Bangor rock outfit set for first album

The last time we checked in with Soundbender, it was summer of 2004, and a Rockin’ Out column featured the then-power trio in the process of recording its first EP.

Nearly two years later, much about the band has changed.

“We are not the same band anymore,” said John Gladu, drummer for the Bangor-based rock outfit, which has now been together for more than five years. “A lot of people remember us for our old stuff, but things are really different now.”

For starters, in early 2005 the band added bassist Jeremy Soderberg, six months after the original bassist left the band and guitarist Drew Gladu – brother to John – took over bass duties (he now once again plays guitar).

Soderberg, who runs the Bangor booking and promotions agency Bullitproof Productions (www.myspace.com/bullitproofrecordsme), had barely even picked up a bass before he joined the band.

“He just picked it up. He was a guitarist before, but he came into our group as a bass player,” said Gladu. “Plus it’s great to have an extra vocalist who can add a third vocal harmony, and can scream. He’s the only of us that can pull that off.”

And scream he does, in many of the new songs the band has written in the past few months. In fact, the new material that was debuted at the Battle of the Bands at Club Gemini in Bangor last week is a long way from Soundbender’s earlier stuff – not only because of Soderberg’s hardcore-influenced growls, but also for the newfound songwriting freedom the band has found.

“The new lineup has been a rebirth for the band. We’re able to do more now than we used to,” said guitarist and lead singer Jesse Thulin. “It’s more upbeat, more melodic. We’re worrying less about catering to any specific person, or how we fit in the scene. We don’t want to get stuck in one specific genre. I think people respect it more because it’s honest.”

Where Soundbender played tough, heavy rock in the vein of Tool or Godsmack before, the band now explores some different styles, while still staying anchored in the good ol’ fashioned heavy rock all four band members love. Reminiscent of some of the more cerebral, complex modern rock acts like the Deftones, Cave-In, The Mars Volta and, yes, Tool, the new songs are more mature and energetic, and are obviously the product of a group of musicians who are both confident and excited about the music they’re making.

The band is currently holed up their home studio and practice space, called “The Furnace” because it’s in the basement with – naturally – the furnace. They are in the process of recording a debut as-yet-untitled full-length album, and Thulin believes that with the new musical outlook comes a new urge to create and record – both new songs, and reworking some older ones.

“The whole idea behind this album is just to write a good rock record,” said Thulin. “We take elements from everything that we like, from Radiohead to Swedish death metal, and fill it all in together. We’re one of the only straight up rock bands I know that will throw in a hardcore breakdown.”

Soundbender will take the stage tonight, at the Underground in Bangor, along with fellow Maine rock act Radiation Year, who put the “southern” in southern Maine, where the band is based – vocalist Nick Chiasson, a Louisiana transplant, adds a spicy, bluesy flavor to the loud, volatile hardcore the rest of the band plays. An EP is on the way for later on in the year.

Soundbender and Radiation Year, along with Die Right Now, For All I’ve Lost and My Only Hope, will take the stage at 7 p.m. on Friday, June 2 at the Undeground, located on Outer Hammond Street near the Bangor/Hermon town line. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased at the door. For information, visit www.soundbenderwired.com.

Supporting acts

Local emo upstarts Burning Valhalla have put out a new EP, appropriately titled “Send In the Valkyries”, and they’re celebrating by throwing a party at the Underground in Bangor at 8 p.m. on Thursday, June 8, with Alleyway, Forever in Effigy and Farewell to Arms. For information, visit www.burningvalhalla.net.

The Joel Plaskett Emergency, known round these parts for their gigs opening for James McMurtry last fall, will perform at 7:30 p.m. tonight at the Grand Theatre in Ellsworth. Their new album, “La De Da,” features tight, upbeat power pop straight from their home province of Nova Scotia. Tickets are $15 and can be purchased online at www.grandonline.org.