Sound is diverse, but all is one for Captain Braskey

The three-member group formed about three years ago.

By JOHN BENSON

VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT

Spiritual but not religious is how Captain Braskey singer-guitarist Andrew Bero views the relatively new Liberty-based band’s music heard on its debut CD, “Time-Justice-Meaning.”

“It’s just religious is like a religion — Christian, Buddhist, etc.,” said the 25-year-old Springfield native and current Youngstown State University student. “Our music is more just spiritual, as you try to do good without any frame of reference … all is one.”

Among the songs found on the band’s eight-song debut, which was recorded this past year in Akron, are the upbeat “Find a Way” and the rocking “Gods of Eden.” Bero said the post-grunge band’s music has been described as falling somewhere in between Incubus and Nirvana, with his influences also including Tool and A Perfect Circle.

“We’re starting to fit into the Youngstown-area scene, and people are starting to recognize us,” said Bero, who graduated from Springfield High School in 2000. “We’re starting to make friends and play more shows. As a band, our music is pretty diverse.

“I think we fit in, but we do stand out because I don’t think there are a lot of bands that sound like us. They may be similar, but we sort of sound like everything with a bunch of different influences on us. We try to incorporate everything we can.”

Formed roughly three years ago, Captain Braskey features Bero, his brother Dave (bass) and Charlie Warino (drums). Bero, who was previously a member of the pre-Asleep band Render, said his trio spent the last three years concentrating on its songwriting, which he believes is evident on “Time-Justice-Meaning.” Captain Braskey celebrates the release of its new disc with a CD show Friday at Barley’s.

With the new album out, the goal is to play out more regionally, as well as return to the recording studio as soon as possible to record the band’s sophomore project. Already in the mix is new track “Seekie,” which falls squarely into the band’s grunge style. As far as how the act approaches its music, Bero was honest. 

“We’re kind of goofy, laid-back guys but then like the actual content of the music is kind of deep,” Bero said.

Speaking to the goofier aspects of the outfit is how the group received its name.

“We were drunk one night and we needed a name for one of our first shows,” Bero said. “So there was a bottle of Captain Morgan, and we were talking about the Bill Braskey [character] on ‘Saturday Night Live.’”

With that in mind, ahoy Captain Braskey, and may the wind always be at your back.