"Stoner rock" bands come and go. Most are searching for that "seventies" sound the likes of Cream, Free, Deep Pruple, and Black Sabbath. Few, if any, actually capture the real feel of these bands. The sound gets too metal or just ends up sounding like Eye Hate God (which is a totally different sound altogether). Very rarely do I hear that genre represented with the same riff quality and originality as the bands aforementioned. However, that all ended a couple of months ago when I was enjoying a cocktail at MacCormicks Irish Pub in Richmond,VA and I came across a band called STONE AXE. I was surprised right away at the sheer force of the guitar riffs and the honed talent of the lead singer in this band. I was immediately transported back to the days when music was more important than record sales and bands were signed because of their talent rather than their "sellability". STONE AXE brought the rock with a style and smoothness that sets you back on your heels and makes you think; " is there really a band like this out there?" The answer is yes! I have no idea who booked this band, although, I would guess it was Eric Larson (former drummer for Avail, guitar player for Alabama Thunder Pussy). STONE AXE hails from Port Orchard,WA, invariably breaking the mold of the usual style we expect to hear from this region ( not that it really exemplifies the true sound in that area). STONE AXE gives you a little of everything from melodic riffs indicative of Deep Purple and Sabbath to silky smooth stuff more in the vein of Bad Company and Thin Lizzy. The vocals are powerful and seasoned. You wont hear any rookie stuff here vocalist DRU BRINKERHOFF is no slouch, his vocals have their own flashes of brilliance with a hint of Paul Rodgers thrown in for good measure. The riffs are equally powerful. TONY REED's guitar riffs are well thought out and flow like water from verse, to chorus, to bridge, to breakdown, to lead. The songwriting is the key. There are few falters in the arrangement. This stuff keeps your interest from beginning to end especially the more power oriented songs like "Riders of the night". But dont expect it all to sound this way. STONE AXE ventures into an ocassional string oriented jam that harkens back to "Black Water" by The Doobie Brothers. This show of versatility makes STONE AXE credible on so many different levels... This is a great band and if you havent heard them you should check it out. http://www.myspace.com/stoneaxe
