Idle Shades looks to make name for itself

January 23, 2014 at 12:05a.m.

Getting its name out one show at a time is what local outfit Idle Shades hopes to accomplish this year.

Though the group started in earnest a few years ago, it wasn’t until the lineup was solidified with Angelo Scordo (bass, vocals), Anthony Rapone (drums) and Josh Wakeford (guitar) that the outfit felt it was ready to start spreading its punk sounds.

“I’d say we’re Social Distortion-meets-Bad Religion,” said Scordo, a 1997 Struthers High School graduate. “That’s pretty much what we were going for. It’s funny because I was writing these songs and doing this music before those bands were even a big influence.

“Later, once people told me my music reminded them of those bands, especially Bad Religion, I ended up buying some of their albums and becoming a huge fan. It turns out that’s the music I’ve always been hugely drawn to.”

Much of Idle Shades’ current material was written by Scordo over the past decade; however, it wasn’t until he formed the threesome that his music started to come to life. While an EP was previously released, the outfit is now focused on its untitled debut album, which is due out any day.

“Basically, we took our time with the new album,” Scordo said. “The songs from the EP are on the full-length. We just redid them as a full band with [Wakeford] adding his own parts. Our favorites are the dark ‘Too Late,’ the upbeat ‘Control’ and the Offspring-sounding ‘Watching.’ As soon as this album is out, we’re basically starting to write new material already. I wouldn’t be surprised to have the next album ready to work on in a year.”

Also in the group’s plans are local dates, such as a Saturday gig at Royal Oaks, as well as regional shows, perhaps even with other Youngstown bands.

Scordo described a small but supportive community of punk rockers in Northeast Ohio that includes local acts Harnessing the Sun and Spastic Hearts. More so, each of the groups is different, with Idle Shades exploring the SoCal punk scene, while the others are Ramones-based and straight punk with a little Southern style mixed in.