LIVE AND DANGEROUS: A Sky Like April

If you think screamo died with the “Macarena,” you’re probably right. If you think there aren’t a few bands that have the potential to bring it back, unlike the “Macarena,” then you’re probably wrong.  

A Sky Like April, forged from the fires of East County, San Diego, is one of them.  Created by frontman Bobby Knowles and drummer Parker McBeath in 2008 (yes, this year), the band has already skyrocketed to MySpace stardom, as well as gaining radio time on local station 91X.  

Songs such as, “100 White Ghosts” feature traditional screamo guitar riffs with catchy modulated vocals over “quazi-breakdowns.” Even though there are currently only three songs up on its MySpace page, the band is currently working on releasing an EP for a March release date of next year. Until then, it’s playing some venues around Southern California, such as its upcoming show at the Epicentre on Dec. 13 in Mira Mesa.  

With vocal mods comparable only to Cher and Hellogoodbye, ASLA adds a unique twist to a genre previously thought to be played out.

“The main inspiration for our music is the fact that other people will be listening to it,” Knowles said. “We try to write songs we like so that we would feel more confident putting them out for our fans to hear.”   

Apparently it’s working, because the band has already gained a larger following than most groups that have been around for years longer. If you’re still wondering what exactly makes ASLA so special, it isn’t just the vocals.
 “We have a heavier sound with a minimal amount of screaming. We try to really set ourselves apart from any other band out there,” assures Knowles to any critics still cynical about the screamo/rock thing.  

At only a tender age of one year, the band has already evolved considerably. With the addition of more members in the last 12 months, it has grown from a garage band started with some friends evolving into something a lot more serious.

“In the beginning, our style was a lot softer and pretty, but once the other members (guitarists Cody Mathewson, Robbie Young, and bassist Jovan Castillo) were added, it became a little heavier and more mature,” Knowles said.

Whichever direction this band decides to take next in the future, you can count on one thing to stay constant: the growth of its distinctive sound and persistent spirit to make it big.

For more information on ASLA visit its Web site, www.myspace.com/askylikeapril.

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