Toledo Hard Rock Band Debut Strong

It is always interesting to see area bands and musicians rise up to fame. Macy Gray, Nine Inch Nails, Hawthorne Heights, Devo and even Dean Martin are all Ohio natives who hit the big time with their music. But what about our city of Toledo? Many local bands strive to be the best and to one day headline their own thousand-crowd show. One band is willing to do what it takes to spread their love of music and song writing to fans in Toledo, OH and beyond.

The Closure Rule has been rocking Toledo and the surrounding areas for some time now. They are a five-man band whose name comes from “a principle of art and psychology” guitarist Mark Truna said.

“It deals with how our minds are constantly looking for closure” Truna said. The boys carry on a unique sound, formulated for any music fan.

“We usually go with rock, hardcore, pop-punk. We all come from different backgrounds and we try to incorporate every style we enjoy,” Truna said.
Their influences include the rock power of New Found Glory, Alkaline Trio, The Devil Wears Prada (another Ohio band) and Senses Fail.

During the year The Closure Rule has been together, the band has been getting their start by playing local bars and events. They have also recently put out their live debut album on their Myspace page. Truna thinks there is a great appeal to live records.

“Lately I've been listening to a live album by the NYC band Bayside. It's amazing. Live albums feel more personal and intimate,” he said. Though The Closure Rule is fairly new, all five members have all been a part of another band or have done business in the music industry.

“Josh (drummer) and I have been playing together for five years. James and Jimmy (bassist and guitarist) have been in and out of local bands and Mike (lead vocalist, guitarist) has a solo project.”

The band definitely have some strong and catchy songs, with lyrics like “Your touch paralyzes the very thought of thinking with my head and not my heart, because my heart belongs to you” from fan favorite “Your Touch Paralyzes“ and “Call me a fool, call me a man/ I will find love” from the more solemn “What I Need”. The Closure Rule has also had experience with touring. They have shared the stage with other bands such as Farewell, Punchline, Between the Trees and We Came as Romans. The Closure Rule has bigger plans when touring, admiring the idea of supporting bands such as A Day to Remember and Ohio natives The Devil Wears Prada. The ultimate goal is to reach fame status; to headline their own big shows and perhaps even a festival or two. All members have performed in festivals or “battle of the bands” in previous projects but they feel this new band is one worth paying attention to.

They are a confident band, and with a fairly strong fan base and with a “This is who we are!” attitude, they have every reason to be. Their lead vocalist, Mike, has a very charismatic, almost Brandon Boyd-like voice, and the rest of the group has perfected their chemistry and balance. They enjoy making music, which is reflected in their live shows and can be heard on their live album. With gig’s lined up in and around town, rock fans in the Toledo area can witness the hardcore goodness that is The Closure Rule. You can catch them on November 28th at Frankie’s Inner City as they support the popular alternative rock band The Ataris. One day, we may very well be able to add The Closure rule to our list of local rock pride.

MUSE: The Resistance (Part 3: Undisclosed Desires)

3. Undisclosed Desires (3:55)




Pop. Boy-Bandish. Timbaland. Or so you think...

Those first few bars of bass, electric strings, and beat immediatly make you think of the above adjectives (yes, "Timbaland" is an adjective) for this song. But like the album itself, first listens are deceiving. This track soon became my "repeat" track. Evidence of this is on my last.fm account...

The song has zero Matt Bellamy guitar on it, which makes it similar to Absolution's "Endlessly". Yes, "Undisclosed Desires" is the new "Endlessly"! And there is not a thing wrong with that.

Chris and Dom really put their work into this one, bassing it up with the best of them. And of course, what is a Muse track without Bellamy's sensual voice? The man knows how to give a girl butterflies. Though I must admit that the songs on-going crescendos and harmonies add to the sexiness. The sound itself is enough make you blush. Add in the whispers and the lyrics and you have one of the most lustful, yet romantic songs possibly ever produced (those "ooo"'s in mid song? I fell off my chair.)

The lyrics introduce us to a man's love for one special woman. She seems to be the "bad girl" type, or so she acts like it. No matter who she is, this man wants her, and wants her to know he will save her. What is there not to love about...love?

