‘Life experiences’ make up CD by Poland graduates

By KATIE SEMINARA

The band hopes to boost its reputation with release of its debut record.

The last time The Vindicator touched base with Jordan DePaul, Poland High School grad, back in May, his band was nameless and they had no records recorded.

But today, Jordan DePaul the Reputations have a name and a CD called “Town of Statues,” which will be released tonight at The Cellar, 162 S. Bridge St., Struthers.

“It’s our life experiences,” said DePaul of the debut record compiled with tracks created by DePaul and fellow Poland graduates, Michael Cleland, Ryan Daley and Michael McGiffin.

The homegrown musicians have been playing together for close to six months and went to Columbus to record “Town of Statues,” which DePaul and Cleland describe as having a “progressive pop rock” sound.

“When we were in the studio, we changed musically,” said Cleland. “Our sound turned into something different.”

Some of the group’s original songs didn’t make the cut for the record because the style didn’t mesh well with their new direction, but DePaul said those originals will pop up on future CDs.

The name “Town of Statues” comes from the title track, “Statues,” about people who live in a world with no dreams or ambition. The people are content with participating in the same motions every day. “They [people in the song] are like statues,” he said.

Another stand out track for DePaul is “Where I Stand.”

“It’s about people telling me that we won’t amount to anything,” said DePaul of the song that is a testament to Jordan DePaul the Reputations’ continuing to do what they love, despite negative feedback from others.

Bands Mr. Kyle and Acoustic Juggernaut will share the stage with Jordan DePaul the Reputations tonight at 8.

“We wanted to put a show together that we would want to see,” said DePaul of selecting other local acts to join in on the big night.

After their performance at The Cellar, Jordan DePaul the Reputations plan on playing more gigs out of the area and want to continue writing.

Fans can catch them again next weekend at Vexfest on Aug. 17 at 1 p.m. and will be able to download “Town of Statues” from iTunes within the next couple of weeks.