Stolas (band)
Stolas | |
---|---|
Origin | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States |
Genres | |
Years active | 2011–present |
Labels | Blue Swan Records |
Associated acts |
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Website | https://www.facebook.com/StolasLV |
Members |
Sergio Medina RJ Reynolds Carlo Marquez |
Stolas is an American post-hardcore band from Las Vegas, Nevada formed in 2011. The band currently consists of Carlo Marquez (lead vocals), Sergio Medina (guitar), and RJ Reynolds (drums). The band was signed as the first band on Blue Swan Records in 2013, a record label launched by Will Swan of Dance Gavin Dance.[1] They have released one EP, Losing Wings (2012) and 2 studio albums, Living Creatures (2013) and Allomaternal (2014). They are prominently known for combining progressive elements with post-hardcore music.
History
Formation and "Losing Wings" EP (2011–2012)
Guitarist and vocalist Jason Weiche and drummer Carlo Marquez grew up in Kingman, Arizona and began playing music together in middle school. They worked together on many musical endeavors, and both moved to Las Vegas, Nevada. For two years Marquez and Weiche played in a local Las Vegas band, The Akashic Record.[2]
Guitarist Sergio Medina, and bassist RJ Reynolds attended the same performing-arts high school in Las Vegas and both participated in local music acts. They were both part of the band Elessar, and Sergio also was a part of the band, Inherit the Sky.[2]
In 2011, the four came together as a group and co-wrote the song "Time & The Sun." By the end of the year, the four-piece began recording music under the name Stolas and had recorded their debut EP titled "Losing Wings", using an older model Dell computer. Losing Wings was released independently in 2012.
Signing to Blue Swan Records and "Living Creatures" (2012–2013)
During a break from touring with Stolas, Medina filled in as a guitarist for Hail the Sun and became the guitar technician for both Hail the Sun and Dance Gavin Dance on the Rock Yourself to Sleep tour in late 2012. Medina showed Stolas' work to Will Swan,[2][3] who signed the band with his newly created Blue Swan Records label.[4] Stolas recorded their full-length debut album, Living Creatures, Decoy Music.[5] at Pus Cavern Studio in Sacramento. Peers of Swan and other vocalist in similar bands were featured on the album including current Dance Gavin Dance vocalist Tilian Pearson, former Dance Gavin Dance vocalists Jonny Craig, Kurt Travis (currently of A Lot Like Birds), Corey Lockwood (also of A Lot Like Birds), and Donovan Melero of Hail the Sun.[3][6][7] The album was released on March 14, 2013. Living Creatures was favorably reviewed by the public.[8][9][10]
"Allomaternal" and departure of Jason Weiche (2014-2015)
The band's second album, Allomaternal, was released on November 7, 2014 through Blue Swan Records.[11] A concept album based on a story created by bassist RJ Reynolds, "Allomaternal" was considered a great follow up to the good reviews and growing fan base "Living Creatures" created for the band.[12][13] After much touring with bands like Dance Gavin Dance and Letlive, the quartet became the headlining band for their "Allomaternal Tour" with support from Artifex Pereo, Eidola and Icarus the Owl.
On October 22, 2015, it was revealed that lead vocalist guitarist Jason Weiche left the band. To quote the post[14] , "...we wish Jason all the success in the world in future musical projects along with his promising career in graphic design. He remains a great friend to all of us, and the last four years working with him have been unforgettable." The trio have continued writing music without him, with Marquez providing lead vocals, Sergio providing more vocal duties and a new member to be announced by the end of 2015 to play drums for the band along with the new album.
"Catalyst", and new album (2016-present)
On March 10, 2016, the band released their new song "Catalyst" with Carlo on vocals. The song serves as a single version as it will be remastered for the new album.
Band members
Current members
- Carlo Marquez - vocals (2011–present); drums (2011–2015)
- Sergio Medina - lead guitar, backing vocals (2011–present)
- RJ Reynolds - bass guitar (2011–present)
Former members
- Jason Welche - rhythm guitar, vocals (2011–2015)
Touring members
- Carlos Silva - drums (2016–present)
- Timeline
Discography
- Studio albums
- Living Creatures (2013) Blue Swan Records[15]
- Allomaternal (2014) Blue Swan Records
- EPs
- Losing Wings EP (2012) self released[16]
References
- ↑ "Will Swan (Dance Gavin Dance) Starts Label; Sign Stolas - Infectious Magazine". infectiousmagazine.com. Retrieved 17 March 2015.
- 1 2 3 "Music Michael Mind". Music Michael Mind. Retrieved 17 March 2015.
- 1 2 http://www.youarentcool.com/interviews/141/stolas
- ↑ "CD Reviews: Jesse Pino, The Bitters and Stolas - Vegas Seven". Vegas Seven. Retrieved 17 March 2015.
- ↑ Senior, Nick. " Stolas - Living Creatures ".
- ↑ http://thenewfury.com/2013/06/18/interview-with-stolas/
- ↑ https://stolas.bandcamp.com/album/living-creatures
- ↑ "REVIEW: Stolas – ‘Living Creatures’ - Under the Gun Review". Under the Gun Review. Retrieved 17 March 2015.
- ↑ "Stolas - Living Creatures (album review 2) - Sputnikmusic". sputnikmusic.com. Retrieved 17 March 2015.
- ↑ "Stolas - Living Creatures". AbsolutePunk.net. Retrieved 17 March 2015.
- ↑ https://stolas.bandcamp.com/album/allomaternal
- ↑ "REVIEW: Stolas – ‘Allomaternal’". November 13th, 2014 Scott Murray
- ↑ "ALBUM: Stolas – Allomaternal". DEAD PRESS! - Alternative music news, reviews, interviews and more!. Retrieved 17 March 2015.
- ↑ "Jason Weiche parts ways with Stolas". Facebook. Retrieved 22 October 2015.
- ↑ "Stolas - Living Creatures Review - DecoyMusic.com". decoymusic.com. Retrieved 17 March 2015.
- ↑ "Review: Stolas ‘Losing Wings’". stitchedsound.com. Retrieved 17 March 2015.