For Wesker, change is in the air again

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Wesker

By John Benson

The band’s ongoing evolution will introduce electronic sound.

Reinventing itself with a new progressive sound is what local band Wesker is about to do with its upcoming EP release.

Formed over four years ago, the Youngstown-based quartet — Eric Ensley (vocals, guitar), Rob Cronenwett (guitar), Steve Wishnewski (bass) and Chris Bacha (drums) — evolved from its punk roots into more of a Yellowcard-meets-Smashing Pumpkins sound. However, according to Austintown resident Bacha, change is in the air.

“It’s just we’re maturing with our songwriting, maturing with our music,” said Bacha, a 2001 Austintown Fitch High School graduate. “I’d consider us now more of a pop rock sound, but where we hope to go is in the direction of Angels & Airwaves and Mute Math.

“It’s a little bit experimental but at the same time we still keep it song-based and try to keep it song-oriented rather than just an exploration in sound.”

Wesker is recording a self-titled EP at Ampreon Recorder studios in Youngstown for a tentative December release. Among the six new tracks in the mix are a few that have Bacha and his bandmates excited. This includes the anthemic “Empty Grave” and the subdued “Our Days Are Numbered.” The latter track features a progressive rock feel that Bacha likens to sounding like Yes.

“We’ve always been out to distinguish ourselves, and I think we didn’t feel like we stood out enough,” Bacha said. “We do stand out and have the talent to make people notice; however, where we’re going now is ... unlike anything the area really has at the moment. That’s a good thing for us.”

Fans can decide for themselves when Wesker plays Friday at Cedar’s in Youngstown. Considering the foursome has already enjoyed regional notoriety with its various prior releases and airplay on WNCD-FM CD93.3’s “Homegrown Show,” Bacha said the momentum behind the group is palpable.

“Once we release the EP and start playing new material, we’re looking to differentiate ourselves not only in the way the music is played, but we’re looking into making a show and playing a show,” Bacha said.

This time, Wesker will introduce an electronic sound.

“We’re going to have our own lighting, samples and triggers. It’ll be all of us, but we’re going to use a lot of different elements and get into electronic stuff like synths. It’ll really set us apart from a lot of the stuff in the area. I don’t know anyone around here who does stuff like that.”

Bacha likes the new direction Wesker is going, and he thinks audiences will, too.

“So I’m very excited. Where we’re going, it’s going to be good. It’s going to be real good.”