Young Eight Four Five

By Ethan Barnett
Freeman Intern

Editor’s note: The Freeman asked readers in early June through Facebook, Twitter and blogs to pick the band they wanted to see featured. This is the result of that effort.

So after 504 votes, one interesting fan video, seven days of voting, and a battle of genres going on until the final hours, Our Only Reason — a Hardcore/metalcore band from Dutchess County — has come out on top in the Young Eight Four Five Ben Franklin contest with 232 votes over The Paper Planets 186 votes.

Our Only Reason is a band that started in May of 2009, but has had many member changes since then. But that is no issue. This six piece band is the one that has that sound you’ve been looking for — with frontman Russ McCabe on vocals bringing a optimistic sound to the band, followed by fast-paced guitarist Joshua Dean Muise, Richard Rende, finger-pounding bassist Kevin Boyette, Tim Farrar on keyboard and Andrew Kyle Bernard bringing it all together with excellent drum beats.

“All of the previous band members, didn’t really fit right,” said Bernard when asked about why the band has changed members so many times.

“They (the former members) wanted to be more metal. We had plans of becoming more hardcore and putting more breakdowns into are songs. They were more about guitar solos — really, the creative differences did it in the end,” said McCabe

Our Only Reason seems to find the right equilibrium and composition between Hardcore, rock and keys. Wether it is there cut-throat band practices or brotherly bond performances, they pull it all together. With those incredibly catchy choruses that are strengthened by heavy pumped bass lines and drum beats that make you continue to throw-down through the bands’ entire set.

Our Only Reason’s recent single, “Ron White,” is a perfect example of this, where the song’s powerful breakdowns and excellent lyrics (“I’ll wait for the dawn because it reminds me every time of her eyes/Until you realize this place is worth thriving for/until you realize this is far from over/You think you’ll make it out alive” ) has made it an instant crowd-pleaser.

“We have a really good stage performances compared to other bands, that’s what I feel like should be one of the top priority’s so I tend to focus on that,” said Joshua Dean Muise.

“When we write songs, there’s a lot of yelling, a lot of breaks, a lot of frustration. But somehow everything comes together,” said Joshua Dean Muise via e-mail when asked about the writing process.

For the men of Our Only Reason every show becomes a memorable show. From the shows at venues such as Andrew’s House to the shows at The Loft with Mice of Men and playing at Northern Lights, it is no surprise that Our Only Reason has a fan base that grows by the day and is on its way to booking a month long summer tour up and down the East Coast.

Bassist Kevin Boyette - the newest addition of Our Only Reason - said, “My favorite show with them was my first show with them, I only had one day of practice to learn the songs, and during the set we had other equipment failures, but kids still threw down and had fun. It was awesome.”

“I think we have gotten so much fan support because when we first started out I would always throw shows at my house. So many people would come because they were free and it was all of your favorite local bands. So just by word of mouth and the little family ... more people just keep finding out about our music,” said Bernard.

Said McCabe, “When I think hardcore, I think back in the 1980s when there was CBGB’s and everyone was going to shows, everyone was all friends and they would come out to every show because they were all in bands just trying to support each other. So when I moved down from Hudson, I wanted that close-nit hardcore scene, and the house show’s is what made it happen.

“There isn’t really one favorite band to play with because it doesn’t feel the same. So I’d rather name a few to play with at the same time: Naenia, Eurydice, TTF, As tides turn or Vela, Taxi to Alaska, interstate affair and The Last Of Our Kind!

“With any of those guys playing, it’s always fun. We come up with songs randomly. Someone will have an idea at 3 in the morning and we’ll text each other and get stuff flowing. These are my bro’s and I love them. Why would I want to leave that?” he added.

“For the tour, I’m just looking forward to spending time with the guys for a few weeks, really being able to make are bond stronger,” said McCabe.

The special bond forming at Our Only Reason - and the band’s heavy breakdowns - allows the band to always deliver enchanting live performances. Crowd participation is always high (and almost in terror) with each set. Their expressive live shows allow the band to show off their natural talents - including acrobatics.

Our Only Reason is indeed a crowd pleaser,

Visit http://www.myspace.com/ouronlyreasonofficial to listen to the band or send an e-mail to Ouronlyreason@aol.com for more information.

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