MonsterBuy it Other 3There are many unreleased 3 songs, most of which can only be found as live recordings. The newest of these “
D-ripper” can be found on the bands purevolume. A 7 song pre-PBN demo is also floating around the internet as well as the most surprising 3 song “
Don’t Even”. As mentioned,
Peacebomb contains several members of 3 as well as their super-merch-guy and way-better-than-"Super-Friend" Max Olsen. Joey Eppard is also known for his solo work, which includes the album
Been to the Future and various collaborations. This includes guitar and vocals in post P-funk outfit DRUGS, vocals on 3 songs for Cosmo Vitelli’s album Clean, and the Alex Gopher song “
Time”. All of these are terrific. Joey also has 3 albums worth of solo material waiting for release, though there is no word on when they will be released. 3 shows often have treats including great covers (like Purple Rain), short jams, and newly written songs.
I could have posted more mp3's but so many are offered on the bands purevolume.
"Although our records are eclectic, there are strong fibres of continuity running through them. No matter what sounds we have explored dynamically and stylistically, our music has always come from the heart. The lyrics and melody are consistent throughout, and what remains is a living, evolving art project that refuses to be trapped inside itself""We believe that pop music should be more than just ear candy junk food that dumbs down our culture.""We don´t like limitations. We like to be creative and to explore. Our creative process doesn´t involve judging our material on a weirdness scale. If anything the questions would be "does it feel good" and from a production standpoint "does it sound good?" We don´t strive to be weird or normal. We just want to be what we are."3's Official Site3's Purevolume3's MyspacePeacebombs purevolumeJoey Eppards purevolumeJoey Eppards Myspace .
This is by far 3’s heaviest recorded material, though still very accessible. I know many people who listen mostly to pop music and can allow this album to penetrate them. This was originally planned as an EP but the band rushed to make a full album out of it. Its initial release, though its flow is coherent, is actually cut and pasted from all over the place. “Dregs” and “Amaze Disgrace” were also on Summercamp Nightmare, “Where’s Max?” is a cover of the Peacebomb intro/outro, the title tracks contains parts from an pre-PBN song, and more than one other track seem to be B-sides from the Summercamp Nightmare era or earlier. Even so, Wake Pig is a loose concept album in the same way that Radiohead’s OK Computer was a concept album, only substitute machines, aliens, and the future with the apocalypse. Right after it’s release, 3 was signed to Metal Blade Records, and soon after they put out the album they wanted to in the first place, remastering Wake Pig, adding 2 songs and vocals on the song “Where’s Max?” (sung by Max Olsen).
Shouso Strip
Karuki Zaamen Kuri no Hana
Lycanthropy- Something you good Christian children may not want to hear, but this is DEFINETLY for the priests out there, with songs about such wholesome topics as castration and child molestation. The lyrics are surprisingly poetic for such topics. This album has been self-described (by the man, not the album) as a somewhat manic way for him to express everything that he had learned up to that point. Manic it is. The beats are pretty frantic, though catchy as all hell, and there's a bit of a signature shriek he makes that I find very lovable. This album is a raw and honest self-exploration characterized by heavy beats, folk-sounds, and occasional shrieking.
