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Music Connection Back To Top
By BOB LEGGETT - Music Connection Magazine - Club Review - 5/17/07
Knitting Factory, Hollywood CA - April 10, 2007Players:
Steve Carson, guitar, piano, vocals; Jameson Burt, lead guitar, backup vocals; Bruce Yolken, bass; Darren Carr, drums.Material:
Featuring Steve Carson's Bono-like voice, the music of SCB will draw favorable comparisons to U2 and the Police with its very commercial and radio-friendly rock anthems. "Kite" has the potential to become a hit song, and is obviously a crowd favorite.Musicianship:
Carson is equally adept on guitar and keys, and his voice never wavers, despite his onstage dancing. Equally impressive is Burt's lead guitar and mesmerizing harmonies, which perfectly mesh with the solid backline that Yolken and Carr provide on bass and drums. Yolken's bass is felt more than heard, while Carr's incredible drumming style is especially evident on "Kite."Performance:
Being the first act onstage can be a daunting challenge, but SCB pulled it off with grace and style. Their mission was obviously to play the most music in their allotted time, as they wasted little of it on audience interaction or song introductions. Instead, they let the music do the talking. Carson was very entertaining, moonwalking and strutting around the stage as he effortlessly moved from guitar to keys and back again. The band had excellent chemistry, especially Carson and Burt, who provided the audience with effective guitar rifts and amazing harmonies. The only thing missing was the back and forth sing-along interactions that are so common at live music events, although those in attendance hardly seemed to mind.Summary:
Although Carson and his band have the musical portion of the equation down pat, they need to work on audience interaction to bring in the crowd. The connection made between an artist and his fans adds to the live music experience, which in this case left the impact feeling a little flat.Orange Pop: Carson Band puts music first Back To Top
By ROBERT KINSLER
Special to the Register
The Steve Carson Band is the seemingly rare act that doesn't fill a CD with 60 or 70 minutes of music simply because it can. "Kindness" is a dazzling five-song follow-up to the band's 2004 release, "Settle Down." Once again, Carson and his group of strong players use formidable songwriting and impressive musicianship layered around Carson's distinctive vocals in the filler-free presentation of a fistful of original songs.
The results on "Kindness" are wonderful, with the uplifting "Careful What You Wish For" recalling the soaring rock of Coldplay and U2, while the more intimate sonicscape of "End of the World" has a territorial similarity to Embrace and Travis. The rocking "For Young Girls" recalls the artful approach used by Snow Patrol on "Final Straw." But the Steve Carson Band's sound is clearly its own.
"We worked with producer Anthony Arvizu (at Compound Studio in Long Beach), and whenever we get into the studio there are a lot of chefs in the kitchen putting together the CD and deciding on songs," said Carson, a longtime resident of Westminster.
"We're happy to say we're still making those decisions. With this band, it's all about the music. It's what we do," explained Carson, adding that the band has management, a publicist and legal representation to handle business affairs so the musicians can focus on music.
In addition to Carson, who is lead singer and plays guitar and keyboards, the band features guitarist-keyboardist Jameson Burt, drummer Darren Carr and bassist Bruce Yolken. The project has increasingly become a musical democracy, with the entire quartet involved in writing and arranging duties. All four members penned "Careful What You Wish For" and "Timeline."
When the Steve Carson Band entered the studio to record "Settle Down," the band was essentially only 4 months old because of the addition of Burt in November 2003. His ability to provide additional guitar and keyboards, as well as backing vocals, really marked the launch of the band's modern sound.
"It was a metamorphosis," Carson said of the group's growth from an acoustic trio in January 2003 to an electric band less than a year later. And 2005 was quite a year for the band, which not only completed work on "Kindness," but also performed 46 shows and was a featured artist on the Mark & Brian radio show in March, performing a number of cuts live on the KLOS/95.5 FM program.
One thing that isn't easy for Carson and company is defining the group's genre-defying sound. Alternative rock, folk rock and modern rock all work, but none really tells the full story.
