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OurAfter

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"Band of the Month-OurAfter"

It’s been two years since Scranton’s OurAfter released its first recording, "Perfect Day."

The result was a light, cerebral album, different from the hard rock, heavy metal music that NEPA is more well known for producing.

But the band has changed. It has two new members and, from what front man John Phillips said, has now found its niche.

"It’s going to be an OurAfter that your not going to be used to," he said, describing the anticipated sound as darker, more aggressive.

That’ll manifest itself in "Tabula Rasa," expected to be released this fall. As the EP’s title suggests, the band is working with a clean slate.

OurAfter, Shinbone’s Band of the Month.

Along with Phillips, who sings, plays rhythm guitar and keyboard, OurAfter consists of Jason Macheska, bass; Mike Dudley, lead and rhythm guitar, Chapman Stick; Steve Husted, lead and rhythm guitar, vocals, and Eli Hludzik, drums and percussion.

The current lineup has been together since the fall of 2007.

Husted joined the group in October 2007, and the addition altered the songwriting process. In the past, Phillips had taken on the brunt of the songwriting responsibility. Now, Phillips said, it’s the first time they’re writing together as one unit.

"John has a very singer-songwriter style that I lack; however, I bring a very forward, edgy approach to writing. ... Adding my style to the mix has given OurAfter’s music much more of a bite," Husted wrote in an e-mail.

He talked about another change in the writing process, in that all five of the guys share input on each other’s parts. If a guitar line isn’t quite right, Hludzik will let him know. In another instance, Macheska wasn’t happy with a few lyrics to a song. They worked it out and reached a compromise.

"We generate new ideas and direction for each song when we are together and, hopefully, the music will show our combined effort. I hope that with my new input we can release an album this year that is more raw than ‘Perfect Day,’ but still keeps the integrity of our polished wall of sound," Husted wrote.

Phillips said he’s heard comparisons of their new sound to vintage 311 and Incubus. Hludzik had a similar theory. "It’s just some good rock music just like the Smashing Pumpkins meets The Killers meets Incubus," he wrote in an e-mail.

When creating that sound, there are times when OurAfter must deal with a major logistical issue. Hludzik lives in California, while the rest live in Pennsylvania. That means some creative scheduling and a heavy reliance on computer technology.

"I am actually as I write this e-mail listening to a drum track that I did yesterday in L.A., and I am going to match them up with a track that John and the boys sent me (recorded in Pennsylvania) and send them drum tracks married with guitars and such so we can start building these tunes and be productive even though there is a large physical gap between us," Hludzik wrote.

It’s not yet set when "Tabula Rasa" will be recorded, but Husted said Eli Hludzik will track his parts in California while the rest do it somewhere on the East Coast. Four of the songs, as Husted indicated, are in the bag. The band needs to rewrite, organize and compose about six more songs, he added.

Phillips is a full-time working musician. He plays acoustic and duos, and still plays keyboard for UUU. The work is ample, he said, not just with the creative side of playing music, but with dealing with merchandise, running bus trips and promotions and drawing an audience to a show. Having gigged with bands like Red and Fly Leaf, they’ve had to hustle to sell tickets to be asked back on such a bill. And it’s worked. OurAfter will again play with Red on Saturday, May 10, at Crocodile Rock, 520 W. Hamilton St., Allentown.

His experiences have created in him a keen sense of marketing

Asked his thoughts on taking a different turn musically and how their fans may react, Phillips said, as a fan of music himself, he appreciates evolution when it’s done right. "I think it’s more exciting than anything," he said. "I can respect somebody like Madonna who in her career has done so many different things."

Hludzik admitted it’ll be a bit nerve wracking when the time comes to release "Tabula Rasa," in that any artist should feel butterflies when debuting something they care about — be it music, a sculpture or photographs.

"You spend countless hours writing and re-writing, making sure every little bit is ‘right’ ... and you just want people to connect to it in someway and for it to move them, whether that movement is cerebral/intellectual or something that resonates all the way to the very core of a person," Hludzik wrote.

"And at the end of that day if I have made someone laugh or cry or made them think or made them call their mom or whatever it makes Me feel like I did something worthwhile with my music."

Phillips was asked just how OurAfter fits into the greater Scranton music scene.

