 Formed in 2006 by
vocalist/lyricist Chris Adams and guitarist Dana Evaro, the duo quickly sold
the band on guitar vet, Josh Cother. Another strong presence to Northwest
Iowa's local music scene, Terry Justice, was recruited on bass guitar.
Nearly a year later, young Tyler Hoekstra finalized Soundstill's lineup on
drums. With the ensemble complete, Soundstill delved into the writing
process.
Filled with unexpected meter changes, intriguing riffs, confident drum work,
and soaring lyrics, Soundstill makes for an absorbing and stimulating
listen. Each member of the quintet is deeply involved in this creative
concoction, brewing selections that are infinitely unique and ever changing.
From Josh’s complicated 'Frailty' to Dana’s melodic 'Blessed' to Terry’s
uplifting 'Take It of Leave It,' the band's wide range of influences bounces
and blends, creating an original, unexpected background for Chris’ versatile
voice. As a lyricist, Chris has put his and his band mates’ ideologies and
beliefs into every composition. "I've figured out I can do better, I have a
life that I should be proud of," writes Chris in 'Your Enemy', "So give me
strength, those words to say no, and I will never end up a failure." In a
world slowly turning black around the edges, Soundstill has found a way to
beat their demons through music, camaraderie, and collaboration.
The flexibility found during composing is also found on-stage, as evident in
just the first few selections in Soundstill's set. Josh and Terry often
switch off on bass and guitar duties, furthering the intricacy of the band's
string work. Chris can scream with such urgency to make one feel they're
falling through the clouds, only to have the pureness of his natural tones
seem to carry the fallen back towards the heavens. Terry contributes backing
harmonies, while Josh’s gruff growl holds steady underneath. Dana, with his
constant good nature and natural social adeptness, speaks to the crowd
during instrument and set changes, bouncing jokes off his comrades and
bringing the audience into each show. Tyler, the ever-present heartbeat of
Soundstill, constantly drives his partners forward with imaginative and
unwavering support from the back.
As a band that has only been fully formed for just over year after Tyler’s
addition in 2007, Soundstill has been an active part in creating an original
hard rock music scene in Northwest Iowa. Playing venues such as Chopper
Central in Arnold's Park, The Oasis and The Eagles Club in Spencer, the VFW
in Spirit Lake, the P3 Club in Windom, Minnesota, all the way to the
Chopper’s in Mankato, Minnesota, have hosted Soundstill. Their music has hit
the airwaves by radio stations like KUQQ 102.1, NetWavZ Internet Radio
Station, and Bare Bones Radio, a pod cast out of Louisville, Kentucky.
The band, however, has done more than just perform; they have created. 2009
will mark the Third Annual Metal of Honor in which the band performs for the
local VA Clinic in Spirit Lake. One hundred percent of all door proceeds are
donated to help disabled veterans and their families, with over $1500 raised
to date. "We'll never give up; we only prevail, embrace the face of combat,"
writes Chris in 'Engage Combat', "Fight...fight...fight...We have to
fight!!" Fight Soundstill has done. They have accomplished this by taking on
the creation of a local music scene as a cause of their own. They also
worked closely with the founder of the 2008 Okoboji Rockfest through
advertising tirelessly, selling tickets, promoting the show online, and
promoting over the local radio station KUQQ. For two days before the show,
each member put in countless hours in stage setup; Josh even worked security
in addition to playing a 45-minute set that evening! For all the hard work
to create the Okoboji Rockfest, nearly 700 people were in attendance for the
seven band, all-original, all-local show, an unprecedented triumph for
Northwest Iowa.
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