In any business, hard work and integrity builds a strong foundation. Such is the case for the band Stonewall and the business of playing their fiery brand of heavy, original grunge-style rock music.
Hailing from Claremont, N.H., Stonewall has steadily built a following throughout Southern Vermont and into the Connecticut River Valley. The band has booked upcoming shows throughout southern Vermont and New Hampshire, as well as Massachusetts, Connecticut, and New York.
The band has reached another milestone with the local release last month of its debut, full-length CD What If?, recorded at Exsubel Studios in Saxtons River.
“It feels good to have our debut album done,” Stonewall singer, songwriter, and guitarist Josh Parker said.
“It was a long time coming, although no one in Stonewall was new to being in a studio,” Parker noted. “Each member has been in a studio to record at least three times prior - it was just a longer process this time around. Overall, though, we are pleased with the result and experience.”
In 2000, Parker formed the band, known as The Few before drummer Ryan Young joined in 2004. Bassist Philip Chiu came on board in 2005 to complete Stonewall's current lineup, and the power trio has been steadily gaining momentum and a very loyal following ever since.
In 2003, Parker and company won a band contest, “Captain B's Artist Showcase,” in Ascutney. The group has since won a string of “battle of the bands” contests, including a 2004 Q106 Radio contest in Lebanon, N.H., a 2005 93–Rock band contest in Claremont, N.H., and a 2007 contest at Shenanigan's in White River Junction.
Other early career highlights include 2006 gigs with national acts Quiet Riot and Days of the New, as well as playing a punk/goth/metal festival in Springfield, Mass. with punk rock legends The Misfits.
Misfortunes along the way
What If? was produced and mastered by the Doug Bashaw, a well-known local musician and sound engineer who died from injuries suffered in a motorcycle accident after the recording of the tracks, but before the CD was pressed and released.
In addition to Bashaw's passing, “our recording engineer, Shamus Martin, had recently donated a kidney and was plagued with health problems after the operation,” Parker said.
“We definitely dealt with some misfortunes along the way while recording the album,” he said.
What If? offers 12 original tracks full of heavy, poignant lyrics and aggressive jams with searing guitar solos, all tied together by Parker's unique baritone, which falls somewhere in between Metallica's James Hetfield and Alice In Chains' Jerry Cantrell.
“Being this is our debut effort, we wanted this album to be as good as it could possibly be,” Parker added.
Martin recorded the entire album, and sound engineer Doug Bashaw mixed and mastered the tracks. From there, Doug scrutinized every track individually as we made the proper adjustments.
“Time-consuming, yes, but well worth the work because we really got a polished product in the end,” Parker said.
Versatile style
Right from the opening track, “Blessings For Pearls,” the band immediately offers power riffs and precision rhythms, killer guitar solos, dark and mighty vocals and a genuine tightness that comes from countless hours of paying dues at rehearsal.
But Stonewall's musicians don't pigeonhole themselves into any one heavy style. They often switch gears midsong into lighter moments, possessing a command and versatility of their instruments that free them to explore other, perhaps less-expected, textures.
The CD was officially released in early October to a packed house in their hometown.
“It is great how many people we have reached,” Parker reflected. “It all serves as fuel for the fire; the band keeps getting better, the fan base keeps growing, and the shows keep getting bigger.”
But one person is missing.
“It is so unfortunate that Doug never got to see the album get released,” Parker said. “We were devastated, and what happened still has not really set in. He was our sound man and great friend, who helped us in so many ways.
“He often ran sound for us for very little pay and several hours away, but it didn't bother him. He had faith in us, that someday we would fulfill our dreams of making it big, which was always his dream as well.”
What If? marks the first official step in the musical journey of Stonewall, but it also documents the final musical legacy of Bashaw, whose star still shines brightly through the music on the CD.
“In a way, Doug's passing has put a lot of things in perspective, and given us another reason to keep plugging away and to keep kicking ass, in his honor,” Parker said.