"I think it shows in our fan base. I have folks who come to shows who are in their 40s, and kids online begging us to do an all-ages show," said Carson. He noted that the band truly has fans ranging from their mid-teens to fiftysomethings.
"This is honestly the best situation as a musician," Carson said, adding that the strong friendships in the band have made it easy to handle the twice-a-week rehearsals, 16-hour recording sessions and frequent late-night shows at venues ranging from San Diego to Universal City.
"To play shows together when you create something with the guy next to you, it means a lot. We play all over the place. I don't want to play the same club every week," Carson said.
First LA Weekend with Jana Back To Top
show review from LAist.com
A weekend of music and drinking is aces in my book. What better way to ring in my vacation in the city of angels than a three-day series of local bands and steady boozing?
Saturday night, the Lava Lounge featured Orange County rockers The Steve Carson Band. Im never one to pass up a solid rock act, and this one didnt disappoint. The easiest points of reference for SCB are U2 (before they sucked) and Keane (with guitars), but they have their own merits; a really tight drummer and truly enjoyable vocals from Mr. Carson himself make this band a great backdrop for chilling out in a small space with a beer and friends.
OC Metro - "Kindness" Review Back To Top
Category: Music
SOUNDBYTES - OC METRO
By JENNIFER CORDAY
Steve Carson Band
Kindness - 4 Stars
The Steve Carson Band is a local quartet with some great tunes and a live show that delivers. SCB's last EP got great reviews, but Kindness will leave you wanting even more. The opening track, Careful What You Wish For, is a well-crafted mid-tempo song that will grab you and grow on you. I can't help the U2 comparison, which comes from Carson's Bono-like vocals and layers of effected guitar sounds. The focus is on the vocals, the melodic guitar lines and interesting solos, while the rhythm section sits back, supporting the song like a nice easy armchair. Carson and guitarist Jameson Burt seem to share most of the songwriting responsibilities, while bassist Bruce Yolken and drummer Darren Carr keep the rhythm. The record features For Young Girls another winner, followed by Timeline, Kindness and End of The World. Catch the Steve Carson Band Friday, April 21, at the Inkslingers Ball (www.wwtattootour.com) at Angel Stadium, or check www.scbmusic.com for show dates.
East Coast Romper Back To Top
By BRODIE HOLMEN
STEVE CARSON BAND-KINDNESS EP
Sweet, romantic and sentimental are words not usually found on the pages of our site. However, The STEVE CARSON BAND oozes with music that would be described by such words on their five-song EP. The foundation of the music is rock based and infectious but the textural layering brings out the more prominent alternative acoustic sound. Serious crooning radiates throughout the record and his fellow musicians add a pleasant backdrop of beautiful soundscapes that are still relevant in today's finicky music industry while still seeking some influence from the late 80's push for alternative as found in a band like THE CHURCH. Slower paced as one would expect, the music didn't drone on or depend on any over indulgent, easy arrangements. Instead, the band developed and nurtured songs that were well rounded, encompassing a palpable, genuine eagerness to bond with the listener. This isn't the type of album that you can just listen to as background noise either. It will require your full attention even if it already hasn't infiltrated your brain. You're yearning for music with a meaning can and will be satisfied with this effort through the delicate yet mildly forceful ornate ness of its vibe.
OC Register - STEVE CARSON BAND SIZZLES Back To Top
By ROBERT KINSLER
Steve Carson Band, "Settle Down" (The Only Way Out Music) -The Westminster-based Steve Carson Band is that rare rock ensemble that sounds as powerful as it does accessible without compromising its craft.
From the anthemic force of "Obvious" and "Drawn on Faces" to the melodic "Kite," the quartet mines past and present while carving out a sound of its own, blending modern rock forcefully with shadowy ghosts recalling the magic of '80s outfits such as the Church and Wire Train.
Carson has a powerful and distinctive voice but wisely uses emotion instead of bombast to bring depth to the five songs showcased on "Settle Down." Jameson Burt (guitars, backing vocals), Bruce Yolken (bass) and Darren Carr (drums) all combine forces to layer Carson's compelling soundscape that is well worth repeated visits.
