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‘Distractions’ in Struthers
By John Benson
Music as therapy is nothing new for the performer or listener.
Therein lies the appeal of Sharon, Pa.-based rock act Lights Camera Distractions, which for the better part of the past decade, has been attempting to exorcise demons while at the same time write some good-old rock ’n’ roll.
“We’re an angry band; we’ve been through some [expletive],” said guitarist-singer Johnny Davidson. “Music is a good way to get that out.”
Formed at Kennedy Catholic High School in Hermitage, Pa., Lights Camera Distractions enjoyed some significant success early on with a nod in Amp Magazine, as well as Midwest touring and the release of its 2008 debut, “Castles in the Air.” However, the band members wanted more, which led to them dropping out of college and supporting the group full time.
Next up is the band’s sophomore release, “Selfish You,” which was recorded this past summer in Georgia with Earthsound Recording producer Lee Dyess (From First to Last, Mayday Parade and Go Radio). The album is due out in early 2012, but in the meantime, Lights Camera Distractions will be passing out sampler CDs at its next Youngstown show Saturday at The Cellar.
“The first album was more like the Goo Goo Dolls and Rookie of the Year. It was very acoustic but was drum-driven with a lot of piano,” Davidson said. “This record is a full-band record. It’s more along the lines of like The Foo Fighters, Midtown, Bayside. Even the slower songs end up hitting you really hard.”
From the mellow title track to the politically motivated “Looky Looky I’ve Got Hooky,” the new CD takes a dynamic approach — loud into soft and back into loud — that Davidson believes shows the band’s range. This often comes in handy when Lights Camera Distractions finds itself on yet another bill with metal bands.
Finding themselves in this unenviable situation has provided plenty of memorable stories. Davidson talks about one particular Halloween show in New York state when things literally went downhill.
“It was all heavy bands and us,” Davidson said, laughing. “Only the other bands watched us, and we literally got booed off the stage because we weren’t heavy at all. Then our trailer was parked on a hill stuck in mud, and we had to move it. When we unhitched it, the trailer started rolling down the hill.”
Such hardships have given the band a thick skin that has only improved its live show. “We never come off as being fake,” said Davidson.