Year Long Disaster blends new sound

Year Long Disaster forms with a mixture of talent.
By JOHN BENSON
vindicator correspondent
Considering Rich Mullins' resume -- former member of Karma to Burn and Speedealer -- the notion of starting a group from scratch is nothing new.
However, when it came time to form his latest band, Year Long Disaster, the bassist decided small steps were best.
"I know to take it a lot slower and to be really conscious of the business types that want to get involved, and keep that at arm's distance," said Mullins, calling from New Jersey. "And to try to do as much as we can on our own."
Aside from Mullins' underground rock cred, the trio is a veritable rock 'n' roll hodgepodge featuring Daniel Davies, son of The Kinks' Dave, on guitars and vocals, and former Third Eye Blind member Brad Hargreaves on drums. While the bassist admits the heritage or lineage may confuse some music lovers early on, he's banking on Year Long Disaster's potent blend of guitar rock to do the convincing.
As for the threesome's sound, two thoughts come to mind: Soundgarden and stoner rock. In fact, upon first listen, you'd assume Davies was the child of grunge singer Chris Cornell. As for the stoner rock term, Mullins doesn't disagree.
"There was a time back when I was using drugs that I really liked being in that category because people tend to bring you free drugs," Mullins laughed. "I don't mind it at all because I appreciate a lot of those bands. I think that guitar sound is just basically reminiscent of the '70s, which is almost all my favorite bands -- Black Sabbath, Blue Cheer, all of that stuff."
Fresh start, unique sound
While still relatively new -- the band is barely a year old -- there's something special found on its recently released debut EP. Tracks such as "The Mad Shrew" and "Victory at Sea" possess a certain amount of indie rock magic. Mullins is hoping that spark carries over to its live show. Year Long Disaster opens for Tilt 360 Saturday at Nyabinghi on Youngstown's West Side.
Despite the somewhat contradictory styles and sounds of its band members' pasts, Mullins believes any Karma to Burn/The Kinks/Third Eye Blind publicity can be used to the outfit's advantage.
"I watched it happen when I was in Karma to Burn," Mullins said. "We opened for Queens of the Stone Age on their first tour and I would watch Kyuss people leave halfway through pissed off that it didn't sound like Kyuss. And I also saw Hank III shows where people get irritated because he doesn't sound like Hank Williams Jr. and leave."
He added, "But at the same time, there's another person that didn't have any expectations that likes it for what it is."