"A lot of metal and hard rock is brought to the forefront in this area — Spitcan, Panacea, Ashfall," Phillips said about a brand of music he’s really taken a liking to, despite its inherent difference from his own original work. "You always see those bands brought to the forefront, but there’s a whole other vibe up here that not a lot of people are tapped into.

"It’s not necessarily about fitting in. It’s just about being in an eclectic community.

"I love my local original music scene. I love it more than listening to the radio, by all means." - Eric Scicchitano of Shinbone Magazine (May 2008)


"A Clean Slate"

With the music industry in mass confusion - how the hell is it going to keep things together - our local scene is noticeably stronger than ever. Local original bands are continuing to strive forward, especially with releases expected in 2008 from the likes of Panacea, Lemongelli and Graces Downfall, among others. Another band that will have a new album this year is Our After. Led by John "Guido" Phillips, the band is set to release its new EP entitled Tabula Rasa, a name taken from an episode of Lost, meaning "Clean Slate."

"The new record is a bit more aggressive, more rock based," Phillips said. "I mean it still has that alternative vibe to it, and we're still going to experiment with effects and stuff on top of what we're doing, but it's more raw, more evolved in a way, just taking a completely different approach."

On its last release, Karma, Our After captivated its fans with its moody, romantic, highly polished tunes. For Tabula Rasa, Phillips (vocals, rhythm guitar, keys), Jason Macheska (bass guitar), Michael Dudley (rhythm guitar), Steve Husted (rhythm guitar, vocals) and Eli Hludzik (drums, percussion) had many different elements that led to the changing of the musical equation which made Karma so successful. The band added two new members (Husted and Macheska) within the last year and the primary writing credits that Phillips once held are now distributed throughout the entire band with most of the weight on Phillips and Husted, who is splitting his duties between his solo work and with lessen one.

"There's a lot that's going to be touched on this album," Phillips said. "Politics, my damaged relationships, if you will, drug addiction, religious views, and philosophical things, as well."

Our After is one of the few bands in the area that consistently opens for national acts who roll into town. To date, the band has opened for Yellowcard, Flyleaf, 10 Years, Boy Hits Car, and Red, which Our After will open for again on May 10 at Crocodile Rock Cafe in Allentown.

"We've been lining up a lot of good stuff with Stan Levinstone with the concerts - he keeps us working and we keep bringing him fans so it's a nice business relationship there," Phillips said. "If he ever needs support for an act when it comes around he always does call us, which I'm very happy about that we've established that bridge."

Phillips still occasionally performs with his former band (UUU), along with solo acoustic shows and gigs with his good friend and local drummer Bryan Banks.

"I hear people who constantly put down our scene that are from our scene, but I ... love our scene. There are bands out the wahzoo in our scene that would blow some of the bands I have seen in my travels across the country out of the water and it's not just the rock bands. It's the indie bands and the jam bands too," he said.

Along with recording the new Our After record, Phillips, with the help of Banks, will be organizing the Steamtown Original Music Showcase, which has grown in size from last year's event. This year there will be nine venues over two days, Aug. 30 and 31, clinics in the Hilton, and over 100 regional and local acts.

"All I wish for is one thing and that's happiness and maybe a vacation," Phillips said, laughing. "I don't really wish for things because I'm the kind of guy that if I don't expect anything, then I'm never disappointed. But the one thing I do hope for is that the future takes some positive directions and that we (Our After) don't cause any bad waves whatsoever." - OurAfter switches gears for its upcoming release by Dustin Drevitch EC/DC Weekend


"OurAfter: Plenty of Passion"

No sense in beating around the bush this week: "Perfect Day", the debut CD from the new band OurAfter, is clearly one of the best regionally-released CDs this year.

In fact, it's one of the best CDs I've heard in a long time, anywhere.

The highly melodic album is crafty and smart. The arrangements are clever, the lyrics and vocals are passionate, the musicianship is top notch and the production is excellent. And make no mistake: this is not your average, overly-formulated, soup-of-the-day modern-rock stuff. Its influences seem to run much deeper, and its songs have more to say. It is an album that, lyrically, isn't afraid to be romantic and vulnerable, yet also sometimes comes with a touch of bravado.

More than anything, it offers true and honest songwriting.

We wanted people to relate to this record - to get a little more in depth, a little more moody, a little more emotional, says vocalist, guitarist and keyboardist John Phillips. We just wanted to make sure we put out a product that was going to be different than what is being put out in this area. Something that we felt was polished, and grasped the band as well as possible.

OurAfter, whose members have played with acts such as UUU, The Collective and Dakota, also features Zhenon Zaia on bass, vocals and synths; Mike Dudley on lead and rhythm guitars, "C.J." Clyde Rosencrance on rhythm guitars and vocals and Eli Hludzik on drums and percussion. Surprisingly, the group was formed in 2003, long before some of its members had left their previous bands.

I was more or less doing it for personal, artistic creativity, says Phillips, who adds that while he loved his time with UUU, he always had a strong desire to release a product of original material.

After a while, after constantly being in the studio, and with all of us working together, and with certain elements coming together they way they did, it wound up really being a band. Right when UUU ended, it was more or less a blessing is disguise, because I wanted to launch this. The band really wanted to start performing.

Phillips says work on the CD also began in 2003. Sessions, including recording and mixing, were held at Sound Investments studio in Scranton. Additional production and mixing was done in Los Angeles. Highlights of the 10-track album include "Karma", "Candles", "Rain", "Confessions", and the soaring "Circles". Some have compared the music to that of Coldplay, The Cure, Smashing Pumpkins and The Killers.

Phillips, who serves as the band's primary lyricist, says the group's music is a collective effort that leans more towards the pop-rock-alterative flavor. Unlike some modern-rock acts, he says the band is quite comfortable spicing its songs with the use of keyboards to add texture and mood. Lyrically, the songs encompass regional themes, political themes, romantic themes and even themes of faith and spirituality.

The group's CD release party, set for this Sunday at Tink's in Scranton, has been a well-planned event several months in the making, and Phillips says Our After and the other four acts on the bill are stoked and ready to roll.

The biggest thing that I want people to get from that night is to walk away and say "That show on May 28 was a great time", he says. It's an original night and an event that hopefully generates a little more buzz on the scene up here.

And what does he hope listeners will get out of "Perfect Day"? How does he hope people will connect with the music?

There's a lot of things that play into it", he says. "Honestly, the fans are going to have to look into it just as hard on their own. With some of the lyrics in some of the songs, it"s about getting to understand their own personal surroundings. I'll be happy if, out of all of this, just one person would sit down and understand the lyrics, or would even sing along with the songs. If they would like it that much, then my job is done."

Mission accomplished, Mr. Phillips.

"Perfect Day" is an excellent CD, and it seems you've got yourself one hell of a band. - By Alan K. Stout of The Weekender


"OurAfter Wipes Slate Clean with New EP"

If you've ever worked with or been friends with someone who could be labeled a perfectionist, you have a pretty good idea of just how meticulous that person can be and, at times, just how bad that trait can be.

For musicians, there's a need to guard against wanting to make the perfect song every time they sit down to write a lyric, compose music or step into the studio. Polish a song over and over by tweaking a guitar riff here, adjusting a drum beat there, and eventually the song becomes something entirely different than what it was intended to be. Keen listeners and diehard fans can tell when a band falls into this trap.

For Scranton-based rockers OurAfter, that was the pitfall that kept their 2006 release, Perfect Day, from being a top-notch album. That's not to say the album was bad - "Candles" is one of the best rock ballads to come out of the 570 - but Perfect Day seemed, well, over-perfected.

So much so, even, that the band's frontman, John "Guido" Phillips, recognized that very problem.

"The last time we did an album, it actually took a year and a half, and we were, in my opinion, over-meticulous," he said. "This time we went more raw and the way our band sounds, more or less, live."

The result is Tabula Rasa, which OurAfter will release on Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. with a joint release party with The Drama Club at The Colosseum in Scranton. Hierosonic, AJAR, and BOB will open the show.

Tabula Rasa means "blank slate" in Latin, which the band felt was fitting for the new album. With a change in lineup thanks to the addition of Steve Husted on lead and rhythm guitar and vocals - joining Phillips (rhythm guitar, keys, lead vocals) Eli Hludzik (drums, percussion), Mike Dudley (lead and rhythm guitar) and Aaron Bruch (bass) - OurAfter's sound now features a harder rock edge, compared to the romantic feel from Perfect Day.

"With Steve coming into the band, he had a different kind of edge," Phillips said. "Obviously, it's a little more aggressive and even my approach this time was a little more aggressive, more rock tones. There was a little more angst behind this music."

Husted sees the difference in OurAfter's sound, even though he wasn't with the band - he was a member of Lesson One - when Perfect Day was recorded.

"I think as polished as OurAfter was before and as produced and over-produced and as saturated as it was before, it's a little bit like we took more time and decided wisely to get more of an aggressive, organic feel," Husted said. "You actually feel these songs a little bit more, at least I think. They seem to be not so over-produced, not so over-processed, a little bit more raw."

There's that word again, "raw," and it's easy to see why it's a good description for Tabula Rasa. The second song on the EP, "Seasons of Grey," demonstrates that change in style with a rougher edge and faster pace than we saw on Perfect Day. And the name of the song itself points to the darker tones in Phillips' lyrics.

"There were definitely a couple of motivations behind it - former relationships of mine. I guess romantic chaos is the best way to put it," Phillips said of the motivation behind the lyrics.

That doesn't mean that it's all gloom and doom, though. The fifth and final song on the EP, "Echo," has a romantic, mesmerizing feel, similar to some of the tracks from Perfect Day. But when you get to the three-minute mark, edgier guitars take over, yet don't overpower Phillips on the keys, which helps carry the enchanting vibe throughout the song.

The album was written mainly by Phillips and Husted, with help from the band's other members. With the band members living in different areas, including Hludzik spending part of the summer in Los Angeles, it was tough to get all four together to compose the album. That led to a bit of a unique process - sending music back and forth with each band member adding their part on their own. The band later came together in the studio to start work on recording the album.

"We had to do everything like ... record it and send it out, listen to it, make adjustments, call on it, then I'll record stuff on top of that and send it back," Husted said of the pre-recording process. "We basically built songs not really together that much, but we write together as a band, as a one-piece group.

"One song that didn't make the album, it's called "The Broken Compass," I wrote this guitar line that was so me, inside and out, it's like my groove. I gave it to John and I was like a kid waiting for Christmas morning to roll around to see what I was going to get back. It's like letting someone else paint into your paintings. ... This is my music, but it's our music."

The final result was a five-track EP, which seems almost like a tease. But, Phillips said it wouldn't be a surprise if local music fans were treated to more new music from OurAfter - who opened for Panic at the Disco, Plain White T's and The Cab on Oct. 30 at the Scranton Cultural Center - in the near future.

"We recorded definitely more than five; I won't say how many," he said. "And there are other ones on the back burner that we're just kind of holding onto right now. Honestly, don't be surprised if you see something else new from us within a year."

OurAfter will hold an all-ages CD release party along with The Drama Club, which will be releasing its self-titled album, on Tuesday, Nov. 11 at The Colosseum at 120 Adams Ave. in Scranton. Hierosonic, AJAR and BOB will open the show beginning at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased at www.myspace.com/ourafter, www.myspace.com/thedramaclub or at Gallery of Sound locations in Dickson City, Kingston and Wilkes-Barre - By Randy Shemanski of EC/DC


"OurAfter (NEPA Featured Band)"

One of the many interesting facts about OurAfter — beside the fact that the music is fronted by a trio of guitars — is the fact that drummer Eli Hludzik is flown in to perform live shows.

Hludzik is based out of Los Angeles and is no stranger to the music industry. His father, Jerry Hludzik, has been a professional musician most of his life and has included his son Eli on one of his projects, the CBS/Columbia Records artists Dakota. Eli has done some recording with Dakota and even managed to go to Japan, among other places, to tour. Eli keeps himself involved in as many culturally diverse music projects as he can.

OurAfter’s front man, guitarist, keyboardist and founder, John Phillips, is no stranger to the PA music scene. He has been playing out since he was 18 years old and has been involved with many projects. Many may have seen him previously playing keyboards for the band UUU.

