Shaving Lincoln leaves an audio impression

January 2, 2016 at 12:05a.m.

On the surface, naming a band Shaving Lincoln could be perceived as some type of cheap shot against bearded hipsters. That said, singer Aly Byerly wants to go on the record that the Struthers-based outfit is pro-beard.

“It’s just the imagery of the name,” said Byerly, a 1999 South Range High School graduate. “I think everybody associates Lincoln with the top hat and beard, so it just kind of became a joke.”

Formed nearly a year ago, Shaving Lincoln – Byerly (vocals), Joe Carbon (drums), Tom Wolfgang (guitar) and Charles “Chaz” Coriston (bass) – boasts a sound that bounces between rock, pop and punk. The outfit garners comparisons to Green Day and pre-“Tragic Kingdom”-sounding No Doubt.

Naturally, the latter has to do with Byerly. Being a female vocalist in a rock band, well, such attention comes with the territory. Influence-wise, the singer is inspired by female-fronted bands such as Paramore, Evanescence, Joan Jett and Heart.

“Those female frontwomen just had power,” said Byerly, who feels times have changed to the point where female singers are well received. That is, once they’re properly identified.

“There are always those places you walk into where they look at you like you’re just a band girlfriend, until they realize you’re carrying the gear and going up on stage to set up,” Byerly said. “Then it kind of clicks in that she’s just not the drummer’s girlfriend walking in and helping the boys out so they can do their thing.”

It should be noted that she actually is indeed the drummer’s girlfriend, but that doesn’t mean she can’t rock. In fact, a veteran of the local music scene, Byerly said Shaving Lincoln’s pop-mindset makes it different from her previous bands.

“It gets really interesting though because with the more rock-based songs that are a little bit darker, I think people are used to hearing a strong male angry voice over that,” Byerly said. “I’m a little bit pixie, where it’s just more like cute rage because I’m not overly aggressive or anything. But on the rock end, I feel I can kind of power through it.

“It’s kind of like I’m hurt and life is really hard, but I’ll smile and grit my teeth and get through it. And I enjoy that part of having the heavier rock or punk sound behind me. It’s like life – it kind of throws you around a little bit but it’s a hell of a ride.”

Currently, the quartet is working on its debut EP, which is tentatively scheduled for release this spring or summer. Songs in the mix include the pop-punk “Awkward Girl,” metal-influenced “Hurricane” and melodic “Burying the Truth.”

Shaving Lincoln will be playing those tunes, as well as a unique cover of Bush’s “Machinehead,” tonight at Cedars.

“Old Cedars and new Cedars hold a lot of great memories and moments in my life,” Byerly said. “It’s always fun to play there. I think you get such a diverse crowd at Cedars that it makes it really fun, too.”

That diversity is bound to include plenty of bearded folks.

“They can absolutely come to the show,” Byerly said, laughing. “Hipsters are welcome.”