Band of the Month – Emphatic

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Credits to the owner Source: https://www.facebook.com/emphaticrock — Credits to the owner
Source: https://www.facebook.com/emphaticrock

Emphatic is an American hard rock band from Omaha, Nebraska.

Emphatic was founded in 2004 by songwriter and lead guitarist Justin McCain. The band released their debut self-titled EP in 2004. In 2005 Emphatic released a full-length self-titled studio album which included four tracks from the EP plus four new tracks. In the same year Emphatic signed with Universal, but never released any material under the label.

In 2008 the band’s EP Goodbye Girl spent 17 weeks on the Billboard’s North West Central Top Heatseekers Chart. After Justin McCain met A&R executive, Jeff Blue, on a phone consultation, the two met in Nebraska to write their first song “Put Down The Drink”. The band signed to Jeff Blue’s Rock Shop Music Group in early 2009, Jeff and Justin wasted no time in getting to work on some new material. Jeff took the demo to various record labels, eventually Emphatic signed with Atlantic in December 2009 and the band inked a management deal with In De Goot Entertainment as well.

Emphatic consisted of only three members up until that point, Justin McCain (songwriter, guitarist), Patrick Michael Wilson (vocalist) and Alan Larson (bassist). Justin and Patrick went into the studio to start recording their major label debut with multi-platinum producer Howard Benson. Josh Freese played the drums on the record and Paul Bushnell played the bass. After the record was completed the band brought in Lance Dowdle on guitar and Dylan Wood on drums. The band’s first studio album and major label debut “Damage” released on the 12th of July 2011.

Emphatic was offered an opening slot on The Carnival of Madness Tour and unfortunately Patrick Wilson suffered a vocal injury (fractured larynx) which almost put the brakes on the project. Justin McCain was developing an Omaha-based rock band then, called “The Wreckage”, so he decided to pull vocalist Grant Joshua Kendrick from the project to fill in for Patrick. The band’s first single “Bounce” and the tour helped gather thousands of new fans and helped launch the second single “Get Paid”. After The Carnival of Madness tour, Emphatic had the opportunity to tour with Art of Dying, Adelitas Way and New Medicine with yet another new vocalist, Bryan Scott from Dev Electric.

After that the band took a break due to Patrick not being fully recovered yet. During this time the band was featured on an episode of Criminal Minds with their song “Do I”, their cover of Quiet Riot’s”Metal Health”appeared on the Footloose (Deluxe version) and their version of The Corre’s theme song “End of Days” appeared on WWE.

After 10 months Patrick Wilson finally returned along with a new drummer Patrick Mussack and hit the road to tour as support for Halestorm and New Medicine. Octane (active rock radio station) started playing the band’s third single off their debut album called “Put Down The Drink” which landed on the BIG UNS’ countdown and spent 4 weeks at No.1. Halfway through the band’s tour with Halestorm Justin McCain found out that the label wasn’t going to pick up their next option on the contract. After the tour Patrick Wilson, Lance Dowdle and Alan Larson left the band.

Justin McCain wanted to rebuild the band and contacted Toryn Green via Facebook, receiving a phone call from him an hour later. Toryn is the former frontman of platinum selling bands Fuel and Apocalyptica. Actor/musician Jesse Saint (Scum of the Earth/The Autumn Offering) joined the band as the new bass player and Bill Hudson of Cellador joined as the co-lead guitar player. Justin managed to land the band another record deal with Epochal Artist Records/Capitol and they started working on new material set to record in early 2013. Justin and Toryn joined forces creatively in the making of the record, both supplying songs from their own arsenal and contributing to creating new ones. The record includes collaborations with “Sahaj” Ticotin from Ra, Tommy Henriksen, Brian Vodinh of 10 Years, Bobby Huff, Tobin Esperance from Papa Roach and Johnny Andrews.

The new album “Another Life”, produced by Justin McCain and co-produced by Ryan Greene released through Epochal Artists Records on the 22nd of October 2013. The single “Remember Me” was written by Justin McCain, Toryn Green and Sahaj. The song hit the radio on the 30th of July 2013 and released on iTunes on the 20th August 2013. In support of the album, Emphatic toured with Red and Gemini Syndrome in February 2014. The tour took place without the presence of Toryn Green and co-lead guitarist Bill Hudson. Grant Kendrick replaced Toryn Green on vocals and Lance Dowdle replaced Bill Hudson on lead and rhythm guitar as it was announced on the band’s official website on the 2nd of February 2014. Toryn Green announced his departure from the band on the 9th of February 2014 due to creative differences with Justin McCain. Unfortunately Epochol Artists Records folded and the band had to decide to give up or rebuild again.The band ran a campaign on Indiegogo in 2014. https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/emphatic#/story

After the tour Justin McCain announced that they had signed with Pavement Entertainment and a new album was in the works and would be due late 2014. Grant Kendrick was welcomed as an official member of the band after being a long-time touring band member on the band’s Facebook page. Justin revealed that the new album would feature guest appearances from artists such as Sahaj from Ra and Phil Anson from Venaculas, and a collaboration with Jonny Hetherington of Art of Dying.

The label (Pavement Entertainment) appointed Justin as producer and the band is now recording at ARC studio in Omaha with the record set for release in early 2015.

Emphatic has a unique blend of contemporary hard rock and grunge rock and I find that really appealing. I like the nostalgia that their music conjures within the listener, but it is tinged with a raw edge which is refreshing.

Listen to “Remember Me” below: