Tomorrow’s Tragedy keeping metal in Maine

It’s been a while since we’ve checked in on the Maine metal scene here in Rockin’ Out. Status? Still alive and well, of course! As those wise sages Tenacious D once said, you can’t kill the metal. The metal will live on!

But let’s focus on one of those bands that make up the scene: Tomorrow’s Tragedy, a five-piece based out of the Milo area that is set to play with Downsoul, With No Remorse and Hellebore tonight at 103 Ultra Lounge in Orono.

Lead singer TJ Washburn has been a metalhead since before he had enough money to buy his first Megadeth album.

“Oh yeah, I used to skateboard and listen to Metallica and Slayer. I was like 9, 10 years old,” said Washburn, 28. “I was a metal hooligan in fourth grade. I wore a Metallica T-shirt and no one knew who they were.”

After years of informally playing in various metal bands, Washburn and guitarist Scott Stetson decided to get serious, and formed Tomorrow’s Tragedy in 2004.

The current lineup features Washburn, Stetson, guitarist Julio Sapere, drummer Gary Porter and the newest member, bass-playing phenom Roy Brenc, who at the tender age of 16 is already an integral part of the band.

“He came to try out for the band, and we said, ‘I don’t know, he’s awfully young,'” said Washburn. “But then he started playing and we were just blown away. It’s really brought our music to a whole new level.”

I won’t kid you. Tomorrow’s Tragedy is a straight up, no messing around, heavy-as-hell metal band. No theatrics, no bull, no gimmicks: just metal, with a high level of musicianship and dedication from five guys from rural Maine.

Washburn counts bands like Killswitch Engage and Metallica as obvious influences, but mentions local bands like Nobis in the same breath.

“All the people we see and play with have inspired us,” he said. “The metal and hardcore scene in Maine is so close-knit. I don’t think you get that in bigger areas, like Boston or New York. I have some lifelong friends that I’ve made from being in a band. I’m proud to be from Maine, and I think we can record and tour and travel and still call Maine home, and be a success.”

That dedication has garnered them a devoted fan base from all over the state, as well as some key gigs opening for bands like Chimaira and Mushroomhead. The band has played throughout the Northeast, but finds playing in small-town Maine to be the most rewarding gigs.

“One of the best shows we ever played was in Houlton,” said Washburn. “We had written a new song, and it was maybe the second or third time we’d ever played it. There were 200 kids there, and I started singing the song and everyone started singing back to me. That’s one of the coolest things ever. Our fans are amazing. It’s a big family atmosphere. There are some people that will travel 150 miles to come see us play.”

Tomorrow’s Tragedy’s first album, “Forging the Foundation,” came out in February 2006. Currently, the band is busy at work on a second album, which they are recording in their own studio.

“We record right at our practice pad, and we have the luxury of taking our time on it, but not spending a lot of money because we’re not paying for a studio,” said Washburn. “We spend an insane amount of time working on it. We can be really picky. When people hear it, it’s gonna turn heads, because I think it shows both where we’ve come from and how we’ve evolved.”

Tomorrow’s Tragedy will play tonight at 103 Ultra Lounge in Orono. Doors open at 8 p.m., admission is $8, and the show is open to all ages. For more information, visit www.myspace.com/tomorrowstragedymusic. Emily Burnham can be reached at eburnham@bangordailynews.net. Check out her blog, Rock Blogster, for Maine music, arts, nightlife, Internet fun and more at http://communityv1.bangornews.com/blog/30.