"You trick your lovers that you're wicked and Divine/ You may be a sinner but your innocence is mine./ Please me, show me how it's done./Tease me, you are the one."

Butterflies? Me, too. Wait until you hear that last harmony. That cut off is one that choral conductors sweat over.

And live? Beautiful.



5/5

The Killers Hold My Hand and Let My Hair Down

October 2, 2009
USF Sun Dome Tampa, FL
5/5


Having seen The Killers twice already this year, I went into the USF Sun Dome expecting an incredible show. I knew the basic format of their set list; I knew the small monologues Brandon Flowers would speak in between songs for a quick break; I even knew when Flowers would kneel down in front of bassist Mark Stoermer while he slapped that bass for his well-known bass solo in “Jenny Was A Friend of Mine”. But no YouTube video, or memory of “killer” shows seen previously could have prepared me for the joy ride I was about to take. Simply put, The Killers blew me out of Tampa’s surrounding waters.

The band started out with a new opener “Joy Ride” (usually known for opening with a countdown leading to their first single “Human” from their newest album), encouraging the audience to dance along and forget about life’s troubles for a few hours. Flowers announced to the full standing crowd, “I’ve got a feeling about tonight! I’ve got a feeling about tonight!”, followed by a tremendous uproar. We, too, had a feeling something special was going to take place on this night.



The band pumped out fan favorites such as “Mr. Brightside”, “Human”, “Somebody Told Me”, and the horn powered “Bones” in which Flowers invited the audience to “Come with me! Feel your bones on my bones!” The heart stopping “A Dustland Fairytale”
and “Read My Mind” raised every hand and moved every soul. There was little room for rest on either the band or the crowd’s part, only slowing for a slow version of “Joy Ride” and the ever-so-melancholy “Smile Like You Mean It”.

Mid show, the band invited their opening band, Chairlift (known for their song “Bruises” as heard on iPod commercials), to share the stage and perform a cover of The Church’s “Under the Milky Way”.

Not once did I hear a silent crowd. There were constantly people chanting and reciting Flowers’ lyrics. “I’ve got soul, but I’m not a soldier” from Hot Fuss’ “All These Things That I’ve Done” surely echoed through the streets of Tampa. Even the lesser known, yet no less epic, “BLING! Confessions of a King” from there sophomore album, Sam’s Town and “Losing Touch” from their recent Day & Age had people bobbing and singing along.



If you had been oblivious to the rich and powerful vibe that The Killers were flooding out to their audience, it was clear when the band had left the stage toward the end of their performance. Balcony structures became weak, and the dome erupted with noise to encourage the band that we needed more! After sometime, The Killers finished the night off right with “When You Were Young” and even played the original version of their song “Sam’s Town” with the echoing chant of “I see London, I see Sam’s Town. Holds my hand and let’s my hair down”.


And all too soon it was over.


The thing about this band is that…well…they never disappoint. Their stage is filled with props such as palm trees that remind them of their home in Las Vegas. They have a brilliant light show behind them, showing clips of their music videos and graphics that dance along to their songs. Brandon Flowers always makes the show seem personal, even declaring a “need for a connection” with the audience, where he reaches out to touch your hand. He looks out into the audience, as if to absorb it all, and smiles at you with reassurance. They make you feel as if there is nothing in the world at that time but you and the music.



This band is also for EVERYONE to enjoy. I walked into the show seeing young teens wearing all of their Killers gear only to be standing next to middle aged women also sharing a spot in front of a giant lit-up “K” in the very front row. I stood next to a couple in their sixties who were wearing “Victims” shirts, identifying themselves as members of the band’s fan club. Mothers and fathers brought their small kids. The Killers are also known all over the world. Having been signed first in the United Kingdom, the band has a very large fan base in Europe. Now they tour in Mexico and South America before heading to South Africa. I have no doubt that the fans about to witness this show will be just as amazed as I was. If I were to ever describe something as a religious experience, the feeling I shared with all of those people that night may just be it.



So though I have seen the band perform four times now, on two different tours, there was no denying some kind of magic in Tampa that night. No matter how much I may try to shake the need to see The Killers just one more time, you will be sure to find me jumping, sweating, singing, and swooning in that audience. I just can’t help myself.