Phillips’ roommate, Mike Dudley, plays lead and rhythm guitar for OurAfter. Dudley has had a big hand in creating process and has helped Phillips in many aspects. Sharing the guitar and some vocal responsibilities is the member known as Clyde. Clyde Rosencrance was actually an engineer working with the band when they were recording “Perfect Day.” His input had impressed the guys so much that Phillips asked him to join.

The bassist, Jason Macheska, has only been with the group since March. Apparently, Macheska was the right person for the spot after former bassist, Zhenon Zaia left.

“When our first bass player left, we were a little torn because he did have an influence on the album and everything. But, the new one we picked up, he’s extremely charismatic and musically talented.” Phillips explained.

Continuing, Phillips also exclaimed, “I wouldn’t trade any of my musicians for anyone else on the face of the earth!”

Out and about for a little over a year, OurAfter has taken great strides in its direction and its members are planning to take the ride as far as it takes them. They have been featured in numerous music publications, both in PA and abroad. The music is featured on many different Internet radio stations based all across the US and overseas. Just recently, the crew signed a three-month promotional deal with Organic Entertainment out of Brooklyn, N.Y., to have their CD, “Perfect Day,” entered into the College Music Journal.

The not-so-frequently witnessed triple guitar effect of OurAfter combined with a lot of talent, target marketing, advertising and risky timing has proven to be a strong plus in the band’s success thus far. The release of “Perfect Day” was timed to come out the same day as OurAfter’s first live performance at Tink’s Entertainment Complex, on Memorial Day Sunday.

Phillips explained, “There’s the art side and the business side. We’re a band. And, when we are on stage, or when we are off stage doing studio or other band work, we’re like a bunch of brothers. We’re like a family.”

Phillips also accounted the band’s success to a changing demand and market focus. He believes that the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre area is enjoying a renaissance of original music and that the scene is beginning to really grab a hold of original artists.

“The thing about getting a scene happening is getting everyone on the same page and onboard.” Phillips added.

Phillips attributed the changing times to a number of things: talented bands, radio figures, newspapers and a couple dedicated promoters.

Convincingly, Phillips amplified, “Out of all the scenes, Scranton/Wilkes-Barre could be the next Seattle. It’s not like I am trying to blow smoke up anybody’s ass. There are so many good bands up here anymore doing original music. It’s not just rock acts, its alternative, metal, mainstream, indie. It’s nuts!”

It could be what led Phillips to organizing the Steamtown Music Showcase last year, which featured 14 area bands. It could be what also has driven Phillips to organize the second showcase to be held on Sept. 2 that will feature many more bands, including OurAfter, over a weekend stretch at three different venues.

But on the horizon for OurAfter is a lot of traveling during the summer. They have also been writing new material and are currently debating the decision to either release a seven-song EP or another full-length album by the middle of next year. - Shinbone Magazine (Written by Scott Griffiths)


"OurAfter set to fill Metro with ambient, airy rock"

On Saturday, Scranton, Pa.-based band OurAfter will headline a concert at The Metro in Melbourne.

The group has performed with noted bands such as Everclear, Cage 9 and Smile Empty. You can find a sampling of OurAfter's ambient, airy rock at www.myspace.com/ourafter.

Though less than uplifting, OurAfter's "Candles," is one of the most eloquent and emotional songs you've heard by an independent band this year. Frontman John Phillips paints a passionate portrait of love and despair with simple, yet poetic lyrics accentuated with visceral vocals.

Bringing a needed reprieve from the sonic doldrums, "Karma" offers a chorus that swings into an energetic cruise-control cadence. Again, Phillips proves his vocal prowess, hitting pinpoint high notes. As a side note, "Karma" is featured in the film "Striking Range," which stars Lou Diamond Phillips.

"Shallow" is in a vein similar to "Candles." Meanwhile, "Circles" is somewhat reminiscent of Savage Garden's sound, but with a good deal more rock 'n' roll edge.

Though the other three songs on the site aren't quite at the same level, it's hard to complain given "Candles" unique excellence.

- Jeff Nall of Florida Today


"Have you seen this guitar?"

It would have been hard to knock John Phillips off his high on Labor Day weekend.



He had just pulled off what was thought to be impossible, producing and promoting an original music festival in Scranton that drew almost 2,000 people to three different downtown bars and featured almost 20 bands (including a Poconos favorite, Tom Graham).



