Aldous spreads message through eclectic sound

The Valley band is going to tour the Midwest this
summer.

By JOHN BENSON

VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT

A round band fitting into a square hole is how Aldous views its live concert options in the Mahoning Valley.

Formed less than two years ago, the rock quintet — Christopher Steven Kochera (drums), Shane Smith (vocals), Christian Tremain Hardy (guitar), Matthew Westhead (guitar) and Steve Yohman (bass) — combines elements of hardcore, funk, straight-up rock and experimental sounds to create its own style.

“We’re just trying to not keep it genre-specific and add different elements to keep it interesting musically,” said Hardy, who graduated from Chaney High School in 2005. “A lot of hardcore bands and metal bands, they either keep it hardcore or metal and there’s really no room for breathing. We just like a lot of other things, along with the hardcore and metal element.

“We also have different types of effects to kind of throw people off. It’s weird, there aren’t that many places around here for us to play because of the genre. And it’s just easier to play regionally or other places where it’s a lot more people and they’re more receptive. Hopefully that’ll change. Hopefully, people will start catching on around here.”

Ostensibly falling under the alternative metal umbrella, the members of Aldous have coined their own style. It’s inertiacore, and Hardy believes people are starting to take notice.

“It’s like our live show, because we move around a lot and kind of stand out,” Hardy said. “We played with a lot of bands in the area and some bigger bands, but none of them really seemed focused on putting on a really good live show, so we added lights and we move around a lot and that keeps the crowd pretty happy. We stay pretty active.”

That’s right, despite the fact Aldous is a relatively new and fledgling band, the outfit owns its own light rig, which it brings to every live date. 

“Yeah, it makes us stand out and makes people notice you,” Hardy said.

One local venue where Hardy acknowledges people have taken notice is The Cellar, where Aldous is scheduled to return Saturday. Also on the bill are Gingerspitz, Something To Shelter, Death Of A Dying Breed, Six Shots Left.

“Whenever we play a show at The Cellar, people are receptive and come out,” Hardy said. “And any hometown show for us is a good show.”

Hardy and his bandmates, whose erstwhile groups include Valerie Drive and Via Transit, hope to spread their music throughout the Midwest this summer. A debut EP is in the works and the band also bought a trailer to transport its gear.

“We’re planning a tour this summer, just playing as much as we can and getting our message across,” said Hardy.