Lead singer hopes to gain fans with positive music

He welcomes comparisons with Soundgarden.
By JOHN BENSON
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
Not too long before the early '90s alternative movement shifted the tectonic plates of rock 'n' roll, forcing hair metal bands into extinction while grungy, flannel-wearing groaners blossomed to the surface, rock fans were unaware a sea change was in the works.
Alice in Chains opened for Van Halen's "For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge" tour while Soundgarden did the same for Guns N' Roses' "Use Your Illusion" European leg.
Mercy Fall singer Nate Stone is hoping history is repeating itself with such incongruity currently found on the touring landscape, where bands such as Hinder and Nickelback are seemingly resuscitating arena rock from the dead.
"I wouldn't say we belong in that group," said Stone, calling from his tour bus somewhere in Illinois. "They're more pulling from the '80s like Motley Crue and that kind of stuff. We're not an image-conscious band. It's all about the music, the content and the depth of the music. And I kind of feel like we're out here by ourselves right now, at least in our genre of music."
He added, "Rock music doesn't just have to be about sex and drugs and escapism, it's about something positive and that's what we're trying to bring back. I think those fans are out there and I think we'll find them. It's exciting."
Coming to Austintown
There's a sense of adventure surrounding Mercy Fall, which is currently touring its debut, "For The Taken," with an opening slot for Buckcherry. You can see the bill Monday at The Wedge in Austintown. As for its first effort, Stone unabashedly admits the band is heavily influenced by the early '90s giants -- Nirvana, Soundgardan, Pearl Jam, Alice in Chains and Stone Temple Pilots.
However, he's hoping it's not so much the riffs -- which are quite "Superunknown"-esque -- as it is the thought-provoking impression that takes listeners back to the "120 Minutes" era. Others, mainly rock critics, have noticed the similarities and at times have been harsh, but Stone and his band mates are looking on the bright side.
"What's kind of funny sometimes when we hear negative things, it's actually a positive thing for us," Stone said. "Someone said we sound like Soundgarden but in a negative way. And we were like 'Yeah, that's a positive thing.' I'll take it."
2005 album
Formed in Arizona a few years ago, Mercy Fall toiled around the desert scene before signing with Atlantic Records in 2004 and recording "For the Taken" in 2005. The album definitely has a guitar-heavy vibe with songs "Hangman" and "Here I Am" standing out. The latter track is due to be the group's next single.
While he's happy to be touring nationally with Buckcherry, Stone acknowledges there are times when he feels like he's a fish out of water, opening up for, say, Motley Crue on the "Dr. Feelgood" tour.
"I'm just hoping that there are like-minded people out there who were into the music we were into," Stone said. "And if those people are out there, we're here trying to bring it back."
The singer said he's looking forward to returning to Mahoning County, where the band opened for Hurt earlier this year.
"That was an awesome show," he said. "It was one of the best ones on that tour. The people were definitely excited about a rock show in general so that's always helpful. It strikes me as a kind of town where people will come out if there's a show going on and kind of regardless who is playing."