Then, some rapscallion managed to do it.

After his band — OurAfter, which will be performing at the Sherman Theater on Sept. 21 — finished playing at Tink’s in the shadow of the city’s famous La Festa Italiana, he got hit with some bad news.

Some really, really bad news. Two of his guitars were stolen.

“The one was a cheapy acoustic thing, so it didn’t bother me much,” he said. “But the other one was a Fendercaster I had for a long time. That one hurt. Not even the money, but the sentimental value.”

Well, you live, you learn. And even though it took him off his high, it doesn’t mean he’s staying down.

No, there’s too much on the horizon for OurAfter to be down. In addition to the show at the Sherman — where they’ll be playing with CherryFix and Cloverleaf — the band is opening for national acts Yellowcard (Sunday at Croc Rock in Allentown) and Flyleaf (Sept. 18 at Tinks).

That makes for one busy week.

“We’re going to take this as far as it goes,” Phillips, the lead singer and guitarist of the Scranton-based, alt-rocking band said. “We’ve only been on the scene for about a year, and to get to open for those bands in just a year, I think we’re a little ahead of the game.”

Still, selling original music on the local scene is darn near impossible. Phillips learned that playing for regional favorites UUU, one of the biggest party bands of the 90s in northeast Pennsylvania -- and former regulars at The Hoop.

The cover band was either loved or hated for their disco remakes, but Phillips said one thing that came out of it was gaining the contacts he has now that helps him promote his own band.

“(OurAfter) gets to play places most original bands don’t seem to get to because I have those contacts,” Phillips said. “So it wasn't a horrible thing, playing in UUU.”

It also doesn’t hurt that Phillips and the other band member are willing to put themselves into the public to get the word out about their band (Phillips contacted the Pocono Record in hopes of some publicity).

“It’s something you have to do,” he said. “This is a business. You can have great marketing, you can have great music, you can have great advertising, but nothing beats some old-fashioned word of mouth.”

They’ll try to generate some in the Poconos on Sept. 21. For more info on the band, check out its MySpace page.

- The Roadie @ The Pocono Record


"New Music Now Spotlight: Juniors Cave Online Magazine"

Rock music lovers need not worried about the Rock genre. It is alive and kicking ass through the musical talents of OurAfter. This band has what it takes to make it big, and it shows with the release of their single, "Karma". The amazing part about this single is that it has been specially selected for the soundtrack of the independent film, Bloodlines, coming out to theatres this summer.

It doesn’t matter if you live in New York, Philadelphia, Washington D.C, Florida Chicago, or any other city in the USA; OurAfter will rock your world. Check out this recent spotlight that Junior’s Cave had the pleasure to do with the band.

Isaac-Joseph: Hello, it is a pleasure to meet you guys. I wanted to first start off by asking you to give us a little background on the band and its beginning.

OurAfter: The band began back in 2004 if I remember correctly. Dudley and I were roommates at the time and I had just got into writing music. At the time, I was a musician for hire dealing with corporate, wedding, and club functions. It was great money, but it was honestly a little unfulfilling. I started showing him some of the songs that I was writing and he and I started to work on them together. A friend of mine that worked at a music store got involved with bass and an old friend of high school (Eli) was living out in L.A. when we gave him a buzz to lay down some tracks. Ironically enough, he became a member of the band. We quickly rose to be a major force in the N.E.P.A. region for original bands and we have been climbing ever since. We have also gone through a couple of member changes in the last two years, but it has always worked out for the better. Our last release was back in 2006. We still promote that album, but we need something new and fresh for the scene. Sometime in mid 2008 we should have a new one under our belt.

Isaac-Joseph: One of the reasons I feel your music is so appealing is that you guys really know how to rock. What are some of your inspirations for doing music?

OurAfter: One of our biggest inspirations is just the power of influence on another person. When you write a song and it holds meaning to someone else, that is the biggest reward a musician can ask for. When I was a kid and listened to some of my favorite bands (Alice in Chains, Tori Amos, The Cure, Smashing Pumpkins), those songs held meaning to me. Call it fate, but I felt that it was our turn to give that to someone else. Don't get me wrong, sales are great too, but they aren't always everything!

