When
you talk to the members of Alright, Junior, you realize that
with music, sometimes timing is everything. “You get the
feeling with this band”, says front man Jace Miller, “that
something special is happening.” Formed by members of
three former Philadelphia alternative rock acts, Alright, Junior
began in the summer of 2006 when drummer Mike Fraclose and guitarist
Steve DeMeo (formerly of The Rebel Saints) began writing and
rehearsing with Miller (formerly of Juliet). With the later
addition of bassist Greg Javonovich (formerly of Pennant Race)
and with new material already in tow, Alright Junior burst onto
the Philly scene playing shows in familiar venues to surprisingly
large crowds. Says DeMeo, “For a band that at the time
was only 2 months old, we couldn’t believe the response
from the first few shows.” Miller adds, “We realized
that our old fan bases from the other bands were coming out
as one in support of the new project.” For promoters,
writers, radio personalities and fans alike in the Philadelphia
area, it became obvious from the start that Alright, Junior
wasn’t truly a “new” act, but rather local
music vets who were hell bent on stirring up the local music
scene.
Shortly
after their inception, Alright, Junior caught the attention
of record executive/ producer Joe Mattis (The Who, The Kinks,
Iggy Pop) and his label Slugfest Records. When Mattis saw the
band open for national headliner Sponge, Mattis was impressed
by the raw talent, stage presence and young energy of the new
band. Work began on an LP engineered by Kevin Williams (Big
Hate, Bogmen) at Slugfest’s studio in Spring City, PA.
The first single “Up in Flames” quickly received
airplay on Philadelphia’s 93.3 WMMR and Delaware’s
93.7 WSTW. After signing to Slugfest, Alright, Junior is poised
to take their music to the next level with the release of their
first LP.
Alright,
Junior’s debut LP (Eudaemonic) features 10 songs (2007)
showcases the band’s unique alternative rock sound. The
album opens on a strong note with the blistering “Sinner
of the State” which is a perfect example of the Alright,
Junior sound; buzzing, frantic guitars and pounding drums with
melodic choruses reminiscent of The Foo Fighters and Smashing
Pumpkins that gives you that “stuck in you head feeling”.
The next track, “26 to Start” is a moody rocker
that features a vocal interplay between Miller and DeMeo in
the choruses that makes the band stand out in a crowd. The album's
first single “Up In Flames” shows you why Miller
is a vocalist most rock bands would dream of having. With its
soaring choruses and raspy vocals, the band delivers an urgent
feeling, yet focused track that has already found its way onto
the radio airwaves. Other notable tracks on the album include
“Feeding the Frenzy”, and “The Devil’s
Paycheck”, which showcase more of the band’s punk
songwriting style.
After
a whirlwind start, with their LP soon in hand and the support
of Slugfest Records, Alright, Junior feels they are poised for
bigger and better things. “The support of our fans has
taken us so far in such a short time” says Miller, “we
want to work as hard as we can to keep this thing going.”
After all, sometimes in music timing is everything.
