Audiobender

We're enjoying a resurgence of straight-up rock 'n' roll here in the South bay. Bands like The Livewires and Fritz Montana have filled a retro-rock need for the region, while acts like Shallow Vices and Dark Earth handle the more doom-oriented side of the grooves, but what about a more traditional funky, blues-based fare?

Enter San Jose based rockers, Audiobender, to fill the gap - producing an easily palatable, riff-oriented blues-based brand of alt-rock. Their inaugural release, "Reverb," pits singer/guitarist Jared Richard, bassist Paul Cingolani and drummer Jeff Lemas against a world of tepid alt-rock with a solution that draws a line in the sand between the mediocre and the great. One listen places Audiobender on the righteous side of the struggle.

Tapping the tradition rock vein of the love song, Audiobender's themes examine the gambit of loves elations, frustrations, hopes and failures. Musically, the band delves into blues-funk territory as much as power pop. The sweet and sultry ("On and On," "I Won't Write This Song") alongside the swank and dirty ("MFH," "The Rules"), drawing from bands like The Strokes, The Church, Eric Gales or even The Black Keys, at times. But Audiobender refuses to leave to leave the homebase of rock's legacy. The act seems to evolve before your very ears as the album's concluding tracks, the soulful "Say Goodnight" and the terminally swank "Let it Bleed," lay out a future roadmap for the three-piece.

And if you dig Audiobender, "Reverb" invites you to come along for the ride, pitching out increasingly addictive riffs, hard-hitting solos, and a guide to some of rock's greatest musical moments. - San Francisco Examiner

REVERB, the latest offering by Audiobender is the musical blood, sweat and tears of an actively performing group making their way to the main stage and to the ears of America.

Audiobender, an original Alternative Rock band from San Jose, California was formed in March 2012 by guitarist/singer-songwriter Jared Richard; he brought in longtime friends and former Soulorgy band mates Paul Cingolani and Jeff Lemas on bass and drums, respectively. Since its inception, Audiobender has been making its way to every stage that would have them and, in a work “Kicking Ass and Taking Names”.

According to their Facebook page, Audiobender is influenced by artists such as The White Stripes, Led Zeppelin, Cake, The Shins, The Black Keys, Modest Mouse, Franz Ferdinand, Jet, The Pixies, The Clash and The Police; however I also hear a bit of Everclear, Mudhoney and The Screaming Trees.

Audiobender has a bright and energetic sound and is in no way mediocre, having songs that run the gambit of styles and form a voice to be heard. Reverb is a definitive collection of high energy riffs and tight rhythm and percussion, every song from “Alright With Me” to “Say Goodnight” are pulsing with the good stuff. All songs were written by Jared Richard and arranged jointly with J.Lemas and P.Cingolani, making this a true group effort, and if you listen to the album, the work paid off! - Xombiewoof Magazine