Isaac-Joseph: If you had the opportunity to collaborate with one group and one artist, who would it be and why?

OurAfter: This is a very tough question. There are so many great artists in the world, especially the ones that are undiscovered. If I had to pick just one, I would have to pick Tori Amos. While she is not in the vein of our what our music is, her depth and emotion is immeasurable. She remains one of the mysterious artists I listen to today.

Isaac-Joseph: Let’s talk about the single “Karma”. How do you feel about having this featured as a soundtrack for the movie Bloodlines? How did you prepare to make this song for the movie?

OurAfter: Ahh the gift of MySpace. The most hysterical thing is that the movie wanted the song, before we even released the CD! We had been on MySpace for about a month when all of a sudden this movie company got ahold of us. They were interested in using one of our songs for the movie. We met with them in NYC for a big Video Game competition that they were a part of and we rubbed elbows for the most part that day. A couple of weeks later, we finalized the deal and that was it. Let it never be said that Internet isn't a powerful tool.

Isaac-Joseph: Give us some insight on a day in the studio for OurAfter:

OurAfter: It depends on which day you catch us on! HAHA. It has been a little while since we have been in the studio, but we are prepping now for everything that will be thrown at us again. The best thing that I can say is that it is professional and emotional all in one.

Isaac-Joseph: What do you feel has been the biggest rewarding aspect about your career professionally and why?

OurAfter: Traveling is my favorite thing to do in the world. I love going to meet new people and see new places. This is the greatest reward when dealing with a job. I can never sit in an office day in and day out. There is a big world out there with so much art and culture. It is best to soak it all up!

Isaac-Joseph: When you are performing on stage, describe your feelings while you are on stage:

OurAfter: Our music is serious and moody, but we are all very happy and energetic to in front of people. I know how I feel at least when we are on stage; however, I would like to know what other people think or feel when we are performing.

Isaac-Joseph: What are you hoping to achieve with your music in 2008 that you have not done previously?

OurAfter: Our music style is a little different now. It has gotten a little darker and more aggressive to say the least. However aggressive does not mean heavier or more distorted; it simply means less uplifting. This album will be much different than the first one we released.

Isaac-Joseph: It takes a lot to work in a band especially when working with people who have different tastes in music. What have been some of the most challenging aspect about being a member of OurAfter? And how do you overcome differences between the members?

OurAfter: Being in a band is like being married to 4 other people at once. It all relies on two things, honestly and communication. These are pretty much like oil and gas to an automobile. Without either, it just won't run. With all of our influences and tastes, we all realize that the product that we are going to put out has to be digestible to the listener and also a good blend of the things that make us who we are artistically. I am happy to say that we always seem to get right on that page.

Isaac-Joseph: It is our Shout out time: Give props to anyone and everyone that matters:

OurAfter: I would like actually to give props to bands in our local scene. If anyone reads this, check out these great bands:

Panacea (Bloomsburg, PA)
The Drama Club (Wilkes-Barre, PA)
Ajar (Bethlehem, PA)
Ashfall (Scranton, PA)
Nowhere Slow (Scranton, PA)
The Swims (Scranton, PA)

Isaac-Joseph: Shameless Plugs and Final Thoughts from OurAfter:

OurAfter: Check us out at www.myspace.com/ourafter and watch for our new album coming out in 2008. Everything is available for purchase at CDBABY.com and iTunes.
- Isaac Joseph Davis Junior


"Melodic.Net-CD Review"

Myspace is a great place to find new good bands and here we have one that I found called Ourafter. What made me interested was that Dakota's Jerry G. Hludzik's son and drummer Eli Hludzik plays in this band. So a couple of days ago I got their CD in my hands and it was with big interest I put it in my cd-player.
The first song I heard was Karma and what a f…ing brilliant power pop/melodic rock song this is. Yes, I was just amazed how damn good this sounded and I was hooked. It sounds like a tougher Maroon 5 meets Savage Garden with tons of melodies and the chorus is just awesome with cool hooks and listen to the singer John Phillips that sings with such attitude mixed with both power and feeling. Yes, he is a great new discovery and you got to hear him sing before you get the point.

