Irvine EP by Irvine, 2010
Home Base: Greensboro, N.C.
Genre: Modern Rock
Band Members:
Tripp “Tr!pp!n” Morgan – Guitar, Backup Vocals
Garett Bissonnette – Guitar, Backup Vocals
Lucas Owens – Lead Vocals, Acoustic Guitar
Matt Stokes – Bass Guitar
Tyler Morgan – Drums
Charles Morgan – Band Manager
Website: Irvine Official Website
Bio: THE IRVINE STORY
After playing guitar for several years, Tripp Morgan and Tim Webster wrote a song, with the dream of a band in mind. Without a name, they called themselves UNTITLED and recruited Lucas Owens into the band as lead singer. He had previously been the drummer of the band Cadence from Winterville NC, also a guitar player and writer.
In April of 06, at age 16, the three, accompanied by a friend, entered their song “Stairs to Heaven”, (now on the first CD) which was written in dedication to several classmates who had passed away, into a high school talent show, “The Charger Idol”. Winning the awards show and getting press exposure, the group sought a name for the band. Lucas had recently visited Irvine California and with hopes of the band playing there one day the band decided IRVINE would be the New Name. The talent show had won the band a spot in a local festival, and in need of a drummer, the band asked Tripp’s father, Charles Morgan, to fill the spot. Playing drums and percussion all through school and having jammed with the group often, he agreed to play and manage the band. The first IRVINE gig was the Ayden Collard festival in fall of 2006. Following band battles and no, to low-paying gigs, IRVINE started to gain recognition, and with the release of their CD, “The Past Repeats Itself”, in Dec. of 2007 the band began to get airtime and to play venues all across eastern N.C.
The album was getting airtime on local radio and subsequently the band was receiving offers to play highly advertised events in the area. Due to circumstances beyond his control Tim left the band in early 08. Garett Bissonnett, band friend and former guitarist for the very popular local band Katharsis, agreed to fill the spot. Having helped produce and do backup vocals on IRVINE’S first CD, it was a smooth transition.
Having been through several talented bassists, the band found one that was as dedicated as the others to making the band a profession. Matt Stokes came on board and put the icing on the cake, with driving bass riffs and experience in live performances, and the band rogressed rapidly. In the remainder of 2008 the band headlined the local stage at X-FEST 9.5 with Buckcherry, Saving Abel, Decypher Down and Arial Down.
IRVINE was nominated for best NC Alternative Rock band by JNFE (Just Not Famous Enough) as well as best breakthrough artist. Also in Dec. of 2008 the band was voted 1 on the local rock station 99.5 “the X” WXNR locals with the single “Tight Rope” off their upcoming CD. A 3-track EP has been released in early November 2010 due to fan requests, as a precursor to the full CD. Averaging a new meaningful rock song a month, the band continues to gain momentum.
In Jan 09 beginning to receive air time on central and western NC radio IRVINE continues on its quest to reach the masses with its hard driving sound, and to entertain with a whole barrage of covers from the very bands that influenced them. The bands live stage performances are
something the fans are talking about as they reflect on a show. If you see this band live once… you will be back to enjoy more of their pure passion and love for what they are doing!
A video of IRVINE performing their song “Hollow Hero” acoustic version live in wxnr, 99.5 theX, studio can be viewed at www.995thex.com, X-Rated video’s, category- local 99 .
My Review: ”Exciting band; Exciting Sound” would be the way I describe Irvine. From what I’ve seen of their videos, Irvine shows are always accompanied by light and laser shows adding to the bands already exciting music. Their music borders on “anthemic rock” as much as anything. Irivne preforms a number of original songs such as those found on their new “Irvine EP” and their repertoire also includes cover songs such as “Kyptonite” by 3 Doors Down. I rather suspect that if the songs that will be featured on their upcoming album have the same quality as the 3 tracks on “Irvine EP”, that Irvine will have less need for these cover songs. Don’t get me wrong, they do a great job on these songs, but I feel they have the capability and potential of writing some really great music themselves.
I find it somewhat interesting that Irvine enlisted Tripp Morgan’s father, Charles Morgan as drummer. I have just been informed that 15 year old Tyler Morgan has replaced his father as drummer and did the drum tracks for “Stars” and “Welcome Home” with Charles handling the drums for “Tightrope” on Irvine EP. However, I feel Charles’s past experience and maturity will prove to be really big assets to Irvine, from the standpoint of band manager. I don’t care what anyone says, it’s hard to trump experience when it comes to such things.
Irvine generates a huge “wall of sound” when they begin to play, no doubt about it. Things I have noted on the plus side, I like the inclusion of Stokes’ bass in the opening of “Stars”, I like the fills provided both by drummer Morgan as well as the guitar section. I also appreciate the fact that, for the most part, lead vocalist Owens’ vocals comes through strong and clear. As always, and I guess I’m just a bass lover at heart, I would have liked to hear more from Stokes, perhaps on a solo fill or something of that nature. Perhaps time and experience will lead to that.
As to “hooks” Irvine’s music has some huge ones, but they are more subtle, less well pronounced as some of the other bands I have reviewed. They sort of “sneak up” on you! The more you listen to the Irvine EP, the more you want to listen to it! Maybe it’s Owens’ voice with it’s slight raspiness, maybe it’s the excellent, well blended, guitar fills in “Welcome Home”. Maybe it’s a combination of several things, as I said, the “hooks: are subtle, but listening to these three tracks has left wanting to hear more Irvine which the way a hook should work.
So, do I think Irvine should “quit their day jobs?”, Do I think they have a future in the music business? The answer to both quest is a huge yes! I feel Irvine has what it takes to become a top band within the next year if their album is anything like this EP. They have the “big” sound, they have good lyrics and they have a certain amount of uniqueness so I see no reason they shouldn’t make the big time, so to speak. Irvine is an awesome band and I look forward to reviewing their full album when it is released. I rate Irvine EP by Irvine, 10 stars and a “thumbs up”! Good luck in the future! I hope you find your place as a truly great band!
Since Irvine EP only contains 3 tracks, I’m only going to give you one full track to listen to, I think “Tightrope” a short teaser of “Stars” and a short video teaser of “Welcome Home” otherwise it might be to easy just to come here to listen to the Irvine EP and not actually purchase it!
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