Atlanta has become home to hundreds of local bands, striving to make their rhythms heard. Popular venues such as the Masquerade, Sweetwater Brewery and Smith's Olde Bar allow Atlanta bands to showcase their music. Out of a blurry atmosphere of crooning, mainstream bands, there is one band, Over The Effect, to rule them all.
Over The Effect is the much needed opposite of mainstream music. Formed in 2012, the band is comprised of three members: Ashley Barker on guitars and vocals, Aaron Kamphuis on bass and Rob Nouryeh on drums and percussion.
As their website biography states, "Their sound is a blend of 90s era alt rock meets 70s psychedelic prog [progressive rock]. Some of our collective favorite bands/influences include: Smashing Pumpkins, Pearl Jam, Tool, HUM and Sunny Day Real Estate.
Not only does the band take inspiration from such timeless artists, but they write and compose their own songs. With Barker as the song writer and Kamphuis a professional audio recorder and long-time music student, their songs take on a mind of their own. Each song is made of carefully crafted lyrics telling tales and stories from unique perspectives.
My personal favorite song of theirs, "Screaming Inside," tells the struggle of living with a mental illness. With lyrics so accurately depicting depression, this song speaks to many:
"I can’t fight these demons that break me inside
I pray and hope this battle will not take my life
I toss and turn in fear that I won’t see daylight
I brace myself and wait for this pain to subside"
From the melancholy trills of "Screaming Inside" to the rugged sounds of "Dichotomy," the band members are masters of lyrics and instruments. Their music can be found on iTunes, Spotify, Bandcamp, and Amazon Music. With the release of their newest album "Astronomy," Over The Effect goes on tours throughout the year, each time playing for an impressively sized audience. You can view their 2016 tour schedule here.
Over The Effect is a band to watch. With their innovative guitar riffs, captivating vocals and mesmerizing rhythms, they are changing the face of alternative rock.