What an opening and the next one War is not far behind and is another winner for fans of power pop with slightly touches of modern rock. After that strong opening the following songs don't hold the same quality but it's not bad stuff. Rain is also a treat to listen to with layers of melodies that is fulfilled by the great vocals from Mr. Phillips. Confessions is pure power pop with a wonderful melodic chorus. The instrumental Whispers could have been left out of the album. The end the album with Savage Garden sounding Circles with up-tempo chorus. This is a very good album that can't be missed by fans of Maroon 5 and Savage Garden.
The song Karma is almost worth the whole album because it's a freaking song that will be played many times in my house these coming weeks. Check out them at www.myspace.com/ourafter and discover this great band. - Juha Harjula-Sweeden


Discography

Albums: Perfect Day (2006), Tabula Rasa (2008).

Single Releases include The Broken Compass (2009) and Far From Gone (2009)

Singles played on Internet Radio stations:
Karma, Shallow, This Town, Rain, Candles, Circles, Push the Pill

Radio stations that OurAfter's music has been or is played in rotation include 97.9X (Scranton/Wilkes-Barre), 98.5 KRZ (Scranton/Wilkes-Barre), 102.3 The Mountain (Scranton/Wilkes-Barre), 105.7 The X (Harrisburg), 95.1 WZZO (Allentown), 93.3 (WMMR) and 98 Rock (Baltimore, MD).

OurAfter's "Perfect Day" disc was added to over 100 college stations across the U.S and is currently in rotation. Promotion was handled by Organic Radio Promotion. Tracks selected from the CD were:

Karma
War
Candles
This Town
Perfect Day
Whispers

Photos

Bio

With a menagerie of acknowledgements from the likes of Weekender Magazine, Electric City/Diamond City Magazine, The Fly, The Scranton Times, Shinbone, LPMVoice, GarageBand.com, and XND Radio, OurAfter has stolen the hearts of moody rock lovers from Tampa to Chicago. Their single, "Karma" was hand-picked for the soundtrack of the independent film, Bloodlines, released int he summer of 2006 through THINKFilm, and now the buzz has built to the point that they find themselves bringing a new album to their loyal fans in the fall of 2008 titled "Tabula Rasa". The addition of "Breaking Benjamin" drummer Chad Szeliga in April of 2009 has only fueled the buzz about OurAfter which has been growing throughout the Northeast Seaboard.

OurAfter not only have their fingers on the pulse of what their fans desire, but also on the pulse of modern rock and where it’s going. This quintet from Pennsylvania feels they know where the trends of music are heading and have created an album that reflects their sensibilities and passion for the genre. Their songs draw from the influential music movements of the 80's, such as post-punk and ambient, yet they make it their own by incorporating the accessibility of today's mainstream rock.

As Alan K. Stout of The Weekender says, OurAfter “Isn't afraid to be romantic and vulnerable… with a touch of bravado."

Taubla Rasa opens with “Push The Pilll” and will keep you fatefully connected through “Seasons Of Grey,” “Envious Eyes,” and on to “Echo.” Go to www.myspace.com/ourafter to check out information on OurAfter.

Since it's inception in May of 2006, OurAfter has already opened for such national acts as Flyleaf, 10 Years, Red, MAE, Yellowcard, Saving Abel, Rev Theory, Smile Empty Soul, The Exies, Everclear, Boy Hits Car, Johnny Lives, Eve to Adam, The Ataris, and Cage 9.

Festivals and Conferences that OurAfter have performed at on main stages include The Millenium Music Conference (Harrisburg PA, 2008 and 2009) and The Steamtown Original Music Showcase (Scranton PA, 2007 and 2008).

"Candles is the best song I have heard in the year of 2006."-Joshua Morgan-XND Radio

The memorable melodies found on the group's debut are still there, yet the hooks are bigger and the songs stronger. There is an added, invigorating modern-rock element, yet the group has, rather brilliantly, maintained its artistic pop side.-Alan K. Stout of Weekender Magazine

'Push The Pill' is easily one of the best songs I've heard from a local artist since we started featuring local artists, and that was over five years ago. Honestly, it could be ... no, it should be the song that elevates OurAfter to the next level."-Dave Stewart of 102.3 the Mountain-Program Director

"It's (Karma) got the perfect amount of energy, and the perfect amount of dance to make you tap your feet."-Pulse Weekly Magazine