K-Awake makes every show an experiment

By JOHN BENSON

entertainment@vindy.com

A few drummers later, local group K-Awake is confident its current lineup — Bob Boak (bass), Brian Briones (guitar), Osachin Jones Taylor (vocals), Mike Ezzo (drums) and Adam Hudek (guitar) — is ready to make some noise with a progressive rock sound that has been compared to The Mars Volta.

“People say it’s heavy but very melodic,” said Boak, a 1997 Austintown Fitch graduate. “They like hearing Osachin sing because he screamed a lot more before.

“We like to play a lot of notes, and really, the songs that we have are short and succinct with a lot of hooks. Actually, the stuff we’re now writing — there are two new songs that are finished — are well over five minutes. That’s something we’ve never done before, so it’s totally going in a new direction with the writing this time, which is cool.”

Considering “we like to play a lot of notes” is such an odd statement, a question comes to mind: Is it possible to have too many notes?

“I just think it’s OK as long as the players are playing what’s appropriate,” Boak said. “When you’re in the recording studio, there’s a time and a place for anything. Things can get pretty out there when you’re on stage.”

On stage, K-Awake, which formed roughly three years ago, is playing material that eventually will end up on the group’s debut effort, due out this summer. Among the songs Boak is excited about are the dynamic “Contemporal” and the raw “Effigy.” The Austintown native said the band’s live show leaves plenty of room for jamming and experimentation.

“I don’t think we jam that much in the studio, but there are a lot of improvisations going on during a guitar solo,” Boak said. “We leave our parts open-ended and try different things at rehearsal. Adam and I were discussing the other day when you’re really worked up and playing different songs, certain songs your hands may feel a different way on stage. And when you’re on stage, you’ve tried different things at rehearsal and you know what works, and you know if you’re feeling a certain way you might be able to pull off a certain thing at a certain point in a song. So sometimes we go for it, and sometimes we stick to the soft parts. And every show ends up being different.”

Invariably, Boak is confident that K-Awake’s live show — you can see the quintet in action Friday at Barley’s — transcends the typical Northeast Ohio experience.

“There’s a pure, raw energy level with our live set,” Boak said. “We like to give an intimate, strong show where you can come out and you’re definitely going to get some quality live music. It’s not too much of anything but also not enough of anything either. It won’t be anything like any other local show you’re going to, that’s for sure.”