LOS ANGELES (Top40 Charts/ THE SILENTS Official Website) - By fusing dynamic elements of alternative, new-wave and grunge, THE SILENTS have surfaced with a fresh blend of high energy, visceral and intelligent rock. On
September 9, 2008, the
Chicago four-piece outfit will release their debut album SLEEPWALKER.
As an album two years in the making, SLEEPWALKER represents not only a distinct span of time, but also a vast array of personal and musical influence. Personal narratives lie in the subtext of lyrics that flow over stylistically transient music-pulling hints of gothy post-punk that meets melodically charged and grungy rock. Pop sensibilities keep each track engaging with sweet hooks and sensible harmonies, while chords tread minor and dark and return bright all over again. THE SILENTS will bring the live experience of the new album to hometown fans in Chicago on Friday, August 8 with an appearance at Metro.
The first single from SLEEPWALKER, "Dream On Empty," fills the void between new-wave and modern alternative, taking cues from the likes of both Joy Divison and The Killers. The song is streaming online now on Myspace at www.myspace.com/thesilents.
THE SILENTS-Paul Velten (Vocals, Guitar), Eric Cacia (Drums), Aaron Vaughn (Bass), and Jake Fish (Keyboard) - came together in the Chicago when Velten and Fish re-connected after first meeting in the suburbs and spending years of playing in separate projects in the region. From there, the pair added Cacia from Chicago-whom they mutually admired-while enlisting Vaughn during a brief visit from Detroit, to which he never returned. With a broad range of musical influences and backgrounds, the band's line-up was complete.
THE SILENTS began work on Sleepwalker in 2006 with Andy Gerber at Million Yen Studios in Chicago. "The album was recorded over the course of two crazy years in our lives," says Velten. "We didn't have any money, so we never knew when or if the album would be finished. One day, we woke up and it was there."
The resulting 11 tracks that form Sleepwalker have already received early acclaim, including the following critical quotes:
"While THE SILENTS display rattle-and-hum overtures akin to U2, Nirvana-esque solidly grungy guitar, and Cure-ish overtones, the quartet's keyboards give them a much more singular sound...THE SILENTS debut is not only one well worth waiting for, but also leaves one wanting more."-David C. Eldridge, ILLINOIS ENTERTAINER
"Sleepwalker features black-velvet post-goth guitar trills against a framework of post-punk and hard rock: think Sisters of Mercy at their most melodic with the crunchiness of 70s hard rock."-Monica Kendrick, CHICAGO READER
"A good nostalgic ride through eighties alt-rock, the band neatly avoids any real tag, as its songs are actually quite different from one another. At times straight-up rock n' roll, sometimes indie-rock and, in moments, Joy Division, THE SILENTS create a wide spectrum of appealing noise."-Tom Lynch, NEW CITY CHICAGO
"If THE SILENTS keep pushing, we may have the next break out band in Chicago...From the darkness of 'Pistol Shock' to the party punk pop of 'Saturday Nite Live,' they'll keep you in the musical loop, beer in hand, cheering even if you know not why."-Phil Circle, CHICAGO MUSIC GUIDE
The complete track listing for THE SILENTS' SLEEPWALKER is:
1. Eat Your Face
2. Saturday Nite Live
3. Easy Killer
4. Dream On Empty
5. Animals
6. Down In The Desert
7. Mexican Standoff
8. D.U.F.M
9. Sleepwalker (Holes In Space)
10. Thrill Ride
11. Pistol Shock USA
